Volunteers - Master Gardener Program

Executive SummaryThe seed for the Master Gardener (MG) program was planted in 1972 byWashington State Cooperative Extension. MG Volunteers (MGVs) were trainedto extend Extension’s outreach to community residents in educating peopleabout horticulture. The MG program began in Wisconsin through the UWExtension in the late 1970’s. Local MG groups banded together in 1992 to formthe Wisconsin Master Gardener Association (WIMGA).The mission of the WIMGA is to support and provide leadership to individual MGVs and localorganizations in their mission to assist UW-Extension in community horticultural programs throughvolunteerism, education and environmental stewardship. The WIMGA is the communication linkbetween MGVs throughout the state and a voice for ideas and issues relating to the MG program.Several members of the WIMGA Board of Directors sit on the WI MG Advisory Committee with UWExtension Horticulture Specialists and Agents to recommend policy for the MG program.The WIMGA is a statewide organization that supports 53 local MG associations and individualMGVs. WIMGA’s Board of Directors is made up of 15 dedicated MGVs, with two Directors fromeach of the 6 UW-Extension districts plus three Members-At-Large. They meet monthly over theWisLine network and at least twice a year face-to-face.Some of the major accomplishments of WIMGA for 2014 include: Contributed to the WI MG Program Annual Accomplishment Report for 2014. Conducted the 2014 Annual Meeting in Appleton, with approximately 440 MGVs attending. Worked with the WI MG Coordinator on website, bimonthly newsletter and more. Awarded a total of 4,650 in Education Grants to local MG associations:One 100 grant: Washington Co. MGASeven 250 grants: Columbia Co. MGA, Fond du Lac Co. MGA, Grant Co. MGA, Jefferson Co.MGA, Northeast Wisconsin MGA, St. Croix Valley MGA, and Washington Co. MGA.Seven 400 grants: Barron Co. MGA (horticulture blog); Eau Claire Area MGA (laptop); Fond duLac Co. MGA (English Heritage Garden at Galloway House); Grant Co. (Growing Your Garden- Early Childhood Conference), Lake Superior (Rebuild Solid Rock Mission’s Garden), St. CroixValley MGA (Garden U speaker on global warming); Winnebago Co. MGA (develop gardens atOctagon House). Contributed 1,000 to the WI Junior Horticulture Association to help defray the costs of WI youthattending the National Conference and 750 to the National Jr. Hort. Association for programexpenses and Contest Sponsorship. Donated 3,000 to the UW-Extension Master Gardener Foundation Fund. Provided 4,000 to Wisconsin Public Radio to sponsor Larry Meiller’s Garden Talk program. Established a 1,000 Scholarship Fund to be awarded to a student majoring in horticulture. Assisted UW-Extension with a booth at Farm Technology Days.The MG Program OfficeThe MG Program Office, housed in the Department of Horticulture on the campus of UW-Madison,is the centralized location for administration of the MG program. The MG Program Director and MGProgram Coordinator, Dr. Susan Mahr, work closely together to plan, organize and implement variousprojects for MGVs in Wisconsin. The MG Program Office has a close relationship with the WIMGA,and provides support services to WIMGA members, affiliated associations, and all MGVs throughoutthe state.Mike Maddox (608) 265-4536 mike.maddox@ces.uwex.eduSusan Mahr(608) 265-4504semahr@wisc.edu6

Activities of the MG Program Director Continued the Level 1 program redesign, including production of training lectures, hands-onactivities, and piloting each of the 12 core classes. Participated in the update of 19 chapters (plus intro and glossary) of the MG training manual. Coached county staff and volunteers on facilitating Level 1 training in their areas. Coordinated Level 2 online training, Branching Out, focusing on urban tree canopy management,emerald ash borer, and tree selection. Training also included three hands-on tree ID workshops.Registration included 250 MGVs from across the state. Conducted various programs including a horticultural therapy program at the vetaran’s hospital,4-H Campus Youth Conference, 4-H workshop on green industry careers, STEM, and PEOPLEprogram. Worked with organizational development specialist and volunteer team to address policy andguidelines relating to the program; includes development of a standardized UW-ExtensionVolunteer Behavior policy. Enforced Mandatory Reporter Training of Child Abuse and Neglect. Attended the Horticultural Therapy Institute and the National Conference for MG Coordinators. Continued to expand access of protected and traditionally underserved audiences. Collaborated with other Extension programs to address changes in UWEX volunteer managementpolicy; coordinated with administration to communicate impact of program and educator effortsand to align program with UWEX themes and priorities. Responded daily to inquiries by phone or email, and provided information on the MG program,policies, projects, activities, and training and general horticultural questions. Recruited and supervised a summer intern. Participated with UWEX administrative duties, including an administrative search and screencommittee.Activities of the MG Program Coordinator Respond daily to inquiries by phone, or email and provide information on the MG program,policies, projects, activities, and training, and general horticulture questions. Update website weekly with calendar of events, horticulture information and timely educationalarticles. 35 educational articles were posted on the MG website (a new title every 10 days). Participate in monthly WIMGA board meetings and twice yearly WI MG Advisory Boardmeetings and provide updates on progress of various projects and input on issues. Publish bi-monthly (six issues/year) 8-page newsletter that is direct mailed to all members of theWIMGA, each county Extension office and others, or sent electronically upon request. Produce the WIMGA annual accomplishment report. A 64-page report was produced for 2014and was distributed to all local association board representatives, Extension administrators, andothers, with access to anyone as a downloadable file on the MG website. Collect annual volunteer hour reports, tabulate in database, and summarize statistics for reports. Assist with the Level 1 program redesign, including developing new hands-on activities toenhance Level 1 training, and update of the MG training manual. Provide program supplies to MGVs and local Associations (name badges, certificates, membercards, banners, displays, etc.). Made numerous presentations on horticultural topics for local trainings, local continuingeducation programs, and at conferences. The MG Foundation Fund, established through the UW Foundation in December 2001, had amarket value of about 121,105 (as of September 30).7

Master Gardener Volunteers Make a DifferenceCommunity Impacts - 2014Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) in the state’s 72 counties provide a tremendous resource insolving local issues and providing valued education. Their work has an impact on a wide diversity ofpeople and communities across the state. Assisting UW-Extension with Consumer Horticulture Questions. The Dodge Co. MG Help Linedebuted in May 2014, with 11 MGVs answering over 30 inquiries. In Dane Co., Madsison AreaMGVs trained as Plant Health Advisors (PHA) spent weekday mornings May through October atthe UW-Extension office answering the Horticulture Helpline, responding to e-mails and greetingvisitors with gardening questions. PHAs work in tandem with MGV trainees. Manitowoc Co.MGVs staff a plant clinic at the UW-Extension office three days a week during the growing season.Clark Co. MGVs are notified by email when there is a request from the public for information. Providing Valued Education. Ashland-Bayfield MGVs offered a series of four workshops ondifferent topics for about 25 people at each. Northern Lights (Marinette Co.) hosted their 19thannual Spring Garden Conference, while the Bluff Country MGA (La Crosse Co.) had their 12thSpring Into Gardening, and Green Co. MGVs held the 7th Gardening Inspirations for All Seasonsto provide horticulture education to area gardeners. Other annual garden seminars include Ready,Set, Grow offered by the Eau Claire Area MGA, Portage Co.’s Garden Dreams, and the ChippewaValley MGA’s Think Spring. The Outagamie Co. MGA expanded their annual Garden Expectationsspring conference to host the annual WIMGA conference. Battling Invasive Species and Protecting Native Plants. Northeast Wisconsin MGVs (BrownCo.) hung signs about emerald ash borer on street ash trees showing signs of infestation, providedinformational brochures to homeowners, and worked with the parks director to hold two publicmeetings to discuss what residents can do. The focus of the MGV exhibit at the Sheboygan Co.Fair was using native plants in the landscape, as well as providing information about protectingash trees from emerald ash borer which was found for the first time in Sheboygan Co. in 2014.Ashland-Bayfield MGVs assisted in several restoration projects with the Apostle Islands NationalPark Service, including planting over 270 trees at Little Sand Bay and 200 junipers, shore grassesand other native species on Raspberry Island and Otter Island. Northern Lights MGVs (MarinetteCo.) lead prairie walks discussing native plants. The Range Masters (Iron Co.) partnered with otherarea organizations to host a seminar on northern native plants and plant communities that includeda hands-on demo of plant propagation techniques, gave participants native plant seeds to grow athome, and explained efforts to eradicate garlic mustard and buckthorn. Creating Community Gardens. Calumet Co. MGVs were actively involved in creating acommunity garden with Calumet Medical Center, where staff grew food used in the kitchens,MGVs planted squash for their fair display, and beds were rented to the local community. Dunn Co.MGVs helped expand the Menomonie Community Garden through a “Grow with Us” campaign.Jefferson Co. MGVs are transitioning the Jefferson Rock River Community Garden they helpedstart to be managed by the gardeners who use it. Educating about Composting. A Dodge Co. MGV gave a talk on home composting at the SpringWomen’s Expo while other MGVs answered question about composting at their booth. The GrantCo. MGA hosted a composting seminar for 25 at the Lancaster Ag Research Station. Lake SuperiorMGVs (Douglas Co.) held several activities, including a workshop with the City of Superior,demonstrations at the farmers market, Ask a Master Composter at the Wentworth Harvest Fest, anda compost bin demonstration built at the Broadway Community Gardens for education and use.8

Seed Libraries. Several groups have started seed saver programs through local libraries, wherepatrons check out seeds, grow them, and later return fresh seeds. The Green Co. MGA set upprograms at libraries in New Glarus and Monroe and gave presentations at each about seed savingtechniques and procedures. In Sauk Co. the MGVs also held a series of lectures at the libraryevery few weeks on various seed saving related topics. Waushara Co. MGVs donated seeds for theWautoma Library’s program and presented workshops on how to collect, clean, and store seeds.Restoring Historic Gardens. Eau Claire Area MGVs designed, installed and maintain gardensin a style from 1906 when historic Schlegelmilch House was remodeled. A Plant IdentificationBrochure identifies the flowers, trees and shrubs in the landscape. After Fond du lac Co. MGVsrestored the neglected rose garden at Galloway House and Village, the property received a 2014Beautification Award from the County Natural Beauty Council.Providing Scholarships to Encourage Students in Horticulture. Several MGAs offerscholarships to high school seniors or university students pursuing a career in horticulture. CalumetCo. awarded one 500 scholarship, while Sauk Co. awarded two. Marquette Co. MGVs awardedtwo 400 scholarships. The St. Croix Valley MGA awarded its biennial 1000 award, GlacialGardeners (Florence Co.) gave two 1000 scholarships, and Adams Co. offered a 1500 award.Therapeutic Horticulture Projects. Rock Co. MGVs were integral in creating and installing theEdgerton Hospital Healing Gardens. Manitowoc Co. MGVs maintain healing gardens at two areahospitals. Washington Co. MGVs helped at Threshold, a local facility that mentors those withmental/physical challenges, assisting clients in planting and tending their new gardens. RacineKenosha MGVs participate in Green Works, a program for adults with cognitive and physicaldisabilities, teens in high school transition programs, and now in 2014, veterans. Over 60 peoplereceived an average of 16 hours of therapy in either vocational exploration and/or sensory activities,such as working in the greenhouse or garden, or doing plant-based craft activities.Hosting Plant Sales. All plants for the Waushara Co. MGA’s sale come from members gardens andthe profits are used to purchase gardening books donated books to local libraries. The WalworthCo. MGA’s annual plant swap each year lets people trade plants or exchange non-perishable fooditems for a plant. The Barron Co. MGA’s sale of donated plants supports community grants andgarden projects. Waupaca Co. has 2 plants sales, with a theme of Right Plant, Right Place.Teaching the Public About Growing Food. Northeast Wisconsin MGVs (Brown Co.) have a trialgarden of blueberries on the Extension grounds to demonstrate the options of raised beds and potsfor maintaining adequate soil acidity of soil and which cultivars do best in that climate.Growing Produce for Donation to the Needy. Bluff Country MGA’s Kane Street Gardens in LaCrosse produced over 25,000 pounds of food. There is now a hoop house to extend the season,demonstration permaculture blocks, a simulated family growing space, a children’s garden anda rain garden. This year more than 1,000 pounds of produce was donated from the BarabooCommunity Garden, run by Sauk Co. MGVs. Lake Superior MGVs (Douglas Co.) harvested over900 pounds of fresh produce from the Solid Rock Food Garden for the soup kitchen and food shelf.Community Gardening Grants. The Glacial Gardeners (Florence Co.) provided a 250 GrowingWith Children grant to a class in Niagara, WI to beautify a school entrance with flowering treesand other plantings. The Madison Area MGA (Dane Co.) awarded 500 “Partner Grants” to localgardens important for their educational value, while the Sauk Co. MGA gave 500 to a municipality.Enhancing Public Spaces. Crawford Co. MGVs helped restore St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardensafter severe flooding this spring. Sheboygan Co. MGVs worked with and mentored LakeshoreTechnical College Horticultural students in the recently completed Patio Garden landscape designand installation on the UW-Sheboygan Campus. Outagamie Co. MGVs come to the OutagamieCo. UW-Extension grounds, monthly to maintain several gardens, including the Learning Gardenwhich is used as a teaching garden for MG students and public.9

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Engaging Others in GardeningThe Master Gardener (MG) Program was originally created to develop a volunteer staff to assistExtension agents in answering gardening questions. The program has since expanded to encompassmany activities besides just answering questions at the Extension office — although this is still acomponent of many local MG programs. MGVs are the face of UW-Extension Horticulture in manycounties, offering numerous educational opportunities for the public. Many groups have annualseminars, provide classes on various topics, give talks, write educational newspaper or web articles,and connect with gardeners by many other indirect means to engage them in gardening. This reportfocuses on the many ways MG Volunteers (MGVs) get people to learn through active participation ingardening activities through workshops, at events, and other hands-on educational opportunities.One of the most common ways MGVs directly engage others in gardening is through youthprograms that teach children about growing plants. Horticulture-related activities for children areoften promoted at area events to engage the youth and their parents. Adams Co. MGVs provided pots,plants and soil and helped over 500 children plant flowers to take home at their County Fair booth.The North Central Wisconsin MGA (Marathon Co.) had a planting area for children to help youngstersacquire and practice basic planting skills at Gardenville, their annual plant sale. At the Range Masters’(Iron Co.) “Master Gardener Day” MGVs helped children plant cherry tomato plants, and gave parentscare instructions so the family could grow them at home. In Vilas Co. over 300 6th graders learnedabout and tasted micro greens at ‘Youth Coalition Career Days’ with the MGVs helping them plantinga pot of micro greens to take home to share with their families. At their annual Farm Market booth,Winnebago Co. MGVs helped children correctly plant a flower to take home and plant in their homegarden. Many of the participants proudly reported that they still had their plants from previous years.Many MGVs participate in school programs to teach students about growing and using plants.The Barron Co. MGVs participate in the Sunflower Project, visiting as many as 20 classrooms in thespring to teach 2nd or 3rd graders about gardening. Sunflower seeds are sent home with students fora contest. The next fall, MGVs return to the 3rd or 4th grade classes and award a prize for the largestsunflower grown over the summer. At the CardinalMicro-Farm Stimulates Kid’s InterestCountry Daycare, Columbia Co. MGVs taught theIn Columbia Co., MGVs engaged 175preschoolers how to plant lettuce, radishes, carrotselementary students in growing edibles inand beets. The children kept their gardens on windowtheir classrooms through their micro-farmsills in the classroom and when the MGVs returned forproject. MGVs teach the students how toa harvest day, the children were encouraged to try theplant and grow seeds for a variety of smallplants separately, and they could taste the differences!vegetables and provide resources to theThe WE GROW program at West Elementary Schoolteachers to help connect this project to otherin Jefferson engages students as well as their parentscurriculum goals such as literacy, writing,in the After School and Summer School programs,measuring, and graphing skills. When thewith MGVs guiding their activities. Ozaukee MGVsvolunteers return to help the students harvestwork with the Green Team at Webster Transitionalthe greens, they also learn about food safetySchool (grades 6-8) in Cedarburg with 30 students inand nutrition. Students consistently havethis group that planned and planted the school garden.been willing to taste new greens throughFive Green Team members assisted MGVs with athis project and have expressed interest in2-week summer academy called Garden Sprouts fordoing more gardening at home.25 K-3 students. At the Curtis Strange ElementarySchool in Kenosha, Racine-Kenosha MGVs plan andorganize classes throughout the school year for 4th and 5th grade students. There are discussions andhands-on activities, such as starting a worm bin and making newspaper eco-pots for seed starting.Students plant and harvest the fruits and vegetables in the Learning Garden, sharing with their families10

and the local food pantry. Southeast Wisconsin MGVs (Milwaukee and Waukesha Cos.) assistedGreendale schools in developing a vegetable garden which harvested 750 pounds of produce whichwas used by the school food service and foods classes. The K-12 schools used the garden for activities,such as starting seeds and planting them. They taught lessons on composting and had students manageit. They created a Garden Club which highlighted a “Vegetable of the Week” Friday free sample dayfrom Sept. through Nov.In addition to these types of school programs, many MGVs work with students in their schoolgardens to guide the children in preparation, planting and maintenance activities, or assist staffin school gardens that grow produce for donation or local consumption. In Crawford Co., MGVshelped the new director of the Bluff View Middle School Gardens, who had no garden experience,by advising him and the students and other volunteers on how to prepare the site, what to plant, andhow to care for and harvest them, resulting in 150 pounds of fresh produce donated to the local foodbank. Fond du Lac Co. MGVs have

2 The Wisconsin Master Gardener Program is administered from: The Master Gardener Program Offi ce Department of Horticulture, Room 481 University of Wisconsin Madison, WI 53706 Program Director — Mike Maddox (608) 265-4536, mike.maddox@ces.uwex.edu