Purchase Area Master Gardener Association

(PAMGA)

P. Allen Smith, garden designer, author and television personality, visited the "Plant a Seed" class while in town for Garden Gurus. Master Gardeners arranged for Smith to chat with the eager students.  The water team described Smith's visit to Paducah Middle School in this way:

Student Journal Entry from Water team: Friday, January 21. 2005

Today, P.Allen Smith came to visit us at school. P.Allen Smith is a well known gardener around the world. He informed us about his childhood and about following our dreams. His presentation was very enlightening and interesting. Mr. Smith told us that he has traveled all around the world, teaching and interviewing people about plants. P.Allen told us that he has also written two great books. One book will be coming out this spring.

Mr. Smith's dad died when he was a seventh grader. At this time he tried to become more like his cousin, a doctor, so that he could impress his family. But, he couldn't be like his cousin. His cousin made him realize that he could not be in the medical field. He needed to pursue his interests and become a gardener. P. Allen was a gardener at heart, he just didn't know it yet.

Smith's visit concluded with an autograph and photo session.  In Little Rock, Arkansas where Smith now makes his home, he has developed a curriculum for teaching horticulture to third and fourth graders through the Partners in Education Program.

Purchase Area Master Gardener Association, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, Ky 42001 270/554-9520  FAX 270/554-8283  www.pamga.org