Gragg honored for dedication to horticulture industry

Monday, November 27, 2017

Viewers may not see him on screen very often, but Kevin Gragg has been an integral part of the popular television program Oklahoma Gardening for more than two decades.

Gragg is more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy in his role of videographer for the program. His dedication to not only the program, but to the horticulture industry as a whole, caught the attention of the Oklahoma Horticulture Society Inc. The organization recently presented him with the George J. Vaclavek Award.

This prestigious award is presented semi-annually to outstanding members of Oklahoma’s horticultural community. Nominations are presented to OHS and voted on by the OHS board.

“It’s an incredible honor to be nominated and receive this award from people for whom I have so much respect,” Gragg said. “There haven’t been that many people receive this award since its inception 18 years ago and I’m extremely humbled to be included with the renowned horticulturists and civic leaders who also have received it.”

Although he is behind the scenes, Gragg said he truly enjoys his work in horticulture.

“I do most of my horticultural work hidden behind the scenes. To be pulled from the shadows and recognized as having made a positive impact is quite validating and meaningful to me,” he said.

The OHS is a group of both professional and amateurs united by a common interest in horticulture and fine gardening. The group promotes good gardening and horticultural practices that help the environment and beauty of the land. It is a statewide organization dedicated to growing plants, creating gardens, developing landscapes, establishing wildscapes and in general, beautifying Oklahoma.

“The OHS is a source of tremendous support for horticulture in Oklahoma and brings in nationally recognized speakers, provides scholarships, as well as underwriting support for Oklahoma Gardening,” Gragg said.