Basic Curriculum

Basic CMG training consists of 60+ hours of classroom instruction. Training is offered in 11-15 multi-county locations around the state, typically in January through April.

Content is focused for the home gardener (non-commercial) audience. However, 30% of the students are employed in the green industry and use the classes for career training

The format for student lecture notes is being changed to a series of CMG GardenNotes. This enables CMG volunteers and county staff to distribute training materials to the public, where appropriate.

Basic topics covered in training include the following:

• Introduction to the CMG program -- Overview of CMG program and volunteer service including service limitations. (3 hours block)


• How plants grow -- Class covers plant structures and growth factors. Content presented in lecture and hands-on activities to help students develop skills in examing plants close-up and relating observations with plant disorders. (6 hours)


• Managing soils, fertilizers and soil amendments -- Eight percent of all plant problems relate to poor soil conditions. Content covers basic concepts in soil management, fertilizers and soil amendments. Class includes lecture and hands-on activities. (6 hours)


• Managing irrigation and water wise gardening -- Through lecture and work sheets students cover the seven principles of water wise gardening. Emphasis is placed on irrigation management, the principle with the greatest potential for water saving in the typical home landscape. Student learn how to perform an irrigation audit for the home landscape. (An irrigation audit is the primary tool for water conservation. Typical water savings following implementation of an audit averages around 40%.) As one seasoned CMG volunteer stated, “There is so much information out there about water issues and xeric gardening that is confusing and often contradictory… This class was simple, straight forward and gave me the knowledge to really made a difference in water conservation.” In some counties, CMG volunteers make house calls teaching local residents how to evaluate their irrigation system with an audit. (6 hours)


• Introduction to entomology -- In this entertaining class, Dr. Whitney Cranshaw introduces students to the world of insects and insect pest management. (6 hours)


• Identifying insects -- In this hands-on class students learn to look at insects close-up and personal as they practice identifying common insects. For some students it gives them the skills and confidence to process insect identification questions. For other students it develops the courage to take a close-up look at insects (and these students get excited that they actually got close to some bugs) and the diagnostic skills will come with experience. (3 hours)


• Introduction to plant pathology -- This class introduces students to plant diseases and plant disease management concepts. (6 hours)


• Tree care: selection and planting -- The average tree planted in the landscape lives for only 8 years. This class focuses on new research-based information on tree planting and how to give trees the best start for rapid establishment and growth in their new home. (3 hours)


• Pruning -- Structural pruning of young trees establish their susceptibility or resistance to storm damage for life. This class looks at the new research-based information on structural pruning of young tree, pruning of mature trees, and pruning of flowering shrubs. Presentation includes lecture and tree walk. (3 hours)


• Diagnosing tree disorders -- After a lecture introduces the diagnostic process, student practice the process by diagnosing common tree disorders using keys in Insect and Diseases of Woody Plants. While many real-life samples won’t be as straight-forward as the examples used in class, it gives students experience with the process and confidence in their abilities. This class has been hailed by several experienced CMG volunteers as “the best training ever offered”.


• Caring for lawns -- This class covers basic lawn care issues faced by home gardeners.


• Local options -- Local programs cover additional topics of local interests. Examples of topics include the following: (3 to 9+ hours)

• Growing small fruits
• Growing tree fruits
• Growing vegetables
• Landscaping with native plants
• Managing weeds

• Local CMG orientation -- This class covers county specific "how to" of CMG volunteer work. (3 hours)

Cost of the training (outside of instructors' salaries) is totally self-supporting from class fees and program grants. In the past 3 years, over $10,000 has been invested in teaching supplies, (A/V materials, lab supplies and manuals).

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Continuing Education

A variety of continuing education opportunities are available to CMG volunteers. Actual offerings vary from county to county depending on local CMG program staffing and local resources. Contact the local county office of CSU Extension for county specific details.

• Examples of CMG Program continuing education opportunities
  
  
  • County and regional CMG subject matter updates presented by specialists, agents, experience CMG volunteers, green industry workers, etc.
  • Monthly or quarterly CMG meetings and tours
  • Continuing education courses, like "clinic training"
  • Re-attend basic training sessions
  • Volunteer development training
  • One-time classes on various CMG topics like the "writer’s workshop"
    
    
• Examples of other continuing education opportunities supportive to CMG volunteers
  
  
  • Green industry training (i.e., ProGreen, Turfgrass Conference)
  • Public garden classes
  • Academic classes
  • Garden club speakers
  • Gardening videos
  • Job-related in-service
  • Special research projects
  • Independent project

  Part of the criteria for CMG activity includes twelve hours minimum continuing education per year (after the basic training year). The continuing education requirement serves three purposes. 1) provides the opportunity for continual learning, thus enhancing the volunteer experience, 2) define a minimum participation level within the program, and 3) reduced liability by expecting our volunteer staff to be continually updated on research based information.

• A minimum of six (of the twelve) hours must be from educational events specifically sponsored by Extension for CMG volunteers. (All 12 hours may be from these events.)
• Other educational activities may count 1) as it relates to horticulture and the CMG role AND 2) with prior approval of designated agent.

Most local CMG programs also have a monthly or quarterly newsletter and regularly communicate with CMG volunteers by e-mail. CMG volunteers routinely receive new and revised home garden related fact sheets.

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