UConn Master Gardener

Job Opening Master Gardener (Educational Program Coordinator)

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Master Gardener (Educational Program Coordinator)

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Search #: 497171
Work type: Full-time
Location: Other – please see posting for additional information
Categories: Academic Programs and Services

JOB SUMMARY

This Master Gardener (Educational Program Coordinator) position ensures the effective and consistent function of the UConn Extension Master Gardener program in developing trained volunteers who can assist the general public with horticultural issues and educate on home garden horticultural/environmental concerns. The successful candidate will oversee, support and guide the county coordinators, schedule and coordinate instructors for the educational component of the program and work with the department head to find resolutions to any program challenges. They will also lead county Master Gardener activities in one designated county. They will work with the Department of Extension administrative coordinator on the management and administration of funding in support of the program. This position receives supervision from the Department Head for UConn Extension.

The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut provides for a global sustainable future through scientific discovery, innovation, and community engagement. Our accomplishments result in safe, sustainable, and secure plant and animal production systems, healthier individuals and communities, greater protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources, balanced growth of the economy, and resilient local and global communities. We epitomize the role of the land-grant university which is to develop knowledge and disseminate it through the three academic functions of teaching, research, and outreach education. In so doing, we work to improve the lives of citizens of our state, region, and country. At present, our workforce consists of 315 faculty and staff. We invite applications from people who share the same vision of academic excellence and customer service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include but are not limited to:

  1. Oversight of planning and coordination of the UConn Master Gardener program, including working with county/local programs. Ensure standardized classroom procedures and policies are carried out consistently in all programs.
  2. Assist in the development of advanced Master Gardener Classes, online programming, educational events, production of newsletters, and other publications relevant to the UConn Master Gardener program.
  3. Work in one county to administer the local program, teach classes and assist with public service calls as they relate to the Master Gardener program, and perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
  4. Serve as liaison between the University and volunteers for the development and coordination of the Master Gardener program.
  5. Work on statewide Master Gardener program procedures, responding to staff, volunteer, and participant inquiries and issues regarding program procedures, requirements, and policies.
  6. Focus on integrating Master Gardener programs with the CAHNR Strategic Vision Implementation Committees.
  7. Support recruitment efforts of new participants and volunteers for the Master Gardner program.
  8. Ensure the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date program records as they relate to volunteer service. Direct processes for maintaining program records, files, and paperwork associated with the program’s educational, volunteer, and participant records.
  9. Develop fundraising programs to support the program’s needs.
  10. Work with administrative program support for the Department of Extension to ensure budget and fundraising goals are met to support the program. Assists as needed with general administrative functions including but not limited to preparing correspondence, entering, compiling, and retrieving computer data for reporting on program impact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three to four years of profession-based experience; or seven to eight years of profession-based experience serving in a professional capacity directly related to the field of education, Extension, or horticulture.
  2. Demonstrated ability to apply a range of educational concepts, techniques, and practices to carry out program objectives.
  3. Ability to evaluate and produce reliable results.
  4. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.
  5. Proven experience and skills in program management and program development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Graduation from the UConn Master Gardener program.
  2. A proven passion for public and home horticulture and experience in urban gardening.
  3. Bilingual language abilities.
  4. Demonstrated capacity to manage and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  5. Experience with social media management, specifically Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
  6. Ability to organize and facilitate meetings and presentations with large groups.
  7. Skilled in managing multiple priorities and projects while keeping track of details.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position, covering both county and state Master Gardner responsibilities. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at www.jobs.uconn.edu, Staff Positions, Search #497171. Please provide a cover letter explaining your interest and why you meet all minimum qualifications including addressing desired qualifications as appropriate, a resume, three professional, work-related references, and a one-page document on how the applicant believes the UConn Master Gardener program integrates with the CAHNR Strategic Vision.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on March 10, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

Advertised: Feb 08 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Mar 10 2023 Eastern Standard Time

Recognizing Diane Gawronski, UConn Master Gardener, for Receiving Haddam Historical Society Award

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We love sharing the accomplishments of Master Gardeners! Diane Gawronski, MG Middlesex Class of 2022, was honored this year with an award by the Haddam Historical Society. See their full post below:
“This year the Haddam Historical Society acknowledged garden volunteer Dr. Diane Gawronski, DMD with the Founders’ Day Award. Diane has been responsible for our spectacular vegetable garden for the past two summers. This year she created an assortment of historic garden trellises including a tomato table and bean teepee. The center teepee not only featured a variety of beans but morning glory and moon flower. Squash and melons grew on a stick trellis and herbs were protected by stick stockades. Diane created an easy- to -read hand-out on “The Historic Art of Garden Trellising” and shared her knowledge with visitors and groups on her creating this delightful space.
Diane came to us as volunteer with the Master Gardener Program and created an artistic masterpiece in our little historic garden. Thank you, Diane.”
Diane Gawronski in front of the Garden Trellis Teepee Historical Article about the art of trellising
A different angle of the trellised beans A different angle of trellised beans

Master Gardener Calendar 2023

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We are excited to present the 2023 UConn Master Gardener Calendar in Digital and Printable form. This calendar was compiled using photography and tips shared from Master Gardeners in New Haven County. The calendar includes information about our programming, resources for more information, insect highlights and the official Plant Hardiness Zone map of Connecticut and Rhode Island. The incredible work of these volunteers produced a document that is available for print at home, in one of the two following formats. Add your celebrated holidays to the calendar and use it all year long!

Full Calendar Available for Download Here

We will be sharing the calendar in smaller chunks throughout the year as well on any of our Master Gardener Social Media sites.

If this piques your interest for more gardening content, visit our articles at:

https://mastergardener.uconn.edu/resources/

Or the Home and Garden Factsheets:

https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/

Job Opening: Fairfield County Master Gardener Coordinator

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Position Description

UConn Extension Master Gardener Coordinator

Lower Fairfield County

The UConn Extension Master Gardener Program is seeking applications for the position of Master Gardener Program Coordinator for Lower Fairfield County, based at the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford, CT. This is a 16-hour-per-week position and is a temporary, six month appointment.

Renewal is optional pending coordinator review and availability of program funding.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: provide leadership for the Master Gardener Program in southern Fairfield County. Successful candidate will coordinate staffing of program mentors, volunteers and interns; work with UConn Extension center/county based faculty and staff, as well as university based faculty and staff as needed. Will also need to work with allied community groups and Extension partners such as the CT Master Gardener Association; train and supervise interns when classroom teaching is completed; arrange for and conduct Advanced Master Gardener classes each year; develop and coordinate outreach programs and projects with community organizations in southern Fairfield County, including the Bartlett Arboretum. They will prepare annual reports on program activities, impacts, incomes, outcomes (number of clientele contacts); and communicate effectively with the state coordinator, other county coordinators, and the Bartlett Arboretum staff. Monthly reports shall be communicated to the state coordinator and topical information may be shared with others as requested.

Preference will be given to candidates who are Certified Master Gardeners, or with a degree in horticulture, botany, biology or equivalent experience. Interested applicants should possess strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills and be able to show initiative. They should be able to demonstrate experience in working collaboratively as well as independently, and be willing to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends. Must be familiar with Microsoft Office and familiar with the online class experience.

Volunteer experience is desired.

Submit letter of application, resume and names of three references to:
Sarah Bailey, State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator at sarah.bailey@uconn.edu
Please put Master Gardener Coordinator Position in the subject line.

Screening will begin immediately.

Grow With Us

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Do you have a gardening question? Or insect to identify? UConn Extension Master Gardeners provide horticultural education and advice. Submit your question online or contact one of our offices. Our trained volunteers and staff will provide you with information. There is no charge for our services. We are here to serve the community. Learn more at https://mastergardener.uconn.edu/

Meet Carl Johnson: Plant Diagnostic & Horticulture Intern

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Hello! My name is Carl Johnson I am the Plant diagnostic & Horticulture intern at the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab. I am a graduate of the Ratcliffe Hicks plant science program(RHSA) and am going into my senior year as a Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems (SPSS) major. Before enrolling in UConn I worked as a grower at Logee’s greenhouse in Danielson, CT. I am also the student worker in the Floriculture greenhouse on campus and have spent several semesters working as a lab assistant for the Lubell-Brand lab in the Plant Science department at UConn. I am the President of the UConn Horticulture Club and an avid plant collector and horticulturalist.

This summer I will be completing my internship online under the supervision of Abby Beissinger and the team of professionals at the UConn Home and Garden Education Center (HGEC). My projects this summer will include adding to the already extensive collection of educational resources and fact sheets for the diagnostic lab and the HGEC. I will also be assisting with plant ID in addition to plant pest and disease diagnosis, a service the diagnostic lab provides to the community and nurseries across the state. I will also be helping compile the monthly Plant Diagnostic Report for the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab, Home & Garden Education Center, and Extension Master Gardener Clinics. I’m excited to be a part of such an important branch of UConn extension and am grateful to have this opportunity to work with such knowledgeable people.

Raised beds for my vegetable garden?

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Raised BedsThere’s a growing interest in using raised beds in vegetable gardens, and if that’s your interest, read on. It’s always a good idea to plan a project before jumping in and consider the many variables. Let’s explore some of these.

Why you’re considering raised beds. Many people are interested in raised beds as a way to eliminate as much bending and stooping over in the garden as possible; the higher the beds, the less bending required as you tend your plants. This, in turn, will impact the type of material your beds are made of and the amount of soil your beds will have in them. If you’re interested in portable raised beds (perhaps to be able to move your beds during the day to get the maximum amount of sunlight), that will limit the size each bed will be and what they’re made from.

Space needs and sizes of beds. If you’re a patio-gardener, and have limited space, your beds will need to be smaller than if you set beds within a larger garden area. What you want to grow can also determine the size of your beds. For example, herb gardens fit nicely in smaller beds, while tomatoes, root vegetables, and many other crops need beds that are deeper and larger. If you want to use raised beds with walls, a bed that is wider than four feet will be more difficult to tend; a length of more than eight feet will require more movement to get around the bed itself. The layout of raised beds that are simply mounded soil hills, without structured walls, can much more easily be changed than structured beds with walls.

Materials for raised beds. Raised bed kits are readily available, especially online, and made from a variety of materials, including wood and plastic. Will you buy raised bed kits, which can be expensive, or create your own? If you create your own raised beds, will they be very simply made from highly-mounded soil in your garden, or will they have a solid, box-like structure? If they’re structured, what will they be made from…. wood, concrete block, brick, or plastic? Some materials are more readily available than others, some will last longer outside than others, some are more decorative and easier to disassemble and move, and prices will vary, depending on what you choose.

Irrigation needs of plants in raised beds. Soil in raised beds generally dries out more quickly, since air circulation around the perimeter of the bed contributes to drying, so your garden may need to be watered more frequently. Whether you water by hand, sprinkler, or soaker hoses, it’s important to check the amount of moisture in the soil when setting a watering schedule. As with a ground-level garden, mulching will help retain soil moisture. If you decide to use soaker hoses, it’s helpful to draw a layout of your garden and how the hoses will be laid out to assure that you can water each bed when necessary, especially if some plants need more water than others. Hose layout is also important to plan so that you don’t end up with raised hoses draping from one bed to another, making it more difficult to move among the beds.

Overall, gardening in raised beds can be very rewarding, and much easier if you take the time to plan before you build. If you’re unsure if using raised beds is the right choice for you, start with one or two small raised beds, learn as you go along, and determine what best meets your gardening needs for the future. If you have further questions, you can contact the UConn Extension Master Gardeners at https://mastergardener.uconn.edu/ask-us-a-question/

Article by Linette Branham, 2019 UConn Extension Master Gardener

How To Weed Your Garden: How Often, What to Weed, Tips or Best Management Practices

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Yellow FlowerAny undesirable plant in your garden can be labeled a weed. The vegetables or flowers you want to grow will be robbed of nutrients, moisture, light, and space if weeds are not managed. Weeds seem to always outpace the desired plants in growth. They can also harbor insects and diseases.

To be fair, it needs to be noted that some “weeds” in our gardens have a positive side in other circumstances, such as when not surrounding our tomato plant. Many weeds play a healing role in restoring worn-out soil or prevent erosion. Many also provide nectar and shelter for beneficial insects, and can be a food source for animals.

Common garden weeds in our area include annual bluegrass, crabgrass, henbit, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy), nutsedge, prickly lettuce, broadleaf plantain and, of course, the dandelion! The best way to know if a self-invited plant on your territory is a potential friend or foe is to get to know your weeds. We can’t eradicate the weeds but we can learn about the ways to manage them.

For weed control it really all comes down to well-timed physical measures. Preparing the ground properly for planting and doing modest clean up often results in a good-looking and productive result.

The simple rule to live by is to avoid procrastinating by waiting for weeds to mature and set seed. Whether annuals, perennials, or biennials, weeds are famous for their rapid seeding and spreading ability.

Hand pull in small enclosed garden spaces. Loosen the soil around the weed with a hand fork so you can remove it with its root. Be careful not to pull flowers or vegetables if weeds are too close to them. Practice close planting when possible to suppress weeds.
Hoeing is the most useful and easiest method to remove the plants you don’t want. Skim the soil surface, don’t dig in too deep to avoid hurting the roots of your plants, and avoid bringing up more seeds to the surface. Hoe on a warm, dry day so the weeds wilt and die quickly after hoeing.

Remove stems and leaves from the garden beds as they may root. Do not compost any weeds that
have set seeds!

Mulching is an effective deterrent to weed growth. When weeds do come up they are usually lanky and can be easily hand pulled. Hay, straw, wood chips, and compost are all natural mulches that work well to smother weeds, and are a good buffer to protect the soil from evaporation and erosion. For large flower areas or vegetable beds, landscape fabric or plastic roll-out weed barriers can be installed, with or without a covering of mulch.

Also, consider where the weeds are, and their amount. If they are in the lawn and there are only a few of them, hand weeding will be more efficient. If the weeds have overtaken an entire bed, hoeing or digging them out may be the best action to take.

Most garden spaces can be managed with physical and cultural controls. If you do chose to use an herbicide, make sure the product is right for your situation – both for the weed in question and the location. Follow the instructions for correct timing and application rates and wear the appropriate personal protective gear.

If you have further questions, you can contact the UConn Extension Master Gardeners at:
https://mastergardener.uconn.edu/ask-us-a-question/

Article by Tatiana Ponder, 2020 UConn Extension Master Gardener Intern

Deadline Extended – Become a UConn Extension Master Gardener

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working in garden
Hartford County Master Gardener Coordinator Sarah Bailey and a Master Gardener volunteer work in Burgdorf. Photo: Chris Defrancesco.

UConn Extension is accepting applications for the 2017 Master Gardener Program. Master Gardener interns receive horticultural training from UConn, and then share knowledge with the public through community volunteering and outreach efforts. Enrollment in the UConn Extension Master Gardener program is limited and competitive.

“Gardening and the study of it is something we can do our whole lives,” says Karen Linder, a 2015 graduate of the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. “There is always something new to learn – we can get deeper into a subject. Our instructors truly brought subjects to life that I thought could not be made exciting. Who knew soil had so much going on? It has truly changed the way I think and observe the world around me. That is pretty amazing!”

The program is broad-based, intensive, and consists of 16 class sessions (one full day per week) beginning January 9, 2017. The Master Gardener program includes over 100 hours of classroom training and 60 hours of volunteer service. Individuals successfully completing the program will receive UConn Extension Master Gardener certification. The program fee is $425.00, and includes the training manual. Partial scholarships may be available, based on demonstrated financial need.

“Working at the Courthouse Garden signature project in Hartford gave me the opportunity to use my gardening skills to help feed and educate others,” says John Vecchitto, a 2015 graduate from Hartford County. “We’re teaching others, many of whom have never gardened, to enjoy the gardening experience. People expressed their satisfaction when they heard the produce we grew would go to a shelter to help hungry people. We fed those who needed good food, and we fed the spirits of our participants with a taste of kindness. It was empowering.”

Classes will be held in Haddam, West Hartford, Bethel, Brooklyn, and Stamford. The postmark deadline for applications has been extended until Friday, November 18, 2016. 

For more information or an application, call UConn Extension at 860-486-9228 or visit the UConn Extension Master Gardener website at: www.mastergardener.uconn.edu.