Volunteers in Horticulture

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The Wisconsin Master Gardener Program
Volunteers in Horticulture
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The MG Program

• Was created by Extension to meet an enormous
  increase in requests from home gardeners for
  horticultural information
• Is an agreement to volunteer in return for
  training
• Research-based training provided by UW-Extension

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Requirements

• Initial
• Complete 36 hours of training (i.e. twelve 3-hour
  sessions covering basics)
• Sign Volunteer Agreement
• Pass a final exam
• Complete at least 24 hours of volunteer service
  within one year of training
• Minimum for annual re-certification
• 24 hours of volunteer service
• 10 hours of continuing education

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MG Volunteer Activities

• Community Education
• Youth Education
• Support Services

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Further MG Training

• Advanced
• General training prerequisite
• 3 separate, in-depth courses offered in series
  over 3 years
• Specialized
• Any other courses
• Other Continuing Education
• Many options

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Resources

• UW-Extension Bulletins
• Online from UWEX Publications at
  http//cecommerce.uwex.edu/
• Many in the Handbook for WI Gardeners
• MG Website
• Horticultural articles
• Links to other sites
• Extension Agents and Specialists
• Other Sources
• WI DNR, WI DATCP, local experts, etc.

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Organization

• WIMGA
• Local Associations
• Individual MGVs

• MG Program Office
• WI MG Advisory Committee
• UWEX Specialists Agents

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WI MG Association

• Statewide organization
• 50 local member associations
• Conducts annual conference
• Awards educational grants

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Local Associations

• County- or regional-based
• 10 135 members
• Various activities

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MG Program Office

• UW-Extension Program
• Housed in the Department of Horticulture at
  UW-Madison
• MG Program Coordinator (Mahr) Educational
  Director (Tomesh)
• Works closely with WIMGA

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MG Educational Director

• Provides general training course in spring
• Provides advanced training course in fall
• Helps organize horticulture education events
  gardens at Ag Research Stations, Farm Technology
  Days, other

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MG Program Coordinator

• Provides direction of statewide program
• Chair of MG Advisory Committee that sets policy
  for the program
• Publishes newsletter 6x/year, Scoop monthly
• Updates website

www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener

• Works on improving training materials

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MG Program Coordinator

• Provides program materials and supplies (banners,
  name badges, certificates, displays)
• Maintains database
• Organizes special events
• Produces annual accomplishment report

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WI MG Advisory Committee

• Consists of
• MGVs
• UWEX Horticulture Agents
• UWEX Specialists
• Program Coordinator
• UWEX Administrator
• Meets twice a year

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How Can You Become Involved?

• Training
• Special Events
• Research
• Newsletter/Website