Extension volunteers make waves in their communities (2021)

ISSUE

Delaware Cooperative Extension brings university knowledge and resources to the people of Delaware — a mission driven mainly by the organization's agents, faculty and staff. But reaching the population of an entire state is inherently difficult, and limitations on capacity, funding and in-person programming can be challenging to overcome.

RESPONSE

Delaware Cooperative Extensions' unique volunteer programs increase our ability to engage with the citizens of our state with a personal, community-oriented approach.

In 2021, these groups received extensive training in topics ranging from each program's subject matter to interpretive program design and evaluation, citizen science concepts, PSE community-level change theory and virtual learning/educating skills. In many of these programs, certifications relevant to the subject areas is also achieved at the completion of training.

IMPACT

Master Gardeners

The 2021 training class consisted of 57 Master Gardener trainees from New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. They are expected to complete the training program (course of study), volunteer 40 hours and gain an additional 5 hours of advanced training by Dec. 31, 2022, to become a certified Master Gardener.

Master Naturalists

Of the 46 participants eligible to receive full certification this year, 23 have graduated. The majority of the other half are still continuing their efforts to achieve certification. There will be an additional 54 eligible to receive full certification in 2022.

All three cohorts have begun their volunteer service with their respective Local Organizing Partners, and many have given above and beyond the 40 hours per year requirement. This has resulted in more than 1000 volunteer hours performed by Delaware Master Naturalists across 14 different organizations statewide.

Master Beekeepers

Of the approximately 32 candidates tested, ten will become Master Beekeepers that will go on to serve and educate in their state.

Master Wellness Volunteers

Three new volunteers were trained in the Well Connected Community Master Wellness Volunteer Curriculum. Added to the existing volunteers, 20 are continuing to engage virtually in health and wellness activities (training and events). To date, there are three school and community garden coordinators, one mindfulness and well-being coordinator and 16 master food educators. Volunteers have engaged in 71.5 hours of service for Extension.

4-H Health & Wellness Ambassadors

At present, there are 31 teens ages 12-18 enrolled from the 2021 year. Trained in topics including EFNEP Building My Body, Healthy Habits Up for the Challenge, Soccer for Success and Botvin LifeSkills Prescription Drug Abuse, these teens took their knowledge to their communities, reaching a total of 399 youth.

4-H youth and adult volunteers

Thirty-one youth and leaders attended a 4-H virtual training event to learn how to offer a virtual Critical Thinking Judging Contest to allow more youth to be involved and increase participation.

PUBLIC VALUE STATEMENT

Training offered through Delaware Cooperative Extension enables our Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Master Beekeepers, Master Wellness Volunteers, 4-H Health & Wellness Ambassadors and 4-H youth and adult volunteers to extend our reach beyond current audiences, bringing university knowledge and resources to the people of Delaware.