Programs qualifying for CMG Continuing Education (CE) may include a variety of subjects.
Presentations on topics dealing with plants in general, plants native to the area, their physiology, structure, growing habits and requirements, diseases, and plant propagation may earn CE hours.
Programs related to pollinators: birds, insects, and bats, their habitat and behaviors and to horticulture and land stewardship: varieties of gardening methods, soil types, testing, amendments, composting and mulching, conservation of water, irrigation, rainwater harvesting, control of natural and exotic invasive species, promotion of native plants, Earth-Kind® landscaping, Earth-friendly practices, pests and pest control qualify for CE hours as well.
The programs should be organized as lectures or formal presentations. Programs should be presented by organizations and associations like universities, botanical societies, nurseries, AgriLife Extension Services, gardening clubs, and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Docent-guided tours of botanical gardens may also earn CE credit. Sixty-minute programs, including Q&As, qualify for one (1) hour of Continuing Education credit.
Advanced training in specialized areas is periodically offered through Texas Master Gardener programs. The Advanced Training programs are designed to support and expand specific county educational projects and programs. This training is usually multi-day and leads, following completion of all requirements, to the Master Gardener Advanced Training Certification. Tuition reimbursement is available to a limited number of qualified Comal Master Gardeners who completed the advanced training, have met all other Volunteer Service requirements, and have been certified. The application for this certification should be approved by the Executive Board and signed by the AgriLife Extension Service Agent. It is expected that Master gardeners who completed the advanced training will periodically organize and conduct educational presentations on the subject.
Conducting research for the purpose of writing articles, making presentations and giving educational lectures is considered to be Continuing Education and should be recorded as such in the volunteer Management System.
CMG members should promptly report their CE hours online in the Volunteer Management System.