[CFrance]

I know what a master gardener is, but my question is, is there a designated overall master gardener for The Villages? If so, how does one contact him/her?

Otherwise, is it just by county?

[kittygilchrist]

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by land grant universities. Each county has an extension office purposed with educating the public. There's currently a class of 24 or so, mostly Villagers finishing a class that has been running since early Feb for 5.5 hours a week, with books and materials that weight the same as a man's golf bag full of clubs.

MG's disseminate info thru plant clinics and other presentations in Sumter Co. at the extension annex on 466 and ext ofc in Bushnell as well as some rec center programs. Sunday paper runs info on plant clinics.

Not only does one have access to MGs and staff of the extension ofc at plant clinics, at which virtually any issue regarding plants and soil may be solved, but UF's experts back the program up with lab work as needed.

Sumter County Extension Office ? Solutions for Your Life - UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

[kittygilchrist]

just to clarify, TV doesn't have oversight of Master Gardeners. UF has oversight, regardless where the MG lives.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I know what a master gardener is, but my question is, is there a designated overall master gardener for The Villages? If so, how does one contact him/her?

Otherwise, is it just by county?

Here is an "Our Place" column by Erik Knudsen, Landscape Manager.
http://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/P...20120223000801

[CFrance]

Thanks, Kitty and Bogie. I have sent this all along to my neighbor, who is back up north.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I know what a master gardener is, but my question is, is there a designated overall master gardener for The Villages? If so, how does one contact him/her?

Otherwise, is it just by county?

Kitty gave you some excellent information regarding Master Gardners. I was fortunate enough to receive my certification in Broward County and much of the training there was in conjunction with the U of F. where we had some phenomenal instructors and hands-on field trips.

To receive certification you must pass the course (and yes -- there is a test) and do the required hours of volunteer service. That's how it is in Broward County and I'm not sure if that holds true here in Sumter.

However, if anyone has a love of the environment and anything that grows (weeds and bugs included), I would whole-heartedly recommend becoming a Certified Master Gardner. It is such a rewarding course.