Beneficials in the garden & landscape: MG Specialist Entomology Training

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	FIGURE 1. The Master Gardener Specialist – Entomology training is an awesome training program designed specifically for Texas Master Gardeners. Pictured above are participants and instructors in the 2005 lass conducted at College Station. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael E. Merchant.)


	FIGURE 2. Dr. Michael E. Merchant, Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, provided presentations on insects in urban environments as well as digital photography.


	FIGURE 3. Dr. John A. Jackman, Professor and Extension Entomologist (pictured at left above) and Dr. Carlos E. Bográn, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist (Entomology/ Plant Pathology) served as instructors also.


	FIGURE 4. Pictured left-to-right are Galveston County MGs who participated in the 2004 training: Bert Janke (MG '02), Cynthia Mueller (MG '98) and Jackie Reeves (MG '02).

The Master Gardener Specialist – Entomology training is an awesome training program designed specifically for Texas Master Gardeners. Entomology professors and other experts at Texas A&M university served as presenters and instructors. Their professional credentials and range of experience were impressive.

During the week of July 11-15, 2005, a group of 18 Master Gardeners and one Master Naturalist from across the State of Texas attended the third training course for Master Gardener Specialist – Entomology training. The 2005 training was held at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Two of the 19 participants in the 2005 training were from Galveston County: MG Laurel Stine (MG '02) and me.

Class instructors for the 2005 training class were:
• Dr. Carlos E. Bográn, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist (Entomology/Plant Pathology), Riverside
• Dr. Bastiaan Drees, Professor and Fire Ant Director, College Station
• Dr. Marvin Harris, Professor, Dept. of Entomology, College Station
• Dr. John A. Jackman, Professor and Extension Entomologist, College Station
• Dr. Michael E. Merchant, Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, Dallas
• Ed Riley, Associate Curator (Insect Museum), Dept. of Entomology, College Station
• Dr. Doug Welsh, Professor and Extension Horticulturist (and State Coordinator for the Texas Master Gardener program), College Station

Presentations included discussions on insect identification, insect diversity, insect pest management, pesticide safety, insects in the garden and landscape, butterfly gardening, digital photography for insect identification, biting and stinging insects, collecting methods and shipping techniques and field collection trips (including a night collecting trip!). Participants had the option of making or improving their own collection during the course.

Our Master Gardeners understand that a core concept with Texas Cooperative Extension is learning and sharing that learning with others. The instructors provided the time and effort to sponsor this training and the results of efforts in turn been multiplied many-fold in serving citizens throughout the State of Texas!

To date, six Master Gardeners from Galveston County have completed the entomology training course. In 2004, four of my fellow Galveston County Master Gardeners also attended the training: Bert Janke (MG '02), Cynthia Mueller (MG '98), Pat Mullin (MG '03) and Jackie Reeves (MG '02).

Beneficials in the Garden & Landscape is an EarthKind^TM program coordinated through Extension Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Earth Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment.