Victoria County Master         Gardener Association

August 3, 2020

Who does not like a great plate of tasty food prepared from a recipe that may have been handed down through the generations?  Isn't it better when those recipes come from a trusted and dedicated group of volunteers?

The Victoria County Master Gardener Association (VCMGA) was initiated in 1997 by Mr. Joe Janak, County Extension Agent.  The organization has flourished in the twenty-three years since inception, providing thousands of hours of volunteer service and working on various community service projects throughout Victoria and surrounding counties.  Historically, the VCMGA has averaged 16,000 volunteer hours in various service areas valued at over $30,000,000 during the years.  Victoria County has established itself as the regional training hub for the Coastal Bend and has since added various educational service projects in multiple counties.

The scope of the project work over the years of the VCMGA is extensive.  I am proud to say that this group of enthusiastic volunteers has made huge impacts in youth and adults in many areas related to horticulture.

Plenty of changes have occurred in the past twenty-three years as it comes to community project work.  The umbrella organization's name was changed in 2012 to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (see figure 1).  Additionally, the logo of VCMGA has also changed to bring it into a more cohesive statewide master gardener brand (see figure 2).  The master gardener volunteers continue to work on multiple educational projects simultaneously.  We currently have a list of thirty standing committees working toward bringing a quality and exemplary educational experience to all exposed clientele.

The reprint of this magnificent cookbook on the cookbook's tenth anniversary is another project of the VCMGA.  In this book, there is a wealth of topnotch, tasty and creative recipes from VCMGA volunteers.  Many of the dishes listed I can personally attest to being superb.  They are often served at group gatherings we continue to host.

Many thanks and sincere congratulations to all the Victoria County Master Gardeners past and present who have impacted the tens of thousands of persons through their volunteer spirit, dedication and relentless pursuit of education.  It is a sincere privilege to lead this group.

Matt Bochat (bo SHAY), M.S.

County Extension Agent - Agriculture/Natural Resources-Victoria County

Victoria County Master Gardener Associaton Advisor

(figure 1)

(figure 2)

VCMGA is a non-profit educational organization coordinated through the Victoria County Texas AgriLife Extension Service.  Its mission is to increase the knowledge of gardening.  Under the cooperation of The Texas A&M University System, the County Commissioners Courts of Texas and the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Texas extension programs, it serves people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or origin.

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