Changes to the Hours Form
Based on your recommendations, we have made some changes to the form. Namely, if you do not finish the form in one sitting, you should be able to come back to your entries until you hit the completed button, up until January 31. Please be sure to use only one device (computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.) to complete the entire survey.
Eligible Activities for Volunteer Hours
Activities eligible for volunteer hours are listed at: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/volunteer-project-guidelines-opportunities. Remember that our program's primary purpose is community service through education. In the case of our program, we serve Vermonters through the education of gardeners and potential gardeners.
Still want to volunteer through the winter months?
There are several ways you can earn hours even over the winter season:
- Writing Facebook Page Postings. Reach out to the Facebook administrators in your chapter to get connected. Follow this link to the online statewide project list to contact any chapter Facebook administrator.
- Help with Chapter activities. Reach out to your Chapter Chairs to see if you can help with education programming or event planning. For a list of Chapter Chairs, please visit: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/volunteer-chapters.
- Offer to give a presentation at your local library, garden club, or service club. There are several prepared workshops and handouts in the "Gardening Resources" section of our website, or you can create your own talk on a topic that interests you. Preparation time as well as presentation time are eligible for hours reporting.
Submitting Volunteer Hours
We need everyone to complete the form whether you were able to volunteer or not -- thank you!
If you are both a Master Gardener and Master Composter, please report hours for each program separately as best you can. Remember: Master Composter Volunteer Hours can be applied towards Master Gardener Volunteer Hours, but Master Gardener Volunteer Hours CANNOT be applied to Master Composter Volunteer Hours.
Extension Master Gardeners and Interns
The online form for volunteer hours submission is only open from December 1 through January 31 each year.
As a reminder, to earn certification, Interns must volunteer 40 volunteer hours on approved EMG projects, Chapter Steering Team activities, or educational programs within 2 years of their course completion date. For example, if you graduated from the Master Gardener Course in 2023, you have until the end of 2024 to complete your volunteer hours.
Volunteers who are already certified must earn 25 volunteer hours each year, five (5) of which can be hours earned through attending approved continuing education opportunities, and submit a $25 renewal fee to maintain their certification.
Vermont Master Composters and Interns
The online form for volunteer hours submission is only open from December 1 through January 31 each.
As a reminder, to earn certification, Interns must volunteer 10 volunteer hours on approved VMC projects, Chapter Steering Team activities, or educational programs within 2 years of their course completion date. For example, if you graduated from the Master Composter Course in 2023, you have until the end of 2025 to complete your volunteer hours.
Volunteers who are already certified must earn 5 volunteer hours each year, one (1) of which can be hours earned through attending approved continuing education opportunities.
Badges and Certificates
We process badges and certificates for volunteer interns who have completed their required hours, and mail them throughout February/March each year. Please contact Lisa Chouinard at master.gardener@uvm.edu if you have any questions.