Current Advanced Training offerings are:
- Budding & Grafting
- Compost
- Earth-Kind® Landscaping – new program coming soon
- Entomology
- First Detector
- Greenhouse Management
- Herbs
- Home Fruit (South Texas)
- Junior Master Gardener (JMG)
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Propagation
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Texas Superstars®
- Tree Care
- Turf Grass
- Vegetables
Purpose: The goal of Advanced Training is to equip Extension Master Gardeners with specialized knowledge to enhance county educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Advanced Training is intended for public education purposes, not personal use.
Guidelines: Advanced Training is not designed to designate “experts” but to prepare Extension Master Gardeners to support specific county programs or projects. This training provides the knowledge and skills necessary for Master Gardeners to effectively lead projects, train peers, and conduct presentations or demonstrations.
Basic Requirement: To qualify for Advanced Training, individuals must hold current Extension Master Gardener certification and have agent approval. Typically, each county may only register two volunteers. Any potential waitlist will only be considered after registration has closed. At that time, the host county will allow one additional participant per county in waitlist order until the class is full, repeating the process if necessary. This policy is in place to ensure all counties have an equal opportunity to participate and to prevent saturation of specialists in any given county.
Training and Volunteer Requirements: Advanced Training must include a minimum of 16 hours, which can consist of classroom sessions, fieldwork, mentoring, or independent study. Upon completion, participants must contribute at least 20 volunteer hours to the designated program or project to earn their Advanced Training certificate.
Reporting Volunteer Service: After completing Advanced Training, Extension Master Gardeners are to serve as resources in their county, sharing knowledge by training other Master Gardeners and the public. Volunteer hours should be documented and reported to the trainer and the CEA, who will approve and submit the completion form on this website. These hours are used to gain Advanced Training certification and evaluate the effectiveness of the Advanced Training effort.
The agent will approve the hours and submit the electronic completion form on this website.
The trainer will keep a roster and record of all classes and report all qualifying advanced trained Master Gardeners to the Advanced Training Coordinator at the state office.
Those who complete the training and volunteer hours will receive a certificate at the county level (templates are available under Agents Only) and be recognized by name at the annual Texas Master Gardener Annual Conference, providing their forms have been submitted to the State Office. If not included in the class fee, an Advanced Training pin specific to each training may be purchased online.
An Extension Master Gardener who completes Advanced Training may use the new designation, as in:
Jim Jamieson, Advanced Master Gardener – Compost
Lindsay Smith, Advanced Master Gardener – Junior Master Gardener
Authorization: With approval of the Texas Master Gardener State Coordinator’s office, County Extension Agents and Extension Program Specialists may develop and implement Advanced Training programs according to these guidelines. While developing Advanced Training programs, counties are encouraged to communicate with the Advanced Training Coordinator throughout the development of the program and explore regional training options.
Where appropriate, multi-county and regional collaboration is encouraged when teaching Advanced Training. Using the guidelines of this document, the CEA has the sole authority to certify Advanced Trainees.
Advanced Training Components: Components of an Advanced Master Gardener Training program should include:
- Statement of goals, objectives, and activities
- Advanced Training application form
- Training curriculum and resources/manual
- Training examination
- Volunteer hour log sheet
- Recognition items (i.e., lapel pin, patch, badges, vest/shirt, apron, etc.)
- Volunteer position announcements
Clearinghouse: The State Master Gardener Coordinator’s Office will serve as a clearinghouse for Advanced Master Gardener Training programs. Curricula, slide presentations, and guidelines for Advanced Training programs should be sent to the State Coordinator’s office for archiving.
Training Coordinator Responsibilities: The Coordinator will collaborate on program application forms, prepare curriculum, establish volunteer components, keep rosters, and report volunteer hours.
Counties Interested in Hosting Advanced Training
- Contact Nicky Maddams, Advanced Training Coordinator/State Program Manager at [email protected] to discuss class options
- Obtain approval from the Advanced Training Coordinator at the State Office
- Confirm potential dates with Nicky, the Host County Agent, and the Program Specialist (trainer)
- Submit event information, registration, and agenda a minimum of eight (8) weeks prior
- Advise Nicky when registration is full to update the website and respond to inquiries
- Submit post-training documentation within 30 days
Role of Advanced Training Coordinator
- Acts as liaison between Host County and Trainer/Coordinator
- Makes the initial contact between the two groups, if necessary
- Provides suggestions regarding meals, venues, cost sharing, etc.
- Promotes the training online and via social media
- Manages the training calendar and oversees the completion paperwork
Arrangements between Host County and Trainer
- Host County arranges venue, meals, and lodging
- Host County provides registration and creates forms
- The two parties determine fees and necessary office supplies (who provides books, printouts, notebooks, pens, copies, etc.)
- Discuss necessary training supplies needed and (who provides plants, soil, containers, etc.)
- Determine division of profits; cost-sharing
Who can host Advanced Training Classes
Consistency in the quality and educational content of Advanced Training classes is essential. Classes should be led by Horticulture Agents or AgriLife Program Specialists. Other experts in the field of training may be considered. Certain subjects must be taught by designated experts only:
- Entomology – Wizzie Brown, Molly Keck
- Texas Superstars – David Rodriguez, Greg Grant
- Junior Master Gardeners – Lisa Whittlesey and the JMG Team
- Irrigation – has legalities; must use Becky Bowling, Charles Swanson
Schedule for Advanced Training Classes
Popular courses, like Propagation and Vegetables, may be offered annually. Others will follow a set schedule.
Reporting
- Hours are to be reported under Advanced Training in VMS
- Must be done electronically
Reimbursements
- Reimbursements are no longer provided by TMGA, though counties may choose to reimburse volunteers.
Recognition
- Certification is completed electronically and must be done by the Agent
- Agents may print certificates for presentation at monthly meetings or local awards ceremonies
- Names of certified Advanced Trained Master Gardeners are recognized at the Awards Ceremony, as submitted by agent
Proposal for a New Advanced Training to be submitted to [email protected]