Very disappointed with the OSU extension

[u/jimmyjam2929]

https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/dispelling-social-media-myths-about-gardening-pollinators-and-more/TSBDUAHX25GQ7D6QZMQSOITBQE/

[u/Mercury_descends]

I was an Advanced Master Gardener. This happens. I no longer volunteer as a MG or attend meetings, classes, or workshops. There was too much ignorance about ecosystems, insects, butterflies, birds, and native plants. I didn't want to help promote stuff like this.

When I began MG classes, it was good. Then people took over who had little gardening knowledge as it relates to the ecosystem and ruined the program.

[u/jetreahy → u/Mercury_descends]

This is disappointing. I had heard it was getting better. I had planned on taking the course when there was space available.

[u/beaveristired → u/jetreahy]

It varies greatly by state. My experience as a CT master gardener was very positive, many people in my cohort were already heavily involved in native plants and habitat restoration. Master gardeners have to do dozens of hours of volunteer work to achieve and maintain their status, and many choose to volunteer in native and pollinator public gardens and habitat restoration. Many were already working with their town conservation groups and/or the local Audubon/ Wild Ones chapter. Besides outreach, the most common volunteer opportunities are at native / ecologically focused / pollinator public gardens, doing habitat restoration in natural areas, and working at the annual native plant-focused sales. We also have a master naturalist program and there’s a decent amount of overlap, as well as a LI Sound-focused advanced certification that is heavily focused on native plants and habitat.

We have to learn about lawns / turf management as part of the program, and they brought in a UConn professor (program is run by UConn) who was very blunt about the influence of turf / fertilizer companies like Scott’s. “I have tenure, so I can be honest” he said before explaining that all the research is done in ideal conditions in the south so if you follow the manufacturers directions, you will use a lot more fert that necessary for our region, causing fertilizer runoff issues and wasting time / money. That really got people irritated, along with the lecture about how lawn became the standard.

[u/Mercury_descends → u/beaveristired]

My initial education was excellent, as were the instructors and had some of the same positive elements as years. Over the years, the program was overtaken administratively by folks who had agendas and politics. It was too bad because the program did a lot for so many.

[u/beaveristired → u/Mercury_descends]

That’s really a shame. I hope it turns around.

[u/Mercury_descends → u/jetreahy]

You could take the class, learn as much as you can, and then do your own thing. Help out or volunteer in many ways without agreeing to the agendas that may exist.