The Extension Master Gardener National Committee: History, Structure, and Status

Tuesday, July 29, 2014: 8:15 AM
Salon 7 (Rosen Plaza Hotel)
Pamela J. Bennett , Ohio State University Extension, Ohio State University Extension, Springfield, OH
Terri James , Department of Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Lelia Scott Kelly , Mississippi State University Extension Service, Verona, MS
Gail Langellotto, Ph.D. , Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
David Moen , University of Minnesota, Andover, MN
Toby Day , Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Peter Warren , Pima County Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Mark Bridgen , Cornell University, Riverhead, NY
Karen Jeannette , eXtension, Minneapolis, MN
Audio File Recorded Presentation
The Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program was developed in 1973 in the state of Washington.  Since then, there have been a few iterations of a committee structure to help guide the program on a national level.  Today, there is the Extension Master Gardener National Committee (EMGMC) that consists of elected representatives from four geographical regions and the directors of nationwide projects.  The purpose of the committee is to provide a national focus and contact point for the nation-wide EMG program.  The committee was formed in 2006. 

The EMGNC facilitates inclusion of county and state gardening information in eXtension; provides a channel for contacting, funding, and training EMGs to be front line detectors/information providers on national, critical issues related to home yards and landscapes; facilitates national collaboration to avoid redundancy in development of educational materials, and expedites collaboration with federal agencies, funders and professional organizations for input and funding for national issues and priorities.

In 2012, the Extension Master Gardener Task Force was established with the goal of developing resources to support state and county EMG coordinators.  The topics that were identified as priority were:  Recruitment, selection and placement of EMG volunteers; development and retention of volunteer leaders; interpersonal relationships/volunteer interactions; and evaluation.  In addition, the committee was tasked with developing national standards for EMG volunteer programs as well as an online repository for EMG resources.

The EMGNC supported and voted to adopt the mission and standards and is working to promote these nationwide.  Objectives of the EMGNC include the facilitation of national cooperation and communication among states; facilitation of national collaborations; promote the sharing of EMG state projects and successes; provide a network to mobilize EMGs as frontline information provides on critical or emergency national horticultural issues; enhance and promote national recognition of the EMG program, collaborate with eXtension communities of practice; and coordinate the annual National Coordinator's Conference.

See more of: Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners (Oral Session)
See more of: Oral Abstracts