Hello! Let me introduce myself to you, I’m Kimberly Bell, and I, like millions of other people across the nation, find a pure, simple joy in gardening, and each spring that enthusiasm is renewed! What started as a simple hobby 20 years ago has turned into an insatiable passion. I have such an appreciation for plants – of all kinds – as well as a tremendous appreciation for other like-minded people who have the same irresistible urge to create natural beauty.

So, what am I doing here at Outsidepride? I am the new Social Media Director, and you will be hearing from me regularly. What an amazing position this is and what an honor it is to be the one filling it! Combining my love for growing with my love for socializing is a perfect match!

As the newer employee looking in with a fresh perspective, I am excited to see the value that Outsidepride places on the customers. Our customers represent an entire array of gardening enthusiasts. For some it may be a leisure activity and for others it may be their livelihood. Whether the novice or the professional, Outsidepride is here with quality seed and products as well as objective information and resources that will help our customers fulfill their gardening, lawn and landscaping dreams.

Our customers’ success is important to us! We have been diligent in our collection of accurate information, and since our beginning we have been avid supporters of university extension services that are offered in each state. The universities have the latest, objective, research-based information for their local areas. Working in many counties throughout the United States are Master Gardeners who have received intense training in home horticulture from the universities, and in exchange for the training, the Master Gardeners payback the extension agents with many hours of volunteerism.

So how does someone become a Master Gardener? Here in Oregon, most of our counties offer a new program each January. In Marion County where I reside, there are 74 hours of class time and 66 hours of practical experience as a volunteer. The volunteer hours are broken down: 40 hours at the Help Desk answering questions and giving advice by telephone, in person and by email; 12 hours of working in the Marion Garden with a trainer; and 14 hours of miscellaneous activities. Each Master Gardener Trainee is also matched with a mentor who offers advice and assistance until the program is completed. It’s a very organized, structured and well-supported program.

Here are some Oregon statistics from 2010 that show just how beneficial this Master Gardener Program truly is: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/master-gardener-program-quick-stats

You may have guessed it by now, but I enrolled in the program! Becoming a Master Gardener has always intrigued me, and when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it! What an awesome opportunity to learn and to network with many new people as well as share the valuable information as I blog along the way. I would be thrilled and honored to take followers along this journey with me, and we will all have a graduation celebration in December 2012!

Next week, I’ll introduce you to my class and we’ll discuss Chapter 1, Botany Basics, in my textbook Sustainable Gardening. Until then, here’s my question for the week: Have you ever used the services of the Master Gardener Program in your area? Tell me about it!