Texas Master Gardener Program sm. The Texas A&M University System

Transcription

1 Texas Master Gardener Program sm The Texas A&M University System

2 Texas Master Gardener sm Volunteer Development Program

3 Number of Master Gardener programs exceeds 115..

4 Master Gardener ism: The Master Gardener program is a volunteer development program. The Multiplier Effect

5 2006 Master Gardener Stats Volunteers recertified 3,963 Volunteers trained 1,075 Texas Master Gardeners 5,038

6 2006 Master Gardener Stats Volunteer hours 395,422 Full-time employees 195 Human capacity increase 14 percent Economic value $7.2 million

7 Texas Master Gardeners: a chronicle of service Year MGs Hours , ,617 54, , , , , , ,422

8 What to Master Gardener Do? Answer phone call / home visits Demonstration Gardener Youth gardening / JMG Speakers Bureaus Train Master Gardeners Coordinate programs/projects

9 Master Gardener ism: Master Gardeners are not just cheap labor, Master Gardeners are educators.

10 Master Gardener Activities Telephone inquiries 3,500 per month Speaking engagements 4,827 per year (50,000 Texans) School gardens 425 Demonstration gardens 125 Websites 31

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12 Master Gardener ism: The MG program is not a landscape construction and maintenance firm. > can turn any beautification project into a demonstration garden for the public

13 Master Gardener ism: Demonstration gardens are created for the public to see, not just Master Gardeners. > how many people visit the garden?

14 Organizational Model MG Association MG Coordinator Master Gardener Program

15 Organizational Model Expands capabilities of Extension Develops and enhances horticultural education projects for the public Develops a network of volunteers to assist in program administration Master Gardener Program

16 Organizational Model Extension employee Where the buck stops Recruits / selects / trains Certifies / recertifies Develops program direction / projects MG Coordinator Secures volunteer and financial resources Recognizes service and leadership

17 Organizational Model MG Association Supports county MG program Provides source of leadership and coordination Provides financial support for MG activities/projects Coordinates regular meetings and educational programs for MGs Coordinates communications

18 Master Gardener ism: Symbiotic relationship between Extension and Master Gardeners. You re Master Gardeners because we say you are, but we can t do what we do without you.

19 Master Gardener ism: If a County Extension Agent can t delegate and empower volunteers, then they shouldn t be a MG Coordinator.

20 Master Gardener ism: In the absence of sound leadership and support from the County Extension Agent, Master Gardeners will lead themselves. > can be good, can be bad > often results in separation between Extension and the Association

21 Master Gardener Specialist Programs Junior Master Gardener Greenhouse Management Entomology Plant Propagation Earth Kind Rainwater Harvesting

22 Texas Master Gardener Association... membership - 68 Counties representing 4,330 Master Gardeners

23 Master Gardeners on the Web Texas Master Gardener Association Yahoo - Texas Master Gardeners TexasMG@yahoogroups.com

24 Horticulture Info on the Web

25 Communications is Critical 115 MG Coordinators/CEAs County MG leadership and membership TMGA Officers and Directors , Websites and Yahoo chat room Texas Master Gardener Management Guidelines

26 2009 Texas Master Gardener Conferences April & 25, 2009 Marshall, Texas March Las Vegas Nevada

27 Texas Master Gardener License Plates educating the next generation of MG Coordinators

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30 Compost happens, and so does Conflict!

31 MG Conflicts happen over: What counts for training and volunteer service? What educational projects are official, and who says so? Who gets the money and how is it used?

32 Master Gardener ism: Not changing the MG leadership stifles other MGs from participating. Not changing the leadership, can create cliques and empire building.

33 Master Gardener ism: Bad leadership, gone unchecked, will chase off good MGs, and you re left with the bad or indifferent.

34 Master Gardener ism: Having another MG training class is not the answer to a program having problems. Get the organization in order first, then train more MGs.

35 Master Gardener ism: Just because people want a to take horticultural training, does not justify having a county Master Gardener program. > sponsor a horticultural lecture series.

36 Master Gardener ism: Sometimes MG programs spend more time and effort on training themselves, than educating the public.

37 Master Gardener ism: The Golden Rule - he who has the gold rules. > several MG Associations are hoarding money; therefore, are not a charitable organization > use the funds to support the educational mission of Extension s Master Gardener program

38 Texas AgriLife Extension Service Thank you for all you do!

39 Texas Master Gardener Program sm The Texas A&M University System

40 Does the Extension office need Master Gardeners? If yes, why? are there current projects that could use well-trained volunteers? is there a clientele need? is there a new initiative you want to start?