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Using Master Gardener Volunteers as Extension Instructors to ‘Grow’ Programming Barrett, E.E.1; Kneen, H.H.2; Snyder, W.R.3
1Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, 490 S. Broad St. Canfield, OH, 44406 [email protected] 2Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, 117 E. Memorial Dr. Pomeroy, OH, 45769 [email protected] 3Extension Program Assistant, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, 490 S. Broad St. Canfield, OH, 44406, [email protected]
Volunteers are a tremendous asset to any Extension program. Well trained volunteers who can teach aspects of Extension programs provide additional value. Data from two counties shows that through adding a teaching exercise to the Master Gardener Volunteer training programs, Extension programs have expanded the reach of their programming at the local level and beyond. Each year through the training program, trainees are required to teach a 20-30 minute session on their favorite gardening topic. The presentation must include an outline and a matching factsheet from any land grant institution to support the unbiased, research based information mission. Volunteers report increased confidence in their ability to teach, gained skills in creating presentations and satisfaction from increased programs and activities.
MAHONING COUNTY
CROSSROADS EXTENSION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AREA
• Each trainee is required to teach a program at training
in front of volunteers only (new and experienced).
• They are encouraged to focus on something they love
about gardening.
• Detailed instructions are provided. A follow up Q&A is
held at each week of training.
• One-on-one assistance is given to ease nerves.
• Experienced volunteers teach mini-sessions during
lunches on training days to provide examples.
• Trainees attend other programs taught by current
volunteers to see how a good presentation is done.
• Nearly 100% of trainees described increased skills in horticulture at the end of trainings.
• Nearly all sessions taught at horticulture programs in Washington and Mahoning Counties are taught by trained volunteers.
• Trainees noted that by seeing experienced volunteers teach, it increased their comfort level for the teaching experience.
• Volunteers also reported:• Increased confidence in their ability to teach;• Enhanced skills in creating presentations; and • Satisfaction from their participation in and
contributions to Extension programs and activities.
• Thousands of dollars in revenue has been generated to support the volunteer program and to supplement county budgets.
• Over 65 trained volunteers have volunteered to teach a class/session at a major Extension program after completing the teaching assignment in class. Sessions have mostly been for Extension programs, but also for community events.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe would like to thank the Master Gardener Volunteers in Washington and Mahoning
Counties for their countless hours and dedication to horticulture education and OSU Extension. They have helped us expand our programming in immeasurable ways.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
1. Increase skill level and
comfort level of volunteers in
the area of public speaking
on horticulture topics.
2. Utilize expertise of
volunteers to teach
classes/sessions on
horticultural topics.
3. Develop new programs
based on volunteer
expertise.
4. Generate revenue for the
county budget through
program fees for workshops
where volunteers teach.
CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.
A majority of sessions at programs are taught by volunteers. The volunteers choose the topics based on evaluation results from previous events. Evaluation of programs is required.
Encouraging hands-on sessions with the use of props was utilized to reduce anxiety of some first time teachers.
Volunteers appreciate being
“leaders…not weeders”
by using their skills and knowledgein this format..
GOALS
ABSTRACT METHODS PROGRAMS DEVELOPED RESULTS
ASSIGNMENT
