Abstract
A total of 51 Extension agents were surveyed in the North Carolina Master Gardener program. Thirty-five (68%) agents returned the survey. The highest benefits from participation in the Master Gardener program were expanded outreach of the county office and increased community support. The top three program barriers are limited time, financial resources, and the recruiting/supporting of volunteers. The majority (60% agreed) of agents felt the Master Gardener program was a cutting-edge program and the Master Gardener Association (67.7% agreed) should continue to be supported. The three significant programming thrusts at the county level were new clientele, increased number of volunteers, and volunteer input into the local program. Significant features from the state level were the production of support materials, administrative support, and the N.C. Master Gardener Manual. Future changes/improvements to the Master Gardener program should be done through in-service training, completion of the teaching modules project, and more agent sharing sessions. Most agents (58.8%) have been in the Master Gardener program for 5 years or less, with 42.9% possessing horticulture undergraduate degrees. At least 100 median hours per agent were freed up by Master Gardeners answering phone calls and conducting workshops. The estimated savings to homeowners per county was a $20,000 median.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.