Re: OT: Master Gardener/ was AIS: Symposium/soap box #9
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] OT: Master Gardener/ was AIS: Symposium/soap box #9
- From: d*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 16:54:37 EDT
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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