Welcome! Moving the Michigan Master Gardener

Program Forward Mary Wilson, State Coordinator, Master Gardener Program, MSUE Bonnie Zoia and Claire Bode, MSUE facilitators Betsy Lindsey, Michigan Master Gardener Association President This presentation available at mg.msue.msu.edu/for_master_gardener_volunteers

Purpose of this retreat is…

To develop a working document (i.e. vision and plan)

that will be used to guide the Master Gardener Program

forward into the future.

Strategic Visioning Timeline

Survey , focus groups

Today’s Retreat

Two-week review and comment

May 4 follow-up meeting

And now…

• Historic Timeline • Mission • Roles • Survey, Focus Group

Results: What We’ve Learned

1978 • First training in Michigan

2008 • Change in statewide leadership • Develop centralized & sustainable program model

Historic Timeline Michigan Master Gardener Program

2011 • Budget cuts - federal, state and local • Statewide staff reductions

• e.g. 72 educator positions • (Extreme) tightening of operations

Michigan Master Gardener Program

2011 • MG associations become independent • Liability insurance coverage changes • Elimination of background checks • Educators unable to provide day–to-day

oversight of MSUE volunteers • Need to provide financial stability of program

Michigan Master Gardener Program

2012 – Moving forward…. • Transition team of local association members

formed • Statewide standardization of training curriculum

& delivery • New online volunteer mgt. system (VMS) piloted • Michigan Master Gardener Association born!

Michigan Master Gardener Program

2013 • Full launch of the Volunteer Mgt. System (VMS) • Implementation of the re-certification process • Sustainability model implemented for training • New curriculum for training launched • Distance technology piloted (fall)

Michigan Master Gardener Program

2014 • MMGA receives IRS determination letter that

includes Affiliate chapters • MSUE leadership changes • Grant received for strategic visioning process

(joint effort with MMGA)

Michigan Master Gardener Program

So where are we now?

Extension Master Gardener Program

• National / International Program • National Mission:

Extension Master Gardener programs educate people, engaging them in learning to use unbiased, research-based horticulture and gardening practices through a network of trained volunteers directed and supported by land-grant university faculty and staff.

Michigan Master Gardener Program

• Mission statement:

The mission of the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program is to further the land-grant university goal of disseminating scientifically based information via a network of trained volunteers who receive support and guidance from MSU Extension specialists and educators in providing Michigan residents with the most current and environmentally sound horticulture information.

Consumer Horticulture

and MSU Extension

Master Gardener Program

reside under this institute.

STATE & COUNTY $ MSU Employees -Bob Bricault -Diane Brown -Elise Carolan -Rebecca Finneran -Gretchen Voyle -Vacant (Genesee Cty)

COUNTY $ County Employees -Mary Gerstenberger -Carol Lenchek -Shawn Turner -Linda Whitlock

STATE & FEDERAL$ MSU Employees -Hal Hudson (1/2 time) -Rebecca Krans -Mary Wilson

Consumer Horticulture Team Members & Funding Source

Educator or PI – State / County

County employee – County

Educator – State / Federal Position & Funding:

CONSUMER HORTICULTURE TEAM

Extension Master Gardener Program

• National / International Program • National Mission:

Extension Master Gardener programs educate people, engaging them in learning to use unbiased, research-based horticulture and gardening practices through a network of trained volunteers directed and supported by land-grant university faculty and staff.

Michigan Master Gardener Assoc. Inc.

MI Master Gardener Association, Inc. Purpose

This Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code: specifically • To instruct adults and youth in horticulture science • To educate communities about environmentally sound

practices through horticulture-based activities • To promote food security • And improve the aesthetics of the community

MI Master Gardener Association, Inc. Mission: The Association shall carry out the following: • Coordinate, encourage, and foster opportunities for Members of the

Association to further the goal of education others through the dissemination of environmentally sound, research-based horticulture information, enhance the beautification of the communities of the Members through volunteering, and related activities;

• Provide appropriate assistance and support to local chapters and affiliates of the Association;

• Facilitate certification and recertification of members as Master Gardeners in conjunction with MSUE;

• Coordinate with MSUE in providing educational opportunities in horticulture to Members and the general public; and

• Provide topical communications with Members of the Association.

Assessment Survey

Demographics: • 1,345 MSUE Master Gardeners (46% return

rate) • 70 out of 83 counties represented • 77% respondent 55 + years • 84% female • 55% involved with program over 6 years

Why people enroll in the MSUE Master Gardener training course:

• 88% - to learn more about plants • 66% - for fun • 64% - to earn the MSU Extension MG certification • 62% - to gain knowledge for a hobby • 59% - to volunteer & give back to their community

Reasons people stay certified:

• 85% - to continue to learn for personal growth • 79% - for enjoyment • 74% - to volunteer & give back to their community • 71% - to interact with others with similar interest

Experience with the VMS:

• 43% - It’s easy to use • 29% - It’s somewhat easy to use • 18% - I’m still getting familiar with it

Training course suggestions:

• 88% rated the program excellent to very good • Suggestions:

• 48% - more hands-on • 33% - combination of face-to-face and online • 24% - no changes • 23% - online training options

• General comments re: • Class times • Length of classes

How do people currently feel about the MI Master Gardener Program?

I love it

I'm satisfied and comfortable

I'm uncertain

I'm dissatisfied and unhappy

I'm confused

I'm frustrated

1

1.

2.

3.

4 6

2.

3.

4

5

6

Perception of MSUE support of the Michigan Master Gardener Program

• 36% - very supportive • 23% - moderately supportive • 18% - extremely supportive • 10% - slight supportive • 4% - not at all supportive • 9% - uncertain

What would make the MMGP more valuable to you & what would you like changed?

Answers to both questions centered on critical issues:

• Recognition, relationships • Communications / roles • Equity • Program Delivery/Distance Learning • Funding / Program Sustainability

Michigan Master Gardener Association Survey Results: Based on 850 self-identified MMGA members who responded: • Valued benefits of MMGA:

• 65% - Access to additional information/resources • 63% - Networking with other Master Gardeners • 50% - Access to MMGA newsletter • 41% - Liability insurance cover • 37% - Part of collective voice for MSUE Master

Gardener Program

MMGA Survey Results

Best vehicle for contacting MMGA members: • 78% - Email • 6 % - Newsletter How members contact MMGA: • 49% - Email MMGA • 23% - website • 13% - VMS/MMGA site

Focus Groups

• 9 online focus groups in January • Who was involved?

• MMGA Board • Master Gardeners • Consumer Horticulture Team • MSUE District Coordinators • MSUE Administration

• Phone interviews

Five Critical Issues

Recognition and Relationships

• We (MG volunteers, MMGA) would like to feel like to be a partner again with MSUE. Right now we feel we are putting in the time, but MSUE is getting the recognition.

• MG individuals and MMGA put a lot of their own time and resources into continuing the program.

• Horticulture plays second-fiddle to agriculture in MSUE—both are needed in Michigan.

Communication/Roles

• Communications, beginning at the top, need to be clear, concise, and consistent.

• Email communication is not enough. • More sharing of what everyone is doing around the state

- make us a state-wide group of volunteers, each working in their own area of the state.

• Lack of standardized guidelines. What can people do or not do? Standards are different around the state. Provide more consistency that could then be enforced.

Equity

• MG should be a statewide program, available to all, no matter where you live

• More opportunities for urban gardening and helping those in need.

• The vast majority of MG volunteers are white, retired, and middle-to-upper-class. This doesn’t reflect the diversity of Michigan residents.

Program Delivery/Distance Learning

• We’d like more hands-on instruction • We’d like to see more online learning, where we

could learn at our own pace. • Face-to-face develops relationships and social

engagement. • Long-time Master Gardeners should be able to

take a refresher course

Funding/Program Sustainability

• It’s important to have regularly scheduled programs to attract new volunteers and keep the program from losing members.

• The MG Program in my county is failing due to no new members, due to no new classes to fill our ranks with new motivated people.

• Local support is missing in some counties. • We need to put more resources into this an

organization.

Critical Issues Identified through surveys and focus groups

Goals

The situation if the critical issue did not exist

Objectives

What needs to be done to achieve the strategic goal

Strategies

How to achieve the objectives and strategic goals

Actions

Who, Where, When

MSUE Michigan Master Gardener Program Mission

To further the land-grant university goal of disseminating scientifically based information via a network of trained volunteers who receive support and guidance from MSUE Extension specialists

and educators in providing Michigan residents with the most current and environmentally sound

horticulture information.

Master Gardener Examples Visions • The Maryland Master Gardener vision is a healthier world

through environmental stewardship. • The Washington Extension MG program is the nation’s

leading MG program, supported at the state and local levels, that trains volunteers to be effective community educators in gardening and environmental stewardship.

• The Master Gardener Vision (University of CA) Healthier Environment Healthier Communities Healthier Plants Healthier Gardeners

Michigan Draft Vision The vision of the Michigan Master Gardener program is

to: Educate and serve Michigan communities through empowering volunteers with research-based horticulture

knowledge, which is provided in a flexible and sustainable manner, that leads to greater environmental stewardship, and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

Proverb A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But – a vision with a plan can change the world!

Working Agreement

What do I need from others to do my best work today? Think (and write, individually) Pair (share with someone next to you) Share (with your table) Agree on two statements, as a table Report out, whole table

Goal Statements: If the issue did not exist, what would the situation be? Communication/Roles:

• Right: All MG stakeholders feel informed about rules, roles, and procedures.

• Wrong: MMGA will publish a weekly newsletter and put it on their website