How to Become a Consulting Rosarian

Consulting Rosarian is a title held by those persons who have met the requirements of length of membership in the ARS; have met the pre-requisites of service, experience and attitude; and have attended the ARS District course and passed the examination following the course of instruction.

The CR courses are  generally held every 3 years and are sponsored by each District (Yankee District in our case) and are conducted as part of the District Conference (usually in March for Yankee- the last was done in 2006, the next will likely be in 2008 or 2009 .  You may attend the course at another District and take the test there, as the designation is ARS sponsored. 

Full information is available at the ARS website at: http://ars.org/pdf/CR-Resume-form.pdf

Schedule of coming schools in the various ARS Districts can be found at: http://ars.org/Coming_Events/consulting_school.htm
    (note there are no CR schools east of the Mississippi listed as of Feb. 2007).  These are also published in The American Rose magazine in the schedule of events near the back of most issues.

Here are some of the Prerequisites to consider well in advance, as some require preparation:

    You need to have been an ARS Member for the last three consecutive years.  So don't forget to renew your annual membership!
    You should be a Rosarian in Good Standing in your local Society.  Tat means helpful to others in matters of rose culture, and generous with your volunteering in the local Society events. For example participating in the annual Rose Show is creditable.  Participation or presentation of local Society programs and writing articles (for the newsletter or website) are great ways to become involved.  The CR Application Form asks for lists of such voluntary participation. 
    You must be willing to actively participate in teaching rose culture to others after you have been appointed.  This means willing to return telephone calls or respond by email to questions from new rosarians.
    You will need three letters of recommendation from other Consulting Rosarians.  It is useful to convince them that you are worthy as you go and grow along.
    You will need to purchase a "Consulting Rosarian's Manual" from the ARS.  From reading that, learning at Society presentations, and attending the District-Sponsored course you will learn the manual.      The Manual is available for purchase at the ARS Website.  It is WELL WORTH owning even if you have no intention of becoming a CR.  It will answer your rose culture questions!
    You must pass the CR Manual written exam given immediately following the CR Review Course.

This procedure is really not difficult, but does require some advance planning and preparation.  Keep it in mind as you grow as a Rosarian!

The list of CRS Consulting Rosarians is in the Rose Culture Section of this website, and you may easily hyperlink to the page by clicking on "Call a CR" at the top of every web page.