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

Some counties are more organized than others and have a lot for the MGs to do. Some counties are don't have the $$ or the staff to have a good program in place. The counties are now in the process of standardizing the number of hours you have to put in the first year, the number of CEUs, and volunteer hours for the 2nd year on. I am thinking they will all start charging the same thing too. Ariel, don't you get part of that fee back after your first year of completed hours?

That's quite a change of scenery, nmgirl! How long were you in VA? I'm in the southwestern suburbs of Richmond in Chesterfield County (z.7a/b). I've lived in the Richmond area all my life. The popularity of the AaE program here is picking up already. I was having one question assigned every week or so and after just a month it's already triple that. It's great for me because I work from home (50 or more hours a week) and find it difficult to give a large block of time to the volunteer work. I do teach seminars on vegetable gardening but was looking for a way to give more time. This is working out well. Sandy

Hi Treeskate. Thanks for your good wishes. I think I may need them, lol, since as of yet we are not getting much interest in the programs. Oh well, we do what we can, lol. Thanks! :) Dee