Junior Master Gardeners promote a love of gardening

Texas Agrilife Extension Service volunteer and Champion Ranch Cattle Operations Manager Jarod Kilcrease provides an overview of the role of a horse in today’s agriculture. Contributed photo Buffalo Elementary held their first Leon County 4-H Junior Master Gardeners program on Friday September 25, 2009. The Leon County Master Gardeners had them make their own rain gages, plant their own plants and do a Gardener Word Find work sheet. The Junior Master Gardener program was introduced in California in 1999. This exciting national youth gardening program, developed by Texas Agrilife Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, cultivates leadership and volunteering by utilizing fun, hands-on horticultural projects. It also kindles and ignites an interest in science (biology) through exciting hands-on activities. It fosters personal pride and responsibility, and encourages peer and cross-generational mentoring.

Texas Agrilife Extension Service Better Living for Texans Assistant Clara Jones discusses the fivecolors of veg and fruits. Contributed photo The Junior Master Gardener program engages children in novel, "hands-on" group and individual learning experiences that promote a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind. JMG encourages youths to be of service to others through service learning and leadership development projects and rewards them with certification.
Texas Agrilife Extension Service Volunteer James Coker provides overview of feed grains to students. Contributed photo
Some of Buffalo’s 4-H Junior Master Gardeners filling their pots with soil. Contributed photo
Leon County Master Gardeners Mary Watson, Charlene Manning, and Mike Baker prepare wildflowerseed balls with the students. Contributed photo
Texas Parks and Wildlife Rick Knipe describes different wildlife species in our area. Contributed photo
Natural Resource Conservation Service representative Jacob Shafer discusses soil particals with the students. Contributed photo
Mr. Charlie Patin (Leon County Master Gardener) assisting the Buffalo 4-H Junior Master Gardeners. Contributed photo