This document provides an overview of the Florida Master Gardener program, which utilizes trained volunteers to extend horticultural education to Florida residents. It details the program's history and structure, volunteer recruitment and training process, roles and responsibilities, projects undertaken, and communication efforts. Key points include: the program began in 1972 and now has over 4,700 active volunteers providing over 380,000 hours of service annually worth $7.3 million; volunteers receive an initial 50+ hours of training and must complete service hours and continuing education; projects include plant clinics, demonstration gardens, and presentations; and engagement occurs through newsletters, social media, meetings and other outreach. Challenges include training new volunteers and audiences and maintaining quality.
2. My Volunteer Experience
• Interim State Master Gardener Coordinator
• Micanopy Friendship 4-H Leader
• Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership
Committee
3. Master Gardeners
• Citizens helping
citizens
• Extending information
• Principles and
practices of
environmental
horticulture
• Volunteers in action
helping to beautify
and protect our
environment
• Recognized service
title
5. MG Program History
• Began in 1972
• State of Washington
• Based on the premise
– Well trained volunteers could respond to many
homeowner questions
– Programs now in 50 states and Canada
6. Mission & Vision
• Mission
– To assist Extension Agents in providing research-
based horticultural education to Florida residents.
• Vision
– To be the most trusted resource for horticultural
education in Florida.
7. 2014 Numbers
• 4,763 Active Volunteers in 60 Counties
• 382,648.39 hours donated
• Value: $7.3 Million
• 536,524 Clientele Contacts
• Reporting
– Hours
– Contacts
– CEUs
8. Statewide Master Gardener
Activity Hours
• 22% Plant Clinics
• 18% Work with Demo
Landscapes
• 5% Give or Assist with
Presentations
• 5% Set-up Exhibits
• 5% Work with 4-H or
other youth
• 6% Community
Gardens
• 1% FYN Program
• 18% Other
9. Demographics
• 55+ years old
• Majority women
• Caucasian
• Retired
• Tend to be long-term
volunteers
• Voracious information
seekers
10. Volunteers & Coordinators
• 1 Statewide Coordinator
• 58 County Coordinators in 60 Counties
• 4,763 Volunteers
• Attrition of approximately ¼ each year
• Train approximately 1,000 new MGs each year
12. Volunteer Training
• Trainees receive 50+ hours of initial training
• Must provide 75 hours of volunteer time in
the first year as volunteer
• 35 hours every year after + 10 CEU hours
13. Volunteer Training
• County Training
– Meetings, field trips, advanced training
• Conferences
– Odd Year – Statewide 3-day conference
– Even Year – District 1-day conferences (5)
– Even Year – Leadership School for MG Exec
Committees
– Southern Region
– International
14. Curriculum
• 20 Modules
• Fully developed lesson plans
– Facilitator’s guide
– Participant’s guide and lab book
– Powerpoints
• To be released this summer
• Will provide baseline of what MGs should
know
15. Coordinator Training
• In-Service Trainings
• One-on-One
• Regional Meetings
• Conferences
• Often will have horticulture knowledge, but
no volunteer management experience
16. Volunteer Roles
• Every county is different
• A good volunteer knows what is expected of
them
• Board vs. Committee Structure
• Provide ownership and input into the program
• Example Roles:
– President or Chair
– Field Trip Coordinator
– Speaker’s Bureau Chair
17. Volunteer Responsibilities
• Try to match volunteers to their interests,
skills, and strengths
• Work to empower them
• Give them a duty they are comfortable with or
provide them training to get there
18. Volunteer Mentors
• Formal vs. informal mentoring program
• Veteran MG paired with an MG trainee
• Checks on them
• Accompanies them to their volunteer
assignments
• Explains culture and experiences of MG
program
20. Disgruntled Volunteers
• Variety of reasons
• Often will contact BOCC or UF President/Dean
• Hear from all sides
• Work towards resolution
• Don’t leave an outspoken, disgruntled person
in volunteer group
• Volunteers can be fired!
21. Volunteer Recognition
• Service Awards
– Every 5 years
– Recognized our first 35 year
volunteer in 2014
• Awards of Excellence
– Recognized for projects
– Competitive application
process
– External judges
22. Association with UF
• Considered an unpaid employee of UF
• Must comply with UF/IFAS recommendations
• Aware of Sunshine State Law
• Protection of UF brand
23. Identity Management
• Recognized service title that is earned
• Maintain our own identity guidelines that
match UF/IFAS policies
• “Nascar” issue
31. Challenges
• Training new demographic of volunteers
• Reaching underserved audiences
• Maintaining quality control of content
• University awareness
32. Tips
• Only recruit volunteers when you have a
specific job for them
• Train them well
• Give them ownership
• Provide recognition that means something to
them
• Make it fun!
