Master Gardener Volunteer Responsibilities
POSITION TITLE:
UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County of UF/IFAS Extension Broward County
Goals: To facilitate the execution of the urban horticulture program of the UF- IFAS/Broward County extension education through the participation in activities listed under duties and responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful completion of the master gardener volunteer training course given by UF- IFAS/Broward County extension education, followed by 75 hours of pre-approved volunteer activities (40 of which must be served with a certified master gardener volunteer) by September of the subsequent year; subsequent re-certification consists of a minimum of 35
Pre-approved volunteer service hours and 10 educational hours annually.
GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION:
Lorna Bravo, Urban Horticulture Agent
For approvals and reporting hours:
E-mail: LBravo1@ufl.edu Phone (954) 756-8529
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Each UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County shall follow policies set forth in the UF/IFAS3
UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County policies, in the most updated form posted on http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/ concomitant with all policies in the UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County policy statement. It is the responsibility of each UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County to be informed of any changes to those documents on the aforementioned website.
Hours required to obtain original certification after successful completion of the master gardener volunteer training course by UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County shall be 75 (seventy-five) during the first 365 days after completion of the final course exam, of which 40 must be with a master gardener mentor. In subsequent years, 35 approved volunteer service hours and 10 educational hours are required in order to maintain UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County certification.
Volunteer qualifying hours for events must be pre-approved by a member of the UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County urban horticulture program staff. Master Gardener volunteer activities qualifying for volunteer hours may include any unremunerated pre-approved activity that assists the residents of Broward County Florida or the UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County organization including, but not limited to, the following:
- Participation at the master gardener volunteer helpdesks located at UF/IFAS Extension Broward County. The primary function at the helpdesk is to answer homeowner phone calls and walk-ins dispensing research-based information on: flower & vegetable gardening, plant selection, insects, disease, & weed identification, low impact pesticide & fertilizer use, composting, recycling & mulching.
- Participation in plant shows, symposia, workshops or any local, municipal, Broward County, state, federal, or research-based, non-governmental organization, environmental education events where UF/IFAS research-based materials will be distributed, horticultural expertise is provided to residents, native plant materials are sold or given away on behalf of a governmental or nonprofit entity, sustainable landscape design or management, or integrated pest management advice is shared, Florida-friendly LandscapingTM is installed, or another relevant pre-approved activity is conducted, as determined by the UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County Urban Horticulture agent or his/her designee.
- Participation with approved not-for-profit community gardens or urban vegetable farms.
- Participation in local, municipal, Broward County, state, or federal environmental education events involving information on or mitigation of areas affected by exotic invasive species. Participation in any meetings of a homeowners’ association, condo association, local, municipal, Broward County, state or federal citizens’ environmental boards, and other activities wherein the UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County, educates the attendees on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscaping, integrated pest management principles with research-based, approved literature and other information from UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County extension education.
- Participation in meetings, conferences, or classes, taken at the expense of the volunteer, in an area that will enhance the volunteer’s skills as a master gardener volunteer (e.g., attendance at master gardener volunteer, North American butterfly, or Florida native plant society meetings, a vocational, non-degree associated class at UF/IFAS Extension, FAU, Nova Southeastern, Broward College, Bonnet House or Flamingo Gardens) or as otherwise determined in advance by the urban horticulture extension agent or his designee.
- Up to 3 hours per month may be spent on independent internet-related research where the latest EDIS and other approved publications are read, messages, photos, or files are read, replied to, or updated the respective master gardener volunteer’s training credentials.
- A minimum of 16 volunteer hours per month shall be logged for anyone elected to the master gardener board and Urban Horticulture. Advisory - or extension overall advisory council.
- Pre-approved participation in the answering of public inquiries sent to the Broward County browardmg@ifas.ufl.edu webmail box, from the extension office.
- Pre-approved presentation of sustainable landscape or integrated pest management programs before radio, television, newspaper, electronic, or other mass media where UF/IFAS EDIS or Broward County extension research-based educational materials and/or information is disseminated.
- Participation in formal or informal mentoring to other Florida Master Gardeners Volunteers, 4-H junior master gardeners, national wildlife habitat stewards, or others, as approved by UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County urban horticulture program staff.
