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Old 27-08-2003, 03:42 PM
Jim W
 
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Default Any value in becoming a master gardener?

dstvns wrote:

I've been interested in joining a local master gardener program. The
only really bad side are the class hours....classes are on wednesdays
for 6 months in the winter from 10-noon. The only bad thing about
these hours are the location in the week...I would gladly take a 2 or
even 3 hour class after work hours for 6 months.

I was wondering if anyone has found being a master gardener to be a
boost in finding jobs in horticulture, or at least some sort of
respect in the agricultural fields (excuse the pun). Is there any
value to these positions, or are you simply 100 free hours of hired
help the first year, then 25 hours every year thereafter? I don't
mind the volunteer work either, but these classes seem to focus the
vast amount of time on flower gardens, not the herb, fruit and
vegetables which I enjoy so much in gardening. When I asked more
about utilitarian gardening (ie food), the trainer gave a blank stare,
as if noone had ever thought of focusing on these topics.



I don't know a LOT about the master gardener program but the RHS here in
the UK are trialling a similar system over a samll area in conjunction
with the BBC..

As a pro qualified Horticulturalist I have mixed feelings about these
low level schemes.. I think if you wish to learn more about food
production you might be better off joining a an Allotments or
Horticultural Society (or US equivalent) and learning from other
members, and maybe doing part time study at a higher level..

Not sure what the equivalents are but over here its fairly easy to start
with a City and Guilds or NVQ in something Horticultural than via a
volunteer scheme..


Just my 2p's worth!
//
Jim