6/30/2011 2:06 PM
Timothy- That's a tough call. Back in the day when we actually had an Agronomy Dept. the ASA was the big trade association here at UMD. I was a member as a grad student. Then everything at the land grant schools began to change. Agronomy, Botany, and Hort all became Plant Science. Soils ended up in Natural Resources, etc. Now Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science is all the rage and really run the College of Ag. I think CPAG lost some of it's luster. Dues is only $95 a year and occasionally there is a turf or weed article in the Journal you can understand so being a member is nice.
Consider the arborist certification through ISA. If you are at Brae Burn in MA you know the importance of trees. Being a certified arborist is a great designation garnering a lot of respect. The ISA is a first class, international group. Most states have a certified horticulturist program also. In MD it is through our Nursery and Landscape Association. I was impressed, pretty tough test, lots of plant ID. Once again, if you are in MA I think they have something similar. Lastly, think about the Master Greenkeeper program through BIGGA. Dues are about $180 a year. Testing and attestting is similar to CGCS. Only 52 of us in the world.
If you were working with soil tests, nutriment management, etc CPAG would be great. But around these clubs with trees, flowers, turf, etc. I would do something else.
If you ever picture yourself doing something else for a living you might consider an online Masters program. Even high school teachers in my county need a Masters nowadays.
Nothing trumps CGCS however. Good luck. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.