Our History
The Hill Country Master Gardeners is a service organization helping the AgriLife Extension Service meet the horticultural needs of the community. In return for this service, Master Gardeners gain extensive knowledge and share the camaraderie of other gardeners. The type of service provided by the Hill Country Master Gardeners varies according to community needs and seasons of the year.
John Coleman retired as a chemical engineer and moved from Houston to Kerrville in 1981. He and his wife purchased and operated The Greenery, a nursery, for many years. It was during this time that John began to write a gardening column for the Kerrville Daily Times. His extensive knowledge of landscaping, trees, and native plants was a welcomed resource for everyone living in the Hill Country. John's newspaper column was noticed by a very over-worked and under-staffed County Extension Agent, Eddie Holland. With a little cajoling, Holland convinced John to help with the many horticulture questions coming into the office, and while John proved to be a great help, it quickly became apparent even more assistance was needed.
Left, AgriLife Extension Agent Roy Walston presents
award to Hill Country Master Gardener co-founder John Coleman
John Coleman, co-founder of Hill Country Master Gardeners, was awarded honorary emeritus status by the Texas State Master Gardeners Association.
Roy Walston, Kerr County AgriLife Extension Agent, presented the award in recognition of John's contributions to the Master Gardener program.
Members of the first class of Hill Country Master Gardeners (2002) were on hand to "roast" John and bid him goodbye as he and his wife moved to be near children and grandchildren.
In Memory of HCMG Co-Founder, John S. Coleman John Coleman, co-founder of Hill Country Master Gardeners, passed away on April 3, 2014 in Allen, Texas. He was awarded honorary emeritus status by the Texas State Master Gardeners Association in recognition of his contributions to the Master Gardener program.
The Class of 2002
Seated, left to right, Annese Thomas, Dusty Gilliam, Tommie Airhart (co-founder) and Anna Osborn; 2nd row, Bill Bates, Jim Mans, Francie Mans, Judy Schaefer, John Osborn, Pam Lienhard, and Evelyn Devauld; back row, Bill Gibson, John Coleman (co-founder), Gary Johnson, Loren Hutchinson, Carol Jackson, Master Gardener state coordinator Doug Welsh, Natalie Morgan, Keith Ritter, Ron Richerson
