EmailMe Form - Master Gardener Application

The application period for 2013 Master Gardener training has closed. Any applications received at this time will be considered for the 2014 training class. Thank you!

Hello!

Thank you for your interest in the Lancaster County Master Gardener program. Our Master Gardener program is devoted to education and community service. Master Gardeners support the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension’s educational programs in the area of horticulture.

In this packet, you will find: 1) Application, 2) Master Gardener job description, 3) Master Gardener policy form, and 4) Training schedule. Please read this information carefully and completely.

If you are interested in becoming a Lancaster County Master Gardener volunteer, please send your completed application with attached policy form to our office by Friday, January 24, 2014. Applications that are not completely filled out will not be considered for review. Applications received after the submission deadline will not be eligible for this year’s program.

Interest in the Lancaster County Master Gardener Program is very high. Applications are reviewed on the basis of the information provided on the application forms, regardless of when the forms were received, there is no first-come, first-served policy.

Review of the applications does not start until after the application deadline. If your application meets with expectations, we will schedule a personal interview with you. This interview will be scheduled January 29th through February 3rd, 2014.
The cost of the training is $150.00 per applicant, which covers the cost of the Nebraska Master Gardener Handbook and other training materials.

You will be expected to pay for the class at that the end of the interview, if you are accepted into the program.

If you are unable to attend the required training dates of the Lancaster County Master Gardener Program you may want to consider training that is being offered by the Campus Based Master Gardener Program, which is held in the evening. Contact Terri James at 472-8973 for more information.

Thank you for considering the Lancaster County Master Gardener volunteer program.
Sincerely,

Sarah Browning ,
Horticulture Extension Educator

Mary Jane Frogge,
Horticulture Extension Associate

Please Note:

This application must be completely filled out, signed and received before the application deadline to be considered for the 2014 Master Gardener Program in Lancaster County.

Your Name *

First Last

Address *

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code Country

Daytime Phone

### - ### - ####

Home Phone *

### - ### - ####

Cell Phone

### - ### - ####

Email *

Years of home gardening experience. *

1. List your areas of specialization or interest. (Example: flowers, trees, etc. ) *

2. Do you have any special training or horticulture education? Yes or No.
If so, please list.

(Example: pesticide applicator's license, college course work, etc.) *

3. Have you volunteered before? Yes or No

If yes, please list where you volunteered in the past, along with your contact person and their phone number. *

What did you like about volunteering?

It is required that you recieve 40 hours of training to become a Master Gardener.

4. Will you be able to attend all seven of the Master Gardener training program dates? *

Yes

No

Why do you want to become a Master Gardener? *

What do you expect to gain from this program? *

5. Are you currently employed? *

Yes

No

If yes, do you work: *

Full time

Part time

Does not apply

After successful completion of the training program, you will be required to fulfill your volunteer service hours. Many of our programming activities will be held during the day. We need volunteers who are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.when our office is open.

6. Please check the times during the months of April to October that you will be available for volunteer service. *

Weekday mornings

Weekday afternoons

Weekday evenings

Saturdays

You will be required to contribute at least 12 hours of your volunteer time answering phone calls at the Lancaster County Extension Office, from 9 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday.

7. Will you be available from 9 a.m. to Noon to answer phone calls? *

Yes

No

Do you feel comfortable talking on the phone? *

Yes

No

8. Do you like working with youth? *

Yes

No

Do you like working with adults? *

Yes

No

9. Have you ever been convicted of a violation of the law other than a minor traffic violation? *

Yes

No

If yes, please explain.

Note: A conviction record is not an automatic denial of admission to the Master Gardener program. *

I understand that I am required to attend 40 hours of educational training and I will be required to devote a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to the Lancaster County Master Gardener program activities.

I certify that the information I have provided in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I authorize the verification of the information listed above, and understand that false information may be grounds for dismissal from this UNL Extension Master Gardener program.

Please enter your full name as your electronic signature. *

Master Gardener Volunteer Position Description

Title- Lancaster County Master Gardener Volunteer

Purpose- To support University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension's educational programs in the areas of horticulture, composting, integrated pest management, yard waste reduction and 4-H horticulture projects for residents of Lancaster County.

Position Description- Assist with dissemination of unbiased research-based information. Methods include responding to horticulture questions and inquiries via telephone, demonstrations, programs and/or workshops for the general public.

Requirements- Participate and complete 40 hours of Master Gardener training the first year and at least 15 hours of horticulture training each of the following years to remain in good standing.

Volunteer 40 hours to Lancaster County Extension horticulture programs the first year and 30 hours each of the following years. Twelve of the volunteer hours must be dedicated to answering the phone at the Lancaster County Extension Office. The remaining hours should be dedicated to Lancaster County Extension educational horticulture programs.

Work under the direction of Lancaster County Horticulture Extension Educator and Horticulture Extension Associate.

Be able to effectively communicate with the public via telephone, personal contact and written language.

Keep and submit accurate records of volunteer service hours.

The Master Gardener must be knowledgeable of and conform with the policies of UNL Extension in Lancaster County.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Master Gardener Policies

The title "Master Gardener - University of Nebraska" is to be used only and exclusively in the UNL Extension Master Gardener program in which the trained and certified Master Gardeners answer gardening questions or represent Extension in horticultural projects. In addition to the University training, Master Gardeners have diagnostic support via the UNL plant clinics in Lincoln. Master Gardeners are also provided Extension publications which discuss their plant problems. Thus, Master Gardeners are expected to identify themselves only when doing unpaid public service work in this UNL-sponsored program.

University of Nebraska Master Gardeners are advised not to advertise their names or their places of business, not to be listed on advertisements of business places as Master Gardeners. This is a University public service program providing unbiased information. Appearing as a commercial activity, having association with commercial products, or giving implied University endorsement of any product or place of business is improper.

In making recommendations which include the use of chemicals (e.g., insecticides, herbicides and fungicides), Master Gardeners are to follow published recommendations and labels. Cultural problems may be handled by suggesting treatments based on sound horticultural practices which an experienced Master Gardener considers appropriate. Questions concerning commercial production of crops and pest control on horticulture crops are to be referred to the local county Extension Educator.

The training and experience gained by functioning in the Master Gardener program are valuable and may rightfully be listed and featured as qualifications when seeking employment. Once employed, and while serving as a paid employee, or if self-employed, Master Gardeners should NOT display credentials or give the appearance of being a Master Gardener at the place of business (unless the place of business is specifically designated as a Master Gardener Clinic location by the county Extension Educator).

Experienced Master Gardeners are likely to receive invitations to speak before groups. Gratuitous payments for speaking are not a concern if such speaking activity is entirely separate from Master Gardener activities. (For example, a person who is a Master Gardener and also a member of a local Rose Society may accept payment if addressing a group as a representative of the Rose Society.) Master Gardeners may also accept gratuitous payments in the name of UNL Extension or their local Master Gardener Association. Such payments would then be transferred to the relevant organization.

Always use tact and give constructive advice rather than being disparaging of opinions or procedures you may find in error. State your counsel in situations you wish to influence by saying "this will be more effective, give better results, etc." without being damaging to the person, or place of business receiving your suggestions. Best results come from guiding people in their decisions.

Your work is much appreciated by the UNL Extension and by your local area gardeners who have received or will receive your council.

I have read and will adhere to the guidelines outlined in the general position description and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Policies Regarding Master Gardener.

Do you agree to following the policies regarding use of the title "Master Gardener" as outlined above? *

Yes

No

I have read and will adhere to the guidelines in the general position descriptions and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension policies regarding Master Gardeners.

Please enter your full name as your electronic signature. *

Date Time *

MM / DD / YYYY

You will receive a phone call to schedule an interivew by January 28th, 2014.

Tentative- 2014 Training Schedule

Dates:
February 19, 24 & 26
March 5, 17, 19, 24, 26

All classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Lancaster County Extension Office.
444 Cherrycreek Road
Lincoln, NE
Phone: (402) 441-7180