Purdue EMG Policy Guide – 2019 Revision

Hi Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers,

Over the last few months, the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Advisory Committee, Purdue Risk Management, and Purdue Extension administrative leaders have reviewed and made several revisions to the Purdue EMG Policy Guide (MG-5-W) last revised in 2014.

Here are some of the revisions made to the policy guide:

• Changed official name of program to “Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program”
• Increased hours required for Purdue EMG certification to 40 cumulative volunteer hours and 40 cumulative education hours
• Increased hours required for Advanced EMG certification level to 65 cumulative education hours and 50 cumulative education hours
• All EMG volunteers trained prior to January 1, 2020 will be required to complete at least 35 cumulative volunteer hours and 35 cumulative education hours for “certified EMG” and at least 60 cumulative volunteer hours and 45 cumulative education hours for “advanced EMG”. All EMG volunteers trained after January 1, 2020 will be required to meet the requirements for these certification levels found on page 7 of the policy guide.
• Added Advanced EMG Platinum levels (6,000-10,000 volunteer hours), see all minimum certification requirements on page 7 of the policy guide.
• Added “Fruit Gardening” and “Invasive Species” as required core topics for EMG Basic Training for interns
• Updated branding and logos throughout the document and on forms
• Revised application and agreement forms (Forms EMG-1 and EMG-2)
  • Form EMG-1 is used for EMG Basic Training applicants and EMG volunteers transferring from another Indiana county or another state program
  • Form EMG-2 is a print version of the annual agreement found on MG Manager
• What is different about the new forms?
  • On Form EMG 1 only, added questions asking the following information:
    • Previous volunteer experience
    • Previous criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations
    • Pertinent education, experience, or skills
  • On Both forms:
    • Updated demographic information question to match Extension format (this question is optional)
    • Updated logos and branding

The newly revised Purdue EMG Program Policy Guide (MG-5-W) and forms will be used for Spring 2020 EMG Basic Trainings with an official launch program-wide on January 1, 2020. Both Form EMG-1 and Form EMG-2 are included in the policy guide as appendices.

Thank you!

John Orick, Purdue EMG State Coordinator

See the newly revised policy guide here: MG-5-W 2019 version

See a pdf of revisions here: PurdueEMGpolicyguiderevisions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why change the name?

• The term “Extension Master Gardener (EMG)” is a term used nationally for Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Therefore, the name was changed to more closely align with national terminology.
• And, the official logo was changed to include “Extension”. The new name now matches the logo.

Why increased hours requirements for certified and advanced levels?

• The national minimum standards for EMG program requirements are 40 education hours and 40 volunteers hours for certification as an EMG volunteer. We want to more closely align with national EMG standards. See more information about the National EMG mission and standards here: Extension Master Gardener National Committee
• Since we raised the requirements for the EMG certification, the advanced EMG level was raised slightly to balance out the requirements for both of these initial levels.

Why add the extra questions to Form EMG-1? 

• The questions added to Form EMG-1 will assist Purdue EMG County Coordinators with screening applicants for the program.
• The questions concerning prior volunteer experience, skills, etc will help coordinators place volunteers in projects that utilize these skills and experiences.
• Two forms were needed because the annual EMG agreement does not need to include the newly added questions.

Why add the new platinum levels? 

• Several long time EMG volunteers have already contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours. It is important to recognize EMG volunteers for their commitment.