Same Roots, New Methods: A Hybrid MGV Training Program
Teaching & Educational Technologies
Noelle Zamary
Extension Educator
The Ohio State University
Cortland
Abstract
The Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program in Trumbull County, Ohio is coordinated by the county Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator and consists of approximately 40 active volunteers. Traditionally, MGV training required 50 hours of in-person daytime instruction, which demanded extensive preparation from the Educator and limited participation to individuals not available during daytime hours. This barrier prevented many working community members from joining the program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University statewide MGV coordinators and county Educators developed a comprehensive online training module system based on the chapters of the MGV learning manual. These asynchronous modules enabled volunteer training to continue during remote operations in 2020-2021 and increased accessibility for prospective volunteers. Building on this innovation, Trumbull County has developed a hybrid onboarding model that combines the strengths of online and in-person learning. The model includes six evening in-person sessions, nine weekly asynchronous online modules, an orientation, and three to five field trips scheduled during evenings or weekends. The online modules reduce the Educator’s need to coordinate guest speakers or host additional sessions, while the in-person experiences create social connections, cohort identity, and early engagement with program expectations and county-specific policies. This hybrid approach has increased accessibility for working adults and improved time management for program staff. Trumbull County’s experience suggests that blending online flexibility with in-person relationship-building creates an effective and sustainable model for onboarding new MGV volunteers and expanding community participation in university-supported volunteer efforts. While the hybrid model has offered many benefits for potential volunteers and staff, it also comes with its own set of challenges. This presentation will focus on the timeline, technology used, and management of the hybrid model used by Trumbull County and touch on some of the strengths and weaknesses of hosting a MGV training class using this approach.
Authors: Noelle Zamary
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Noelle Zamary Extension Educator, The Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 44410