Be a Master Gardener

For what it’s worth>>>

Yesterday I called two Ag Agents I know in two different States who are involved in MG programs to get their “inside” views. One a woman, the other a man, both in their 40's. Both agreed to answer my questions only if I would not mention their names and States. One of them covers three counties – both rural and small communities. The other, a large county that includes a large city. The answers below are the general consensus of both agents.
Q1 Why are MG classes offered only 9-5 weekdays?
Funding. We don’t have the dollars we need for off-hour classes. Using volunteers would help, but they don’t have the depth of knowledge we need, and the Ag. employees and other horticultural professionals we can call on are over worked as it is, as well as no funds for OT. We charge a fee, but barely recover the cost of bulletins, books, and printouts. And to make matters worse, to provide incentive for voluntary services after course completion, we refund part or all of the tuition fee after X hours of service.
Q2 How do you determine who attends?
It is on a first-come-first-serve basis. However, landscapers, lawn care services, and others in the gardening business are not accepted. One agent, however, stated that employees of garden centers whose sole responsibility is helping customers with gardening problems are accepted.
Q3 How are the voluntary “help lines” and other voluntary community services doing?
Both agents laughed and said it is like high school drop outs. Approximately 30% of the course graduates don’t volunteer after course completion even if it means not being reimbursed any part of the course fee and not becoming certified. About 50% of those who volunteer stop when they get reimbursed and certified. Those who continue to participate average about three years of volunteer service.
Q4 Is it as bad as it sounds?
It’s getting worse because of urban sprawl. New homes going up like wildfire with owners who want to know why the shrubs and lawns planted by the builder or previous owner are dying. Then they complain to their County and State politicians about not being able to get through to an MG or having to be on hold so that funding is even harder to come by, and the Universities who sponsor the programs are not as enthusiast as before. One agent said they had been conducting two sessions a year, but are now down to one. The other agent said they have been conducting an extensive and lengthy course once a year, but are now considering drastically abbreviating it to two much shorter sessions -- "It's better than nothing," she remarked, "especially if we can get more volunteers."
Q5 Who do you consider to be the best candidates for MG's?
Both agents were unanimous: Housewives in the age range of 35-60 whose children are in school or have moved on. They can usually be counted on to continue volunteer service; and besides, they keep updated, are courteous, and full of energy.
Q6 What about retirees?
It’s a toss up. Many think of the sessions as a way to get out and socialize. But, in general, they are sincere, but can’t be counted on to volunteer to the extent we need.

Shakemh

Shakemh...............Very interesting......

Shakemh, That was very interesting. Our class costs $120. It's limited to 20 people. It's a first come sign up. A husband and wife team lead the classes. Both volunteered their time for this. We had class 2 times a week. each class was 3 hours long. 6pm to 9pm. We had every other class taught on a close cercuit screen. The professors telecasted from the University. The other classes were taught by the two volunteers. We received a large spiraled book for our text. There was about 12 other counties training at the same time. There was a day set to go to Ames to the university and do hands on. That was great. They crammed a lot of info in that 6 hours. It was manditory to go to that class. It was held to seperate weekends. I would have liked to go both times.
We have the same problem with the volunteers. Everyone things the hort line is paid for by the state. Not so. You really got to care about helping or don't go.

Thank you, that explains a lot... But maybe they should include some of these guidelines in the application process... very interesting indeed.

My jaw dropped when I read that some of you have to 'interview' to get into a class. Here we are calling up folks, begging them to take a class so we can come up with the 20 required to start one. The classes are done on the weekends because the extension rep has such a long drive to get here. He came over on a Friday afternoon, then went back on Sunday. Folks take turns housing him. There is no fee for the class. The ringed notebook is optional. The free publications are offered on a separate table.

Forty work hours are required to get certification. These can be turned in any time after graduation. Emphasis is placed on education, but public service applies, as well. For instance, my husband's class offered to assist in the re-landscaping of the American Legion cemetary. Some of the students did odd yard work for disabled Senior Citizens. My husband claimed his hours that he spent organizing the classes and signing folks up. He got 54 people who signed up. Of those, probably 25 stayed for all the classes. Of those, I think only a handful got their certification.

They interview in our county, too. When I interviewed, they gave me the third degree, making sure I knew the term "master gardener" was never to be used as a title in conjunction with business.

It makes me wonder what it does mean. I've never been much for titles, so was in no hurry to get my certification. My husband, on the other hand got his right away and chided me for not getting mine... so I did. If the title is not to be used in conjunction with business, why would one use it?

I guess just for volunteer purposes. Maybe the programs would be more successful if they would embrace businesses more. But that's a big can of worms.

Yes, I can see that it might open the can. It just seems that mentioning master gardener status socially seems a bit like tooting your own horn, whereas relating this information to a customer would increase credibility. I've always been a bit uncomfortable with the 'Master Gardener' reference, since taking this class certainly doesn't make you a master of gardening... it just points the way.

Exactly. Horn tooting and name-dropping are big turn off's. As a matter of fact, Laura Bush and I were just discussing this very thing at their ranch! ;)

LOL. Good one, gardenwife!

Laura is such a dear, isn't she? Did she break out the good china when you were there... lovely pattern, isn't it.

My last ditch pitch on this subject:

If the main objective is gardening education, and not inclusive of being a State or University certified Master Gardener, it could be achieved by DG setting up and conducting it's own program. Of course DG’ers are already educating one another. But, by Instituting a structured regimented all-encompassing program that end would simply be furthered.

I was involved in a similar business education training program as a SCORE (Senior Core Of Retired Executives) volunteer. The steps for realizing a gardening education program would be similar (I refrain from using the term Master Gardener because, unless demonstrated through results, it is merely a title.):
I Analysis Phase
Appoint a Project Leader and three or four DG’ers to research MG course agendas offered by the better State programs from which to propose one, or pick and choose to put one together.
II Design Phase
Appoint a Project Manager to head up the design and implementation of the program. This would include appointing two reasonably qualified DG’ers to head up one or more topics in the agenda. It would be their job to identify texts, bulletins, tutorials, etc. for Internet access or retrieval from libraries.
Just for the fun of it check out this link:
http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/2004_basic_master_gardener_train.htm
An example of agenda sequence could be:
Part 1: Basic or fundamentals – consisting of plant pathology, soils, environment, nutrients, etc.
Part 2: Culture – propagation, watering, fertilizing, pruning, transplanting, etc.
Part 3: Landscaping, garden design, lawns, etc.
(Some tailoring would be necessary for different growing regions or zones)
III Implementation and operation
Appoint a Program Administrator for overseeing and on-going tracking and coordination; and also an assistant for secretarial/clerical/ record keeping (amount of effort would be determined by the number of students).
A requirement would be that Part 1 would have to be completed before doing Parts 2&3; but having done so topics in 2&3 could be taken in any order the student chose – easily done since the program would be computer and home-study based. Quizzes would be given at appropriate points with a grand final on the full completion of all topics.
IV Course fee
A fee would be in order to pay administration costs, materials, awards, etc.

I am not aware of the existence of such a home-study gardening education program. Of course they lack touch and feel specimens and in-person tours. Students would have to do so on their own.

shakemh

You can use the title Master Gardener when giving any free program or talks to groups. ( schools, clubs, ect.)You are not to use it in any form for profit.

shakemh, that sounds like quite an undertaking! Isn't the Master Gardener program offered online? Another issue would be tailoring it to regional gardening conditions. Though the principles of soil ammendment may apply to all, the methods might vary greatly in different climates and in different soil bases, for instance. If certification is not an issue, subject matters could be addressed here on Dave's with the use of our Garden Journals. This offers step by step entries and with our digital cameras, we can offer lots of photos that can help to make up for the 'hands on' issue.

Yes, sanfan, I can imagine that is the case. It just seems unnecessary to me, but I live in a small community where classes are not easily filled. For instance, if the City of Seward sent one of their employees from Parks & Recreation to an MG class in order to better tend the summer ornamentals, would that be OK? It would seem like a good idea to me. If the local grocery stocks plants each spring, is it unacceptible to send one of your employees to class to better tend the plants and offer growing information to the community? I don't question that you are probably right about the policy.. I just don't quite understand it.

Thing is, there's nothing standardized across the US. Each county within a state has a different curriculum.

hi, everybody---thanks for posting all the details--your descriptions and comments are really filling me in about the MG program (nationwide) and answering lots of questions that were not answered by my county people (mainly probably because of lack of funding!)! very interesting range of course set ups...

well, congratulations anyway and thanks to those of you who completed the course and to everybody who 'reaches out' to wannabe gardeners (like me!).

t.

tabasco.............Every state and county is different...Just like we all live in different hardy zones, so therefore, some of the subjects would have to be tailor made for those areas. Someone in Florida may not have the problem of frost, but we here in the north do. Just as there are perennials that will do well here in the north, but will fry in Florida. The basic needs, such as Plant Science, Soils for Plant Growth, Intergrated Pest Management to name a few would be ok for all....But there is so much more to the MG programs. But I do like the idea of online continuing education. The State of Michigan has some programs for the Master Gardeners to continue their education online. Its a new program, so I am not sure how well it will do. They just introduced it to the MG in late fall.

It really amazes me how different the MG programs are from State to State. Some are so lax while others are not. The cost too amazes me. which by the way, I am not complaining, its just so different from State to State. I paid $180.00 for a 12 week course, one day a week, for 4 hours each time. Along with that, I received my Core manual, which by the way is huge. Its bigger then the New York City telephone book as best to discribe it. The subject matter varies...Here in Michigan we had Plant Science, Soils, Backyard Composting, Flower Gardening, Woody Ornamentals, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) , Gypsy Moth,*here in Michigan they are a problem* Indoor Plants, Managing Wildlife, Vegetable Gardening, Small Fruit Culture, Tree Fruit Culture, Lawn Care, Household Pests, and Poisonous Plants. Although some of these subjects were combined, there was alot to read and study for. Each of these subjects had at least 100 pages of text to read each week with a test given each week. They tell you up front.....do not expect to know everything in that Core Manual.....Master Gardening is a learning experience, and everyday you learn something new. I myself refer to that Manual all the time if I don't know the answer.


Deann

Great picture of you notebook, Deann! You've explained it very well.

Perhaps deanne has opened the door a little wider leading to a
home study/computer MG-like solution for DG’ers who live in northern zones. (Perhaps with some additions and subtractions here and there from a southern MG program a companion package could be compiled for southern zones).

The Core manual and reading 100 pages per week is certainly home study. Deanne, did your instructors provide handouts during the sessions esp. copies of slides or vugraphs that perhaps you took notes on, or any other supplemental material? These could all be copied and imaged for computer based distribution. Also, the Core manual could be copied at cost. Or perhaps even purchased . It is common practice for many State programs to use materials from other States, or out of State Universities.

Appropriate images (as those found in the link I mentioned earlier
(http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/2004_basic_master_gardener_train.htm)
could also be copied for computer based distribution.

This would pretty much wrap it in a nice package – with, of course, the quizzes – which would be simply for a participant to test themselves on what they have learned and retained.

Once through the curriculum the graduate would be titled an DG Master Gardiner, and even those who are already State MG’s would have to complete it to join their ranks. There could also be steps and stairs such as DGMG I, DGMG II, etc. based on the person's sharing of gardening expertise and contributions whether within DG; such as plant propagation and trading; and, gardening related services they have performed in their communities, etc.

The question now becomes: Will this seed germinate and become a hybrid in Dave’s Garden, or will it be just another thread ?

Shakemh

Good question, skakmh. Any new ideas for the site are best posted in the Dave's Garden forum where he's more likely to see them. I think it will be a question as to whether admin wants to take on another task when there are so many other irons in the fire. Dave's constantly inovating and upgrading here in the garden. Why not post over there?

Man, our class was only $40.

A few sites of interest:
http://webct3.umn.edu/public/HORT1003demo/
http://www.garden.org/courses/lghome.asp
http://www.gardeners-academy.com/

Great links, GW!

Some of the instructors did pass out hand-outs, and most did a Power Point or slide presentation which by the way, the State of Michigan provided and requires. The instructor needs to be well versed in the subject matter.....I have been an Advanced Master Gardener now for three years, and have re -took some of the required classes, only because I wanted a better understanding of the subject. Each time I retook that particular class I learned something new, and had a better understanding of it.

There is alot of work that would go into a Online MG Class. Too many logistics to work out because of all of the zone differences. In my humble opinion, I think its best left to each state to govern it.....

Deann

Shakemh,
when I first read your post, I got what you were saying. I've been wanting to do it for years but will have to wait till my kids are a bit older and all three are in school full time. The Purdue ext. program is not too far from me and there is a volunteering program at the Botanical Gardens in Ft. Wayne.
I also wanted to welcome you to DG. Once you go back and read older post & read newer posts, you'll realize that there are many here that are Master Gardener's, they just don't have an official titled degree or anything but they are just as knowledgeable and happily share with us their experiences & knowledge. Many volunteer in their local areas too, we just don't hear much about their adventures.LOL! I look forward to reading your posts about your gardening techniques & experiences.

Gemila

Gemila..................You are so right!.....thats why I love this site, so many many talented people here.....

Deann