This is a really nice guide, thank you for making it & including the little tips too! I also agree that the streetpass is the hardest.. it is the only badge I don't even have a bronze in.
After grinding medals the past few days on the island, I finally got the silver medalist badge
Also, I like island hopping to find neat items but I always found it a waste to pay the 1k to get there, and spend my medals without actually getting any medals in return, so I made the rule that if I visit an island I have to do at least one tour, preferably a high medal earning tour.
I actually didn't get mine until about 550 hours or so. Remember, if it rains at all he won't show up, but he can also be glitchy sometimes. I've had him show up IMMEDIATELY after I've earned some and other times just take ages.
I have been playing alot more New Leaf then usual! I was SOO happy because a little while ago I FINALLY got the golden turnip badge!!! It took soo long and I actually NEVER got any of the turnip badges when I was little because I just ate the ones I bought from Joan