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Garden Gate:  Master Gardener Program  |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 11:55:44 PM
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Has anyone done this program? It is offered by our county extension service, and consists of 50 hours of training and 50 hours of volunteer work the first year, then 6 hours of training and 10 hours of volunteer work to maintain it each subsequent year.
Because the volunteer work can involve children's programs, there is now also a requirement for fingerprinting.
Everyone I know who has been through the program is a "flower gardener" but while I like flowers, I'm more of a vegetable gardener (maybe that's my practical nature coming out) but I'd like to learn more about disease prevention and IPM. I'd also like to learn a whole lot more about organic orcharding. And since I'm getting old enough to think about retirement in a few years, I'd like to make some contacts in the Extension office that might lead to an ag-related part-time job after I retire..
I don't know how flexible the program is to accommodate different interests.
I'm interested if anyone has been through the program, and what their impressions were?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2007 : 07:23:56 AM
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I went through the program this spring. I loved it. There is an amazing amount of info included in this program. We had to do 40 hours of training and service. The program is very flexible and covers all types of horticulture and vegetable gardening. We have started a Master Gardeners Club through the Extention Service. This has given us opportunities to get our service hours.
I would highly recommend this program to anyone who loves to garden.
Sherone
www.taylorscountrystore.etsy.com
http://sheronesgarden.tripod.com/
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2007 : 9:29:33 PM
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Our county program was also offered through the extention service and covered all types of gardening. I found it to be a wonderful program as the membership was very diverse in this area. We also had a county "herb society" that went hand & hand with the group. If you have the time to devote to it, I recommend that you take advantage of the program. You will learn SO much & meet some interesting, fun new people along the way!
I'm a one girl revolution. |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 07:13:42 AM
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Hi Brenda!
This program is only offered every other year in my county, so believe it or not, I am signed up for the course scheduled for September through November of 2008!
Our program covers much more than flowers...and like you, I am thinking it may help me meet new people in our community and point me toward a post-retirement job.
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 1:17:58 PM
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I asked them to send me the application. The extension agent said the classes they offer this fall are going to be in the next county, so there will be some driving time involved, too. My DH is travelling more for work, though, so I may have time to keep busy.
Jo, I'm sorry you have to wait a year! It would be fun to go through it together!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2007 : 3:47:31 PM
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Oh Brenda, wouldn't that be a hoot? I do have a good friend signed up to take the course with me...she is prime farmgirl material, just hasn't gotten here yet! When I called about the location, they said they'd determine that after they know the the majority of applicants and go from there, since they combine 2-3 counties in our rural area of Virginia. I hope you'll keep us poted on what you learn in the MG program! I'm jealous that I have to wait a year!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2007 : 7:27:03 PM
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I've wanted to go thru the program for years, and currently have a customer at the farmer's market asking me to take the course with her this fall. I keep putting it off - partially due to the age of my children and partially because of the busyness of life. I know, excuses! If I became a Master Gardener though, I couldn't continue to say that my method is "gardening by guessing" :)! Everyone that I know who has gone thru the program has benefited!
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2007 : 08:07:20 AM
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Well I got a call the other night - the classes are going to be offered during the day on Tuesdays so that leaves me out. I suppose I could be creative and change my work schedule to work on Saturday or Sunday instead of Tuesday, but that would mean that I couldn't spend time with DH.
She said a number of other people requested evening classes, so there is still hope that there is enough demand for them to offer them at night. I suppose the people giving the class want to spend time with their families too, after all it is "work" for them although "FUN" for me.
I'm disappointed. But I can always wait until I retire, I guess.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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wallflower
True Blue Farmgirl
101 Posts
Holly
East Walpole
MA
USA
101 Posts |
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Garden Gate: Master Gardener Program |
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Master Gardener Program
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