Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[yarrow@sfo.com]

In general, the MG programs sound good. But I have big problems with 
some of the details:

At 8:30 AM -0600 10/28/06, TradingPostPaul wrote:
>   13. Given the proper training, could you comfortably recommend the use of
> both natural and synthetic       fertilizers and pest control products to
> the public?  If NO, please explain.  (According to NMSU           policy,
> Master Gardener volunteers are required to advise on the use of all types
> of pesticides and         fertilizers; at the same time, the Bernalillo
> County Extension Horticulture Agent is strongly                   promoting
> Integrated Pest Management, which emphasizes cultural controls, least-toxic
> materials,         and highly-toxic materials only as a last resort.)

I think it's irresponsible to *require* someone with 52 hours total 
training to recommend pesticides and fertilizers. This antiecological 
policy presumes that organic gardening doesn't really work or is too 
much trouble for most people, and also assumes that using pesticides 
has no downside.


>  Trained individuals may
> identify themselves as an Extension Master Gardener only when doing unpaid
> public service work in a New Mexico State University approved program.

I see this policy violated all the time. Maybe it's not the policy in 
every state, but I've seen people here with "Master Gardener" on biz 
cards saying that it persuades people to hire them for paid 
landscaping jobs. Also, many MGs identify themselves as "Master 
Gardener Jane Doe" for every single outdoors-related thing they're 
involved in, most of which are not official Extension business.

 > Callers
> requesting alternative information (i.e. organic methods) should be given
> the type of information requested, with any appropriate caveats if this
> information is not research based. Callers should be guided toward
> understanding preventative measures, as well as treatment options.

Organic methods are "alternative information"?!

(On the other hand, I have heard that some MG programs are more open 
to including the research on and promoting organic methods. Maybe 
Oregon and Washington? I know King County has been trying to 
discourage pesticide use for years.)