Episode #21 Rick Castagno-Harris County Master Gardener

Brandi Keller, County Extension Agent - Horticulture with AgriLife Extension Service interviews Rick Castagno, Haris County Master Gardener. They discuss what it’s like being a volunteer, the Houston demonstration gardens, and a few stories of what’s been grown in the vegetable beds. All produce is donated to local food pantries. April is National Volunteer Month. We value and appreciate all our volunteers that choose to share their passion and time with us. 

Shannon Sullivan, Assistant County Extension Agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, interviews  Ashley Pellerin, Extension Program Specialist at Prairie View A&M. Ashley talks about livestock management of goats, the International Goat Research Center, and raising goats for meat and cheese. 

Shannon Dietz, County Extension Agent with AgriLife Extension Service interviews Dr. Lakshmi Mahadevan (Dr. M),  Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Special Populations at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. With 16 years of experience, her areas of expertise include mental health literacy education and is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Adults instructor. She specializes in delivering programs that promote equitable access to public and community education for the state of Texas.  You can follow her on twitter @CTEspecpops or email [email protected] for help answering your questions.  

In this episode, Shannon Dietz, CEA for Agriculture and Natural Resources with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is sharing the importance of Texas Agriculture in planning your holiday meals.  He also will be speaking with special guests Kristina Brown, Better Living for Texans Agent, and Registered Dietician along with Cindy George, who is currently working on her master’s in public health and an intern with Texas A&M AgriLife in the Harris County Office.  All three provide excellent information for you and your family in your planning for holiday meals.

In this episode, Brandi interviews Jaime Gonzalez, Houston Healthy Cities Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. Jaime talks about his history with various organizations  and how they all blend to create a rich story of experiences that can be shared with diverse communities on nature, health, and Houston.

On this episode, Paul talks with Becky Bowling and her position as an urban water specialist in Texas. They'll discuss how education is evolving to better prepare city & county governments, the green industry and homeowners for developing sustainable landscapes.

Brandi interviews Bryan Kratish, Manager of Outreach Services with Harris County Public Library System. They discuss the partnership with the Master Gardener Green Thumb Gardening Series and the library system’s creative programming to reach more county residents.  

On this episode, Paul talks with Lauren Kirchner the director of sales & marketing at Spring Creek Growers in Waller, Texas. Paul & Lauren talk about her family's greenhouse operation and the current trends that she is seeing the industry. 

Shannon Dietz, Harris County County Extension Agent ANR interviews Mr. Steven Sisler, DAR (Disaster and Recovery) Agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Harris County.  Mr. Sisler shares important and timely information about emergency preparedness and information for the 2022 Hurricane Season.  Details on family evacuation plans as well as plans for your livestock, pets and homesite are all discussed, and information shared on where you can get additional information on these topics.

In episode 12, Brandi Keller, Residential Horticulture Agent with Harris County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension interviews Sherri Harrah, manager and hardline buyer for Plants For All Seasons Garden Center. Brandi and Sherri discuss an overview of the family-owned business, a few observations as a woman in horticulture, and touch on some current buying trends in the market today.