MG History - Howard County

The first Master Gardener training program in Howard County came about through the efforts of Alyce Doll. After observing the Carroll County program, which was first in Maryland, she was instrumental in organizing a similar program in Howard County under the direction of Agricultural Extension Agent, Bob Hahle.

This initial class in 1979 began with 25 participants. With increasing urbanization in the county, Cooperative Extension found it necessary to place Urban Agriculture Agent, Ray Bosmans, in Howard County in 1981 and he assumed responsibility for the program. Miriam Mahowald, one of the Master Gardeners in the county, became the Horticulture Consultant in 1982 assuming much of the day to day administration of the program. She took an active role in initiating the plant clinics and helping develop and teach the training program.

Because of overwhelming public demand for gardening information, Cooperative Extension initiated the development of the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) with a toll free number in 1990 to handle the requests. Because of the geographical location of the Center in Howard County, some of the Howard County Master Gardeners provide some services at the Center. Indeed some have become paid employees as Horticulture Consultants.

Ray Bosmans was transferred to the HGIC in 1989 and Miriam Mahowald remained for a time to administer the program before leaving the job in November 1989. In her absence, while Extension was searching for a new Urban Agricultural Agent, Roberta Weber took responsibility for the program. Horticulture Consultant, Jean Weiss, was hired in the interim to assist her in administering the program. Scott Aker began work as Urban Agriculture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator in August 1991. In March 1992, Scott Aker resigned and in the absence of funding, the Urban Agriculture position was eliminated. In July 1992 Georgia Eacker was hired as Master Gardener Coordinator .

As of January, 2008 there are 168 certified Master Gardeners in the program.

For more information, contact Robin Hessey

Last updated: 04/8/2008