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AgriLife Extension reports strong 4-H participation, Master Gardener volunteer hours valued at $175,000
Summary
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension told the court that local 4-H members and Master Gardeners had strong participation in 2024 programs; Extension reported $77,599 raised at livestock auctions, 54 community garden plots and 5,039 volunteer hours logged by Master Gardeners in 2024.
Ginger Easton Smith, Ag and Natural Resource agent for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, briefed the Aransas County Commissioners Court on April 21 about 4-H activities, a community garden and the Master Gardener volunteer program.
Smith said county 4-H had 205 members and 13 Clover Kids (K–2), supported by 16 adult volunteers. At the county Agricultural and Homemaker Show in January, 38 youth entered livestock divisions and 32 of those advanced to the auction, generating $77,599 in sale proceeds and add-on donations, Smith said.
The Healthy Aransas community garden is in its eighth year and runs on county land; Smith said 32 gardeners currently cultivate 54 plots and that gardeners may donate produce to local food banks but may not sell it. The garden is operating under hand-watering because of stage-3 water restrictions.
Smith also recognized Master Gardeners: the county has 81 certified Master Gardeners, 18 interns (16 graduated in 2024) and a total of 97 Master Gardeners who provided 5,039 volunteer hours in 2024, a contribution the presenter valued at roughly $175,000. Master Gardener activities include monthly educational brown-bag talks, a symposium, school visits and public workshops on water conservation and native landscaping.
Commissioners thanked Extension staff and recognized the program’s role in youth education, volunteerism and water-wise gardening amid local restrictions.
