Master Gardener Programs

Master Gardener program evaluation and reporting

Who should use this guide

Extension staff involved in coordinating or providing programs related to the Master Gardener program should use the Master Gardener program reporting and evaluation guide and self review guide for MG/MN coordinators.

What is covered in the guide

Educational programs

Core training

  • Program for volunteers generally following the Master Gardener standard curriculum.
  • Reporting and evaluation for core training are handled differently depending on the course delivery type.  See core training reporting and evaluation page for detailed guide depending on training format (wholly locally organized delivery, statewide Moodle online training, and hybrid state/local delivery).
  • In all cases, individual presenters do not enter individual sessions that were part of a core training series.
  • PEARS naming format: include the words "core training"
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “core training” on the custom data page.
  • Total participants = number enrolled in whole course.  Extra attendees at specific sessions should be reported using guidance for “extra” attendees below.

Extra attendees at core training

  • Occasionally Master Gardeners who have already completed training, or others, attend core training sessions.  We want to count these participants but make sure they are differentiated from participants enrolled in the whole series.
  • If a session has extra attendees who are not enrolled in the series, enter a separate program activity for the session and list the number of session-only participants using this PEARS naming format: MG core training/Extra/topic.
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “core training” on the custom data page.

Continuing education

  • Programs designed  specifically for MG/MN continuing education only (NOT programs for the general public that may be used by volunteer as CE).
  • Report in PEARS as program activity using naming format MG/CE/Program name.
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “continuing education” on the custom data page.

Other education delivered to volunteers

  • Programs or meetings delivered to Master Gardener volunteers/trainees/interns that have planned educational content but that are not designed to be continuing education or expected to be reported as CE hours.
  • Report in PEARS as program activity using naming format MG/Program name.
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “other education for volunteers” on the custom data page.

Meetings

  • Meetings, planning sessions, and recognition ceremonies are generally NOT considered educational programs and should not be entered in PEARS.
  • Report a meeting in PEARS only if it includes planned educational content (e.g. an expert speaker), in which case it would be “other education delivered to volunteers” (above).

Volunteer-led education for the public

Volunteer-led educational programs with Extension staff present
  • Enter in PEARS if Extension-staff are present and have helped coordinate or facilitate in any way.
  • Report as program activity using naming format MG/Program name.
  • Tag VOLUNTEER (Master Gardener) as collaborator.
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “volunteer-led education for public (with staff present)”  on the custom data page.
Volunteer-led educational programs with no Extension staff present
  • MAY be entered in PEARS. This is optional but recommended to represent the full educational reach of the local MG program.
  • Report as program activity using naming format MG/Program name.
  • Tag VOLUNTEER (Master Gardener) as collaborator.
  • Report as MG/MN program type = “volunteer-led education for public (no staff at event)”  on the custom data page.

Help desks/answer services

Reporting

  • Report number of information services provided (# of responses to inquiries) if tracked locally.  Report monthly or for the calendar year.
  • This is optional but highly recommended as it is used in the Extension-wide Unit Impact Dashboard. Here is a Sample log sheet (internal) that can be used for tracking local MG program information services.
  • Link to report aggregate information services by month or year: https://go.illinois.edu/HelpDeskLog.

Evaluation

  • An optional email-based evaluation tool is available to evaluate local information services. The tool covers satisfaction (very/somewhat/not satisfied) as well as basic use and a place for comments. You can try out the survey by clicking on a test link below.
  • Example survey: Your feedback is important to us.  Please click on one of the responses below to let us know how helpful this Master Gardener information service was for you. Your response will be anonymous.
    Very helpful
    Somewhat helpful
    Not at all helpful
  • The evaluation uses custom links for each local program. Request your custom links. Summary results will be provided annually.

Extension-supported gardens

Report on all gardens that receive some Extension staff or Master Gardener support during a reporting year. Gardens may be used for demonstration, education, food donation, pollinator support, life skills training, community garden plots, and many other uses.  Garden reporting: https.gardens.extension.illinois.edu/gardens. See the Garden reporting webpage for information. 

Give back gardening home produce donation

  • For counties where Master Gardeners donate produce from home gardens, they should report the pounds of produce donated at each donation time.  On request, this reporting survey can be set to notify coordinator when an entry comes in. Contact Matt Spindler to set this up.
  • Link: https://go.illinois.edu/GiveBackGardening.
  • NOTE:  Volunteers only report donations from home gardens here, not from Extension-supported gardens.

Volunteer hours reporting

Volunteer hours reporting is in GivePulse.  See the GivePulse folder (internal) for training and tips and contact Candice Anderson with any questions.