Re: OT: Master Gardener/ was AIS: Symposium/soap box #9


In a message dated 7/29/02 3:36:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time, hensler@povn.com 
writes:


> All you have to do is show
> up for so many hours of "classes" (underwritten by selected big chemical
> companies) and promise not to give any gardening advice not in publications
> approved of by the University's lawyers. :-)
> 

After reading other answers, I thought I must tell about Ohio Master 
Gardeners.  My husband and I are both Master Gardener Volunteers for Ohio 
State University Extension Service, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  Just this morning 
we attended a keep-up-to-date class on taking soil test samples, how to read 
the results, and how to make the needed amendments. We are required to take 
refresher classes every year, as well as donate our time, to retain our 
Master Gardener status.  In the beginning, when we set out to become Master 
Gardeners, we had to pay for handbooks and supplies, because the Extension 
Service did not have funds for them.  No chemical or other company subsidized 
the program.  The county government previously paid a small amount to the 
total Extension Service, but this has been continually decreased.  Master 
Gardeners must pay a fee to attend most of the refresher courses and there 
have been several fund-raisers recently in order to keep our part-time paid 
Master Gardener Coordinator.  Some of the writers are correct about the 
allocation of funds.  In this area, much Extension effort is directed toward 
the greenhouse industry.  Elsewhere in the state, orchards and forestry are 
important.  In spite of the funding problems, there are many dedicated and 
knowledgeable Master Gardeners who don't mind giving their time and money to 
help the program.

Dorothy Willott in Northern Ohio


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