saraha Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 Last fall my daughter crossed paths with an Associate Professor at a nearby tech school who specializes in agriculture. The lady gave dd her card. Dd acted like she might be interested in giving me some advice. So I want to send an email like the following only much better, haha. Dear Ms. Taylor, You don't know me, but my daughter Noren used to work at The Vault coffee shop in Russellville. She had told me about talking to you about fruit trees and gardening and gave me your card. I am writing to see if you might be able to help me. I am not sure if you make "house calls" but if you were ever in the area and were willing to stop by I would really appreciate it. I have some specific questions about our fruit trees and raspberries. Thanks for your time. I don't know what is wrong with me, but for some reason I cant seem to create a coherent and professional sounding email.🫥 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 (edited) 5 minutes ago, saraha said: Last fall my daughter crossed paths with an Associate Professor at a nearby tech school who specializes in agriculture. The lady gave dd her card. Dd acted like she might be interested in giving me some advice. So I want to send an email like the following only much better, haha. Dear Ms. Taylor, You don't know me, but my daughter Noren used to work at The Vault coffee shop in Russellville. She had told me about talking to you about fruit trees and gardening and gave me your card. I am writing to see if you might be able to help me. I am not sure if you make "house calls" but if you were ever in the area and were willing to stop by I would really appreciate it. I have some specific questions about our fruit trees and raspberries. Thanks for your time. I don't know what is wrong with me, but for some reason I cant seem to create a coherent and professional sounding email.🫥 Personally, I wouldn't mention house calls like that - it seems too pushy for a first contact. I would just ask if she would be able to give you some advice. Edited April 14, 2023 by Laura Corin 16 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 3 minutes ago, saraha said: Last fall my daughter crossed paths with an Associate Professor at a nearby tech school who specializes in agriculture. The lady gave dd her card. Dd acted like she might be interested in giving me some advice. So I want to send an email like the following only much better, haha. Dear Ms. Taylor, You don't know me, but my daughter Noren used to work at The Vault coffee shop in Russellville. She had told me about talking to you about fruit trees and gardening and gave me your card. I am writing to see if you might be able to help me. I am not sure if you make "house calls" but if you were ever in the area and were willing to stop by I would really appreciate it. I have some specific questions about our fruit trees and raspberries. Thanks for your time. I don't know what is wrong with me, but for some reason I cant seem to create a coherent and professional sounding email.🫥 I agree with @Laura Corin And in the email I'd cut out all the words before "I have some specific questions about my fruit trees and raspberries." Way too wordy. Just go straight to the point. You want advice on fruit trees and bushes. State the problem, and ask if she provides any consultation services for these kinds of issues. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 Thanks guys! I don't know why I was having so much trouble with this! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 (edited) Seconding what the others said. Also, check if the professor has a doctorate and be sure to address her as such if she does. Edited April 14, 2023 by regentrude 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 1 hour ago, wintermom said: I agree with @Laura Corin And in the email I'd cut out all the words before "I have some specific questions about my fruit trees and raspberries." Way too wordy. Just go straight to the point. You want advice on fruit trees and bushes. State the problem, and ask if she provides any consultation services for these kinds of issues. Agreeing and emphasizing this point because in the OP it is not clear if you are willing to pay for her service, or expect it for free because of the connection with your daughter. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 Another option to check is your state or county extension office as often they have master gardeners on staff that provide a lot of advice for free. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 5 hours ago, Ottakee said: Another option to check is your state or county extension office as often they have master gardeners on staff that provide a lot of advice for free. You beat me to it! These people are very good at helping others in my experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Yes! to the state extension service. They have so many services for home gardeners and growers (free soil testing, etc). They’re sorely underutilized. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) On 4/14/2023 at 5:45 PM, Ottakee said: Another option to check is your state or county extension office as often they have master gardeners on staff that provide a lot of advice for free. This. Our extension office is so knowledgeable. College professors are some time quite narrow in their knowledge due to the scope of their research. I would never be able to contact MSU and pick a random professor to ask about my garden or fruit trees. But I can call the MSU extension office for my county, and they have horticulturalists and master gardeners who have lived here for decades and know EVERYTHING about the local plant life. Sometimes I even run across and Department Of Natural Resources conservation officer who knows as well, especially if I am concerned about an invasive variety. Edited April 16, 2023 by Faith-manor Typo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Faith-manor said: This. Our extension office is so knowledgeable. College professors are some time quite narrow in their knowledge due to the scope of their research. I would never be able to contact MSU and pick a random professor to ask about my garden or fruit trees. But I can call the MSU extension office for my county, and they have horticulturalists and master gardeners who have lived here for decades and know EVERYTHING about the local plant life. Sometimes I even run across and Department Of Natural Resources conservation officer who knows as well, especially if I am concerned about an invasive variety. Yes and they know your exactly climate and micro climates. Even our local community garden smaller than a football field had different needs based on shade or full sun and wind protection or not 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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