Don Ford MG of the Year Nomination Form
- Give a brief description (300 words or less) of the nominee’s involvement in the Master Gardener program. Include activities, projects, committee work, etc… that the nominee has performed. (40 points)
Don Ford has been an active member of Pulaski County Master Gardeners (PCMG) since joining in 2002. Don chose the Pinnacle Mountain (PM) project to work with Arkansas naturalist and wildflower expert, Carl Hunter. Because of that exposure, Don is now one of the leading experts on native plants in central Arkansas. Over time Don has assisted the Continuing Education Committee to present native plant seminars to membership.
Don was involved in the planning stage of the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center (WS) project prior to 2008 and, along with Jane Gulley, developed the plant list and directed the bed preparation and initial plantings in May 2009. He has been the Chair of the PM Project several times and is the current Co-Chair of the (WS) project in downtown Little Rock.
Don served as Vice-President, President, and Past President of PCMG between 2011-2013.
Each year Don collects locally sourced seeds and propagates large numbers of native plants to supplement the native plantings at both WS and PM as well as providing plants for other projects in Pulaski County. Don frequently gives away his extra plants at the monthly PCMG meetings and routinely shares plants with people in the community interested in native plants.
The State Master Gardener convention was held in Pulaski County in May 2017. The Moss Mountain pre-tour included a stop at the PM project. Anticipating 200 participants, Don began propagating plants 18 months in advance to ensure each visiting master gardener could choose two native plants to take with them after touring the project.
Don updated & distributed the WS Native Plant Care guide to the PM team in 2017. He maintains the comprehensive PM project Master Plant spreadsheet. The updated version was shared with all team members this past spring.
2. Describe (250 words or less) the impact of the nominee’s involvement in the MG program and the community. (40 points)
During his time as PCMG President, Don initiated the annual Busy Bee Award that recognizes Master Gardeners who contributes at least 40 hours to their assigned project. This award is given annually at the February membership meeting.
Because of his propagation of native plants, Don has provided at little or no cost many of the native plants currently on display at the PM and WS projects. Without his contribution, both projects would be substantially diminished both in the number of species and the numbers of plants on display. When older plant specimens are needed, such as for PM project to prepare for the State Master Gardener convention pre-tour, Don researches the availability of desired plants at local native plant nurseries and coordinates arrangements to purchase and plant them in time to maximize their potential for the designated function.
Don developed a new labeling system for PM. He identified materials and designed a high contrast label at a reasonable cost. Every label is standardized and easy for visitors to read.
Above all else, Don is an advocate for native plant species through his work as a Master Gardener and as a member of the Arkansas Native Plant Society. He freely shares his knowledge with others. Most MG’s come to the PM and WS projects with limited experience working with native plants. Don is a patient mentor. He points out the identifying characteristics and the highlights of desirable plants and makes sure everyone can identify less desirable plants for removal.
3. Explain (200 words or less) how you evaluated the nominee’s efforts. (10 points)
Don is a lifetime member of PCMG as of 2017. He attends every PM workday when he is not away and is one of the last people to leave. Don leads the education walks each workday and discusses identification tips team members will use that day in the gardens.
He regularly attends monthly education meetings.
He freely shares his knowledge about identification and propagation of native plants with less experienced gardeners and with the community at large. Each year he grows a variety of native plants at home and oversees their planting at both PM and WS.
He harvests and propagates locally sourced seeds from native plants to distribute to Master Gardeners and to members of the ANPS and Arkansas Master Naturalists. This action ensures the local genotypes of many native plants remain intact in the landscape. It is not uncommon to see him harvesting seeds in ditches and along fence rows in rural areas near his home. He also has permission to collect seed at Pinnacle Mountain State Park to grow plants for the project beds.
Most of all he is personable, approachable, and upbeat while working with others in his orbit
4. Include digital images (maximum of 8) in JPEG format for use in judging and for possible use in a PowerPoint presentation. Include one clear close-up (headshot) of the nominee. These images may include photographs, newspaper clippings, newsletter, etc… (10 points)
Each winner will receive a check in the amount of the MG State Conference registration fee if the winner attends the conference. The winner must be present to receive the award check.
To ease the judging process please make certain all forms are completed and signed and send in all the nominations from your MG program together at one time.
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