Hey Cindee,

I know your'e looking for info locally, but.....

I loved everything about the Master Gardener Program. (up in Orlando).

We would go to Kissimmee and they would come to us for classes. We even went on a couple nursery tours. Some people did Sunday's in the Garden. They would have a little get together and give a tour of their piece of paradise.
The Master Gardener Plant Sale was ALOT of fun. Cheap prices and lots of cool stuff.

Not only that, someone was always bringing in somethign to share that they wanted to thin out.
Gots lots of free reading material.

I loved it. Very educational on lots of stuff. The Aquafur. Animals in your backyard. History of how Florida was formed. Native plants. Birds. Butterflies.

Tom McCubbin did alot of speaking. (some people don't care for him)

Just my two cents.

Tropicalfreak

I went through the Lee County Master Gardener Program in 2005. There was SO MUCH information to digest. Speakers on all specialties came to speak to us and they had handouts identifying insects, problems with plants. We had tests every week in which we had to identify plants and weeds-well I guess weeds are plants as well as plant diseases and other things.. In order to maintain our status, we have to work 50 hours. It was well worth, I realized afterward how little I actually knew.
Barb

Thanks you Cliff and Barb. I am so excited to get started. I located the MG application on line, but couldn't open it. My Adobe is malfunctioning even though I downloaded the upgrade I can't open PDF files. But I also found an email contact and hopefully will hear back, soon. My only concern, and I put it to the lady I emailed, was long periods of standing or walking.

Boy, tests every week, huh? well I know how to ID weeds barb...they are all called "weeds" lol I am sure I have tons to learn and this will give me something to do that is enjoyable while I wait for the days to d-r-a-g by until I can get my surgery and then hopefully really get back to moving in some more normal fashion this winter!

BTW barb, how did the weekend sale go? Sorry I couldn't make it. I was really sore Sunday and took it easy. Dennis made me be 'couch potato' for the day.

The classes take place at Terry Park and there are some field trips. The last class finished a couple months ago and I don't know when the next one will start.
I only stayed at the sale for about an hour, we had all five grandkids over for the weekend ages 3-13 we need all eyes and short order cook 24/7.
Off to work!
Barb

I took the course and learned so many things especially about the environment. We went to an entomology lab and not only chased butterflies but disected owl pellets! We then got to put the rodent that our owl had eaten back together again. I also found a Hershey Kiss paper strip with the bones. It helps you realize what we do impacts everything. And if we poison the mice the owls eventually eat them!
We had a lot of materials to cover but when it is something you love you go for it.
I am President this year so I also get to find speakers.
One highlight this year was working Epcots Flower Show.
We also go into schools ,do Hurricane Expos, Earth Day at the park we gave away live oak saplings, Arbor day, Champion Tree Day, Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, Gardenfest, Clinics at the library and McKee. A friend and I did presentations on Butterfly and Hummingbird gardens.
Or you can work the extension office and answer questions on plant diseases, insects and soil! What is great about that is you have all that material at your fingertips. If it gets slow you can learn even more!
Just make sure you intend on volunteering as that is a requirement. Goog Luck!

I thought about taking our local class but have changed my mind after talking to people involved. Actually I couldn't take the classes even if I still wanted to as they are all during the working day, never in the evening. Our local master gardening program doesn't take everyone who asks to be a part of it which really doesn't sit well with me. I know of 4 ladies who all applied at the same time, only 2 were invited to attend. The two invited were friends of friends and knew the right people. The two who weren't invited were younger and could work more but were new to Florida and didn't know many people. All four were in the same gardening club and all were pretty equally involved in the club. I acutally was friends with the women who made it into the course not the ones left behind so its not hurt feelings that leave this sour taste in my mouth. If you want to hear more email me.

I do know they have interviews to choose to allow you into the program. That has nothing to do with garden clubs.I do not belong to a garden club and I am Pres. I knew NO ONE associated with the extension office at the time.
What they DO want is to make sure you WILL volunteer and that once trained you will give the information from the University not your own garden ideas.
They also do Background checks since you could be working with children. I had a person who told me they werent able
to get into the program and when we delved further discovered they did not want to pay the $200 .
It isnt for everyone.
We would love to have MORE join us and are offering a class in August. PLEASE!
Yes it is during the day but that is because the county isnt going to keep the building open late for us and the Hort Agent has to get home.The problem is that many want to take it just to get the education but the reason the program is set up is for MGs to give BACK to the community.If you do not have time to take the class chances are good you will not have time to volunteer all the hours they request.
Please do not hold that against those hard working MGS who are just trying to do their part to better the environment.

Thanks so much for your comments guys. Lady, I am kind of disappointed that I have heard nothing back after my email to them. I did indicate that I DO have time to volunteer, however, I have concerns about extensive standing or walking, still I believe I am able to handle the courses and the volunteer work. I will contact them again in a few days if I get no feedback. About background checks, heck, I am a cinch. After the intensive background checks done when we were invited to play golf with Greg Norman after winning a slot, a few years ago, My background is pristine! Hard to believe, ain't it? lol

cindeea
I became a master gardener almost 2 years ago. I love it:)
Every program may be different we did not have tests every week.
Ok I don't know about the classes down where you are but at ours everyone brogught food each week lol not only did I graduate as a master gardener but gained a couple pounds.
we had to do 35 hours answering the phones for what I call "the confused homeowner " hot line. From what I can tell the only standing you could be doing is if you do the plant clinics.
I got involved with the Junior Master Gardener program and teach 2 classes of 2nd grader each week. I also maintain my schools butterfly garden during the week.
As far as the interview I do know I you stress your willingness to volunteer this is more important than the plant knowledge. They can teach the plant stuff but you can't teach how the love of volunteering. If you extension office has a phone line I bet they would love to know you would be interested in doing a lot of answering the phones. I know we get email each week looking for phone subs.
I am blessed to be able to use my talents with fundrasing to help raise funds for the program and the 4-H.

This is something I am so glad I did, I have met the most wonderful people.

good luck

karla