Supporting Teacher-led Horticultural Projects in Youth Education
Extension Education
Clifton Martin
Ext. Educ,, ANR
The Ohio State University
Zanesville
Abstract
The Muskingum County Master Gardener Volunteer Program has supported local youth educators, including teachers and other community leaders, by providing a small financial award and volunteering time assisting horticultural projects. This volunteer driven program links the local Extension office to community educators and extends the reach of the local Land Grant Extension program. An average of 13 projects each year have been funded in the past five years nearing a total of $9600 across 64 projects. Awards are given upto $150 and youth educators submit applications due in March with projects summaries due in June. A Master Gardener Volunteer partners with each grant applicant to mentor the project participants and provide assistance as needed. Evaluation in 2019 captured project impact in the community with a response rate of 8 out of 12 awardees providing feedback with reach to 193 youth. Funding for the youth education awards was supported by funds accrued during a summer fundraiser which was held annually up until 2016. The Extension Educator in the Agriculture and Natural Resources post has supported the Master Gardener Volunteer program and promoted this youth education award program. The Youth Education Award program can play a key role in providing an outreach opportunity that is publicly visible and can be an attractive project to new volunteers.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Clifton Martin
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Martin, C. Ext. Educ,, ANR, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 43701