dstvns wrote:

Hello,

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.

Thanks for any insight,
Dan

MG classes can be a good way to get a concentrated dose of
horticulture education in one place. Some programs are more
flower-garden oriented; others are more veggies. The
certification will probably help with employment at a garden
center; not much of anywhere else, though. And, IME the
volunteer time is just a way for the programs to get free grunt
labor. If the hours are a particular problem, a lot of ag
colleges have nightime programs with degrees in horticulture. It
can take a few years, but you'll graduate with a BS or MS in the
field; and some real employment prospects.

Chris Owens


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