Mississippi 4-H
Junior Master Gardenersm
Program
Printable PDF version (2 pages)
Guidelines for Volunteer Leaders
Who can participate in 4-H JMGsm?
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Home schools
- After-school groups
- Public/botanical gardens
- Youth clubs
- Scout groups
- Church groups
- Boys or girls clubs
How is a 4-H JMGsm group started?
- A teacher, scout leader, Master Gardener, or other volunteer serves as the adult leader for a group of five or more youth.
- The leader uses the 4-H JMGsm Teacher/Leader Guide for instruction.
- Use of the Youth Handbook is encouraged but is not required for participation.
- The leader registers herself/himself.
- The leader registers the 4-H JMGsm group.
- The county Extension 4-H JMGsm coordinator provides registration forms.
What does the “sm” mean after the terms JMGsm and Junior Master Gardenersm?
The term “sm” stands for service mark. JMGsm, Junior Master Gardenersm, Golden Ray Seriessm, and associated logos are service marks of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Every time these words or logos appear in print, the SM must appear after them in subscript. The Texas disclaimer statement (at the end of this information sheet) must also appear in print in connection with these programs. No JMGsm materials may be modified.
Why is it important to register a 4-H JMGsm group?
- Registered youth are eligible for certification in the national program.
- Registered groups are listed on the national JMGsm web site (www.jmgkids.com) and could receive some free supplies.
- Registered groups are eligible for contests, awards, and camps.
- Registered youth can receive recognition by becoming certified Junior Master Gardenerssm or by completing Golden Ray Seriessm certification.
- After registration with the 4-H JMGsm state headquarters, the group receives a colorful, official certificate of registration for display.
- Registration allows the group to receive program updates and information from the national headquarters at Texas A&M University.
- Registering does not obligate the group to complete the entire 4-H JMGsm Program or become certified.
What is the cost of the program?
Registering a group is free. The only cost of the program is the curriculum and activity supplies. The 4-H JMGsm Teacher/Leader Guide is $38, and the Youth Handbook is $20. Activities in the curriculum require miscellaneous supplies. Most of the activity supplies use recycled materials or items that can be purchased at minimal cost.
When can the program be started?
The teacher/leader can decide when to begin because the activities are flexible. Groups can start the program in the fall or in February, just before the spring gardening season. The group can plant a fall garden, do most of the inside activities during the winter, then go back outside in the spring. Groups can have a successful experience without an actual garden plot. Schools can use containers for gardening, avoiding building or cultivating flower beds. Having a garden plot is not a requirement.
Is 4-H JMGsm training required for leading a 4-H JMGsm group?
No. Training is beneficial for an individual, but it is not required.
Does a person have to be a Master Gardener to lead a 4-H JMGsm group?
No. The only requirement is that the 4-H JMGsm teacher/leader be interested in youth development.
How does a young person become a certified Junior Master Gardenersm?
- He/she must first belong to a registered 4-H JMGsm group.
- A youth must complete one individual activity from the 4-H JMGsm Youth Handbook per teaching concept in each chapter.
- A youth must complete one group activity from the JMGsm Teacher/ Leader Guide per teaching concept in each chapter.
- The youngster must complete one community service/leadership project per chapter.
Level 1 of the JMGsm curriculum contains eight chapters, for a total of 44 teaching concepts. Thus, the child must complete 44 individual activities, 44 group activities, and 8 community/leadership projects.
Is there a time requirement for 4-H JMGsm certification?
No. The 4-H JMGsm Program is flexible. Registered groups can achieve certification within one school year, but this isn’t always feasible. All groups are encouraged to set the goal of becoming certified Junior Master Gardeners, but certification is not a requirement for registered 4-H JMGsm groups.
How is the Level 1 curriculum organized?
Level 1 (grades 3-5) contains eight chapters in the Youth Handbook and the Teacher/Leader Guide.
The 4-H Teacher/Leader Guide contains the group activities from the eight chapters, which are integrated into math, science, language arts, and social studies. They also include corresponding work sheets, fun pages, songs, and additional resource materials for the instructor. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is keying all activities in the curriculum guide to Mississippi teaching standards.
The Youth Handbook contains hands-on activities for young people and complements the Teacher/Leader Guide. Ideas for leadership/community service projects are listed at the end of each chapter. These projects and activities help the group share the things they have learned with their families, friends, and communities.
When will Level 2 and Level 3 be available?
The Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University is developing the 4-H JMGsm Level 2 curriculum (grades 6-8), scheduled to be available in the fall of 2001. Some preliminary work has been completed on Level 3 curriculum (grades 9-12), but it will likely be 2 years before it is available.
What is a Golden Raysm?
It is a recognition offered to youth who complete a small part of the 4-H JMGsm Program. Groups can choose to focus on one chapter or topic. There are two options to choose from. Option One: Choose one of the eight chapters in the handbook, and do two (instead of one) group activities, two (instead of one) individual activities, and one service learning project. A youth achieves Gold Raysm certification in that particular chapter. Option Two: A thematic unit can be completed. These units combine a variety of activities from all subject units to focus on one topic.
Can youth in grades other than grades 3-5 be registered in this program?
Yes. Younger and older youth (grades K-12) can be registered as 4-H JMGsm members. Youth of all ages are welcome in the program.
Does the program have to be completed one chapter at a time, beginning at Chapter 1?
The chapters do not need to be completed in any order. However, it is suggested that the program begin with Chapters 1 and 2. They are the basis for many of the other activities within the program and may provide a greater understanding of gardening if followed in that order. The teacher/leader of the group makes the decision based on the climate and the needs of the group.
What can youth do after they receive Level 1 certification?
Youth can continue in the 4-H JMGsm program by:
- working as junior leaders with teachers, Master Gardeners, and others to start 4-H JMGsm groups.
- recruiting new 4-H JMGsm members.
- participating in additional volunteer opportunities.
- being local spokespersons for the 4-H JMGsm Program in their communities.
- completing Golden Ray Seriessm certification for any of the eight chapters in Level 1.
- completing a stand-alone Golden Ray Seriessm curriculum.
- working on Level 2 4-H JMGsm certification when it is available.
What are the responsibilities of a 4-H JMGsm Program volunteer leader?
- Participate in program training and 4-H club management as needed.
- Complete and return all registration forms (Form 1041, Form 1042, and Form 1043) to the county 4-H agent.
- Register self as a 4-H volunteer leader (forms provided by/returned to county 4-H JMGsm coordinator).
- Register the club youth as 4-H members (forms provided by/returned to county 4-H JMGsm coordinator).
- Acquire the Teacher/Leader Guide and Youth Handbooks.
- Serve as the instructor or coordinator.
- Distribute the provided letter to parents, giving information and seeking permission (a parent must sign a provided form and return it to the leader for the child to participate).
- Distribute information to 4-H JMGsm participants.
- Participate in evaluating and reporting 4-H JMGsm activities.
- Return borrowed 4-H JMGsm manuals or materials to the county Extension office when the program is completed.
- Encourage youth to participate in related 4-H programs.
- Cooperate with the county 4-H JMGsm coordinator if participation in other 4-H activities is required by the coordinator.
- Use the expertise of Extension faculty, Master Gardeners, and other community and horticultural leaders as resource people for the 4-H JMGsm Program.
- Provide recognition for 4-H JMGsm participants.
- Publicize the club’s achievements.
Who are resource people for the 4-H Junior Master Gardenersm Program clubs?
- County Extension 4-H agents (county 4-H JMGsm coordinators)
- Area horticulturists
- State Extension specialists
- Green Industry personnel
- Community and civic leaders
- Master Gardeners
- Garden club members
By Lelia Scott Kelly, Ph.D., Area Horticulturist, Northeast District, and Sonja Skelly, Ph.D., Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.
Junior Master Gardener, JMG, Golden Ray Series, and their associated logos are service marks of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Information Sheet
1626
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
(250-06-01)
Copyright 2001 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
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