Identifying Master Gardener Training Priorities for Volunteering with Youth

[State] Master Gardeners are Extension volunteers that maintain their certification through required education and volunteer hours (University of [State] Extension, [State] Master Gardeners, n.d.a).  Volunteering with youth is one way [State] Master Gardeners fulfill their required hours (University of [State] Extension, [State] Master Gardeners, n.d.c; University of [State], [State] Master Gardener Program, 2010).  The purpose of this research was to identify the skills with the highest training priorities needed by [State] Master Gardeners to volunteer with youth. In Fall 2014, a stratified random sample (N = 360) of [State] Master Gardeners were sent a questionnaire constructed using the National 4-H Program's Volunteer Research, Knowledge, and Competency Taxonomy which lists the skills adults need to volunteer with youth (Culp, McKee, & Nestor, 2004).  The reliability coefficient for the instrument was .972 on 86 items (Cronbach, 1971).  Master Gardeners were asked to rate the importance of and their ability level in these skills using a five-point Likert-type scale.  Data was analyzed by calculating frequencies, mean scale scores, standard deviations, standard error, and mean weighted discrepancy scores.  The response rate was 64%. The most frequent way Master Gardeners volunteered with youth was in community gardens (22%) followed by none (14%) and in school gardens (13%).  All 43 skills in the survey were deemed by [State] Master Gardeners to be either important or very important.  All 43 skills had ability levels of either below average, average, or above average.  There were six skills that had mean weighted discrepancy scores of 4.04-5.42, and they were "upholding the mission of 4-H", "knowledge of subject matter", "knowledge of 4-H organization and structure", "motivate and encourage youth", "youth club management skills", and "use of age-appropriate activities".  These six skills had the highest training priority for [State] Master Gardeners. As a result of this research, it is recommended that the [State] Master Gardener Program implement training for all of their volunteers on the competencies needed to volunteer with youth.  Training should include the skills with the highest mean weighted discrepancy scores, and should also focus on the main activities that Master Gardeners participate in with youth, which were in community and school gardens and in 4-H activities.  Further research should be conducted to determine the main reasons Master Gardeners are not volunteering with youth.