To find out more about these and other opportunities for learning associated with the Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program click on any of the topics below: Get an idea of what you'll do as a Master Gardener - Master Gardener Projects See what Master Gardeners will be learning about this year - Most Current Curriculum View pictures of Master Gardeners at work - Pictures Connect to other Gardening Websites - Links Gardening Sites Check out available publications - Master Gardener Publications Return to the Master Gardener Information Center |
Request more information by email. |
In the news -- Garden Tours MG Book Volunteer Office Staff Union County Fair New Volunteer Hours Form Interim Survey & Report |
If you would like to become a Master Gardener, write, call, or email: Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program 10507 N. McAlister Road La Grande, OR 97850 (541) 963-1010 |
Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed for several upcoming projects. We need both chairs for projects and participants, days, evenings, and weekends. We'll be expanding the number and type of projects available so everyone should be accommodated regardless of your schedule. The first new project for accumulating more volunteer hours is becoming a member of our On-Call Network. This is brand new and in the early stages of development but should be easy for those who are comfortable with plant problem diagnosis. And for those of you who can meet the requirements this may be the most flexible way (time wise) to help meet your volunteer requirement. Requirements for participation in the On-Call Network: >You need to know the basics of plant problem diagnosis: what questions to ask, etc. >You must have an answering machine. We need those who can be reached during Extension Office business hours (8 AM till noon and 1 to 5 PM) and I would never dream of expecting anyone to stay by the phone that much as you'll be signing up for a week at a time. >You must have the time and means to get to the Extension Office sometime during business hours if necessary. It MAY be necessary to come in to examine a sample dropped off by someone with a question. The office is locked during the lunch hour. >You will need reference materials at home to research questions from the public OR expect to go to the Extension Office during business hours (8 AM till noon and 1 to 5 PM) to do the necessary research to find the solution. >You must agree to contact the individual within 24 hours. That isn't to say you have to have a solution for them within that time frame. You do need to contact them, get details, and let them know you're working on finding the answer to their question. >Occasionally, it MAY be necessary to visit someone's home to see the problem, the environment, etc. first hand. Sometimes this just makes it easier for you and sometimes you may have someone with a question that has no idea what you're asking when you attempt to get details of the problem. Remember YOU are the Master Gardener. If you'd like to participate in this new program, check your calendar, pick a week or two (or more) that you have available, call me and schedule your time. Keep in mind that your total hours for the week will vary depending on how many MG's sign up for that week and how many questions actually are presented at the Extension Office. This program will run through the end of September and of course the number of questions will be lower at the end of the season than during the growing months. |
If you would like to become a Master Gardener, write, call, or email: Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program 10507 N. McAlister Road La Grande, OR 97850 (541) 963-1010 |
Changes to Required Volunteer Hours I've done quite a bit of searching online and found that the Union County MG's have the lowest requirement for volunteer hours (as far as I've been able to find) in the NATION!!! And that's by about half. Most states/counties require one hour of volunteer time for each hour of class time provided in the course. That's not one hour for each hour you actually attend but for a 40-hour curriculum you do 40 hours of volunteer time. For a 60-hour curriculum you do 60 hours. All new Union County MG volunteers and those who haven't maintained their MG status by completing the annual required 20 hours of volunteer time for 2001 will be required to complete at least 40 hours next year to reestablish their status or become certified MG's. The actual number required for next year will depend on the number of hours of class time provided in 2002. If this year's hours (only 20) are completed before the end of the calendar year, you will not be required to meet the increased standards (40 hour minimum) for maintaining your MG status although the annual requirement for continuing MG's may increase to 25 in 2002. This means that it's to your advantage to get your hours in this year. In addition to the increase in total number of hours required, there will probably be a requirement to complete a specific number of hours answering questions and problem solving for the public either through hours in the Extension Office or plant clinics and the new On-Call Network being set up. I've found this to be a common practice in many counties/states and since this is the main objective of the program (providing a volunteer staff to answer questions from local community residents) not all your hours can be doing labor for seniors, disabled, churches, agencies, etc. If you need hours and aren't chairing your own project or likely to get all of them in soon enough, please contact me and I can suggest some ways of completing your volunteer requirements. |
New Master Gardener Program Coordinator This is the first mailing since I've taken on the position of the Master Gardener Program Coordinator. I hope to be able to send out mailings at least quarterly to keep everyone posted on what's going on and what is coming up. If you have an email address, you could save the program some postage and receive the "early edition" of these newsletters. Just let me know where to send your email. For those of you who may not know me, I've been a MG since 1998 and have chaired a number of projects, taught gardening classes, and participated in other MG projects since then. I'll be making a number of changes to the program in the near future and I'd also like to get a MG Association Chapter started in Union County. You'll see some of the changes detailed in this newsletter and some in the future. One big upcoming change will be in the number of volunteer hours required each year to maintain your status as MG's. Currently we only require 20 hours of volunteer time annually for you to continue in the program. That is half of what I've found to be the minimum of other counties and states across the nation. For those continuing in the program, there may also be a requirement to complete a couple classes or workshops to keep your status as a Master Gardener. An Oregon Master Gardener Association chapter would not only keep us (Union County MG's) in touch throughout the year, but also enable us to do non-profit fund raising, increase the number of MG projects in the area, and thus ensure that all MG's can get all the required volunteer hours in each year. I will continue to do my requisite volunteer hours each year in addition to my job as the program coordinator as I don't want to lose my status as a Master Gardener. Last year I did about 200 volunteer hours teaching, chairing the Union County Fair Display/Clinic, etc. but I don't expect anyone to do anything close to that many hours. It's just that I had the time and interest in the program and projects. I realize that many MG's work full time (I don't) and have a hard time coordinating schedules to get their hours in. I'm hoping that I'll be able to increase the number of annual projects available to you for performing you volunteer requirement. Looking forward to working with all of you and getting to know everyone better. Katie Long |
In the news -- Garden Tours MG Book Volunteer Office Staff Union County Fair New Volunteer Hours Form Interim Survey & Report |
Fall 2001 |
Master Gardener Program Newsletter |
"People who think they can run the earth should begin with a small garden." |
Request more information by email. |
To find out more about these and other opportunities for learning associated with the Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program click on any of the topics below: Get an idea of what you'll do as a Master Gardener - Master Gardener Projects See what Master Gardeners will be learning about this year - Most Current Curriculum View pictures of Master Gardeners at work - Pictures Connect to other Gardening Websites - Links Gardening Sites Check out available publications - Master Gardener Publications Return to the Master Gardener Information Center |
