EARTH-KIND™ is a specialty program developed by Dr. Steve George, Dr.
Jerry Parsons, Vince Mannino and Mark Terning of the Texas Agricultural
Extension Service.

The premise is:
“Use of research – proven gardening and landscaping techniques
to provide a maximum of plant enjoyment while protecting our
fragile environment.”

The first EARTH-KIND™ Specialist Training, attended by 32 Texas Master
Gardeners, was hosted by Permian Basin Master Gardeners at the CEED,
October 2004. Two years later the name changed to the National
EARTH-KIND™ Specialist Training. Thirty four were in attendance including
Master Gardeners, Rosarians, a County Extension agent and attendees
from Nebraska and Oregon. Currently 35 counties throughout Texas have
been represented at the conference.

The specialty training is a 2 day conference featuring ten experts.
Attendees leave the conference with a CD, an EARTH-KIND™ shirt, two
EARTH-KIND™ Roses of their choice from 7 varieties, Mike Shoup’s “The Guide to Old Roses”, and a reference notebook.

Tentative dates for 2007 are September 26th to 28th, 2007.