Rutgers Master Gardener Program Survey Compares Volunteer, Staff and Faculty Program Perceptions
Applied Research
Ruth Carll
State Leader, Consumer Horticulture
New Brunswick
Abstract
Rutgers Master Gardeners (RMG), a 45-year-old program with over 2,000 active volunteers, assist the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in the implementation of its goals. The Extension’s goals include the provision of accurate, research-based, practical information regarding horticulture best practices to extended community of New Jersey. The program evolved organically since its inception and there has been no statewide research that examined the program’s operation and impact. In July of 2024, an extensive survey was sent to 2250 volunteers categorized “active” in the master database. This survey, Volunteer (1), solicited information regarding the volunteers’ motivation for serving, understanding of the program’s operation, training and funding and tested future program ideas. A second survey, Volunteer (2), followed which clarified, or further explored items from Volunteer (1) and added an impact assessment. A third survey, Rutgers Staff/Faculty, aimed to determine alignment of staff/faculty perception with those of volunteers as well as to examine the staff/faculty perception of the program’s operation, training and funding. A fourth survey, National, was distributed through the Extension Master Gardener list serve to staff and faculty administering their state’s Master Gardener Program. It examined the alignment of the Rutgers program with the national program to obtain a deeper understanding of Rutgers work. Both alignment and misalignment were found within and between all surveys. Areas of misalignment occurred between volunteers and faculty/staff, both at Rutgers and nationally, regarding the volunteer’s expertise, undertanding of program structure and motivation.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Ruth Carll, Belinda Chester
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Carll, R. State Leader, Consumer Horticulture, Rutgers, New Jersey, 08901
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Chester, B. Senior Program Coordinator, Rutgers, New Jersey, 08330