This specific project was a community service challenge for Missouri Cancer Associates and was supervised by master gardener Carolyn Oates:
Carolyn explained the requirements for a master gardener. Locally master gardeners must take a class from the University of Missouri Master Gardener Extension program, and then volunteer 30 hours the first year and 20 hours for subsequent years. Master gardeners must also continue with six hours of ongoing education per year. The University of Missouri has an outstanding Master Gardener Extension program with a very informative web site where you can go to get more information.
This statement about the Master Gardener program is from the American Horticultural Society web page:
The Master Gardener program, conducted throughout the United States and Canada, is a two-part educational effort, in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of intense home horticulture training, and in return they "pay back" local university extension agents through volunteerism. Master Gardeners assist with garden lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, school and community gardening, phone diagnostic service, research, and many other projects.
In the future I plan on doing a related story on community gardens.
There is increasing concern with our food supply and an increasing interest in urban gardening. There are highly productive, and efficient, methods for growing produce in urban settings and I predict that will continue to be a growing trend. Newer methods of cultivation, like the square foot system are boosting productivity while cutting down on the need for harmful chemicals. I would like to see more young people involved with the FFA which not just about traditional farming but also about agriculture education in general. How about FFA groups for urban high schools with a focus on urban gardening?
I drove by a couple of days later and took a picture of the completed project. Looks pretty good:
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