I'm just curious to see how many of you have been through the program, and did you reap many benefits from it?
Texas Master Gardener Program
Hello Annette, I haven't gone through the MG program, but I know quite a few people that have, and they all feel good about it and are doing good works for the community.
I took the Master Naturalist classes and that is a wonderful program too, very complimentary to Master Gardener, but more geared towards Nature and Ecology.
Josephine.
I think the MG programs are great, but it is important to be realistic about one's expectations. It gets you acquainted with all the resources available to grow a successful garden, but you still have to invest some sweat equity with the planting, and the weeding and the watering, etc. etc. etc. and some plants (such are gardenias, grrrrr) will still give you fits, no matter how many hours of MG instruction you get. sigh....
Dave's has a master gardeners forum, you might enjoy checking it out
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/mg/all/
I've just started the program and I have found it very beneficial, especially since I just moved from Dallas to Gainesville. Im in a slightly different zone with much different soil. I've learned alot so far and I do think they do good works in the community. Our MG group is not as big as say Dallas or Tarrant county and everyone tends to know each other or somebodies momma or sisters. Im really enjoying meeting new people and becoming part of my community.
If your going to do it remember the first year is the hardest because of all of the community service hours, which vary from county to county. But after the first year you are required to give 12 hours of community service and 12 hours of continuing ed per year.
Thank you all for your input. I signed up for Montgomery County, but there are too many people for the classroom size, so they are going to have a "lottery" to see who gets to take the class this year. This is the first opportunity I have had. I have wanted to do this for quite a few years, but I was working during those hours. We are now retired. I am looking forward to meeting new people, and learning how to do some things. The volunteer hours are not going to be a problem for me, either. I really don't think it will take that long to finish them. Thanks, again.
Annette
I took the classes in Fort Bend and enjoyed every minute of it. I learned a lot, met some wonderful people and had fun. Definitely time well spent. I hop your name gets chose in the lottery. Good luck!
Hi Annette! I'm a Master Gardener from Montgomery County - and have been since 1993. I absolutely love it. I have learned so much and met so many wonderful people through the program. We have lots of fun too. I really hope you win the lottery. Look me up when you do.....
If you don't get in this year, you'll definitely be in next year. And that means you will be through the classes by the time we host the Texas Master Gardener Conference - April 24-26. Save those dates on your calendar. You won't want to miss it. It's going to be GREAT!! I know because I'm on the committee :-)
Pardon my ignorance but what does a Master Gardener do?
How do you become a Master Gardener?
George in San Antonio
Hi George in San Antonio.
Here's a link for you. It should explain everything. Basically, a MG is someone who loves to garden, enjoys volunteering in the community and sharing their knowledge, meeting other like minded souls and helping out.
http://www.texasmastergardeners.com/
CeeJay, what is done at the convention? Where is the one next year? Is it for everyone in the state?
Yes, this is the Texas state conference, for all Texas Master Gardeners. You haven't been to one? They're held annually - last year in Kerrville. Used to be called Advanced Training Seminars, with every other year in College Station, but then they grew and grew....We're expecting around 600-700 MGs from all over the state.
Let's see, Thursday we open with two major speakers in a general session (all attendees) - Neil Sperry and Dr Neil Odenwald. Thursday night is the "reception" (a party) on Lake Conroe with fajitas, music, and lots of fun. Friday morning at breakfast, Dr William Barrick from Bellingrath Gardens will give the keynote address, followed by concurrent sessions and workshops to choose from...(Dave from DG will speak at two of those sessions). Other speakers include Susan Wittig Albert (author of the China Bayles mystery series, with focus on herbs), Chris Wiesinger (bulbs), Dr Doug Welsh (yardeners), Robert "Skip" Richter (organic gardening), Linda Gay (tropicals/gingers/and more), Ann Wheeler (herbs), Mike Howlett (carnivorous plants), Eddie Holik (director of Cockerell Butterfly Center on butterfly gardening), Dr Bill Welch (roses), Bill Adams (southern kitchen garden - new book with Tom LeRoy), Paula Mabrey (bog gardens), Dr Creech, Gudrun Opperman, Mark Bowen, Dr Larry Barnes (workshop on plant pathology - he's the BEST!), Walker County MGs will have a session on obtaining grants, it just goes on and on.... Workshops too, but that's not my area. Then Friday night we have the Awards Banquet, with Greg Grant scheduled to entertain. Saturday morning is breakfast in our gardens, followed by tours - and yesterday at our meeting I heard what they have planned . Really great tours. Then you get to go home, tired but happy. Many of the speakers have authored books and they will have them for sale. We also have a vendors area, with booths set up by various companies wanting to sell you something. From plants to purses, gardening equipment to hummingbird feeders, etc...
Check out our website. It is under construction and new information is added all the time, as we finalize things... Next April 24 to 26. Mark your calendar. You won't want to miss it!!!!
Edited to add our web site: http://www.2008texasmastergardenerconference.org/
This message was edited Sep 26, 2007 11:07 AM
I wish our county offered night classes....our MG classes in Brazos County are only offered during normal work hours. They have offered the class at night once about 10 years ago, I've been patiently waiting for them to do it again.
Not that I know of. We don't anyway.... Too much to do IN the county.
We only offer classes in the daytime, too. Once a year - in the winter. They are a lot of work, and a tremendous amount of time is put into them. So we do them during the slow time of the year, because when it warms up, all of our energies and resources are taken by our gardens and all of the other areas we volunteer in.
dankie, CJ. I have marked my calendar. wow what a lineup! I wonder if I would have a chance to flirt w/ Chris from southern bulbs and brag about my Peggy Martins w/ Dr Welch.
Thanks CJ. I thought as much. I'm going to an orientation in November with a neighboring county. I hope to talk them into letting me take courses with them, but keeping my volunteer work within my own county. It's work that needs to be done no matter what, but it would nice to get credits for it.
Voss, I got my Peggy Martin a few weeks back. While in line to pay, a woman came in saying she had read an article in Southern Living and wanted Peggy too. She was so cute and excited about getting it. It is going to be quite exciting to see full grown Peggys all over the country in the next few years.
LOL, vossner! Well, Chris is attending the reception Thursday night...there's your chance!
Voss - I'm planning on attending and will be staying with family in Conroe. Perhaps we can meet up for the event. Ceejay, too, but I know she's going to be super duper swamped.
sounds like a plan. my calendar is marked.
Let the word out with all of your county MGs. We'll be sending emails with registration forms to all counties when they are ready - probably after the first of the year. In the meantime, if you need a room, you can still pick and choose and make your reservations. Some have done that already...
Sorry voss - I don't know which hotel Chris will be staying in yet. :-)
dang!
Thanks, again for all the information. CeeJay, I'm looking forward to meeting you. I was wondering if you were at the orientation? My husband and I stopped by the Ext. center last week, and talk was that they were going to accept all the people that were there, with the understanding that it would be very crowded. (I'm small and don't take up too much room, anyway!)
I understand there will be a fee for the conference. Do you know if the volunteers/hosts will have to pay? Maybe a discount rate??? It will be fun. I do plan on attending. Marking my calendar right now!
See you soon,
Annette
That's what I heard too. If you've paid, you're probably in. However, if not, then you'll have to wait until next year. It will be crowded, but they hated to cut anyone. 50 is usually the limit, but I understand that 56 paid....
No, I wasn't at orientation; I was in Africa!
Yes, there is a fee for the conference, which hasn't been set yet. We're still trying to get as many donations as possible to keep the fee as low as possible. In the past it has usually run around $125. Have to pay for the facilities, food, and speakers. No discount for volunteers. I pay full price. Save your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc.... It will be worth it.
Since I volunteer on one of your class days, I will look for you. I'll be in the phone room....