ATTENTION ALL MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS! THIS IS A CRITICAL COVID-19 UPDATE FROM THE WI MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM. PLEASE READ THIS THOROUGHLY AS IT WILL IMPACT YOUR VOLUNTEERISM ACTIVITIES AND HOURS. THIS ARTICLE CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON THE STATE WEBSITE FOR THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: WEBSITE LINK TO THE WI MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM COVID-19 UPDATE
Please contact your local coordinator, Julie Hill, for questions and concerns – julie.hill@wisc.edu or 262-741-4958 (voicemail).
Halt to Master Gardener Program volunteer activities
[This has been updated from the original post]
Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak and guidelines from Wisconsin Department of Health Services, UW-Madison, and federal agencies:
All Master Gardener Program volunteer requirements are suspended for the remainder of the year. This means MGVs will be able to report less than 24 hours of volunteer activity and still be able to maintain certification status. The 10 hour minimum of Continuing Education remains in place.
Do NOT let the volunteer requirements of the program jeopardize your health and well-being; Our priority is for you to stay home and be healthy.
The following activities are cancelled for now through May (please anticipate longer):
- Face to face activities regardless of number attending including meetings, educational activities, and other volunteer activities
- Bus trips
- Plant sales
The following activities are currently allowable (subject to change):
- Ongoing online continuing education activities approved by Extension staff.
- Volunteerism that can be done from home, such as newsletter creation, social media updates, and similar.
- Meetings, using phone and webinar technology.
The situation will continually be assessed and updates will be provided.
I know this is a disappointing situation for many of you. It is a necessary step for the protection of volunteers, staff, and clientele; and we hope to reduce the stress and burden on volunteers and staff as we work remotely.
For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and your county health department.
Being a Master Gardener is about becoming a VOLUNTEER with the University of Wisconsin-Extension to help educate the public about gardening and natural resources. It’s not about knowing everything about gardening. It’s about learning to ask the right questions and knowing how to look up information from appropriate resources. Being a Master Gardener is about helping deliver meaningful community programs to improve the well-being of individuals and communities, to protect natural resources, and to help keep fresh fruits and vegetables on the table. It’s about working in tandem with UW-Extension staff and other volunteers to make a difference in the places we live, learn, and work.
What is a Master Gardener Volunteer?
The Walworth County Master Gardener Volunteer Association (WCMGVA) is a group of men and women throughout the county that have completed training and certification through the University of Wisconsin’s Master Gardener Program. Our members volunteer in a variety of activities that support our community and our environment. We also strive to share research based horticultural information with people in our community.
To become a Master Gardener, you must achieve certain certification and training requirements:
Training and Certification Requirements
Master Gardener Level 1 Training
Visit the Walworth County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Page
Master Gardener Calendar Of Events
For more information on the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, take a look at the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program website
Visit our Youtube Channel for the Master Gardener Program and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to keep up with everything Master Gardener!
Master Gardener Program Youtube Channel
