I. GUIDELINES FOR PROJECTS
1. Definition. A Master Gardener Project is an activity that has been submitted to the Project Committee and approved as a Master Gardener (MG) Project. An Individual Project is an activity that has been submitted to the Project Committee for review and record keeping purposes. All Master Gardeners should have the opportunity to participate in all projects. Projects should always reflect the Mission of the Master Gardener program
2. Purpose. The main purpose of the Master Gardener program is to educate and beautify our community through educational programs and gardening projects. Our service in the community is one of the most rewarding parts of being a master gardener. MG projects are the best public relations and advertising county programs have. MG projects should always be visible, well-kept, and serve the general public. MG projects create visibility for Master Gardeners and should benefit a city, county, state or non-profit organization. All projects, big and small, should be reasonably accessible to the public. We are not a free labor program. Master Gardeners are educators, advisors and helpers.
3. Intent. Master Gardener projects should always reflect the educational missions of the Master Gardener program and University of Tennessee Extension.
Master Gardener projects come in two types:
A. Approved MG Projects (large and small):
These projects include community gardening (planning and/or implementation) and educational seminars/fair booths . All group projects must be open to all Master Gardeners.
B. Individual Projects: These projects typically involve long-term, ongoing work, such as maintaining a community/school garden not approved as a MG Project.
Master Gardeners should seek to balance their volunteer hours between MG Projects and Individual Projects.
4. Approval. In order to qualify to receive volunteer hours toward Master Gardener Certification all projects, both MG and Individual Projects must be submitted to the Project Committee for review. The Master Gardener Program must document (and publicize) our involvement in any projects. Annual updates are required to continue to receive volunteer hours. A project may not begin before receiving approval from the projects Approval Committee.
5. Evaluation Criteria Guidelines. Before agreeing to take on a project, the proposed Project should be evaluated as follows:
A. Utility.
(1) Assess the proposal’s usefulness to the organization/entity requesting help. Determine if the requestor’s plans match their intended use.
- Look at size, scope, accessibility for children (schools), parishners (churches), community (other), and wheelchairs (therapeutic).
- If a Projects intent is educational or therapeutic, will the lay out, etc. serve that intent?
- Look at the paths’ surface and widths, tool storage, surface drainage, underground power lines/pipes and often a limiting factor, water sources.
(2) Look at the project’s usefulness to the Master Gardener Program:
- How much time will it take: Is it short term assistance, such as advising on the garden plan or assistance with initial installment? Short term projects are the most desirable for MG projects.
- Except for very small scale individual projects, those requesting support must be willing to furnish supplies and labor. Master gardeners should not furnish a free labor pool.
- What will requestors provide for tools/supplies? How will they acquire plants? Do they have a plan for maintenance? This is particularly important for school gardens, with long vacation gaps.
- Is the group willing to credit the Master Gardeners? Are they willing to formalize that credit with a placard or in some other fashion?
- Will the project enhance the Master Gardener’s reputation and visibility? The more visible, the better.
- Is there an educational component to the project? This is highly desired in both MG and Individual Projects and can be met as simply as labeling plants and shrubs.
B. Potential maintenance.
This is the major drawback for most projects. Requesting organizations must have a plan for long term maintenance which doesn’t rely on Master Gardener labor. Master Gardeners may freely volunteer for ongoing support for individual hours, but they cannot commit the MG program to long term support without approval from the Project Committee.
C. Access to public.
Projects should be open to the public. Master Gardeners should not support exclusive or locked gardens. Schools, nursing homes, and hospitals naturally have some limitation on their availability, but are reasonably open to the public; this may well be an area for discussion as MGs advise how to lay out the site.
Master Gardener projects should always reflect the educational missions of the Master Gardener Program and the Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. This is not a free labor program. Master Gardener volunteers are educators, advisers and helpers.
- Provide educational opportunities for Master Gardeners and the public.
- Sanctioned beautification projects for churches and schools are not always recommended. Education may be offered while helping organizations in such projects.
- Create visibility for Master Gardeners (identified with Master Gardener sign).
- Be accessible to the public without admission fee.
- A project should benefit a city, county, state or nonprofit organization.
- Submitted on a Volunteer Project Request form.
- It is recommended that each new proposal be made available for committee reviews at least one month prior to starting date.
- Evaluations must be completed and turned in to the county Extension office.
A project request form is available here.
Annual Volunteer Project Evaluation Forms can be found here.