This year marks a decade of dedication, education and community beautification as the Hill County Master Gardeners Association celebrates its 10th anniversary. What began as a small group of eight passionate residents in 2014 has blossomed into a thriving volunteer organization serving Hill County.
The seeds of the Hill County Master Gardeners were sown in 2014 when Norma Folse, a dedicated Master Gardener, partnered with Hill County AgriLife Extension Agent Ryan Collett to launch the program. Their efforts paid off when eight local residents — Norma False, Linda Turner, Carol Beyer, Harry Von Borstel, Linda Gerik, Ray Mershawn, Lucy Pustejovsky and Vicki Shultz — enrolled in the inaugural class.
After completing their training with Ellis County Master Gardeners and fulfilling the required volunteer hours locally, these gardeners were officially certified, and in 2015, the Hill County Master Gardeners Association was formally established under the direction of Zach Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent.
For the past 10 years, HCMG has empowered its members and educated the public on safe, effective and sustainable gardening practices. Their mission includes supporting AgriLife Extension with research-based horticultural information and offering a variety of programs designed to inform and inspire.
From maintaining vibrant flower pots and native plant beds at the Hillsboro City Library to constructing and caring for the Wallace Butterfly Park — a designated Monarch Waystation — Hill County Master Gardeners are deeply rooted in local projects. The organization also played a role in helping the Native Plant Society establish a Monarch waystation along I-35 near Hillsboro.
The group’s commitment extends to community education. Each month, from May through October, they host an informative booth at the Hillsboro Farmers Market, and from February to November, they hold noon educational programs at the Hill County AgriLife Office. Their annual plant sales not only foster gardening enthusiasm but also raises funds for scholarships.
This year, Bayden Buzbee, a senior at Aquilla High School, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to pursue studies in horticulture or a related green industry field.
HCMG’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, the organization was honored with second place for Outstanding Small Association by the Texas Master Gardeners.
Additionally, members Linda Gerik and Lucy Pustejovsky earned first place in the Outstanding Individual (Small Association) category in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
As they reflect on their first 10 years, the Hill County Master Gardeners are not just celebrating the past — they’re planning for the future. HCMG continue to grow a greener, more informed Hill County, one gardener at a time.
The Lakelander 