Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program Information Session Charlotte Glen, Extension Agent Horticulture NCCE - Chatham County Center
Overview What is NC Cooperative Extension? Extension s Horticulture Program in Chatham County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program Resources You Should Know About
What is Cooperative Extension? World s largest non-formal education network Established 1914, Smith-Lever Act In every state in the U.S. Practical, non-degree programs
What is Cooperative Extension? A nationwide network of Educators Researchers Volunteers Over 4,000 EMGs in NC, 80,000 nationwide!
Where is Cooperative Extension? Based within each state s land grant university system Funded through: Federal, State, County Government
There is a Cooperative Extension Center in every NC County! Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center Hwy 64 west, Pittsboro Will house: Cooperative Extension Soil and Water Conservation USDA Farm Service Agency NC Forestry Service 800 seat auditorium! Late Summer 2016
Our Mission: Helping You Grow! We provide practical information you can trust To help individuals, families and communities Gain knowledge and skills For economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and improved quality of life
Since 1914, Helping You Grow: Responsible Youth 4-H and youth leadership Strong, Healthy and Safe Families Food and nutrition education, disaster preparedness http://www.theproducelady.org/
Since 1914, Helping You Grow: Profitable, Sustainable Farms and Forests Traditional and alternative crops and methods Resilient, Life-sustaining Yards and Landscapes Edibles and ornamentals, lawns, gardens and landscapes
Yards and Landscapes: Resilient Capable of surviving local weather and pest related challenges: Drought Deluges Heat waves Ice storms Pests Diseases
Life Sustaining Nurture and shelter: People Pets and animals Pollinators Birds Beneficial insects Wildlife
Helping You Grow: Landscapes that feed your family and community: Safe, fresh, nutritious homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs
Helping You Grow: Landscapes that meet your needs: A place to relax and connect with nature Enhance appearance of your property
Helping You Grow: Landscapes that sustain local ecosystems Minimize negative impacts Conserve water Protect water quality Maximize Benefits Provide habitat SE Blueberry Bee
How Do We Do This? Training Courses and Educational Classes Events: meetings, workshops, field days, tours Publications and Newsletters Personal Consultations By phone, email, and office Websites and Online Resources Social Media
Help Us Grow: Become an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer!
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Expand Extension s reach into local communities, schools, and neighborhoods Are trained to find research-based information and provide non-biased advice on behalf of Extension
Extension Master Gardener: WHY? Take learning to the next level Work with fellow enthusiastic gardeners Give back to your community Spread sustainable gardening practices throughout the county
You will be able to answer, What is this?
How do I grow these?
How do I control these organically?
How can I make this area a better habitat for pollinators?
Extension Master Gardeners: WHO? Life long learners Sustainable gardeners Educators and advisors Citizen scientists Anyone interested in learning science-based gardening and willing to commit to an active volunteer program!
Extension Master Gardener : HOW? 1. Participate in training course 2. Pass exam 3. Complete volunteer internship Do not have to live in Chatham County, but must volunteer in Chatham County
EMG Training 2 Parts: Gardening Knowledge Volunteer Skills
Gardening Knowledge Extension Gardener Open to everyone Focus on sustainable practices Topics include fruits, vegetables, herbs, landscape care and plants, lawns Taught throughout the year, evenings and daytime Can complete before, during, or after volunteer skills training!
Upcoming Extension Gardener Workshop: Growing Fruits and Berries Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 8:00 pm Wednesday, March 2, 10:00 11:30 am No charge - Registration deadline Feb. 27
Upcoming Extension Gardener Short Course: Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Gardening March, 2016 Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 Wednesday mornings, 10:00-11:30 3 classes, $30 Registration deadline: March 2
Other Extension Gardener Programs Planned for 2016 Culinary herb workshop: May 5 Seed starting workshop: August (?) Sustainable Landscape short course: Fall
Volunteer Skills: EMG Training Interactive, hands-on workshops Focus: Deepen and apply your knowledge Find research-based information/resources
Volunteer Skills: EMG Training Wednesdays, 10am 3pm April 20 - June 8 Practical Exam Not memorization! Practical, real life scenarios Combination of individual and group activities
April 20 Orientation Volunteer Skills: EMG Training April 27 Native Plants & NCBG Davidson EMG s joining us for am May 4 Soils and Nutrients May 11 Plant Diseases and Problem Diagnostics
Volunteer Skills: EMG Training May 18: Field Trip JC Raulston Arboretum, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NCSU, NCDA Soil Test Lab May 25 Insects and IPM June 1 Weeds & Plant ID June 8 Review and Exam
Continuing Education: Summer - Fall Optional but encouraged! Will schedule to best fit availability of volunteers Pollinator Gardening Workshop with Debbie Roos Plant Propagation Workshop and field trip
Continuing Education: Summer - Fall Garden Visits Diagnostic Skills State and national webinars Fall: EG Sustainable Landscape Short Course Additional topics based on your feedback!
Training Fee: $100 Includes cost of fall EG landscape short course Includes cost of EG vegetable short course $30 charge will credit toward fee $40 of fee sent to NCSU Covers refreshments, course supplies, name tag
Volunteering Directly related to Extension s educational programs EMGs founded in 1972 to help answer gardening questions
Volunteering - Internship 50 hours within one year of completing training Can begin volunteering while still in training Hours working on class project count toward internship
Volunteering: Class Projects Garden by the Month guide for Chatham County Develop and lead educational activities for 4-H Adventures Day Camp, ages 6-12 June 20-24 June 27-July1 Northwest Park, Silk Hope
Volunteer Service Priorities Set up and staff plant clinic/gardening hotline Develop and deliver lessons to 2 nd graders on butterfly development Serve as a horticultural advisor for school or community garden Develop recommended plant lists and resources
Volunteer Service Priorities Assist with program management Eg. Continuing education team Establish a speakers bureau; deliver talks to local groups & communities Develop and maintain educational demonstration gardens at Ag and Conference Center
Beyond the Internship 50 hour internship completes initial volunteer commitment Remain active in the program 30 volunteer hours/year 10 continuing education hours
Next Step Register for Extension Gardener Classes Fruits and Berries Vegetable Gardening Short Course Application packets will be available mid March Due April 8
Resources You Should Know About! Chatham Gardener email list Sustainable gardening information Weekly email updates What to plant, pest alerts, timely tips Upcoming classes and events To subscribe: http://go.ncsu.edu/subscribecg
Chatham County Website http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu News Upcoming events Staff directory Contact information More!
Gardening Portal http://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/
Extension Plants Database: Can help you select native and non-invasive non-native species for your yard http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/
Plant Profiles: Height Hardiness Soil Exposure Description Images More!
Gardening News Extension Gardener Newsletter 4 issues/year Include statewide and regional news Available online: http://extensiongardener. ces.ncsu.edu/
Gardening News Almanac Gardener UNC-TV April - August Saturdays, Noon Sundays, 10:30 am Watch past episodes: http://www.unctv.org/content/almanac-gardener
Search Extension Nationwide https://search.extension.org/
Answers to Your Questions, Solutions for Your Problems Contact your local Extension office http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/ In Chatham County, 919-542-8202 charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu Ask an Expert http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/ask-an-expert/