Advanced MG Education Committee Meeting

Advanced MG Education Committee Meeting March 30,2011

Julie, Sue, Jane and Dana were present, Sharon was absent.

Sue prepared an outline and samples of texts in botany manuals that presented functions and processes occurring in plants. This enabled the group to decide which areas of study to include in the ‘PHYSIOLOGY’ course for the fall of 2011. The committee agreed that the book: BOTANY FOR GARDENERS Third Edition by Brian Capon would serve as the student reference for the course.

The dates for the course are: Monday, October 31 Wednesday, November 2 Monday, November 7 Wednesday, November 9 Monday, November 14 Wednesday, November 16 Hours: 11 am-2 pm

The core will consist of 18 hours total (Six sessions, three hours in length)

A summer lab was discussed and tentatively planned. Suggested topics included: Lab One Examine cell structure under microscopes (Elodea candensis) Examine Root systems such as: corms, bulbs, rhizomes, and tubers

Lab Two Investigate odd forms of plants such as: alder nodules, willow roses, beet nodes, Mycorrhizae, faciation, nematodes and diamond willows. The affects that 2-4D and ethylene have upon plants could also be examined.

The order in which the processes will be presented was decided and Julie will record the process and bring ideas of instructors to the next meeting on Wednesday, April 27th.

It was agreed that the fourth Wednesday of each month scheduled at 9 am will be set aside for our Adv MG committee meetings instead of the third Wednesday of each month. The meetings will be confirmed on a needs basis. There may be times that a meeting is not required.

Dana will write a reminder each month for our newsletter that will encourage soil students to work on their volunteer hours and continuing education units.

The PDF form on the web site will function only on a windows based computer. Dana tested the two different operating systems to find that Macintosh users would need a different form for recording their ceu units and volunteer hours. She will work with Brenda Carlson to help get her hours recorded in the format that will work with her computer. MS Word looks to be the alternate form for the Macintosh operating system.

Dana presented for approval a Flo Chart graphic that shows the relationship of the education committee within the University of Alaska and the Master Gardener Association. With a couple of changes the chart was approved. It will be sent out to the committee with changes.

Dana Klinkhart temp. reporter