State Advisory Board Update The following information summarizes the meeting of the state Master Gardener advisory board, held November 8 in Columbia. The board submitted the following long-term goals to the University Extension faculty: Develop a state-wide advanced Master Gardener educational program. Completion of the Core Course manual - chapters are out for review now. Continue the "Trees of Strength" plantings through the state. Develop a state-wide project such as "Plants of Merit." Emphasize Master Gardener retention beyond the first years in the program. Improve volunteer hours reporting. The next state Master Gardener conference will be held in September 5-7 in St. Louis. The emphasis will be on protecting the environment and native plantings. Alan Armitage who has written extensively on perennials, annuals and half-hardy perennials will be the keynote speaker. The conference will have events in Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Viking Inn (I-44 and Lindbergh) will serve as the conference hotel. It was noted this will be a very popular conference. The next Core Course instructor training will be held in February in Columbia. Subjects to be covered and details will appear in a future issue of Heartland Horticulture. Dr. Ron Turner, Director of Extension for the University of Missouri, advised the board that there have been very deep cuts in the budget and outlined ways the department is adapting. Some of the changes have included increasing fees, increasing grant activity, encouraging private giving, and cutting costs in the program, including eliminating travel. He said the Master Gardener program was vital to the future of the state by increasing the quality of life, protecting the environment and adding value to the local culture. The next state Master Gardener advisory board meeting is scheduled for March 7 in Columbia. Submitted by Chuck Thiesenhusen, Secretary, Master Gardener State Advisory Board