Volunteer Projects
Master Gardeners volunteer service to their community, and report amount of time and the activities to their local Extension office on a calendar year basis. There are hundreds of ways to complete your volunteer hours. Your local facilitator, or local association members, may provide opportunities for you to participate in already-established activities. But if these are not readily available you may choose other activities such as giving talks at public events; designing and staffing exhibits, displays, or demonstrations at local fairs or other events; writing articles on horticultural topics for local newspapers; making presentations to 4-H groups, youth organizations, or youth clubs; or designing or planting park gardens and public areas. It’s always a good idea to obtain your Agent’s approval for these projects before you embark on them, however! UW-Extension and the local Agent determines what is acceptable as volunteer service in your county and some have more stringent policies than at the state level.
MGVs may work at the local county Extension Office or other sites and locations. Some volunteers perform tasks that can be done after hours at home or another site, such as research, writing, telephone calling, helping with meetings, and record keeping. Volunteer work should generally be done within the county; however, special arrangements can be made with the Extension agent or designated coordinator to participate in activities outside the county (e.g. Farm Technology Days, regional and state meetings).
