Texas AgriLife

Mr. Mannino is a native of Tickfaw, Louisiana in Tangipahoa Parish. He spent his early life on a family farm - growing strawberries, peppers, sweet potatoes and peanuts for boiling not roasting. He has been employed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service since 1984, having served as County Extension Agent for Horticulture in Tarrant County from 1984 until 1990, as County Extension Agent for Horticulture in Jefferson County from 1990 until 2004 and as County Extension Director in Fort Bend County from 2004 to present. He has hosted and has been a guest on weekly television and radio shows for 22 years including WBAP, KXAS, KTVT and KXJS in Fort Worth/Dallas and KDFM, KBMT, KLVI and KALO in Beaumont/Port Arthur. In addition he has written news articles for up to 7 newspapers per week for 21 years. He founded both the Tarrant County Master Gardener program and the Jefferson County Master Gardener program and their corresponding associations in 1987 and 1991, respectively. Throughout that period of time over 4000 master gardeners were trained and utilized for purpose of Extension outreach. Mr. Mannino is the recipient of over 50 awards, a member of several professional organizations and has served in leadership roles for most.  He is a member of Rotary Club of Rosenberg and served as President in 2010 and Scholarship Chairman since 2011 until present. He is married to Naomi and together they have 5 children - Rachel, Sarah, Frances, Michael and David.