Guadalupe County Master Gardeners
Projects for Volunteer Hours
Below is the list of Guadalupe County Master Gardener Volunteer Outreach Service Opportunities. Some have no point of contact listed (you are encouraged and welcome to lead the project); others have a point of contact listed so that you can ask questions of them or request to volunteer. Remember, all of these projects need your help by volunteering to support our community.
Ask a Master Gardener Phone Line, Seed Exchange & Research Library
Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Building, 210 East Live Oak, 2nd floor, Seguin, TX 78155 POC: Ernestine Sykes – 210-544-0756 (text preferred) Date & Time: Workdays scheduled every Wednesday 2:00 pm to 4 pmTask: Volunteers needed to run copies for our various events, package seeds/and answer phones. We need seeds for our events. Just drop them by the Texas AgriLife A&M Extension Office, labeled with the name (common name & Latin if you know it) and the year they were harvested. If there is a specific color, mention that too. No Mountain Laurel please. If the seed is rare or an heirloom, add that to the description. GCMG Ask a MG Project Website page: https://guadalupecountymastergardeners.org/resources/ask-a-master-gardener/ GCMG Library Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/MGLibrary/index.html GCMG Seed Exchange Project Website page: A dedicated page for Seed Exchange is coming soon – but you can find current info for the Seed Exchange on the GCMG homepage at this link (then scroll about half way down) as well as on the event calendar.
Guadalupe County Demonstration Garden (GCDG)
Location: Guadalupe County Annex Building in Schertz, 1101 Elbel Road, Schertz, TX 78154 POC: Ann and Dale Odvody, odvodyd@swbell.net Dale Cell: 210-665-3816 Date & Time: Workdays scheduled Every Tuesday and Friday 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Task: Volunteers will monitor, maintain, repair, plant. This teaching garden provides produce for Food Banks and other needy programs. Contact Garden chair if you would like to work in the garden another day or time. All volunteer workers welcome. Contact Ann Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GCDemonstrationGarden/ GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/GCDG/index.htmlMaster Gardener Educational Demonstration Garden, Herb Garden & Certified Butterfly Garden at the Texas Agricultural & Heritage Center (a.k.a. Big Red Barn Seguin)
Location: 390 Cordova Road, Seguin, Texas 78155 POC: Janice Knobles – jmknobles@yahoo.com Date & Time: Every Friday Morning Task: Duties of the vegetable garden are weeding and trimming, mulching, re-planting, Re-creating new beds. The garden is maintained for the sole purpose to use as Educational Presentations for Master Gardener programs, School Tours, Pecan Festival and Ag Festival. This education garden is also open to the public for the Big Red Barn tours; contact the Big Red Barn for tour dates and time, (210) 275-4402Also at the Red Barn: The Master Gardener Kiosk is located inside the Big Red Barn extension building. PoC: Ernestine Sykes at ejackson.sykes@gmail.com GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/BRB/index.html GCMG Project Website page for Kiosk: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/BRBKiosk/index.html Website: http://texagedu.org/ Facebook: The Gardens at the Big Red Barn
La Vernia Primary School
Location: 249 FM 1346 South, La Vernia, TX 78121 POC: Kay Cover, Peggy Jones, Colleen Collier Date & Time: Tuesdays 8:30am-9:30am – Workdays are for maintaining the gardens. If teaching a class that will be on yours and the teacher’s schedule. Task: La Vernia Primary is for kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. There are numerous volunteer opportunities. We maintain the gardens year-round. You can choose to work in the garden only, or choose to work with a class or help another MG or parent/grandparent. We share our gardening knowledge with these children in a fun way using the Junior Master Gardener Program. We coordinate with the principal and teachers. The school librarian is involved in providing resources. We also meet with the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Each school year we determine how many teachers wish to have/or continue with a garden plot. The teachers ask for parent volunteers, and we work with those volunteers to get them started. Master Gardener Volunteers have a fun and rewarding experience. Background checks will be required through the school system at no expense in addition to the MG background check. ID’s will be issued to be worn at all times on school grounds. You can help make the gardener of the future! GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/LaVernia/index.htmlEarth Day in Seguin at the Square/MG Plant Sale
Location: Seguin middle of the Square Downtown POC: TBD for 2024 Date & Time: April , 2024, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Task: In February, a committee of volunteers come up with a theme for recycle and selects a chairman. Set up three to five booths and volunteers carry materials, set up displays, talk to the community about plants and gardening, answer questions, and possible demonstrations, one table i required be to involve the kids and/or parents with using a recycle item for planting or projects. This is a great Location to recruit adults for next Master Gardener class. Three tables to SALE Plants. One table for Kids crafts, one table for Information and class booth We will have 2 or 3 shifts. GCMG Project Website page:Creech Prairie Restoration, Inc.
Location: 1467 County Road 401, Floresville, TX 78114 POC: melinda@creechprairierestoration.org Date & Time: Scheduled workdays are 2nd Saturday each month. Contact POC to schedule other days Task: POC will provide details on what is neededGCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/Creech/index.html Website: https://www.creechprairierestoration.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melinda.creech.3/
Monthly Meeting Refreshments
Location: 210 E. Live Oak, Seguin, TX 78155 POC: kathleensmith1214@gmail.com Date & Time: Every 3rd Thursday of the month (except for June & December)Task: Sign up at prior months meeting, or contact Kathleen for what to bring
4th July Parade Float(s)
Location: 210 E Live Oak St, Seguin, TX 78155 POC: TBD for 2024 Date & Time: Contact POC for details, but work usually starts about mid-MayTask: Contact POC for details
GCMG Project Website page:
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
POC: Pam Younger – pamyounger54@gmail.com
Date & Time: October 10 – 13 2024Task: POC will provide details on what is needed GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/Pumpkins/index.html
Yulefest
POC: April Rippel – adrippel@gmail.com (830) 433-2218
Date & Time: First Sunday in December 10am – 4pm Task: This one-day, indoor event allows the GCMGs to spread informational handouts and also raises funds for our non-profit organization. Volunteers are needed to set up the booth, man the booth from 10am – 4pm, and to break down the booth. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/Yulefest/index.htmlGuadalupe County Fair
Location: City of Seguin Coliseum 950 South Austin Street, Seguin, TX 78155 POC: Kathleen Smith – kathleensmith1214@gmail.com Date & Time: October 10 – 13 2024 – Volunteers for multiple timeslots each day are neededTask: Master Gardeners are responsible for acceptance of Horticultural Division and other related entries to be judged. During the Fair, Master Gardeners operate information and demonstration booths where they talk to the public and answer questions and give seeds and handouts. We usually also have a plant sale and a raffle as well. Takes place over several days with multiple shifts each day. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/CountyFairMGBooth/index.html
Pecan Fest / Heritage Days
POC: TBD for 2024 Date & Time: October 26, 2023 10am t0 4pm
Task: Volunteers at both locations are needed to man the booths, answer questions, handout materials— volunteer shifts (ideally, two volunteers per shift; volunteers are welcome to serve on more than one shift) GCMG Project Website page:
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
Location: in Seguin downtown at the Square POC: Ernestine Sykes – ejackson.sykes@gmail.com TBD for 2024 Date & Time: November – December Task: Create a theme, make decorations, buy a tree, decorate and take down tree at Seguin Central Park. Lots of fun needs about 5 or 6 volunteers (more are welcome!!). GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/MGChristmasTree/index.htmlGCMG Plant Sales
Location: in Seguin, Schertz and at other various locations throughout the year POC: TBD for 2024 Date & Time: Several days throughout the year, check the GCMG Plant Sale Web Site: www.gcmgtx.org or https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/MGPlantSales/index.html Task: Combination of Growing and purchasing plants at different times of the year. group plans dates and locations and what to grow and what to sell. Involve the membership in the growing process and also at locations to sell or set up or take down at location. Great way to answer question to educate the public and get our community involved in growing plants to help the world.Christian Cupboard
Location: 1516 N. Camp St. , Seguin, TX 78155 POC: Kay McElveen – hkaymcelveen@gmail.com Date & Time: Workdays: Major projects such as construction or spreading mulch are scheduled on an as needed basis. Other than that volunteers adopt a bed/planter and are responsible for all planting, maintenance & harvesting after the team agrees on who is growing what. Volunteers work on their own schedule. Task: Volunteers will monitor – maintain, repair, plant. This teaching garden provides produce for Food Banks and other needy programs. Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in the garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/ChristianCupboard/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianCupboard/Gutierrez Garden Park
Location: 1231 Borgfeld Rd., Schertz, TX 78154 POC: Judy Stanley – jstanley20@satx.rr.com Date & Time: Scheduled Workdays are Tuesdays 9:oo am – 11 am Task: Volunteers will monitor, maintain, repair, and plant. This teaching garden provides knowledge about pollinators and Texas Native Plants.Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in the garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/Gutierrez/index.html More Info: https://naturerockssanantonio.org/activity/gutierrez-xeriscape-park
Marion Veterans’ Community Park
Location: 100 Huebinger St., Marion, TX 78124 POC: Carol Suchan ladywithdonkey@yahoo.com (210) 870-4880 Date & Time: Scheduled workdays are Tuesdays 9am to 11am Task: Volunteers will monitor, maintain, repair, and plant. This teaching garden provides knowledge about pollinators and Texas Native Plants. Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in the garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/MVCPark/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Veterans-Community-Park-Marion-Texas-100083064555687/Park West Pollinator Garden
Location: 600 Block of North Vaughn Ave., Seguin, TX 78155 POC: Liz Romero – fleurromero@gmail.com Date & Time: Monday 8:30am to 10:30am and Thursday 8:30am to 11:30am Task: Volunteers will monitor, maintain, repair, and plant. This teaching garden provides knowledge about pollinators and Texas Native Plants. Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in the garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/ParkWest/index.html iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/park-west-in-seguin-flora-and-fauna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeguinParkWest/ More info: https://www.seguintexas.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Park-West-12Polley Mansion Heritage Garden
Location: 11432 FM 539, La Vernia, TX 78121 POC: Robin and Keith Muschalek keith.muschalek@gmail.com also forcexxi@yahoo.com Date & Time: Workdays by appointment, reach out to the POC Task: Volunteers will monitor, maintain, repair, and plant. This teaching garden provides knowledge about historical heritage gardening during the late 1800s. Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in this garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/Heritage/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolleyMansion/St. Andrew’s Community Garden
Location: Corner of Nolte and Crockett Streets, Seguin, TX 78155 POC: Ernestine Sykes – ejackson.sykes@gmail.com (210) 544-0756 Date & Time: Scheduled workdays are Wednesday mornings 9am until finished Task: Maintenance includes weeding, watering and planting. Please reach out to the POC if you would like to work in the garden. All volunteer workers welcome. GCMG Project Website page: https://www.gcmgtx.org/ProjectWebPages/StAndrews/index.html Facebook: St. Andrew’s Community Garden Wilson County LibraryGrowing Future Gardens
Details forthcoming Location: POC: Benna Hunter Date & Time: Task: GCMG Project Website page:Link to Archive of previously supported project by GCMG
If a Master Gardener sees a need to help with a NEW horticultural/education project, please fill out a project approval form (forms are on VMS) and contact a board member to announce at the next board meeting for review and or approval.Master Gardeners: Remember that to retain your certification you need to report your volunteer and continuing education hours using the Volunteer Management System on at least a monthly basis.
You can also see the updated list for volunteering on VMS.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University system, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts Cooperating.
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the program should contact the County Extension Office at least one week prior to the program or event to request mobility, hearing, visual or other assistance.