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Master Gardeners

MG Program on the net?

19 years ago

I noticed that several posts have been about night and weekend classes. Our County is traditional about having classes during week days. They have not shown any interest in adapting, so my question is, what is a frustrated MG want-to-be supposed to do? Is there such a thing as Web based programs? Is there a central headquarters for MG that can be approached about this, or are we at the mercy of our couty agent?

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Comments (6)

luvmydaisies
19 years ago
I am in MN and I will be taking the master gardener program online, due to work conflict. I know that I will get all the books and materials just like everyone else and I will have to do my studies online.
eddie_ga_7a
19 years ago
Usually the county agent approves your application and they are looking for volunteers who can man the phones and field calls during the day. If you are not available for day classes, they figure you won't be available for phone duty. That may not be the case everywhere. I have known of people taking classes several counties away and some being the only Master Gardener in their county.
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eddie ,you hit the nail on the head. We can all be great garden gurus but with Master Gardener Volunteers it is more about the people we help. You must possess or LEARN people skills and be willing to concentrate how to help others . Many times people are grieving for a diseased plant,it could have had sentimental value.Sometimes they are feeling depressed because a plant dying makes them feel like a failure.Being in Florida we get many Top Gardeners from the north who come here thinking they can grow 12 months a year and want the same monster tomatoes and killer zuchinis only to discover they must cope with 12 months of bugs, lifeless sand,scorching heat ,and fungus from humidity. These once confident gardeners given the right tools and materials to educate them will soon be back to picking tomatoes but will have learned to do it in a different way. One new to the area gal wanted to cut down her 3 dead pine trees. I lived nearby and decided to take a look as pine borers have been killing many trees. It was winter and they were not pines but 2 bald cypress and a jacaranda tree! Thankfully she asked for help before cutting them down! An elderly woman was concerned about her gardening efforts at her age and how she could still amend her soil when she cannot lug 40 lb bags around any more. Mentioning how helpful red wagons are in my garden her voice lit up with excitement .Seems she had one in her garage and loved the idea of putting it to use. These people become our friends and friends are better to collect then gardening awards. That's what makes Master Gardening worthwhile.
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Hi, I came across your fairly old post while searching similar info for myself on becoming an MG. I am scheduled to begin MG training in Jan 2011. Like you, I also have a four year degree in psychology, but did not complete advanced training in it for a variety of reasons. I am looking into horticultural therapy (an area you might want to google and explore if you are not familiar with this field). I am also interested in historical horticulture, such as working on gardens for historical sites. While I certainly don't expect to a huge immediate career change for myself after earning this credential, I do plan to use this certification as a stepping stone for personal exploration, increased knowledge, and who knows, maybe a career change down the road. Because the MG programs are volunteer-oriented, your biggest benefit will be your increased knowledge of something you love, and networking, both of which could eventually land you a job or perhaps a business of your own in some aspect of horticulture that appeals to you. It's not a huge time commitment, nor a lot of money as compared to graduate school, so if you are looking to do something different, in a field that interests you, just go for it, and build upon it as you can or as you see fit down the road. I would love to hear back if you did decide to complete the program and where you are at with it in your life.
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sleeplessinftwayne
19 years ago
Eddie, I never quite thought of it that way but that is probably more true in areas where there are not very many applications and the classes not done often and why some places the membership seems to be heavy on older or retired members. Our membership is so large that the agent can afford to accept people who have other talents. I would be interested in hearing more about on line classes. Sandy
Tennessee7
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for your feedback folks. Luvmydaisies, I contacted your MG program to see if they would consider someone from out-of-state. I travel to MN a few times a year and might be able to "serve my time" in that fashion, but I also asked if it could transfer to my local MG program? I don't mind paying more for out-of-state. I just want to get certified.
Tennessee7
Original Author
19 years ago
Another follow up on my quest. It is possible to sign on as an out-of-state MG, but I must check with my state to see if they accept it. Costs $450

Merry Christmas folks and to those who do not celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!
royross
19 years ago
Steve: I don't know where in Tennessee you live, but we have MG classes in the evening here in Lawrence County, and we frequently have people from surrounding counties where they aren't hosting classes. Classes start in Feb and are held from 6 PM to about 9 PM pn Mondays and Thursdays. I think the cost is $75 and you're automatically invited to our monthly meetings for the year. I can get you more specific info or you can call our Ext'n Office 931-762-5506. They're off this week, but will be back Jan 3. Roy Ross

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