The recently concluded Dallas County Master Gardener (DCMG) Table inside Texas Discovery Gardens was a wonderful opportunity for so many DCMGs to talk to lots of visitors to the State Fair and impart valuable knowledge about soil amendments, trees and general gardening topics.  A giant thank you is owed to the scores of DCMGs who volunteered their service.  Many worked multiple shifts (an extra big thank you!). The enthusiasm and ability to talk to both adults and children by both interns and seasoned DCMGs was impressive.

Some of the numbers we were able to document include the following:

• 80 volunteer slots were filled
• 50 individual DCMGs worked the shifts (and accumulated lots of hours!!)
• 3099 scanned the Great Small Trees’ QR code
• 350 children enjoyed the scavenger hunt (and their parents got a closer look at the Master Gardener Garden)
• 230 handouts on soil amendments were shared
• 150 handouts on Great Small Trees were distributed

In addition, we received many accolades on our table, including from neighboring Master Gardener associations.  MGs from other counties loved it and asked to take pictures.  The surveys that we did were overwhelmingly positive in terms of what they had learned from us, with almost all of them saying they would use what we had told them in their own gardens.  There were also numerous conversations with visitors about how to become a Master Gardener.

We all need to remember how rewarding it is to share our gardening knowledge in those one-on-one conversations. Let’s do more of that in the coming year.