Definitions
Master Gardener Intern
An intern is an aspiring Master Gardener who is participating in the three (3) year Fairfax County Master Gardener Program.
Intern Training Program
Yearly training consists of 30 classroom hours and 24 hours of public or community educational efforts for a total of 90 classroom hours and 72 volunteer hours by the end of the three years. During the first year of training, all volunteer service hours must be completed by participating in 8 Plant Clinics or 7 Plant Clinics and 1 VCE Horticulture Helpline session. In the second and third year of training, the intern may continue in Plant Clinics and VCE, but may also choose to participate in other association activities to complete their volunteer requirements. These may consist of Ready, Set, Grow; Active Adults Garden Education Program, Speakers Bureau, and up to nine (9) hours of administrative duties in support of the FCMGA.
No more than two (2) classes can be missed in each year of training and all required course work must be made up. All make-ups should be completed within four weeks of the missed class and no later than May 1st of that year for first year interns and June 1st for second and third year interns. A first year intern must complete all make-ups prior to their first plant clinic.
Certified Master Gardeners
A certified Master Gardener is a person who has completed the VCE-MG training, both classroom and internship, and is actively volunteering with the Fairfax County Master Gardener Association.
Volunteer Programs
Service commitments can be met by through a variety of activities that are dependent on a Master Gardener’s experience level within the program. A chart of activities is provided below:
REQUIREMENTS
1st Yr Interns 2nd & 3rd Yr Interns Certified MGs
Education |
All MG classes |
All MG classes |
8 hours continuing education |
Volunteer Service |
24 hours
Public Outreach
8 plant clinics
or
7 clinics & 1VCE hotline shift after Aug 1st |
24 hours
Public Outreach
Choose from: plant clinics, VCE Hotline, Ready Set Grow, Speakers’ Bureau, Active Adult Centers
or
At least 15 hours of above activities and 9 hours of administrative activities |
24 hours
Any combination of Public Outreach
and/or
administrative activities |
Note: All interns and Certified MG’s may accumulate MORE than the required number of hours. The required numbers are the least needed to remain active in the program.
Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures
Missed Classes
Interns can miss no more than two (2) classes in each of the three years and all required course work must be made up and submitted to the Vice President of Training.
Making up a class includes:
· Watching the DVD of the presentation missed.
· Reading the corresponding chapter
· Completing the take-home quiz
All make-ups should be completed within four weeks of the missed class and no later than May 1st of that year for first year interns and June 1st for second and third year interns. A first year intern must complete all make-ups prior to their first plant clinic.
Master Gardener Recertification
Master Gardeners who desire to remain active after completing their initial training and volunteer internship commitments are required to complete an annual recertification process. This process insures that Master Gardeners are trained in current, up-to-date information. Recertification consists of 32 hours annually spent in training and service, as described in the following paragraph.
A minimum of eight (8) hours of recertification training is required annually (hours to be spent in further developing and sharpening horticultural and educational program delivery skills). This training obligation can be met through continuing education programs offered through the Virginia Master Gardener Association; lecture style presentations at local MG meetings; advanced training credits earned through participation in the annual MG College in June at Virginia Tech; or college credits. The local VCE-MG coordinator must approve all recertification-training activities.
Inclement Weather Cancellation Policy
If Fairfax County Public Schools are cancelled for the entire day due to inclement weather, the Master Gardener classes (both day and evening) will also be cancelled.
If Fairfax County Public Schools open late, or close early, then the Master Gardener classes (both day and evening) will be held as scheduled. If FCMGA decides that our classes should be cancelled, an email will be sent to the members. Cancellation updates will also be recorded on the FCMGA phone line (703-968-3018 x3500).
Attendance Sign-In
All Interns and Certified Master Gardeners must sign in for attendance each week. Interns must attend all ten classes and make up any missed sessions. Certified Master Gardeners who have chosen the “with class” option at the time of registration will receive continuing education credit for attendance toward their recertification hours, and therefore, will not have to submit them separately.
Parking at Merrifield Garden Center
During class sessions, Master Gardeners can park on the left side of the Merrifield building or in the back of the garden center near the lab.
Merrifield Garden Center is open for business during most of the class hours. The parking spaces directly in front of the Merrifield building must be left available for customers. Parking on the access road is prohibited.
Volunteer Responsibilities
When a Master Gardener or intern enrolls in the Fairfax County Master Gardener program, they make a commitment to volunteer a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours during that calendar year. These volunteer hours are served at Neighborhood Plant Clinics; Ready, Set, Grow; Gardening Seminars at Active Adult Center Gardening Education Program; Speakers Bureau; Writers’ Group; FCMGA administrative duties or other Fairfax County Extension sponsored events. They agree to abide by job descriptions, guidelines, and policies of the Master Gardener program.
When a Master Gardener or intern signs up for a Plant Clinic or other activity (e.g., VCE Hotline, speaking engagement), it is her/his responsibility to follow-through on the commitment. In the event that a volunteer is unable to be present at their volunteer location, it is the responsibility of that volunteer to find an alternate by following the steps below:
· Contact another Master Gardener/intern scheduled on another day at the same volunteer location or another location. Determine if that volunteer can make a swap.
· After completing a swap, notify the volunteer location chairperson (s) about the volunteer change.
Membership Registration Deadline
To aid in planning for classes and volunteer service commitments, it is necessary to establish a registration deadline. The registration form and membership dues must be returned to the Fairfax County Master Gardener Association Registrar no later than November 1st (prior to the membership year), unless otherwise specified on the form, in order to maintain active membership for the next year. There will be no exceptions for late registration.