The Extension Master Gardener Program

ERIC STORMER UNIT COORDINATOR AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES EXTENSION AGENT MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

What is a VCE Master Gardener*? A Master Gardener is a VCE trained volunteer educator working on behalf of Virginia Cooperative Extension Provides research based educational information and program on various horticulture topics *The official title is Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener

VCE-Master Gardeners  Volunteers who are dedicated to educating others on

environmental stewardship

 Volunteers who are there to assist the local VCE

Units with garden, lawn, and landscape issues

 An asset that provides thousands of volunteer hours

and a broad background in horticulture that could not be achieved by any single individual

What do VCE Master Gardeners do? 

Short version – They support Extension Horticulture

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Long Version – They volunteer their time to educate VCE Clients in various topics of horticulture Environmental

Stewardship Impact & Inspire Youth Promote the Value of the Landscape Improve Human Nutrition Contribute to higher quality of life

How can MGs help the Horticulture Agent? 

Answer gardening questions for VCE clients

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Conduct educational programs on gardening/lawn care/landscaping

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Work with homeowners, local school groups, county/municipal governments, and civic groups in horticulture

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Note that MGs are not a source of free labor. They do not plant gardens; Master Gardeners teach others to plant gardens correctly.

Who is responsible for the Master Gardener Program?  At the Unit Level Per VCE policy, an Extension Agent must have overall responsibility for coordinating the Master Gardener program. 

The ANR - Horticulture Extension Agent, if one is available

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If there is no Horticulture Agent, then another ANR Agent will usually handle the program

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It is up to the Unit Coordinator to designate the position responsible for coordinating this program

Role of the VCE Agent

 Overall management of the local Master Gardener 

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program Appoint Committees Supervise MG Training Recommend & Approve projects Approve volunteer time/continuing education time Enforce MG policies & procedures

Who is responsible? (Continued) 

A Master Gardener volunteer may be appointed to fill the roll of Master Gardener Coordinator.

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The Volunteer will have the level of responsibility and authority delegated by the Agent, but the Agent still has ultimate responsibility.

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A good volunteer coordinator can take on most of the routine coordination work of the program.

Master Gardener Coordinator  Extension Agent, Locally Paid Technician, VCE MG

Volunteer  In charge of scheduling, training, and day-to-day

management of the program  Liaison for VCE, VT, VSU and the local and state MG

Associations

Local Master Gardener Committees  Committees serve the MG Coordinator by taking

care of much of the routine work.  Typical Committees may include, but are not limited to:     

Membership Reporting Training Special projects Long-term/Recurring projects

Role of the VCE Master Gardener  Unpaid VCE Staff  Trained volunteers providing educational programs,

information, and services on behalf of VCE  Subject to the same code of conduct as VCE

Employees

Role of the Master Gardener  Primary role is to TEACH  Much of their teaching is by “hands-on” or

demonstration of proper techniques.

 They may install and maintain gardens but only if

the purpose of the garden is for horticultural education

 Overall they exist to support local Extension

horticulture programming

Master Gardener Policy  VCE –MG Policy  “Welcome to VCE Master Gardenering” (Resource and Reference Guide), Pub. # 426-699 Behind the tab in your training manual titled “Volunteers”

VCE-MG Status levels  VCE Master Gardener Trainee  VCE Master Gardener Intern

 VCE Master Gardener  VCE Advanced Master Gardener  VCE Master Gardener, Emeritus

Trainees vs. Interns

 VCE MG Trainees  In the process of undergoing the required minimum of fifty (50) hours of approved Master Gardener Training  VCE MG Interns  Have successfully completed the training, and are now completing fifty (50) hours of volunteer educational within twelve months – from first day of training.

VCE MG Volunteer 

Have completed their training and their required 50 hours of volunteer service (internship).

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Are certified as Master Gardeners

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Must maintain their VCE Master Gardener status by reporting at least 20 hours of approved educational volunteer service plus 8 hours of approved continuing (personal) education every year

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VCE-MGs who attain and maintain this level are eligible to attend Master Gardener College and Advanced VCE-MG training programs

Advanced VCE Master Gardener

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One who has completed specialized training in an approved, advanced-level VCE-MG training program

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May include: 

VCE-MG Tree Steward

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VCE-MG Water Steward

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VCE-MG Land Care Steward

Emeritus VCE Master Gardener Two important conditions must be met: 1.

2.

A dedicated VCE Master Gardener who has reported at least 1,000 hours of volunteer service so far in their VCE Master Gardener career The person must “retire” due to a health condition or other circumstances preventing them from fulfilling their role as a volunteer for VCE

“This title is specifically for individuals who can no longer complete the requirements for remaining active VCE-MGs, but who have earned continued affiliation with VCE.”

Transient VCE-MGs 

Moving within Virginia: Must meet the minimum qualifications for the local VCE-MG program. Coordinators must transfer their records to the new VCE Unit

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Moving outside of Virginia: That will be determined by the Local Agent or MG Coordinator in their new location

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Moving into Virginia: Agent or Coordinator assesses their skills and knowledge and recommends for inclusion in the local program or recommends additional training

Service Recognition  Service awards are provided at certain levels of

volunteer service:  250

hours  500 hours  1,000 hours  Each 1,000 hours past 1,000 hours

Civil Rights Compliance  VCE-MGs must always comply with the VCE policy

of non-discrimination.   

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Special needs audiences/individuals must be accommodated Interpreters must be provided as needed No person or group of people may be excluded from VCE-MG programs for any reason ADA accommodations must be provided as needed

Pesticide recommendations

VCE-MGs can only make pesticide recommendations from the VCE Pest Management Guide

Pesticide recommendations

Pesticide recommendations

Pesticide recommendations Again, VCE-MGs can only make pesticide recommendations from the VCE Pest Management Guide.

Funding for Master Gardener Activities  Training – Trainees are expected to cover the cost of

training (MG manual, materials, etc.)  Projects and other activities may be funded through

grants, donations, and fund raisers (conducted by the local VCE-MG Association)  Funds for MG educational programs are similar to

that for 4-H and other VCE volunteer programs

Funding for Master Gardener Activities  VCE Master Gardeners may not charge a fee for

their services.

 VCE-MGs may not use their position to solicit any

funds, services, or materials for their personal use.

 VCE-MGs may not use their title in any

advertising for a commercial business.

 Any unsolicited funds received must be turned

over to the local association to support VCE-MG educational programs.

VCE Master Gardener Reporting “This is a State Institution… not an Academic Playground.” Helen E. Dragas, Rector University of Virginia

 The volunteer time and impacts of VCE-MGs are

important to the continuation of this program  This information is used to demonstrate

accountability to local, state, and federal constituents

VCE Master Gardener Reporting 

Reports for individual VCE-MGs are reported through only one VCE Unit

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Educational activities and volunteer accomplishments must be reported through the State Volunteer Management System

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The user name and password are unique to each reporting unit

VCE Master Gardener Reporting

 Category 1: Work Time/Educational Programming  Category 2: Contributed Time

VCE Master Gardener Reporting  Work Time/Educational Programming 

“Time spent in activities or programs in which the VCE-MG educates the public.” (Includes planning, implementation and evaluation.)

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“Time spent on volunteer development, training and other management roles…” (planning and supervising MG training; working on the newsletter, etc.)

VCE Master Gardener Reporting  Contributed Time Hours 

Training – “Time spent in personal education to increase skills and knowledge… Hours to be spent in further developing horticultural and educational program delivery skills.” (These hours apply towards the 8 hour annual recertification requirement.

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Non-Educational Programming – “Activities such as VCE-MG involvement in design, upkeep and maintenance for public and demonstration gardens without the VCEMG conducting educational activities… also includes travel time and other non-work time necessary to do the job of volunteering.”

Master Gardener Associations • Associations are an important source of support for a

successful Master Gardener program

• Associations are a part of the local MG program, but they

are not the same as the program itself

• Associations provide the Master Gardeners with a means

by which to communicate and support each other

• Associations are often the “key” to the social structure of

a VCE-MG program

Master Gardener Associations  Associations do not conduct public education programs nor do

they conduct the VCE-MG training program  Membership in an association will be of benefit to VCE-MGs

but is not required to maintain their VCE MG status  Incorporation and application for Federal Tax-exempt status is

at the discretion of the association  Financial records are subject to audit by the Extension Agent,

VCE, or VT

Role of MG Associations

 Fellowship  Professional development  Middle-management Infrastructure

Want to Start a New Program?  Complete and submit “New Program Request Form” 

Submit for review and approval by the Extension Agent/MG Program Coordinator

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Submit for review and approval by Norfolk Master Gardener Association Steering Committee

The Extension Agent always retains responsibility for final program approval.

Norfolk Master Gardener Newsletter  Monthly newsletter, “The Germinator”  Editor: Ms. Beatrice Hovey  Content submissions are welcome!  Delivery: electronic distribution (.pdf)

Resources

 Your Extension Agent/Program Coordinator  Your Training Manual (“Welcome to VCE Master

Gardenering”) publication # 426-699  Your Association Steering Committee  Program Leaders

QUESTIONS ?