Master Gardener Research Articles

Erratum: Effects of the Junior Master Gardener’s (JMG) Curriculum on Guatemalan Students’ Knowledge Gain and Attitude toward Science

Erratum: Effects of the Junior Master Gardener’s (JMG) Curriculum on Guatemalan Students’ Knowledge Gain and Attitude toward Science

Bee monitoring by community scientists: comparing a collections-based program with iNaturalist.

Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) or non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, data can be collected by professional scientists or by volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based methods presumably produce more reliable data with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as data collected from public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, can involve more people and cover a broader geographic area. Few efforts have been made to quantify the pros and cons of these different approaches. We established a community science monitoring program to assess bee biodiversity across the state of Pennsylvania (USA) using specimen collections with nets, blue vane traps, and bowl traps. We recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, from across the state to sample bees after receiving extensive training on bee monitoring topics and methods. The specimens they collected were identified to species, stored in museum collections, and the data added to public databases. Then, we compared the results from our collections to research-grade observations from iNaturalist during the same time period (2021 and 2022). At state and county levels, we found collections data documented over twice as much biodiversity and novel baseline natural history data (state and county records) than data from iNaturalist. iNaturalist data showed strong biases toward large-bodied and non-native species. This study demonstrates the value of highly trained community scientists for collections-based research that aims to document patterns of bee biodiversity over space and time.

Assessing Master Gardener Practices and Confidence in Responding to Clientele Questions about Home Food Preservation in Texas

Interest in home food preservation has grown, especially among those who grow their own produce. Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) are trained to teach consumers how to produce fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but little is known about how often they are asked questions about how to preserve them or their ability to answer such questions. This study used an online survey to ask EMGs across Texas about their food preservation practices and the extent to which they are asked questions about home food preservation. We also assessed their perceived confidence in answering those questions using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not confident at all; 5 = very confident). Most (91%) of the 1875 EMGs who responded reported preserving food using one or more methods. More than half (n = 1034; 55%) had been asked questions about home food preservation, but their level of confidence in answering those questions ranged from a high of 3.1 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) for freezing fruits and vegetables to a low of 1.6 ± 1.1 for pressure canning low-acid foods. Interest in learning more about home food preservation was high, especially regarding safe practices and recipes, drying herbs, freezing fruits and vegetables, and canning salsa and tomato products. The results suggest that EMG training programs could benefit from including basic information about home food preservation, especially sources of reliable information and recipes.

Adaptation and study protocol for harvest for health together Arizona: A mentored community garden intervention for survivors of cancer

BackgroundCurrent health behavior recommendations for skin cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship are the same for survivors of other cancers; they include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and minimizing ultraviolet (U.V.) exposure. Few interventions exist to support health behaviors beyond U.V. exposure. We adapted Harvest for Health, a home-based mentored gardening intervention for cancer survivors, for implementation in Arizona as a community-based intervention. MethodsStakeholder-informed adaptations for Harvest for Health Together Arizona (H4H2-AZ) included updating intervention materials to be relevant to the arid desert environment, emphasizing the importance of sun safety in cancer survivorship, and shifting from a home-based to a community-based delivery model. Participants will be enrolled in cohorts aligned with growing seasons (e.g., spring, monsoon, fall) and matched to an individual 30 ft2 community garden plot for two growing seasons (6 months). Original intervention components retained are: 1) Master Gardeners deliver the intervention providing one-to-one mentorship and 2) gardening materials and supplies provided. This pilot six-month single-arm intervention will determine feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of an evidence-based adapted mentored community gardening intervention for survivors of skin cancer as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes are to explore the effects on cancer preventive health behaviors and health-related quality of life. DiscussionThis pilot single-arm intervention will determine feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of an evidence-based adapted mentored community gardening intervention for survivors of skin cancer. If successful, the intervention could be widely implemented throughout existing Master Gardener programs and community garden networks for survivors of other cancers. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05648604. Trial registered on December 13, 2022.

Dynamic Volunteer Engagement and Impactful Educational Outreach Taking Us into the Next 50 Years of the Extension Master Gardener Program

According to the 2021 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Summary, the EMG Volunteer Program had an estimated 84,700 volunteers throughout the United States. These volunteers helped communities garden and grow food, provided opportunities to engage in activities that improved physical and mental health, and worked on projects that addressed environmental issues. In total, these programs contributed 3.1 million hours of education to local communities and $88 million dollars in value to the public. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for the program, with many states implementing reduced requirements and increased flexibility for volunteers. The workshop “Dynamic Volunteer Engagement and Impactful Educational Outreach Taking Us Into the Next 50 Years of the EMG Program” at the 2022 ASHS conference discussed how to engage EMG volunteers despite the limitations of limited in-person contact. The workshop featured three Extension educators and EMG coordinators who shared their experiences and strategies for engaging volunteers during the pandemic. Topics discussed included engaging volunteers in local food systems and community gardens, engaging students in horticulture at an earlier age, and digital volunteer opportunities. Overall, the workshop provided valuable insights and facilitated discussions on how to adapt and continue the EMG program during challenging times.

Identifying integrated pest management resource needs among Virginia Master Gardeners

Abstract Two survey questionnaires distributed to Master Gardener (MG) volunteers in Virginia provide valuable insights into their awareness, understanding, and utilization of integrated pest management (IPM). Survey responses reveal a varied level of familiarity with IPM, with a notable percentage of respondents lacking knowledge of the term and differing perceptions of its focus on non-chemical or chemical pest control methods. While respondents generally recommended IPM solutions more than half the time, factors limiting their decision to do so included comfort level, limited understanding or knowledge, lack of training, lack of client interest, and lack of resources. The survey results highlight an agreement among respondents regarding the adequacy of state Cooperative Extension Service materials in addressing IPM. Pest management guides, websites, and fact sheets were the IPM resources most frequently used and perceived as effective. Respondents expressed a preference for fact sheets as the top resource material to enhance public training programs, followed by other multimedia content. Moreover, the survey results provide insights into the specific pest-related needs of Virginia MGs, revealing their priorities in terms of arthropod, vertebrate pest, plant disease, and weed resource topics. Overall, the data from the surveys offers a comprehensive understanding of MG perspectives on IPM, identifying areas for program improvement and providing guidance for the development of targeted resources to enhance MG knowledge and facilitate more effective public outreach.

Elucidation of sex from mature Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) leaves using a portable Raman spectrometer.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a pervasive and troublesome weed species that poses significant challenges to agriculture in the United States. Identifying the sex of Palmer amaranth plants is crucial for developing tailored control measures due to the distinct characteristics and reproductive strategies exhibited by male and female plants. Traditional methods for sex determination are expensive and time-consuming, but recent advancements in spectroscopic techniques offer new possibilities. This study explores the potential of portable Raman spectroscopy for determining the sex of mature Palmer amaranth plants in-field. Raman analysis of the plant leaves reveals spectral differences associated with nitrate salts, lipids, carotenoids, and terpenoids, allowing for high accuracy and reliable identification of the plant's sex; male plants had higher concentrations of these compounds compared to females. It was also found that male plants had higher concentrations of these compounds compared to the females. Raman spectra were analyzed using a machine learning tool, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), to generate accuracies of no less than 83.7% when elucidating sex from acquired spectra. These findings provide insights into the sex-specific characteristics of Palmer amaranth and suggest that Raman analysis, combined with PLS-DA, can be a promising, non-destructive, and efficient method for sex determination in field settings. This approach has implications for developing sex-specific management strategies to monitor and control this invasive weed in real-world environments, benefiting farmers, agronomists, researchers, and master gardeners.

Volunteers’ Stewardship Action-Taking Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic Predicted by Their Motivation Toward Engagement and Ability to Teach Others

The current study investigates the relationship between volunteer stewardship action-taking, motivation toward engagement in volunteer activities, and the ability to teach others during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final data set included 1,196 responses from the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and Master Watershed volunteers, which provided a response rate of 39.9%. The results of this study showed that approximately 15.1% of the variation in volunteer stewardship action-taking experiences could be explained by volunteers’ motivation toward engagement in volunteer activities and their ability to teach others. Most findings are in line with previous research. Extension and outreach educators and volunteer coordinators can better prepare their Master Gardeners and Master Watershed volunteers for effective responses to their community needs, especially in times of uncertainty. More research is needed in volunteer stewardship action-taking experiences during times of uncertainty and change.

Increasing Extension Volunteer Knowledge and Preparedness with Youth Protection Training Across Program Areas

The University of Georgia (UGA) has a training requirement for adults working with youth. To meet this requirement for Georgia 4-H and Extension Master Gardener volunteers, a standardized online training module was created and delivered across program areas. Volunteers were surveyed to evaluate training effectiveness and experience. Understanding of UGA youth protocols and service preparedness increased after training for both volunteer groups, though preparedness may be affected by life stage, engagement in youth service roles, and/or comfort with virtual training. The module was considered accessible and convenient by respondents, thus providing a successful approach for offering trainings across program areas.

Harvest for health in survivors of chronic disease: A demonstration project in the Alabama Black Belt and Mississippi Delta Region.

This demonstration project expands upon the Harvest for Health vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors by: (i) including survivors of other chronic diseases (i.e. heart disease and diabetes); and (ii) targeting an area with known health inequities (Alabama Black Belt and Mississippi Delta Region). To assess: (i) gardening acceptability (engagement, satisfaction, sustainability, and safety); and (ii) changes over time in health behaviors (fruit and vegetable [F&V] intake, and physical activity) and outcomes (physical performance and anthropometrics). Chronic disease survivors (CDS) were recruited across 15 counties in Alabama and Mississippi and provided with gardening supplies and paired with a master gardener (MG). MGs mentored participants in planning, planting, and maintaining a vegetable garden over a 3-month period. Data collection consisted of an electronic survey (baseline, post-intervention, 6-month follow-up) and community-based physical assessments (baseline and post-intervention). Participants (n = 137; 92% African American; Mage = 65) included individuals with a history of diabetes (56%), heart disease (29%), and cancer (26%). Seventy-five percent of participants engaged in gardening ≥3 times a week. Significant improvements in F&V intake (+0.73, P = .04), physical activity (+49.6, P < .01), and 4 of 7 physical performance measures were observed, while positive trends were seen in others. Eighteen participants withdrew (13% attrition rate). No adverse events occurred. Participants were satisfied with their gardening experience (90%) and were still gardening at 6-month follow-up (85%). Seventy-two percent of participants expanded, or planned on expanding, their garden at 6-month follow-up. Harvest for Health was acceptable and associated with improved health behaviors and outcomes.

Create Healthy Gardens: Evaluation of A SNAP-Ed and Master Gardener Collaboration

Create Healthy Gardens: Evaluation of A SNAP-Ed and Master Gardener Collaboration

Excessive Use of Water and Fertilizer by Homeowners: Why It Happens, How It Affects the Environment, and How the Nursery Industry and Extension Outreach Can Help

Abstract Despite global concerns regarding climate change, one thing remains constant: homeowners want gardens and landscapes that serve them functionally and aesthetically. The strong affinity homeowners have for their land can lead to excessive use of water and fertilizer. This literature review explores the relationships between homeowners and their residential landscapes and the efforts that can be made to address misuse and overuse of resources. Governmental organizations should work together with community groups, nursery and landscape associations, and university Extension faculty to understand homeowner desires and behaviors before instituting policies regarding resource use that are unpopular, resented, and ignored. Networking between the nursery industry and university Extension faculty and Master Gardener volunteers can provide educational opportunities for homeowners to understand and implement more sustainable landscape practices as well as showcasing ornamental landscape plants that can help meet both personal aesthetics and resource conservation goals.

Prison-based environmental training programs: who is being transformed?

Adult environmental education and training programs (environmental programs) are used to promote environmental stewardship in the United States (US). One unique setting for these programs is US prisons. Prison-based environmental programs vary widely, from Cooperative Extension Service programs (e.g. Master Gardener programs) to STEM lecture series to environmental literacy and job training programs to conservation research programs. Scholars have examined how these programs impact people who are incarcerated, but there is little research on how these programs affect the programs’ non-incarcerated facilitators (e.g. program administrators, educators, scientists, etc.). In this exploratory study, we use semi-structured, in-depth interviews to examine the experiences of some individuals engaged in implementing prison-based environmental programs. Our findings show how participants’ efforts to “transform” people who are incarcerated led many of them to their own transformations in how they perceived (1) people who are incarcerated, (2) their environmental programs, and (3) the broader carceral system.

Abstract B017: A home-based vegetable gardening intervention to address health behaviors and well-being among chronic disease survivors in the Deep South

Abstract Purpose: To assess changes over time in health behaviors (fruit &amp; vegetable [F&amp;V] consumption and physical activity [PA]), physical performance (PP), and anthropometrics among chronic disease survivors (CDS) of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease participating in a home-based vegetable gardening intervention in the Deep South. Methods: A community-based partnership was developed between the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Mississippi State Cooperative Extension System to implement an evidence-based gardening intervention (Harvest for Health). CDS were recruited from nine counties in Alabama and six in Mississippi. All participants were provided gardening supplies and paired with a Master Gardener (MG) from the Cooperative Extension. MGs mentored participants in planning, planting, and maintaining a summer/fall garden over a 3-month period. Senior Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and anthropometrics (weight, height, and waist circumference [WC]) were collected by trained study personnel during community-based assessments (baseline and post-intervention). Self-reported data on health behaviors (NCI's Eating at America's Table Study and modified Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire) were collected electronically via REDCap (baseline, post-intervention, 6-month follow-up). Results: One hundred and twenty CDS enrolled in the study (66% diabetes; 34% cancer; 29% heart disease). Participants (93% African American; 81% female; Mage=65) tended to be retired/disabled (62%), have overweight or obesity (92%), and reported a family income of less than $40,000 (68%). Overall, CDS engaged in gardening for 15-45 minutes (70%), several times a week (79%). Increases were seen in PA minutes/week at post-intervention (Moderate PA +10, p=0.34; Vigorous PA +30; p=0.05) and 6-month follow-up (Moderate PA +26, p&amp;lt;0.01; Vigorous PA +22; p&amp;lt;0.01). A trend in increased F&amp;V consumption was seen, with nearly a one serving/day increase at 6-month follow-up (3.7 vs 3.0; p=0.07). When asked to rate, on a scale of 1-10 (1=not at all to 10=very much), the influence of gardening on motivating behavior change, CDS reported that gardening motivated them to… “eat a healthier diet” (M=7.9; SD=2.1), “eat more vegetables” (M=8.2; SD=2.1), and “be more physically active” (M=7.6; SD=2.4). Improvements in anthropometrics were seen post-intervention (weight: -2 lbs.; BMI: -0.37 kg/m2; WC: -0.81 cm). Improvements in the SPPB were demonstrated in 5-of-8 measures (2-minute step test +4 steps; 30-second chair stand +0.6 rises; arm curl +1.7 curls, p&amp;lt;0.01; right hand grip strength +5 kg, p&amp;lt;0.01; right hand grip strength +5.7 kg, p&amp;lt;0.01). Discussions/Conclusions: The vegetable gardening intervention led to several improvements in lifestyle behaviors and outcomes among CDS in the Deep South and may offer an innovative approach to improving health among populations in need. Citation Format: Jennifer R. Bail, Meghan Tipre, Oluseun Akinyele, Bolanle Bolaji, Tara Bowman, Claudia Hardy, Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Monica L Baskin. A home-based vegetable gardening intervention to address health behaviors and well-being among chronic disease survivors in the Deep South [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B017.

Addressing food insecurity utilizing master gardener volunteers in Ohio

ISHS XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Urban Horticulture for Sustainable Food Security (UrbanFood2022) Addressing food insecurity utilizing master gardener volunteers in Ohio

Building Volunteer Engagement in the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program from the Ground Up

This study was designed to assess key volunteer attitudes and perceptions about local and state Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer programs. EMG volunteers in Tennessee completed a total of 759 surveys between January 22 and March 10, 2020. Survey responses showed there was a strong positive perception of local EMG groups and the connection with the University of Tennessee system overall. When respondents were segmented, answers to key questions showed illuminating differences between volunteers with positive and neutral or negative views of the program. The variations in answers show areas of potential emphasis to support healthy local group culture and broader efficacy of the EMG program.

Teaching Educators Basic Fruit Tree Grafting Methods

Hands-on education has proven to be successful in teaching basic grafting methods. MSU Extension developed and conducted eleven statewide workshops teaching Extension Agents and Master Gardeners preferred fruit tree grafting methods. The hands-on workshops provided specialists, agents, and Master Gardeners training on teaching fruit tree grafting classes for clientele. Each workshop consisted of a pre-test, a PowerPoint presentation, a post-test, and a grafting demonstration. Post-test scores showed a significant gain in knowledge over pre-test scores. This training can be replicated/adapted by other organizations to conduct educational outreach.

P130 Supplement Farm-to-Preschool Festival to Meet the Parents’ Needs in Gardening with Instructional Garden Videos

<h3>Objective</h3> The objective of this study is to understand the helpfulness of using instructional garden videos to promote home gardening and additional needs to support families with children 0-5. <h3>Use of Theory or Research</h3> Research showed food-based gardening could lead to consumption of healthy and fresh fruits and vegetables and prevent food insecurity for low-income families. Previous Farm-to-Preschool parents survey showed 13% of participants had a home garden while 75% wanted to learn how to start a home garden. A series of English and Spanish garden videos was developed by Extension professionals using evidence-based Master Gardener curriculum. <h3>Target Audience</h3> Parents with children 0-5 years old who participated in the 2021 Farm-to-Preschool. <h3>Program Description</h3> Farm-to-Preschool Festival is an annual event open to Families with children 0-5 years old to promote healthy living behaviors with educational activities and materials. During pandemic, in-person activities were adapted to online delivery with materials dropped to early childcare facilities. English and Spanish Garden YouTube links were sent to parents with children's books, garden tools, plants, and recipes. <h3>Evaluation Methods</h3> A retrospective Qualtrics survey was sent to parents (n = 344) who received festival kits and garden video links from childcare centers. <h3>Results</h3> Participants filled out 35 surveys in Spanish and 20 surveys in English which in total represented 103 children. All participants agreed having a home garden was beneficial to their children and 50% participants had a garden. The top reasons for not having a garden were space and lack of knowledge and skills. Seventy percent of participants rated garden videos as very helpful. Most mentioned additional needs were garden tips; more videos or zoom sessions; and garden materials. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Instructional Garden videos were helpful to parents with young children to start home gardening. More video topics on container gardening can be helpful to support low-income families with limited space. <h3>Funding</h3> First 5 Imperial; University of California, Agriculture and Nature Resources

Sustainability capacity of a vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors

BackgroundHealth behavior interventions, especially those that promote improved diet and physical activity, are increasingly directed toward cancer survivors given their burgeoning numbers and high risk for comorbidity and functional decline. However, for health behavior interventions to achieve maximal public health impact, sustainability at both the individual and organizational levels is crucial. The current study aimed to assess the individual and organizational sustainability of the Harvest for Health mentored vegetable gardening intervention among cancer survivors.MethodsTelephone surveys were conducted among 100 cancer survivors (mean age 63 years; primarily breast cancer) completing one-of-two Harvest for Health feasibility trials. Surveys ascertained whether participants continued gardening, and if so, whether they had expanded their gardens. Additionally, surveys were emailed to 23 stakeholders (Cooperative Extension county agents, cancer support group leaders, and healthcare representatives) who were asked to rate the intervention’s ability to generate sustained service and produce benefits over time using the eight-domain Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT).ResultsThe survey among cancer survivors (91.9% response rate) indicated that 85.7% continued gardening throughout the 12 months following intervention completion; 47.3% expanded their gardens beyond the space of the original intervention. Moreover, 5.5% of cancer survivors enrolled in the certification program to become Extension Master Gardeners. The survey among stakeholders generated a similar response rate (i.e., 91.3%) and favorable scores. Of the possible maximum of 7 points on the PSAT, the gardening intervention’s “Overall Capacity for Sustainability” scored 5.7 (81.4% of the maximum score), with subscales for “Funding Stability” scoring the lowest though still favorably (5.0) and “Program Evaluation” scoring the highest (6.3).ConclusionsData support the sustainability capacity of the Harvest for Health vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors. Indeed, few interventions have proven as durable in terms of individual sustainability. Furthermore, Harvest for Health’s overall organizational score of 5.7 on the PSAT is considered strong when compared to a previous review of over 250 programs, where the mean overall organizational PSAT score was 4.84. Thus, solutions for long-term funding are currently being explored to support this strong, holistic program that is directed toward this vulnerable and growing population.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02150148

Harvest for Health, a Randomized Controlled Trial Testing a Home-Based, Vegetable Gardening Intervention Among Older Cancer Survivors Across Alabama: An Analysis of Accrual and Modifications Made in Intervention Delivery and Assessment During COVID-19

BackgroundAccelerated functional decline is a concern among older cancer survivors that threatens independence and quality of life. Pilot studies suggest that vegetable gardening interventions ameliorate functional decline through improved diet and physical activity. ObjectiveThe aim of this article was to describe the rationale, recruitment challenges, and enrollment for the Harvest for Health randomized controlled trial (RCT), which will test the impact of a home-based, vegetable gardening intervention on vegetable and fruit consumption, physical activity, and physical functioning among older cancer survivors. Modifications made to the intervention and assessments to assure safety and continuity of the RCT throughout the COVID-19 pandemic also are reported. DesignHarvest for Health is a 2-year, 2-arm, single-blinded, wait-list controlled RCT with cross-over. Participants/settingMedicare-eligible survivors of cancers with ≥60% 5-year survival were recruited across Alabama from October 1, 2016 to February 8, 2021. InterventionParticipants were randomly assigned to a wait-list control or a 1-year home-based gardening intervention and individually mentored by extension-certified master gardeners to cultivate spring, summer, and fall vegetable gardens. Main outcome measuresAlthough the RCT’s primary end point was a composite measure of vegetable and fruit consumption, physical activity, and physical functioning, this article focuses on recruitment and modifications made to the intervention and assessments during COVID-19. Statistical analyses performedχ2 and t tests (α < .05) were used to compare enrolled vs unenrolled populations. ResultsOlder cancer survivors (n = 9,708) were contacted via mail and telephone; 1,460 indicated interest (15% response rate), 473 were screened eligible and consented, and 381 completed baseline assessments and were randomized. Enrollees did not differ from nonrespondents/refusals by race and ethnicity, or rural-urban status, but comprised significantly higher numbers of comparatively younger survivors, those who were female, and survivors of breast cancer (P < .001). Although COVID-19 delayed trial completion, protocol modifications overcame this barrier and study completion is anticipated by June 2022. ConclusionsThis RCT will provide evidence on the effects of a mentored vegetable gardening program among older cancer survivors. If efficacious, Harvest for Health represents a novel, multifaceted approach to improve lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes among cancer survivors—one with capacity for sustainability and widespread dissemination.