EMG Helpline / Ask Extension (EMG & VMC)

The Extension Master Gardener Helpline, a phone hotline and online service, receives and answers gardening questions from the public. Volunteers are recruited when openings are available. The helpline is located in the Plant Diagnostic Clinic (next to the Master Gardener office) in Jeffords Hall on the UVM Campus in Burlington. Extension Master Gardener Helpline volunteers work directly with UVM faculty and staff to provide science-based sustainable gardening recommendations to the people of Vermont. EMG volunteers choose weekly three-hour shifts for staffing in-person calls and online inquiries from the general public regarding their home gardening questions. Helpline volunteers are also recruited (when openings are available) to answer gardening questions from home using the Ask Extension platform. When openings are available, an email is sent out to the EMG listserv requesting applicants to fill out a special application. This is a great way to interact with the UVM Master Gardener staff, and Plant Pathology lab to learn how to diagnose plant problems.

Gardening Columns for Vermont Media (EMG & VMC)

This is a media/writing project. Volunteers are recruited when openings are available. This opportunity entails writing timely gardening columns of 400-600 words on home horticulture topics, primarily vegetable gardening, composting, soil health, garden pests, lawn care, new gardening trends or techniques, indoor winter herb gardening, etc. that will be distributed to around 70 media outlets in the state and region. Articles must be original and have a how-to or informational angle with research-based, unbiased information similar to advice given as a Master Gardener. Writers will get a byline and may choose their own topics (providing there is no duplication), which may include examples from their own personal experiences. Volunteers willing to commit to writing several articles preferred. Full guidelines and sample columns available.

Precipitation Observer: Vermont Chapter of CoCoRaHS (EMG)

Extension Master Gardeners are invited to participate as Observers for the CoCoRaHS / Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a national network of volunteers who measure precipitation right in their own backyards. The information from these citizen scientists is critical to making a better weather forecast. CoCoRaHS volunteers take daily measurements of precipitation using a specific rain gauge and other techniques and report daily to a central website. EMGs may report CoCoRaHS activity as volunteer time. Learn more and get involved at: www.cocorahs.org. 

Additional Remote & Off Season Volunteering Ideas (EMG & VMC)

(You don’t have to get all your volunteer hours done during the summer or in-person)

• Schedule an online class and teach others how to garden. It could be a presentation or just a Q&A session. People often have lots of questions, invite them to meet you online and answer a few for them. Advertise your event on the master gardener listserv, online calendar and in your own community. Or contact Deb Heleba to help out with one-time requests for online classes. We currently have requests for classes on growing microgreens indoors, container gardens, or growing food in small spaces.
• Write and post short Facebook articles and distribute to FB coordinators (see chapter info on our website for coordinators names or contact debra.heleba@uvm.edu to help with the statewide FB or Instagram pages.)
• Work with a volunteer project leader to apply for a project grant
• Offer to make plant tags or educational signs for a demo garden near you - and contact the volunteer project leader to help
• Do that extra thing you've always wanted to do for your project but haven't had the time to do research growing that thing you've always wanted to try. Make that educational sign you've been meaning to make, or a map of the garden. Now is your chance to think about the educational value of your project and how you can enhance it next season.

Bennington Chapter Facebook Page (EMG & VMC)

This project promotes science-based posting to the EMG Bennington County Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BenningtonMasterGardeners/.

Bennington Chapter Plant Sale (EMG)

This is the Bennington Chapter plant sale fundraiser to raise funds to support projects within the Chapter, student scholarships, etc. Volunteers and local nurseries provide plants and tend them before the sale. During the sale, volunteers help to promote, set up, and staff the EMG informational table, providing plant care advice, and science-based gardening advice.

Bennington Community Demo Garden (EMG)

This project involves four raised garden beds dedicated as community demonstration plots with a focus on growing food, horticulture skills and biodiversity. EMGs will host both one-time educational opportunities (ex. building up soil health), workshop series (ex. planting tomatoes 101 – start to finish), volunteer activities (garden and compost maintenance) and age-appropriate hands-on sessions for kids and teens (ex. I spy, garden story hours, tasting demos etc).

Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm (EMG)

This project offers field trips with school groups, demonstrations, hands-on projects and outreach events focusing on topics ranging from soil preparation, planting seeds and plants, tending the garden, to harvest and storage.

Composting System at the Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm (VMC)

As an addition to the Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm, this project uses a multi-bin composting station to repurpose onsite waste and educate the community on the composting process and benefits of making and using compost.

Gardens for Early Learning at Northshire Day School (EMG)

The gardens at the Northshire Day School are used to enrich educational programming for all children served (infant through pre-kindergarten) and as a landscape for family engagement. The School includes a container-based infant/toddler sensory garden, a small raised bed kitchen garden, and a preschool/pre-k ‘exploration’ garden. A pollinator garden and wildflower border gardens are planned. Extension Master Gardener volunteers provide resources and technical assistance to school staff and community volunteers, help facilitate educational events onsite, and assist teachers with preparing spaces for learning. EMG volunteers also plan to facilitate citizen science projects for preschool and pre-k classrooms and may provide training to interested staff in using evidence-based practices. 

George Aiken Wildflower Trail Demo Garden at the Bennington Museum (EMG)

This is a demonstration flower garden at the Bennington Museum. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help with plant inventory, removal of invasives, planting native species, and educational programs.

John McCullough Library Community Herb & Vegetable Garden (EMG)

This project offers outdoor classes, demonstrations, and art projects throughout the year to children and families at the John McCullough Library. A focus on a particular vegetable family to include recipe sharing, a rotating gallery of coloring pages for vegetables and complementary herbs, gardening word games, scavenger hunts for non-noxious invasive plants, etc. The teachers will explicitly include and evaluate retention of gardening know-how in two primary grades. A pollinator pathway component is also included with plantings and educational signage in the library and in selected areas in North Bennington. The project addresses multiple needs - a barren area along the southwest side of the library is being transformed into a lush learning environment of herbs, perennial flowers, and grasses to demonstrate both garden design (light/soil/climate) and the reward of growing plants to feed people, insects and birds. The herb garden serves as an engaging starting point for nutrition and gardening literacy programs highlighting the value and enjoyment of healthy eating, and as the seasons pass, library patrons see the stages of and requirements (healthy soil, light, water, weed management etc.) for growing edible plants from ground preparation through harvest. The library provides food pantry services and a “veggie-swap” to address the community’s food insecurity. Information about the herbs in the garden that complement food pantry items is provided throughout the growing season, and patrons are encouraged to sample herbs throughout the season.

Manchester Community Library Pollinator Garden (EMG)

The goal of the Manchester Library Pollinator Garden is to offer hands-on opportunities to view more eco-conscious, pollinator-friendly plant ideas to inspire area residents to plant native species in their own. This project aims to reverse pollinator decline through educating the public on native and wildflower plantings. EMG volunteers will participate in hands-on work and educational opportunities to showcase native plants and teach the important role they play in bio-diversity and the life cycle of pollinators and birds. They will plant pollinator plugs from Hildene and provide presentations and tabling events for the public. 

Old First Church Marker Demo Garden (EMG)

This is a historic monument in Bennington. EMG volunteers teach integrated science and art-based lessons at the adjacent school. Topics include climate, weather, soil, insects, plant needs and geometric design in the garden. EMG volunteers also assist with planning and plant selection as well as the labeling of the historically accurate plantings of the Victorian era.

Burlington Farmers Market Ask-A-Master-Gardener Table (EMG & VMC)

This Ask A Master Gardener informational table at the Saturday Burlington Farmers Market is staffed by Extension Master Gardener volunteers to answer the public’s questions about plants, diseases, insects, composting and more. Information is distributed regarding the Master Gardener courses as well. This is one of the most visable projects in the state.

Burnham Memorial Library Gardens (EMG)

This project will educate Colchester residents about pollinators and other beneficial insects leading into the interdependence of all plants and animals in the environmental web. Specific topics include: vegetable gardening, seed library, vegetable garden design, vegetable care, IPM including companion planting; harvesting and taste testing; seed saving, pollinator garden designmaintaining biodiversity; insect life cycle and a giving garden. Weekly garden work with information tables with Master Gardeners to answer questions. Plan the community giving garden for 2023 in consultation with Library, Colchester Village, and Food Shelf.

Butterfly Garden at Quinlan Covered Bridge (EMG)

The Butterfly Garden at Quinlan Covered Bridge contains a wide variety of native plants and pollinator-attracting perennials that are suitable for our heavy clay soil in zone 5. The purpose of this garden is to provide a food source for pollinators and wildlife. The goal of the project is to document the plant list to provide neighbors with a roadmap to establish plants that would be successful in their gardens. Volunteers are asked to help weed, prune, spread mulch, divide plants, and help with plant labels. View a video highlight of this project at: https://youtu.be/iwXSWHL4W6g.

Champlain Valley Expo Ask-A-Master-Gardener (EMG & VMC)

Extension Master Gardener volunteers host an informational table at the Champlain Valley Fair that attracts thousands of Vermonters each year. Visitors ask EMGs questions about their home gardens and composting systems.  EMGs are in charge of the informational table and organizing the volunteer schedule.

Charlotte Library Gardens (EMG & VMC)

The goal of the Charlotte Library Gardens project is to encourage community members to grow more of their food at home using eco-friendly and sustainable evidence-based methods, and to support local biodiversity and ecosystem health. Volunteers assist with creating and delivering a variety of educational programs about once a month during the growing season, help create signage, educational materials, and articles, and help manage, stock, and support the existing Charlotte Seed Library, and help to plant and maintain the demonstration areas of the library gardens. There is an opportunity for Master Composter volunteers to revive a small composting demonstration and provide composting education for library patrons. 

Deborah Rawson Library Demo Garden (EMG & VMC)

This is a demonstration garden. Extension Master Gardener volunteers work with children to plant and grow produce for the local food shelf. They also organize educational workshops for the community. Each year, they plan a themed children's book garden to educate about growing food and promote reading and early literacy.

Growing Together Community Garden (EMG)

The Growing Together Community Garden consists of individual plots of raised bed gardens, and is open to the community year-round. On occasion, harvested produce is donated to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. Extension Master Gardener volunteers educate community members on gardening and composting as well as assist in addressing common plant diseases.

L4 Collective West Street Community Garden Education (EMG)

EMGs will create or curate educational materials and provide classroom and on-site instruction on transitioning garden plots to a no-till approach. Volunteers may manage on-site demonstration projects such as permanent bed construction and maintenance, cover cropping, deep mulch systems and conservation tillage. The project is also working to support food insecure individuals by using vacant community garden plots to grow produce that is donated to Aunt Dot's Place, a food shelf in Essex.  

Partnership with Friends of the UVM Horticulture Farm (EMG)

Extension Master Gardeners work with the Friends of the UVM Horticulture Farm to educate the public through gardening workshops, working with UVM researchers, writing newsletter articles, plant labeling and signage, and attending and conducting plant collection workdays. Two collections are the top focus: the lilac collection and the pollinator garden. The pollinator garden was created to teach college students and public about pollinators at UVM's Horticultural Farm located in South Burlington. 

TREEage Community Tree Nursery (EMG)

TREEage is South Burlington’s volunteer tree steward organization. TREEage volunteers manage the TREEage Community Tree Nursery, where trees are grown for planting along neighborhood streets. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help plant new tree seedlings, prepare for future plant sales, and educate the public on best practices for urban trees.

UVM South Burlington Adult Day Facility (formerly Grand Way) (EMG)

This is a daytime care for adults who need extra assistance or have physical disabilities or memory impairments. This program was started by Donna Covais, a trained horticultural therapist, who passed away in 2021. EMG volunteers work with clients at the Grand Way Adult Day Care Program to do horticultural therapy projects. Clients create seasonal floral centerpieces, wreaths and bouquets to take home to their care providers and loved ones.  Extension Master Gardeners support semi-monthly project sessions and provide advice on gardens for the residents to enjoy.

UVM Teaching and Demonstration Gardens (EMG) 

This Universtiy of Vermont teaching and demonstration garden, curated by Dr. Mark Starrett, is located outside of the Jeffords Science building on UVM's campus in Burlington. Thousands of students and visitors pass through these gardens every year. Extension Master Gardeners volunteers help maintain the collections, label plants, update the educational signs, and are available to give tours.

Wheeler Park Demo Garden (EMG)

The Wheeler Park EMG Demonstration garden is part of a historical homestead, and the grounds include 7 community and themed gardens. Extension Master Gardeners help maintain the collections and educate the public about gardening, using the collections as an outdoor teaching "lab".

Vermont Flower Show Volunteer Coordination (EMG)

Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association with constructing and tearing down the display gardens at this unique public statewide event focused on horticulture and brings artists and vendors together to feature a garden display, educational seminars, food and floral demonstrations in celebration of spring plant growth.. EMG volunteers also help facilitate concurrent workshops at the Show. 

Note: The state office coordinates the EMG informational table at the annual Vermont Flower Show where Flower Show visitors ask EMGs questions about their home gardens and composting systems.  

Taylor Park Demonstration Garden (EMG)

This demonstration garden is located in the heart of St. Albans where Extension Master Gardeners join community volunteers in planting annuals and mulching the garden together, and promote stewardship of the local park.

Currently, we have no volunteers leading projects in Lamoille County but there are opportunities in nearby counties.

Barton Giving Garden (EMG & VMC)

Barton Giving Garden serves to provide opportunities for people to grow food for the town by donation, increase healthy activity, get to know neighbors, learn from each other, create a productive garden and beautiful gathering place of common concern. EMG  activities range from presentations, (compost tea) classes, (learn basic cooking or seed saving) hands-on projects, (digging potatoes) outreach events, (garden open house) and we are even prepared to hold classes in our very own classroom in the event of rain. The Barton Community Giving Garden Composting project provides opportunities for people to learn from presentations, (compost tea, composting) hands-on projects, and outreach events.  Volunteers will provide composting presentations, hands on construction of compost bins and community outreach, create best practice information sheets for distribution, and tabling at events.

Community Seed Exchange at Barton Public Library (EMG)

The Seed Exchange is a free and public program based at the Barton Public Library, which encourages resients of the area to share, save, and plant seeds. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help organize educational events informing the public about plant diseases and the importance of saving seeds.

Crops By Kids at Barre Town Middle Elementary School Garden (EMG)

Crops by Kids is a program that teaches students about nutrition, fresh produce, and plant life cycles through direct engagement with it's on site school garden. Produce is integrated into the food served in the school cafeteria and is later composted. EMGs partner with Barre town Middle and Elementary Schools in three primary areas: training teachers in gardening skills, community engagement, and maintaining the garden during summer months.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library Demo Garden (EMG)

This is a demonstration garden located at the Kellog-Hubbard Libary in Montpelier. It is located outside the entrance to the Children's Library.  Extension Master Gardeners provide answers to questions from the public, as well as organize garden-related public programs at the library. Volunteers also help to plan the perennial garden and annual educational display at the entrance to the Children's Library.

North Branch Nature Center Pollinator Demo Garden (EMG & VMC)

This is an educational pollinator garden at the North Branch Nature Center, a 28-acre nature reserve and non-profit educational organization. It is located along the Winooski River and provides nature programs, and events for those interested in learning more about the natural world. Extension Master Gardener volunteers are developing several things on this site including a bird sanctuary, native flower gardens and a pollinator garden. With the help of the Central Vermont Solid Waste District, the old composting operation is being transformed into a complete hot compost system. EMG volunteers work with school children and community volunteers teaching the importance of pollinators. The Central EMG chapter also hosts EMG public educational events here. In association with CVSWMD, the NBNC compost project has been redesigned and rebuilt for the use of members of NBNC, and used as a training facility for the public as well as the NBNC members. It is comprised of 3 wooden sections, a rotating drum composter, as well as piles of woodchips, and in the future, more compostables to be used in the system.

Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District Composting (VMC)

Staff conduct outreach at transfer stations, farmers markets, and other events to promote food scrap diversion and compliance with Act 148. The project is trying to reach any and all residents within district towns to promote backyard composting awareness and the district food scrap collection program, have outreach tables at local farmers markets, and conduct workshops at community centers. There may be the opportunity for a volunteer to help with school composting  efforts as well. The District needs motivated volunteers to help educate community members about the vatiety of methods to keep food scraps out of the trash, including backyard composting and utilizing the district's food scrap collection program.

Hartford Transfer/Recycling Center Demo Gardens (EMG)

A small demonstration garden at the Hartford Transfer/Recycling Center.  The focus is to create a shade demo garden. EMG volunteers assist in planting the garden and also help with plant identification. Windsor Chapter (local EMG club) also holds an annual fundraiser Plant Sale here. Project is tentatively moving due to town plans to demolish adjacent building.

Hartland Library Herb Garden Demo (EMG)

This is an EMG herb demonstration garden at the Hartland Library. Extension Master Gardener volunteers coordinate herb walks for identification, and demonstrate how to use herbs. Educational presentations include slides or video elements through the library community room. Extension Master Gardener volunteers also field questions from community gardeners in adjacent plots.

Howard Dean Education Center Garden & Compost Demo (EMG & VMC)

This is a demonstration flower garden at the Howard Dean Education Center. Extension Master Gardener volunteers collaborate with the River Valley Tech Center to develop new beds and identify plants for public viewing.

Ludlow Area Community Garden (EMG & VMC)

This is a community garden consisting of 50 plots in Ludlow. Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist with educational postings on the community garden's bulletin board, as well as sharing science based gardening information with gardeners in person, and providing workshops at the site.

Sharon Elementary School (VMC)

Sharon Elementary School's composting system is managed daily during the school year by students and two lead teachers. Master Composter volunteers offer support to the school throughout the year which may include troubleshooting problems, securing and transporting feedstock materials, turning bins, and moving compost windrows. There is room for greater involvement as the school becomes more adept at integrating the system into the school community.

Southeast Chapter Facebook Page (EMG & VMC)

This is the Windham Master Gardener Chapter Facebook outreach project. Extension Master Gardener volunteers post articles, photos of chapter events,  and science-based horticulture information. See: https://www.facebook.com/SoutheastChapterExtensionMasterGardeners.

Springfield Recycling Center Garden Demo (EMG)

This is a demonstration garden at the Springfield Recycling Center. Extension Master Gardener volunteers educate, lead tours and answer questions at this native plant and rain garden demo. EMGs can volunteer here on Saturday mornings.

The Gardeners Table at Quechee Library (EMG)

The "Gardener's Table" project is located at the Quechee Library where local residents and library patrons may join a group of knowledgeable gardeners to ask for gardening advice for their home gardens and discuss larger environmental issues such as climate change, composting, native plants and invasive species and how they fit into the home garden. The project plans to hold regularly scheduled times when volunteers will be on hand and available to answer questions. A stone patio and surrounding perennial garden serves as a central meeting place and outdoor "lab". Volunteers steward several hundred plants, shrubs, and trees as well as a raised bed vegetable garden used for children's programming. The project works closely with the library to tie in discussion topics with their programming. In addition, volunteers occasionally provide children's gardening activities and crafts to tie in with the library's children's program.

Thetford Elementary School Hot Compost (VMC)

Thetford Elementary has been composting all of its food scraps since 2011, 100-200lbs/week including meat and bones. The school system has served as a model bin-compost facility for schools throughout the state. Master Composters who sign on to this project have the opportunity to gain all of the skills to design a hot compost system, manage hot compost and curing windrows, understand recipe development, participate in data collection, and learn how to integrate such a system into the culture of the school. The role of the MC is to offer support for the teaching staff, be a part of the school's GREEN TEAM, and be available onsite during the compost maintenance times to support or to fill in on the days when the school is unable to manage it. Ideally, the MC's would be available during school recess times, roughly 11:30-1pm on a regular basis. The MC could additionally take on projects that would help the school solidify the process into the school culture such as creating instructional signs or other materials or systems that will improve the overall TES compost project.

Upper Valley Haven Edible Demo Garden (EMG)

This is an edible fruit and veggie demonstration garden at the Upper Valley Haven. Extension Master Gardener volunteers may prune fruit trees and shrubs, plant and harvest kitchen gardens, and educate visitors using the Haven's services. The fruits and vegetables grown at the Haven are used in the shelters, and made available to the more than 1,100 families a month who visit the Haven's Food Shelf.

Willing Hands Demo Garden (EMG)

This is a community garden project run by the Willing Hands non-profit. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help to plant, harvest, and distribute food to those in need throughout the Upper Valley.