BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE YAVAPAI COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM THROUGH VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
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The Yavapai County Master Gardener program serves a large geographic area in northern Arizona with varied elevations and two population centers. The program offers an annual training course to 40 applicants to increase horticultural knowledge and provide volunteer opportunities. Master gardeners want to help their communities, learn, and socialize while volunteering. Over 10 years, formalizing volunteer coordination through a coordinator and association committees increased volunteer hours by 550%, clients served by 235%, and active master gardeners by 124%, boosting the program's value to communities.
![BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE YAVAPAI COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM THROUGH VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT J. W. Schalau 1 and M. C. Barnes 2 Program Location Yavapai County covers 8,125 sq. miles in north central Arizona with elevations ranging from 1,900 to 8,000 feet. The current population is 209,000 with most people living in one of two population centers (Prescott/ quad-cities and Cottonwood/ Verde Valley). An Extension office serves each area. Program Background Jeff Schalau has been ANR Agent in Yavapai County since July 1998. His programming efforts are evenly divided between horticulture and natural resources. Master Gardener is the cornerstone of the county’s horticulture programming. Mary Barnes has served as the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator since 2004. She facilitates communication and tracks volunteer service for the Master Gardener Program. The Yavapai County Master Gardener Program offers one training course each year to 40 applicants. The training course alternates between the two county population centers. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],About the Authors 1 Associate Agent, ANR, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Prescott, Arizona E-mail: jschalau@ag.arizona.edu 2 Yavapai County Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator (unpaid position), University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Prescott, Arizona Master Gardeners providing horticultural information at the Prescott Farmer’s Market. 2007 Yavapai County Master Gardener class photo. Website: cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/mastergardener/ Capacity Building Landmarks Results/Discussion Over a ten year period, Yavapai County Master Gardener volunteer hours per year increased by 550%, number of clients served per year increased by 235% and the number of active Master Gardeners increased by 124%. In addition, the value of Master Gardener service to county communities increased by 771% ($24,868 to $216,541/yr). Formalized volunteer coordination was provided by a volunteer coordinator (a volunteer position) and committees within the Association. These were critical to achieving increased volunteer engagement. Through expanded educational opportunities, recognition, and social interaction, Yavapai County Master Gardeners are more likely to remain engaged and provide science-based horticultural information to their communities. Yavapai County Master Gardeners socializing before a Master Gardener Association meeting. Map of Yavapai County showing the two major population centers.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/buildingcapacityposterannconf2008-1220384314617322-9/85/BUILDING-THE-CAPACITY-OF-THE-YAVAPAI-COUNTY-MASTER-GARDENER-PROGRAM-THROUGH-VOLUNTEER-ENGAGEMENT-1-320.jpg)
