Fort Bend County Master Gardeners began in 1989, with the first graduating class of 24 taking place on November 27, 1990. The Texas Master Gardener program originally formed in Montgomery County, Texas in 1979, with five more counties following close behind. In the 1990s, the Texas Master Gardener movement exploded, fueled by the program’s success and visibility. In 1991, a statewide, non-profit organization was formed and called the Texas Master Gardener Association. Today there are Master Gardener organizations in 96 Texas counties. The Texas Master Gardener program is a volunteer development program offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and improve the quality of life through horticultural projects. In addition, Fort Bend County Master Gardeners’ mission is to provide volunteer service through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. These volunteers deliver university research-based horticulture and environmental education and projects to the Fort Bend County residents. Today, Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, consists of 100+ Certified Texas Master Gardeners and Associates who further the mission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension through their volunteer service. Each year, these dedicated Fort Bend County Master Gardeners contribute thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars of food and donations to local food banks.
