Master Gardener College

Upcoming College: The 25th Anniversary Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener College will take place at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA from June 20 - 24, 2012.

This year features Tree Steward training!

What is Master Gardener College?

Over 300 participants from throughout the Commonwealth and beyond come to MG College to learn the latest in environmentally sound lawn and garden practices and pick up materials on the latest in horticulture, which are then shared with their constituents throughout the year. MG College participants provide this information to all of Virginia’s Master Gardeners, now numbering 5,000 volunteers throughout the state. In turn, these volunteers provide services to an estimated 500,000 persons annually. MG College is the premier event for Master Gardeners in Virginia and one of the very best ways to interact with and enagage MG Volunteers, Extension Agents, and gardeners in Virginia. The MG College attendees are influential educators whose opinions are well-respected in their communities.

STATE CONFERENCE COST AND PROGRAM COMPARISON

IS IT WORTH IT?
By George Graine
Fairfax
MG College Advisory Team Member

               The “it” in the title is Master Gardener College (MGC).  Look at the cost and program comparison chart below for answers to the money question.  More importantly, one might ask, why attend the 25th anniversary MGC event at VA Tech?  What is the buzz all about that takes place at our land grant college and home of Virginia Cooperative Extension?  Readily put, MGC is the place where academics and fun come together for four days on the magnificent and inspiring Blacksburg campus.  This is the ideal respite that any serious gardener needs and nobody will quiz you on what is a Hokie nor will you have to take an exam on any college subject.
               MGC is an opportunity for self-development through continuing education and enables you to explore many interesting and exciting programs and projects.  You will have time for impromptu gatherings both on and off campus with Master Gardeners from every part of the Commonwealth.  Your choice of subjects goes beyond the initial training that led you to become a Master Gardener.  Perhaps your biggest “problem” will be the choices you must make when you register for class selections, labs and tours.  Also, include some workshops for a completely satisfying experience.  It is easy to transfer this training to other Master Gardeners when you get home as well as to your neighborhood community. (I remember teaching and demonstrating the “mystery” of making a hypertufa pot to a class of 40 people in my neighborhood park.  That was a real hoot.)
               At MGC you will learn from experts about familiar topics and at the same time catch up with the latest research and become aware of unfamiliar subjects too.  In other words, MGC offers you an opportunity to expand your knowledge, forge new friendships, share experiences and have time for some fun.  By the way, VA Tech has an award winning food service.  You will have an incredible variety of tasty creations and endless choices of familiar favorites at mealtime.  Don’t let the cost and distance to attend MGC discourage you.  Trust me, it is worth it!

           
NOTES:
*       Additional fee varies $0 - $60
**     Usually additional fee $10 - $40 (Higher cost includes box lunch)
¹        Not staying at host hotel
²        Campus single room in dorm Thurs to Sat
³        Campus dining hall Thurs dinner to Sun breakfast
⁴        On your own
⁵        Meals included with registration fee
⁶        $15 – Choose only one (2pm-5:15pm)

STATE CONFERENCE COST AND PROGRAM COMPARISON

Master Gardener College…IS IT WORTH IT?

By George Graine

Fairfax

MG College Advisory Team Member

               Why attend the 25th anniversary Master Gardener College (MGC) at Virginia Tech?  What’s all the buzz about this event that takes place at our land-grant university and home of Virginia Cooperative Extension?  Readily put, MGC is the place where academics and fun come together for four days on the magnificent and inspiring Blacksburg campus.  This is the ideal respite that any serious gardener needs, and nobody will quiz you on what a Hokie is or make you take an exam on any college subject.  In addition to all this, it is a great value for the cost. See the state conference cost and program comparison chart below.
               MGC is an opportunity for self-development through continuing education, enabling you to explore many interesting and exciting programs and projects.  You will have time for impromptu gatherings both on and off campus with Master Gardeners from every part of the Commonwealth.  Your choice of subjects goes beyond the initial training that led you to become a Master Gardener.  Perhaps your biggest “problem” will be the choices you must make when you register for class selections, labs, tours, and workshops.  Transferring this training to other Master Gardeners as well as to your neighborhood community when you get back home is easy. (I remember teaching and demonstrating the “mystery” of making a hypertufa pot to a class of 40 people in my neighborhood park.  That was a real hoot.)
               At MGC you will learn from experts about familiar topics, catch up with the latest research, and become aware of unfamiliar subjects too.  In other words, MGC offers you an opportunity to expand your knowledge, forge new friendships, share experiences, and of course, have fun.  And if all that isn’t enough to convince you, Virginia Tech has an award winning food service, offering an incredible variety of tasty creations and endless choices of familiar favorites at mealtime.  So don’t let the cost and distance to attend MGC discourage you.  Trust me, Master Gardener College is worth it!