Starting in 2021, all new volunteers in the Master Gardener Program must complete our new onboarding course. Existing volunteers are strongly encouraged to complete portions of this course, too. The following is a modified version of the full onboarding course. This version contains all the important information about being a volunteer in the Master Gardener Program. This version does NOT include the exam or ORS training. Also, it has information ONLY on the program mandates, criminal background check, etc.; any requirement to complete these have been removed from this version as you already have done it!

At the conclusion, you may have an updated volunteer agreement letter emailed to you.

There have been significant updates to the program and expectations of all volunteers. It is our hope the majority of the program updates are explained through this course.

We all learn in different ways. This course provides you multiple ways to access the information. You can choose what works best for you.

• You may read the course content online. Throughout the course you will also find interactive content 👨🏿‍💻 and videos 👀.  You will need to view these as they contain important information.
  • Unless otherwise stated, links to external information is optional, but strongly encouraged.
  • You can find page arrows in the lower right corner (next page) and left corner (previous page) to move through the course.

• You may print the course content and read off line.
  • View and Print Volunteer Onboarding: Master Gardener Program (PDF).
  • The transcripts from most videos and the text from most interactive components are included in the print version.

• There are a short quizzes ❓ at throughout this module. You must answer all questions correctly for the next page to open.

When you have completed all the requirements for the course, you will get access to the 🎉 You Did It! module and the ability to volunteer on approved projects. We will mail to you your volunteer acceptance letter, certificate, and name badge after the course closes in March.

You may complete this course at your own pace.

Upon completion of this course, you may claim 10 hours of CE in the online reporting system. Please enter it as “Onboarding-Lite”.

Meet the Master Gardener Program Office

Mike Maddox Outreach Program Manager Mike has worked with Master Gardener Program volunteers since he began with Extension in 2001. He is responsible for the administrative aspects of the program, including this onboarding course. His degrees include BS Botany, University of Northern Iowa, and MS Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also an ISA-Certified Arborist and an AHTA Horticultural Therapist-Registered. Mike volunteers in the recreational therapy program garden at the veterans hospital.

Amy Freidig Outreach Specialist Amy joined the program in 2013 and provides leadership with the educational outreach of the program. Amy has two master’s degrees in horticulture, and plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Amy is an active volunteer in her community parks program.

Need Help?

Course Help

Please contact us with any questions about the course. We will respond within 1-2 business days.

1. 1. email wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu
   2. phone 608-265-4536 [messages]

Technical Help

1. Contact us via email wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu. We may not know the solution, but it is good for us to know any problems you experience!
2. Check to make sure you have one of the recommended browsers and your computer has the  basic specifications for using Canvas.
3. Go to the  Canvas Student Guide for detailed info on how to use Canvas (not all features listed will be activated in your course).
4. Contact the Learn@UW Help Desk [very important! You must say you are a Lifelong Learner (L3) so they don’t mistake you as a student on campus]
   • email help@doit.wisc.edu
   • phone 1-888-435-7589 (staffed 7 days a week from 7AM – 11PM US Central time)
   •  text chat (7 days a week from 8AM – 10PM)