At their regular meeting held at the County Courthouse in Johnson City on November 10, County Commissioners received a report from County Extension Agent, Todd Swift.

With him were more than a dozen animated Master Gardeners from Blanco County.

Mr. Swift reported on the Drought Decisions Program, the Fall Range Field Day, the Wildlife Management Program and the Private Applicator License Training.

He reported on 4-H students’ participation in the Wild Game Dinner; Lamb and Goat Validation; the Goat Project and Training Clinic; a film that was produced by IT Specialist, Pete Flores, which can be seen on the Texas AgriLife Extension You Tube Channel; and the 4-H Big Bash Night. There are 140 members currently in the 4-H program.

Then there are the Master Gardeners of Blanco County. Some of their projects and participation have included: The Blanco County Fair, the Lavender Festival in Blanco, and the Wildflower Festival in Johnson City.

They have provided seminars on Native Grasses, Native Perennials, Gardening for Seniors and Rainwater Harvesting.

For children the Master Gardeners have taught Junior Master Gardener classes, given Nature Talks at Bamberger Ranch and helped with Discover Camp.

They have gone to people’s properties to help them identify oak wilt and other gardening problems.

Members have manned phones at the Extension Office when needed. They helped with landscaping at the Johnson City Library and at the Johnson City Housing Authority.

Master Gardeners have provided 1,268 volunteer hours and have taken 343 hours of advanced training. They are working to produce a brochure specific to Blanco County relative to native soils, plants and grasses. The class of 2009 has provided 622 volunteer hours and has taken 35 hours of advanced training since finishing the required 50 hours of learning.

Taken altogether, Master Gardeners have volunteered or trained for a grand total of 2,268 hours. Translated into monetary terms, they have contributed $46,494.00 worth of time to the community.

The Master Gardener Class of 2009 includes the following individuals: Diana Blackburn, James Blackburn, Leona Carleton, Barbara Counts, Mary Joyce, Margaret Mengers, Mary Nabors, Jose Ramirez, Bobby Rushing, Henrietta Smith, Pastor Sid Spiller, Cerice Spivey, Alfred Syamken and Mark Tresselt.

Judge Guthrie expressed his appreciation for all they do for the benefit of Blanco County.

Other items on the Commissioners Court agenda included approval of extension bonds for road construction, water distribution and sewer collection for the Rockin’ J subdivision, Unit 3; and authorization for the County Judge to sign an Emergency Notification System agreement with CAPCOG.

It was reported that the developers of Rockin’ J will be seeking preliminary approval for a Phase 6 addition to that sub-division.