Master Gardener Program

[Jack]

I like many people am really new to the business, so I try to read, listen and learn from people that are more knowledgable than I am. I have learned alot from people on the forum. I just wanted to pass this on, which is something I learned. In Georgia, I learned there is a Master Gardener program offered through the county extension office, this same class may be offered in other states, maybe with a different title.
The course is conducted in the winter of each year, and classes cover soils and plant nutrition, plant pathology, entomology, and weed identification and control. Classes also focus on vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, turf grasses, annual and perennial flowers, and ornamental trees. The requirement is that after completing the course the first year you must donate 50 hours to the county extension service for community projects, and 25 hours each year thereafter. The classes are two hours aday, twice a week. Classes start in January in Georgia. I thought this might be helpful to us rookies.
thanks

[Scaper-S2k]

reply

The Master Gardener thing is nice to have and brag about. But, as you stated, you will have to donate time to keep that on your record. Some of the programs only want the people that don't know the green industry. And then there are other times in other states that ONLY want the experienced ones in their classes. They figure the experienced ones will come just to get the name 'Master Gardener'. Usually the rich areas want that side of the coin. Cause they want their donated time to be top notch work.

It's not all it's cracked up to be. But maybe okay in your area.

[Scott]

reply

In our county you have a mini interview on why you want to be a master gardener. There is also a stipulation when you take the class that you cannot use it in a professional manner, you can't advertise that you're a Master Gardener for hire. We only have a limited amount of slots and from what I gather they fill up quickly. Cost is $150 and class is from Jan-Mar. I don't see anything wrong with taking the class. Can't do anything but help you learn your job better and ultimately gives you another edge over your average LCO.

[Jack]

reply

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Scott</i>
<br />In our county you have a mini interview on why you want to be a master gardener. There is also a stipulation when you take the class that you cannot use it in a professional manner, you can't advertise that you're a Master Gardener for hire. We only have a limited amount of slots and from what I gather they fill up quickly. Cost is $150 and class is from Jan-Mar. I don't see anything wrong with taking the class. Can't do anything but help you learn your job better and ultimately gives you another edge over your average LCO.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Scott, that is good to know, in the add with our service, it does say that you must be interviewed, I was in one of our Home Depot's a while back and when I went in the Garden shop, they had a sign up with the employees names and by one of the names it had master gardener, and in talking with the person, she seemed pretty knowlegable, so I thought it might be a helpful course, but now I can see what you are saying.

[PROMO]

reply

i asked a county ext guy in my area and he said they mostly look for retired people

[cole1980]

reply

I called county ext and heard same as PROMO, mostly looking for retired folks. He said the younger folks do qualify, just have to interview. I am looking in to it as well.

E.Cole Scott, I am not just babbling. I really might take the course. I am hoping to be as knowledgeable as you one of the days. Oh, in my dreams i guess. Ho Hum, one day.

[Maddog]

reply

I am planning on starting next semester to take courses in Turfgrass Management at the local community college. They have alot of good courses with hands on or lab type work. They cover the whole gambit from chemicals and ferts to equipment maintenace. They also set you up to get your state licenses for chemicals.

[Scott]

reply

E. Cole,
yeah you really might, just like you really might buy a quality chain saw, or you really might buy this or that, we all know that your money is tight so zip-it with your meaningless comments and immature jabs at me. Either get over whatever wall you've created between us or stop this childish game. If you have something to say to me directly use the email option and stop degrading this site.

[cole1980]

reply

You took the first shot. Thats all I gotta say. If you are so informative and seasoned in the biz. If I post then answer like an mature adult if you want to be treated like one. I wouldn't done any of this childish retaliation, if my post would have been regarded with respect. I know it may be dumb or rediculious to you, but I make post to ask questions I don't know about.

E.Cole

[Scott]

reply

E.Cole you are so full of it and you are also ruining another quality thread.

Just had a meeting with my county extention today on this class and several other subjects and he says the reason for the class mainly being full of elderly is due to the amount of "required volunteer time" and class time. Our class is on Tuesdays from 8:30am - 3:30pm. Now generally what kinda people can keep that commitment? retired folks.
Home Depot and Lowe's send their people to this class to offer their services which isn't a paid service for their advice. I think it's kinda against the rules but that's big business. I was told not to plaster it on my truck, trailer, or flyers but I could possibly get by with putting it on a business card, if I took the class.

I think Maddog is on the right track with the CC classes too. I think that any type of professinal training could do nothing but help you offer a more complete service to your customers.

[cole1980]

reply

True Scott, the local college does offer some green industry related courses that would benefit me. I am not trying to ruin this thread or any other. I am just not going to be made a fool when I am posting my opinion or posting my hearsay or what have you. Just as many others do. I know I called you out in the beginning for making a STUPID reply on my post. But You called me out and I had long forgot about your remark. So if I(as you say) am ruining any thread it is because of you. But again as you said and I agree can we end this crap now.

E.Cole

[Scott]

reply

Well like I stated in a long thread, which I removed as promised, I will not be attacked without retaliation..

How stupid or not my comments sound there is truth to them. You have to understand that a lot of people come here looking for answers and the handfull of us that answer them might get a little bit tired of answering the same questions over and over, but we do, sometimes brief sometimes not so brief.

I'm content with not disrespecting you if you will also comply.