THE RUTGERS MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM: 25 YEARS OF GROWING
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Nicholas Polanin
Associate Professor
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
BRIDGEWATER
Abstract
Since 1984, nearly 6,000 New Jersey residents have been trained and certified as Rutgers Master Gardeners. The program has grown substantially over the past 25 years, with approximately 3,000 active Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers in 18 county programs. Annual classes train approximately 360 residents seeking to attain the Rutgers NJAES Master Gardener certification. Native landscapes, community gardening, the Garden Helpline, horticultural therapy and support projects, speaker bureaus, schoolyard gardens and habitats, and public health and safety projects are some examples of outreach efforts supported through this trained volunteer corps. Over the past 25 years, more than 1.3 million hours of service with value of approximately $21.5 million dollars have been realized through the Rutgers Master Gardener program. Surveys in 2008 (n=763) revealed that these volunteers were previously employed in education (23.3%), medical and health care (21.6%), business and finance (14.5%), office and administrative support (13.2%), and sales (11.7%). A separate program survey in 2009 (n=568) revealed a majority of Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers (61.4%) remained active in their first five years following the class, initial certification, and annual recertification requirements, while only 23.8% remained active from five to ten years post training. The trend continued, with only 4.9% volunteering for ten to fifteen years, and 3.7% remaining active 15-20 years as a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer. These findings should assist land grant universities delivering the Master Gardener program in reporting outcomes and impact, identifying sources of potential volunteers, and providing resources to support volunteer management.
Authors: Polanin, N.
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Polanin, N. County Agent II, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08807