Guidelines for a Master Gardener
outreach project

The Master Gardener program is about education. Master Gardeners provide information to the public about horticulture-related topics. They work from each of our eight Extension Centers located throughout the state, as well as through various community-based outreach programs and projects. Master Gardener volunteers are ambassadors for the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System (UConn CES) and, as such, their goal is to be helpful and dispense the most accurate and up-to-date information to the public.

Acceptable outreach projects

Cooperative Extension system Center-sponsored projects

Acceptable outreach projects associated with UConn Cooperative Extension System Centers include CES sponsored activities such as garden/environmental exhibits, county fairs, lectures or public presentations, and garden projects through or located at the local Extension Center.

External projects

Acceptable outreach projects external to UConn CES Centers include outreach educational activities, class teaching, and educational gardening activities. Such activities can include the following:

• Talks to garden clubs, service organizations, etc.
• Demonstrations
• Articles for local newspapers, the Connecticut Master Gardeners Association (CMGA) newsletter, or other publications. A maximum of five (5) hours per article is allowed for researching and writing articles.  Please note students are limited to a maximum of  three (3) articles.
• Educational gardening activities such as advising school or community gardening efforts, and projects located at public sites such as parks, historic properties or other public open spaces. Manual labor for such activities that have been approved by the Master Gardener Coordinator is allowed up to a maximum of five hours.
• Teaching of horticulture classes such as at club meetings, training classes and seminars sponsored by organizations (CMGA, etc.)
• CMGA activities that develop or implement educational programs such as the annual symposium, mini-symposiums, etc.

Unacceptable outreach projects

• Church-sponsored projects, unless the project is for the education of the general public. A private memorial garden, or gardens on the grounds of the church – if not generally available to the public – are not considered to be for the public good and therefore are not acceptable.
• Non-educational projects for the private or commercial sector.
• Paid work, such as work in support of the “green industry”, is not acceptable. Volunteering of equipment or services for certain projects may be acceptable. The key word is volunteer.

• Continual maintenance and upkeep of gardens (i.e. weeding) is not a Master Gardener function and does not qualify for outreach hours.

• Outreach at one private residence is not acceptable.

Project request procedures

For timely consideration, requests must be submitted in writing to the local UConn CES Master Gardener program coordinator every March. Opportunities to speak to the current Master Gardener Class regarding your request may be available upon approval of the MG Coordinator. Please understand that projects are presented on a first come first serve basis and students are free to choose their project. No guarantee can be given that any particular project will be accomplished.

If you are uncertain whether a potential project is acceptable, please contact your local Master Gardener Program Coordinator, or Cyndi Wyskiewicz, State Master Gardener Program Coordinator at the UConn Home and Garden Education Center, 1380 Storrs Road, U-4115, Storrs, CT 06269-4115 or call the Education office at 1-860-486-6343.

UConn Cooperative Extension System mission statement

“The mission of the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension system is to extend knowledge and research information to the citizens of Connecticut for the purpose of identifying and addressing agricultural, environmental, food and fiber, family living, and community issues. It provides a link between knowledge and its useful application between the results of university-level research and the needs of Connecticut citizens.”

“The University of Connecticut policy prohibits discrimination in education, employment, and in the provision of services based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disable veteran status, physical or mental disability, learning disability, mental retardation, [and] other specifically covered mental disabilities, [and criminal records that are not job-related].

Thank you for your interest in the UConn Master Gardener Program.  Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your local Cooperative Extension office, listed below, and speak to a Master Gardener Program Coordinator.

Master Gardener county program coordinators

Fairfield County: Sandi Wilson (203) 207-3261

Hartford County: Sarah Bailey (860) 570-9013

Litchfield County: Pat Eldredge (860) 626-6240

Middlesex County: John Castagno (860) 345-5234

New Haven County: Mira Schachne (203) 407-3167

New London County: Susan Munger (860) 885-2823

Tolland County: Mary Collins (860) 870-6934

Windham County: Kim Kelly (860) 774-9600

Master Gardener Outreach Project Form (pdf)
Outreach Hours Report Form (pdf)