Texas Master Gardener Program sm The Texas A&M University System
Texas Master Gardener sm Volunteer Development Program
Number of Master Gardener programs exceeds 115..
Master Gardener ism: The Master Gardener program is a volunteer development program. The Multiplier Effect
2006 Master Gardener Stats Volunteers recertified 3,963 Volunteers trained 1,075 Texas Master Gardeners 5,038
2006 Master Gardener Stats Volunteer hours 395,422 Full-time employees 195 Human capacity increase 14 percent Economic value $7.2 million
Texas Master Gardeners: a chronicle of service Year MGs Hours 1990 730 29,836 1993 1,617 54,349 1996 3,500 202,179 2000 4,150 219,815 2006 5,038 396,422
What to Master Gardener Do? Answer phone call / home visits Demonstration Gardener Youth gardening / JMG Speakers Bureaus Train Master Gardeners Coordinate programs/projects
Master Gardener ism: Master Gardeners are not just cheap labor, Master Gardeners are educators.
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
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
Master Gardener ism: Demonstration gardens are created for the public to see, not just Master Gardeners. > how many people visit the garden?
Organizational Model MG Association MG Coordinator Master Gardener Program
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
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
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
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.
Master Gardener ism: If a County Extension Agent can t delegate and empower volunteers, then they shouldn t be a MG Coordinator.
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
Master Gardener Specialist Programs Junior Master Gardener Greenhouse Management Entomology Plant Propagation Earth Kind Rainwater Harvesting
Texas Master Gardener Association... membership - 68 Counties representing 4,330 Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners on the Web Texas Master Gardener Association http://texasmastergardeners.org Yahoo - Texas Master Gardeners TexasMG@yahoogroups.com
Horticulture Info on the Web http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu
Communications is Critical 115 MG Coordinators/CEAs County MG leadership and membership TMGA Officers and Directors Email, Websites and Yahoo chat room Texas Master Gardener Management Guidelines
2009 Texas Master Gardener Conferences April 23-24 & 25, 2009 Marshall, Texas http://tcaaa.tamu.edu/09statemeeting.htm March 22-26 Las Vegas Nevada
Texas Master Gardener License Plates educating the next generation of MG Coordinators
Compost happens, and so does Conflict!
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?
Master Gardener ism: Not changing the MG leadership stifles other MGs from participating. Not changing the leadership, can create cliques and empire building.
Master Gardener ism: Bad leadership, gone unchecked, will chase off good MGs, and you re left with the bad or indifferent.
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.
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.
Master Gardener ism: Sometimes MG programs spend more time and effort on training themselves, than educating the public.
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
Texas AgriLife Extension Service Thank you for all you do!
Texas Master Gardener Program sm The Texas A&M University System
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?