Now that you understand the history and organization of the Master Gardener Program, we can introduce what you do and how you do it. In this section we list the types of activities you can do and your responsibilities as a volunteer. Much of this will be expanded and reinforced in later sections.

Types of Activities

These are important components of every volunteer project. We introduce them now and will go more in depth in the Volunteering section.

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Timeframe

We operate on a calendar year.

You must use our Online Reporting System to enroll in the program between January 1 and March 31. The enrollment process lets us know who is volunteering on behalf of Extension.  It must be repeated each year. DON’T WORRY! An upcoming section of this course will create your Online Reporting System account and enroll you for this year.

Then, you must report all your volunteer and continuing education hours by December 31.

Note: This is a recent change in the program. You may see and hear references to our old deadline of October 1.

Orientation & Training

Orientation and Training (referred to as “onboarding”) are best practices in any volunteer program. Orientation provides an overview of your role in the organization you plan to serve. Training ensures you have the knowledge and ability to do that service.

This onboarding course introduces you to key components of the Master Gardener Program and your role as a volunteer before most activities begin in the spring. We want you to be familiar with the program, so you will feel comfortable and confident in your work as a volunteer in the Master Gardener Program.

The entrance exam, available as part of this course, ensures you have a minimum baseline knowledge in horticulture, the art and science of growing plants. Each year, you will be required to have 10 hours of continuing education to promote your growth in plant-related knowledge and skills. More will be covered in the Continuing Education section.

Resources

Master Gardener Volunteers must have a copy of the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program training manual, Foundations in Horticulture (a complimentary electronic copy is provided with the exam).  Additional resources are provided by the Master Gardener Program.  More information pertaining to appropriate unbiased credible scientific resources will be provided in the Scientific Literacy section.

More information:

• Master Gardener Program

Your Responsibilities

As a Master Gardener Volunteer, you are representing the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. In order to fully understand the scope of your role as an Extension volunteer in the program, Extension provides volunteers with a Position Description. Your responsibilities as explained here follow that position description. You will receive a copy of the positions description with the completion of this course.

For this role, you will assist Extension educators in addressing community needs in approved projects and activities. As part of your volunteering, you will learn and become familiar with the available resources required to accomplish assigned tasks. This includes Master Gardener Program policies, procedures, and personnel in the county Extension office and state program office. You will also follow all safety guidelines.

You will need to represent the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and the Master Gardener Program in a professional manner.

• Maintain a welcoming environment.
• Demonstrate commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.
• Always use tact and give constructive horticultural advice using university research-based information.
• Stay positive and never be disparaging of opinions or procedures
• Respect confidence and clientele information.

You must also comply with the Volunteer Behavior Expectations and other relevant policies and guidelines of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

You may accept assignments on approved projects or other Master Gardener activities that are consistent with your interests and time available for volunteering.

Let project leaders know as soon as possible if you are unable to follow through with a commitment.

Know your limitations (for example, say “I don’t know, but I can find out” when you do not know the answer to a question).

Keep appropriate records, such as volunteer hours and public contacts. We use these records to tell our story of our impact to our communities. In later modules, you’ll learn more about how we share our impact to our partners.

Master Gardener Volunteers work only with non-professional gardens, including home gardeners, kids, and other amateur gardeners.  Professionals, such as landscapers, arborists, greenhouse operators, and more often need information and have access to solutions that are outside the scope of this training. Refer all inquiries, outreach, and education opportunities from commercial horticultural organizations to Extension staff.

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Using the Master Gardener Volunteer Title

Once you have completed your first year of required volunteer hours, you will have earned the title of Master Gardener Volunteer with Extension. The title belongs only with your unpaid volunteer activities for Extension and as you are operating as a Master Gardener Volunteer only during your Extension-approved activities.

Both the title Master Gardener (with or without Volunteer) and the logo cannot be used for personal gain. You cannot use the title to advertise business services or influence others to do business with you. The Master Gardener title or description can never be used if you are being paid (with the exception of honorariums payable to the MG Program or a local MG association). You can, however, refer to your certification and experience in the Master Gardener program in job applications and conversation as long as you are not presenting it as a way to get additional business.

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