Its a good program most of it is Plant ID, but covers about all aspect of whats used and needed in the hort fields,, I'd suggest contacting the ANA office and talk to Cheryl Gore about going through their course to get certified,, they have evenings classes and will cover about everything... the ANA course is geared toward Nurseries/Nurserymen for certs,, But when your done with it (and its not that hard to do) you have a USDA cert.

The Master Gardener Program is offered by the University of Arizona, but it isn't an agricultural training - it's part of their Urban Horticulture department. This is gardening and landscaping in our desert environment with special attention given to reliable, research-based information for homeowners backed up by University research. There is one class on plant ID but the rest is practical information that anyone serious about gardening and landscaping here would love to know.

Here is a brief overview of the weekly class topics for the next session.

Soils and Climate
Botany and Plant ID
Recommended Planting Pallete
Landscape Design
Irrigation Systems and Landscape Water Use
Plant Propagation
Trees and Shrubs - selecting/planting
Vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials
Deciduous fruits, nuts, grapes, berries
Cacti and succulents
Turf
Weeds
Most Common Bugs
Integrated Pest Management
Diseases and Plant Problems
Plant Problem Diagnosis

Classes are taught by U of A Faculty and local experts.

Here is a link to information on the next class which runs from January 9 - May 15, 2006 in Sun City West.

I hope this helps. I took this training in 1996 and have never regretted it.

Cathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Master Gardener Program - Maricopa County

Thanks for your input, turtleman. I checked out ANA and they do have an interesting program but they require previous work experience in the nursery industry - and neither of us have that. And we're looking for veggie gardening info too.

Thanks so much, Cathy, for your encouragement! Today was the deadline for signing up for the MG Program classes to be held in SCW - and we mailed our applications on Sat. so hopefully, they were received today. Now we need to do the interviews and hopefully get accepted!

Have you maintained your certification?

Mary Ann

Mary Ann,

By the time the Master Gardener training series is completed you will have 20 to 30 of the necessary 50 hours of volunteer time to "certify". It's easy to earn the remainder from a variety of volunteer opportunities. Upcoming events that always need lots of help include the Citrus and Fruit Clinics, the Real Gardens for Real People garden tour, the Fall Festival plus ongoing projects that include hands-on work in the demonstration garden, staffing the booth at the home and garden shows, contributing to the newsletter or Master Gardener Journal, etc.

I work full time and still find it easy to earn the necessary volunteer and continuing education hours to remain active in the program. (There are several members of this forum that are also MG's).

I'm sure you'll be accepted into the class. Prepare for the journey of a lifetime as fantastic instructors like Terry Mikel, Lucy Bradley, Pat Clay, Sharon Dewey and others lead you through the world of urban horticulture. You'll also build lasting relationships with other members of the class who share your passion.

Kind regards,

Cathy

Cathy is correct about what you will learn, and the relationships you will build. I took the class in 2001 and have learned a lot since, and also had a lot of fun! It is well worth and time and effort.