Posted by Beecrofter on August 27, 2003, 8:44 am
>
> 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.
The focus of the program is not job training.
Although it seems that a good portion of Master Gardeners get hired in
by garden centers around here.
Posted by Cereoid-UR12- on August 27, 2003, 8:55 am
Being a "master gardener" isn't free labor. You pay THEM for the honor of
getting sweaty and dirty. You need to provide your own clothes, equipment
and transportation too!!!! There are few paying jobs in gardening because
the "master gardeners" are taking them away!!!
The trainer gave you a blank stare because they don't care about giving you
any practical information. They just want your money and unpaid labor.
> 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
Posted by David J Bockman on August 27, 2003, 8:56 am
The general concensus amongst working professionals in my area (some of whom
are certified MG's , some of whom are currently working towards
certification as an MG, some of whom started the program and then left it,
etc. IS, that it very much depends upon *where* you receive your training.
Here in the metropolitan DC area, the Virginia MG program apparently is not
highly regarded.
Dave
> 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
Posted by animaux on August 27, 2003, 9:07 am
Master Gardener is a fancy title the Extension Service hands out to people who
volunteer their time in the community, promoting gardening. Many times, these
people will do different tasks the Agent is supposed to do, but he/she dishes it
out to the Master Gardeners.
In no way will they allow you to go through the program if you mention it's to
help you with your career. Any people in the industry know it's a limited
amount of knowledge in return for many hours of volunteer work. In order to be
current and certified, you'd have to do a set amount of volunteer hours,
annually.
I say go take a course in one of the horticulture sciences. Much better way to
promote your ability and not a sham.
On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 06:20:52 GMT, sfrom@adsfgh.com (dstvns) opined:
>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
Posted by Pam on August 27, 2003, 10:35 am
dstvns wrote:
> 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.
From the point of view of a professional horticulturist in the state where
the MG program was first developed, it is of NO benefit to establishing a
professional career. The program was not intended for this purpose and to
be blatantly honest, very few "graduates" have anything more than the most
cursory horticultural knowledge. The program was intended to relieve the
local extension agents of the huge amounts of gardening-related questions
that pop up daily by offering free 'plant clinics' at local garden centers
and nursery departments of larger discount and box stores. It has expanded
in some areas to include other volunteer activities like reclaiming
greenbelts of exotic invasives, demonstration gardens, planting of small
pocket parks and traffic circles, etc.
If you wish to expand your own knowledge to a limited degree ( you can
achieve as much or more with self-study) and like to volunteer and have
the time to do so, then this is a good program to participate in. If you
wish to enter the horticultural field in any professional capacity, then
take the time to get proper training through a technical or community
college or other accreditied institution. I know of few professionals in
this biz that regard MG's with any kind of respect.
pam - gardengal
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> 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.