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Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program
UGA Extension

Training

Extension education and outreach makes for a busy, often hectic, day. Demand for horticultural answers and instruction often outpaces the staff time available to address it. Training individuals as Master Gardener Extension Volunteers offers a way to expand Extension's outreach to the community. Extension agents and staff can equip themselves to build their volunteer program by attending Groundworks: MGEV Program Essentials, a three-part training series addressing key management strategies for sustainable MGEV programs. During each session, attendees will create essential tools and resources for their program portfolio. These tools can be taken back to the office and put to immediate use.


GROUNDWORKS SERIES:

GROUNDWORKS I - INTRODUCTION TO THE GEORGIA MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

This training will provide an overview of the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program and its policies, explain how and why Master Gardeners should be a part of Extension programming, and review how to get a Master Gardener volunteer program started. Every new Agent or Agent new to MGEVs (or maybe thinking about a program) should attend this training.

  • January 17, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • April 3, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • July 10, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • October 16, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 

GROUNDWORKS II - MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM: A YEAR IN THE LIFE

The second part of MG GROUNDWORKS, A Year in the Life, is directed at managers of young Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Programs or Agents looking for new ideas for established programs. This training will explore the annual management cycle for a MG program, discussing topics such as delegation, scheduling, educational program planning, and project planning. Participants should come prepared to add to their portfolio of tools and resources for managing a MGEV program. It is helpful to gather before training any historic MGEV materials, such as project proposals, annual intent to volunteer forms, role descriptions, and annual planning calendar.

  • February 14, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online
  • April 24, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online
  • August 28, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • November 13, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 

GROUNDWORKS III -  PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT

It takes considerable time and energy to recruit and train an individual as a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer. Use this session to gain insight on ways to protect your investment -- retain trained MG volunteers to assist with Extension educational program delivery. Topics to include volunteer motivation, continuing education, leadership training, advanced subject matter training, program and volunteer evaluation, and more. Come prepared to add to your portfolio of tools and resources for managing a MGEV program.

  • March 13, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • May 15, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • September 25, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 
  • December 11, 2020: 10 am – 12 pm, online 

 

Each training session is two hours in length and is conducted via webinar. Agents and staff can participate in any or all of the trainings. In addition to creating a useful portfolio of resources, participants completing all three trainings will be presented a certificate in best management practices for MGEV programs. Sessions are offered annually. To register for sessions, contact Sheri Dorn, State Program Coordinator, at 770-228-7243 or sdorn@uga.edu.

 

OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

Developing Projects for Master Gardener Extension Volunteers

  • 3/27/20, 10 am – 12 pm (webinar)

Recruiting and Training New MGEVs

  • 6/12/20, 10 am – 12 pm (webinar)

MGEV Program Update Day (for all agents with MGEV programs)

  • 8/27/20, 10 am – 3 pm