Purpose:

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer Program is an educational program designed to enhance public education in consumer horticulture. It provides educational assistance to the citizens of the county concerning lawns, fruits, vegetables, trees and ornamentals, through the utilization of a trained and supervised volunteer staff. Under the guidance and support of Extension Agents, selected residents of a county enter a specially designed training program in horticulture. Participants in the program must complete the training program, pass an examination and volunteer a minimum of 45 hours per year (25 hours in subsequent years) through the local Cooperative Extension Service Center. The Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program allows the local Extension Center to extend education to an ever increasing gardening audience. It also provides the local center with a highly visible way to meet the public demand for information and to develop a strong clientele support group. The Master Gardener Volunteer program is not meant to be a substitute for providing educational programs to the public. Nor is it intended to be a training ground for Green Industry personnel. The purpose is to increase Extension's capacity to reach these and other audiences, by expanding the capabilities of the Extension staff. The volunteer staff will operate under Extension organizational policies in delivering unbiased, research based information to the public. The county programs are supported by a State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Extension subject matter specialists at N. C. State University. Recruiting and Selecting New Volunteers: Advertising for potential volunteers to become Master Gardeners should be done through a variety of channels, so a diversity of people will have the opportunity to apply. A standard application form will be made available. The County Extension Agent is encouraged to form a selection committee to review applications, but the Extension agent will make the finial decision. All applications and information obtained during the interviews are confidential, and the privacy of the applicants must be respected.

Information concerning the following items can not be asked or considered in the screening process: age gender disability nationality race religion marital status.

Some key factors should be:

* Previous volunteer experience * Gardening experience and expertise * Communication skills (listening, talking, writing) * Ability and desire to learn * Interest in helping people * Willingness to provide unbiased, research-based information

Individuals accepted into the program will be asked to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that outlines the training and volunteer expectations.

Candidates outside the county can be accepted with the knowledge of the Extension Service in the candidate's home county. The issue of where the volunteer will serve should be resolved before acceptance. The training agent is not required to accept a resident from another county. A previously trained MGV from another county or state should fill out an application and request a letter of recommendation from the previous county. The county MGV Coordinator will make the decision to accept or reject the applicant and what if any training will be required.

Training:

The formal training program is the responsibility of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Instruction will be conducted primarily by County Extension Agents. Specialists, experienced Master Gardener Volunteers and/or local professionals may be utilized to supplement the training. Master Gardener trainees are expected to attend each session. The training will emphasize preparing the trainees for their volunteer roles.

A core curriculum of 45 hours should will include training in the following:

- Orientation to Extension and the Master Gardener Volunteer program

- Plant pathology - Botany - Soils/fertility - Fruits -Urban Pest Control- Vegetables - Volunteer roles - Flowers - Lawn Care

- Pesticides/IPM - Landscape maintenance - Plant propagation - Trees - Entomology - Electives

Examination:

A comprehensive final examination will be given. One retest can be done for those who do not make a passing grade on the final exam the first time. Failure to pass does not relieve the volunteer of their responsibility to perform volunteer service. They can be involved in activities that do not give advice directly to the public. Quizzes will be initiated on regular intervals.

Volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer Association and to pay dues directly to the Association.

Internship:

Upon completion of the core training and passing the exam, each person will begin a 45 hour internship of volunteer service and learning. Credit toward volunteer hours can come in many ways. The primary criteria in determining what counts are:

* It should be a consumer horticulture educational activity (or in support there of) * It is within the scope of the mission of the Cooperative Extension Service

Volunteer Service for Master Gardener Volunteers

The major responsibility of Master Gardener Volunteers is to assist agents in educational efforts to the general public.  This is generally done by answering questions at the Extension Office, working with youth programs and other approved educational programs. 

Students may receive 5 hours of credit by attending educational workshops or seminars.

Job descriptions should be written to delineate expectations. Sample job descriptions will be made available from the state MGV coordinator. Volunteer positions should have a one-year appointment with an option to renew or change positions at the end of each year. Volunteer hours involved with inter-agency projects can count with prior approval of the Extension Agent and if the Extension Service is a cosponsor of the project and the volunteers involved are recognized as Master Gardener volunteers. From time to time, MG volunteers may be asked to assist with other Extension programs. As part of the total county team, volunteers are encouraged to assist, but only a small percentage of the volunteer hours should come through non-consumer horticulture educational activities. MG volunteers may elect to participate in other volunteer programs with the Extension Service but should not count those hours towards their MG commitment. The 45 hours of volunteer work are to be completed within one year following the last core training class. Upon completing the volunteer commitment, the title of Certified Master Gardener Volunteer will be given in the form of a certificate and name tag.

Volunteers are expected to keep a record of their volunteer activities, hours and contacts. The County Extension Agent will compile a total for the county program and send to the State MGV coordinator by Jan. 15. Agents with programs in two counties should do a separate report for each county. The calendar year will be used for reporting purposes. Management:

The County Extension Agent will be responsible for: * Screening and selecting potential program trainees * Planning the training program * Placement and supervision of the volunteers * Compiling and reporting program impacts * Assessing program needs * Volunteer recognition * Volunteer evaluation and feedback * Educational liaison to Master Gardener Association * Leadership development Extension support staff and experienced MG Volunteers can be utilized in management roles under the guidance of the County Extension Agent.

The volunteer project coordinators should work closely with the Extension staff concerning planning, implementation and evaluation. It is critical that the volunteer project coordinator be familiar with Extension's mission, policies and plan of work.

Liability/Risk Management:

Master Gardener Volunteers work on behalf of and under the supervision of N. C. Cooperative Extension.  As an agent of the University, they are covered under the liability insurance of the University. This coverage applies only when the individual is acting in an official capacity as a Master Gardener Volunteer, following their job description and following Extension policies.

It is important that the County Extension Agent be kept informed of volunteer activities. It is equally important that the volunteers be familiar with the Cooperative Extension policies.

* Volunteers are to provide unbiased, research-based information. * No recommendations or endorsements should be made of a particular product or place of business. * Chemical pesticide recommendations must be restricted to only those in the N. C. Agricultural Chemicals Manual, or recent Extension publications. * Volunteers should never be expected to answer questions outside their expertise or training (e.g. household pests). * All questions concerning commercial horticulture should be referred to the Extension Agent. * Printed materials prepared by a volunteer must be reviewed and approved by the Extension Agent (e.g. news articles, news releases, newsletters, leaflets). * Volunteers should never attempt to determine if a plant is edible or not (e.g. mushrooms). * Volunteers should not guess at answers. Reference material should be used. Answers should be qualified, example: "It sounds like..." or "It could be ...." * Possible poisoning cases should be referred to the Carolina's Poison Center (1-800- 848-6946). * Volunteers should not attempt to answer legal or medical questions. * Volunteers should not make copies of copyright material for distribution.

Evaluation of Volunteers:

It is the responsibility of the  Extension Agent to review and evaluate each volunteer annually or as needed. This does not have to be a formal conference.

Items to consider are:

* Hours volunteered * Quality of work * Adherence to policies * Recognition of accomplishments * Cooperation with staff and other volunteers * Leadership development * Continuing education * Liability risk * Ability to provide information in an objective manner

A Master Gardener Volunteer should not display credentials, or give the appearance of being a Master Gardener Volunteer, while working for a commercial enterprise. Master Gardeners must not use their title in any form of advertisement. The title, "North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer," is reserved for unpaid volunteer work on behalf of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Reward:

The primary reward for the volunteer is the education received and the satisfaction that they have helped people put knowledge to work. Volunteers who complete the course and pass an exam will be given a "Certificate of Class Completion." The title of Certified Master Gardener Volunteer will be given when the volunteer completes the forty-hour internship. Counties are encouraged to develop a recognition system for volunteers that provide exceptional service. The state office will recognize volunteers that are active for five and ten years of service and volunteers that contribute 500, 1,000 and 5,000 hours of volunteer service during their career. Occasionally a volunteer may be offered a gift or honorarium as a speaker. It is permissible to accept gifts but not money. It is the responsibility of the MG Volunteer to inform the person making the offer that no payment is expected or required. Donations to the county MGV program are a preferred method of handling "offered fees." It is not permissible to ask for or seek payment for any educational services provided by a Master Gardener Volunteer.

Rectification:

Certification is valid for only one(1) year. If a volunteer has performed within the guidelines of the Memorandum of Agreement, they should be extended an invitation to renew for another year. This determination should involve more than just the total number of hours a person has contributed. Rectification is obtained by renewing their Memorandum of Agreement and agreeing to volunteer a minimum of 25 hours for the upcoming year. Anyone not renewing their commitment will not be considered a Master Gardener Volunteer. They should be referred to as an Alumnus of the program or as a former Master Gardener.

Follow-up and advanced training are important for the continuing education of the MG volunteer. They should be provided according to needs and available resources. Monthly or quarterly meetings are encouraged. Volunteers are encouraged to attend seminars, conferences and MGV in service training in order to stay abreast of current recommendations. Counties may develop a continuing education credits system.

Dismissal of Volunteers

Volunteers can be dismissed based on misconduct or failure to perform duties. Discriminatory behavior, sexual harassment or alcohol and drug use on to job will not be tolerated and are grounds for dismissal. These polices are effective January 1, 1997 for all new Master Gardener Volunteer programs. Counties with preexisting programs are expected to implement these policies as soon as possible and to come into compliance no later than January 1, 1998. For volunteers in a county to be designated "North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteers" these policies should be followed. An annual review of these policies will be conducted.