Mississippi Master Gardener
2004 Annual Report
Number of active
Master Gardeners |
773 |
The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is
an educational program that enhances public knowledge in consumer horticulture.
Through trained and supervised volunteers, it provides educational assistance
to citizens concerning lawns, fruits, vegetables, trees, and ornamentals.
Under the guidance and support of Extension agents, participants in the program complete a training program, pass an examination, and volunteer a minimum of 40 hours within one year of training to become a certified Master Gardener. To remain active Master Gardeners must contribute 32 hours of volunteer service each year after becoming certified.
The Master Gardener Volunteer program allows Extension to extend education to an ever-increasing gardening audience and meet the public demand for information. Statewide, there are approximately 773 active Master Gardeners in 39 counties. Of this total, 137 are new Master Gardeners trained this year.
Approximately 160 Master Gardener Classes and 50 advanced training opportunities for Master Gardeners were conducted in 2004. For the first time in 2004, 60 certified Master Gardener instructors became members of the Extension Master Gardener Training Teams. These trained volunteer instructors taught 60 of these 160 classes. These volunteer instructors will greatly expand the pool of qualified teachers statewide for the training classes and contribute to the ability of Extension to offer more training classes as the need arises.
The introduction of a new computer recording keeping system for use by the county offices to track and record service of Master Gardeners has enabled Extension to accurately assess the contributions of these volunteers. Counties, using the new recordkeeping spreadsheet program, reported that Master Gardeners donated approximately 31,623 hours of service in 2004. Equivalent to 15 full-time employees, this volunteer service provided a benefit of $543,599.37 to the state of Mississippi.
Along with their Extension agent and specialist colleagues, Master Gardeners (MG's) are committed to providing high-quality educational programs in horticulture and the environment in Mississippi communities and neighborhoods. MG's donated 1,177 hours of service to deliver 391 public gardening programs for 7273 people in 2004. These public presentations represent a significant outreach, and deliver Extension information to an ever increasing gardening public.
Master Gardeners also established or maintained 474 demonstration gardens at schools, parks, libraries, courthouses, city halls and other public grounds. In each project, MG's use the most recent researched-based, environmentally sound horticultural techniques and plant materials.
Master Gardeners contribute in many other ways. Master Gardeners wrote 68 newspaper articles, conducted 75 horticulture therapy projects, wrote 37 gardening fact sheets, and devoted 1455 hours to manning information booths at fairs and exhibits. Providing assistance to county and state lawn/garden shows is a significant contribution of these volunteers who donated 1431 hours of service to these Extension events. These volunteers also handled 268 home garden visits.
Preparing youth for the future through the use of gardens as classrooms is of special interest to Master Gardeners, who devote many hours to programs and projects involving youth. MG's provided coordination and expertise to 736 youth programs that involved gardening. Through these programs and projects 21,645 youth were exposed to the wonders of gardening and their environment.
Master Gardeners have provided leadership and support to the 4-H Junior Master Gardener (4-H JMG) Program statewide. Master Gardener volunteers have conducted trainings for teachers and leaders in the management of the program. MG's have sought and received local funding for the 4-H JMG program and have acted as leaders of the program in numerous schools in the state. The Mississippi State Board of Master Gardeners continues to hose the annual 4-H JMG awards at their State Conference.
Master Gardeners at four sites in the state manned the Extension office phones to answer clients' home horticulture questions. At these four sites ((Harrison, Calhoun, Forrest and Lee County Extension offices) 1855 questions were answered by Master Gardeners. This is 1855 questions an Extension agent did not have to answer. He/she is then free to devote the time saved to other clientele or activities. Extension computer services are in the process of designing a computer program to record data received through these calls. This program would compile questions answered by subject, location and other information into a searchable database for future reference.
The Mississippi Master Gardener program enhances the ability of Extension to meet local educational needs. These volunteers provide leadership and support to horticultural educational efforts throughout the state. These volunteers drove 197,592 miles to deliver educational programming to Mississippians for the Extension Service. This represents a savings to Extension of $71,989.00 in mileage reimbursements. Through the efforts of these volunteers 65,797 people were exposed to research-based home horticulture information. Their dedication has allowed Extension to multiply its efforts and continue to expand and reach new audiences in Mississippi.
For more information about the program contact your county Extension office or visit our Web site http://msucares.com/lawn/master_gardener/.
Lelia Scott Kelly, Ph.D.
Assistant Extension Professor
Department of Plant and Soil Science
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