Master Gardeners

On our personal pages, there are designations for a couple of things, such as subscribers and uber gardeners. Would there be any interest in (or reason to) show Master Gardeners, too? I just think that they've all gone through a lot of training and should be recognized for their efforts. Of course, I haven't contacted any of the MG's on DG to see if this would be a good thing or not, but it seemed like a good idea to me. I'm sure there are pros and cons (like some folks seeking them out to ask questions). Perhaps we can discuss it here?

What is a UBER gardener? I have seen that designation on some member's blocks, but I don't know what it is.

Thanks.

FlowrLady, click on the UBER next time you see it for an explanation.

Smiln: I'll see what everyone else says. :)
dave

Well, congratulations to all you Ubers'. Thanks for being there, and being there for us!! I'm sure I'm enjoying this new find (DG) because of the work you've put in before I knew about DG.

back to the original suggestion - On our homepages there is a box that says

membername wants you to know

and contains our location information.

If Master Gardeners could check a box somewhere in preferences (perhaps in the 'homepage' section?) designating themselves a MG, maybe the info could show up in that box.

Just an idea . . .

Cheri'

I would like to know who are Master Gardeners and wouldn't mind them being posted like the Ubers are..... Maybe there could be a fancy MG under their name.......huh...
Dee

I think it's a great idea.

Paul

Hi,
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask, right?

Is Master Gardener a term for something on DG (like UBER) or it is from the AHS or other organization... or is it something you just decide you are?

I have seen refs to MG and tried to guess what it meant (miniature gardens? Morning Glory?), so thanks at least for filling THAT in!
~'spin!~

MG can definately mean different things depending upon which forum you're in. :) A Master Gardener is a person who completes a program of study which conducted by the county extension agency office or a local university where they learn about home gardening and landscaping. The topics studied vary from region to region and include information ranging from pest control problems to composting.

This person then provides educational leadership to the community. The Master Gardeners help the Extension office in fulfilling the educational outreach mission by: staffing plant question phone lines, giving talks to local groups, introducing children to gardening, presenting information at garden and trade shows, organizing educational programs and conferences, creating and maintaining demonstration gardens which showcase new plants, new planting methods, composting, and new irrigation methods and more.

I think this is a great idea

Sounds great to me. Helps to know if you are taking advice from someone that they have some experience! (opinion not at all influenced by fact that I hope to become one...)

"Sounds great to me. Helps to know if you are taking advice from someone that they have some experience"

Not quite sure about that part, delphiniumdiva. To carry the name master gardener does not always denote experience of any kind but rather that one has taken a course and have chosen to volunteer your assistance to the community. I know a few master gardeners that are extremely knowledgeable and helpfu, but very few. I know more MG's that know very little HOWEVER, most of those will take the time to go look up an answer or consult with a higher-up in an effort to help out.

I approached our local Ag Office some years back about taking their course. After talking a while they were asking me if I would come teach one or two of their classes instead of being in their classes. I never saw the need to become one and to this day "master" gardeners are calling on the phone from time to time seeking input from me. Knowing that no one person has all the answers I tend to give them my perspective/knowledge/experienced answer and then encourage them to another response from another seasoned grower. (It's fun to be part of the link!)

Anyhoooo...the title doesn't denote a "master", and by the same token, the lack of the title doesn't mean "this person is inexperienced".

On another note, there are many DGers who have been gardening/growing 40, 50, 60 years and more. Bigtime knowledge and experience are within some of those folks. They don't carry a title other than their name. Should we somehow acknowledge those folks? Would they feel slighted because they've not been given a title and/or being recognized?

duh OK it was dumb - no coffee, pot broken, not responsible for what I babble! Still think OK to ackn. MG's though - no big deal. Everybody knows the DGers who are the real pros, or they soon fine out. Don't care if they have a title or not!

NO!...no no no, it was not dumb! Sorry if I made it sound like you were. I've held off posting cus sometimes my thoughts are not in line with many others and hate to come off being offensive. Your post made it easy for me to segue into it, and I thank you for it!

Now, about that coffee...here, have a cup of mine. (It's Luzianne! Got chickory!)

Shoe,

You made such a strong case, I kind of felt like a dingbat for even starting this thread. :) But, having thought about it a bit longer, I still think it has some merit.

I agree, there are some MG's who don't put a lot into their training - just what's necessary. Other's truly take pride in the title and their continual zest for knowledge.

My Dad once said, "Not all doctors graduate at the top of their class." I believe that the same case could be made for any line of work. Yes, the folks who make C-'s still pass the class, but that doesn't mean they are especially gifted or talented. They just made a passing grade. So, too, with doctors or MG's, some just made passing grades. Others graduated at the top of their class. I don't think we need to determine who "worthy" of the title.

That anyone takes the courses and makes the effort sets themselves apart from others. That is what I think is worth acknowledging.

Yep...I agree. Especially the part where not all Drs./MGs/ etc are at the top of the class.

I encourage our local MGs to continue on, sometimes its so frustrating to some of them because of the multitude of things to learn. Some have given up but many more have stuck to it...those are the ones who are really into it and will excell, or have excelled.

I love your sentence "continual zest for knowledge"! You've just described yourself!

I don't think you should feel bad about starting this thread. We all want recognition in some form. (Mercy, I've made you feel like a dingbat, made delphiniumdiva feel dumb, that's not a very positive feeling...perhaps I should go edit my above post.)

Nonsense, Shoe. Don't change a thing. You have provided food for thought and that is the essence of this kind of thread. I posted it to start a discussion.

What's become humorous in the process is that I just received information on Thursday about MG classes starting up this fall here in OK. :) I have already sent in the form and will have to go through an interview process in August. The classes start in Sept. When I started this thread, I didn't realize I might actually be counted among the MG's at some point later this year (God willing).

I think you'd make a great Master Gardener.

If you need any references just holler...ALL of us here at DG will swamp them with good words!

Its OK horseshoe I'm used to feeling dumb.
Kidding ;)

Want to talk offending people read some of MY posts! I should get a certificate for Master Offender! All in good fun, but sometimes things don't come across esp. if people don't know you already. I always think "should I push this 'send' button....?"

Hurray for all the MGs! I still think it helps to know a bit about a person when you are posting. I recently asked a Q about a plant and actually had someone answer by trying to explain to me the diff. between "annual" and "perennial." What could I say? That I've been memorizing latin botanical names since I was 12? Oops, hope they don't see this...

Well, if you've been doing that you're way ahead of the rest of us!

I know a few of them here and there along the way, thanks to DG. It sure gets easier as time goes on, eh?

It was doing my tradelist really got me OMA and jogged all those memory cells - but my dad was a botanist and I was really bored as a kid! Ever wondered what makes a vine twist around a pole? Like, how does it know?

watch out shoe, you got another cajun...you know how we are...




sorry Smilin, you can have your thread back...heh,heh

...for the moment. heh,heh....

'wondered why a vine twist around a pole?"

Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! I know, I know!!....(says Horshack from the back of the room.)

I've had stare-downs with vines before. Even wrote a story once about beans being our ancestors, but don't get me started. (Too off topic.)

(Oh m'goo'ness...two Cajuns in the same thread...I best behave myself!)

Yes, folks...and now, back to the topic at hand...

"beans being our ancestors?"
And now you expect us to meekly go back to topic? Ha! And I am not a Cajun but a pure blooded Irish-Scotch-Choctaw-Who-knows-what-all. I do "suck da' heads" though.

Well, did anyone decide if we would have anything for Master Gardeners or not?
Just checkin........ :o)
dee

I'm still not sure about it, for a variety of reasons.

Horseshoe's post from Jul 10, 2004 sums a lot of my thoughts up.

dave

REALLY impressed with the UBER...alles of them!!! Dave et amies...you have created a wonderful environment!! Thank you.

Well..I am a MG but I don't know what good it would do to have it under my name....the only change it has created in my life is very personal, a great deal of knowledge, a great deal of satisfaction knowing I can help others...makes me stand a bit over 5'11" proudly!!!

Carol

You are a giant among the rest of us, Carol.

Aw shucks, Daisy...jest another gal out here getting her nails ripped apart!

Super-model, volleyball playing, hoop slamming nails getting messed up! LOL

You WILL wear flats to MY round up, Carol! Ha Ha!

It did take some effort to take the MG course - but not as many hours here in Iowa as some states require. We did battle snowstorms and faulty equipment on some evenings. :) That said, I don't feel like I need something by my name to show I took the course. Many who haven't taken any course know a lot more than me. I did learn how to find the answers for the many, many things I don't know. Bottom line IMHO - because there is such a large discrepancy between the different states' programs, I vote for no MG designation - unless there is also a box to check off for 2 yr. Hort degree or 4yr Hort degree or Masters degree, etc. and then it'll start to look like a resume. :)

Very good points kooger and very well put.

It might be good if Dave could include a fourth link on our homepages. After our favorite websites, those who are MG's could indicate which state they're a member of, and a link to their state's website.

Great idea Terry

Hummmm, I like that idea to Terry.
What does Dave say about it?
:o)
Dee

I really like Terry's idea, too. I'm seriously considering enrolling in some MG classes here myself, but I'm a newbie so I know I don't know a lot and I sure wouldn't add that designation on my profile. *smile*

Still, I'm growing wealthy in both information and friendships here on DG. And I only joined a few months ago! Along with having experience with my first veggie garden, I itch to learn more so I can continue to share with my friends and family as well as help myself.

I think it would be cool to see who else has taken MG classes (on their profs) with perhaps a disclaimer that the MG entry only shows interest, but does not necessarily equate to expertise.

Donna

Donna,

One of the ways that I have learned a lot about a variety of plants is by perusing the Plants Database and by researching plants and adding information about them. There is so much work that still needs to be done adding little details about many, many plants. Find something you're interested in and look it up. For me, one thing always seems to lead to another and I find myself learning new things almost daily about different plants.

Also, as you go to botanical gardens and/or nurseries, take pictures and upload them to the PDB or write down the plant names and research them when you get home. I have learned SO MUCH that way.

Just some ideas anyway....

*smilin at Smilin*

The Plants Database is what initially attracted me to subscribe. I'm still heavily gleaning info from it at this point, but am starting to contribute to it with zip code info and plan to help beef that up more with details when I can do so more confidently. :)

Carla, your posts here on DG (both in this thread and elsewhere) are a great part of what has influenced me to explore the MG program. Thank you!

*HUGS*
Donna