MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Team Members

Bindu Bhakta, Bob Bricault, Rebecca Finneran, Hal Hudson, Gary Heilig,

Gretchen Voyle, & Mary Wilson

Maximizing Programs and Services without Breaking our Backs:

Satisfy the Growing Demands of Gardeners Ravenous for Up-to-date Information

Wayne County (Detroit)

MSUField-based Consumer Horticulture Extension Educators

LakesWetlandsStreams

Michigan freshwaters

Freshwater ecosystems: Lakes, streams, & wetlands

Image Courtesy of Dr. Kendra Cheruvelil, MSU

2012 Restructuring -Focus on quality & consistency

-Focus more on education, less on volunteer management

-Stronger relationship with community partners (e.g. county funded staff, local MG groups)

- Statewide association (501c3) - Fewer basic training

-Targeted volunteer efforts

Master Gardener Program

MSUE Lawn & Garden Hotline

Fewer and more focused staff

Growing demand for information

1-888-MSUE4-MI (1-888-678-3464)

Launched June 1, 2011 Six call centers around the state Staffed by MSUE Master Gardeners Data:

6,000 clients had gardening questions answered (2011)

65% directed away from use of a pesticide. (2011) Callers from “x” out of 83 counties (2012)

MSUE Lawn & Garden Hotline

Specialized training

Orientation to Ask an Expert

Advanced Soils Diagnostics

Lawns Ornamentals Vegetables

Ask an Expert

Widgets Gardening in MI

web site Msusoiltest.com

web site General MSUE web

site (funneled by Lela)

Others ???

MG trained 12 Key volunteers,

hand-picked Stats

265 in 2009, 722 in 2010, 1417 in 2011, 1718 (and still

growing) in 2012!!!

www.migarden.msu.edu

  5/15/10 - 5/14/11

5/15/11 -

5/14/12Unique visitors

15,777 30,939

Pageviews 81,647 136,124

Soil Testing

Why? Large volume of soil

test interpretations Up to 800

How? Regional GREEEN

Grant PRF # of participants

Soil Testing Self-Mailer Why? How did we do it?

Acquired 3 grants Launched June 1, 2011: X # participants Available online via MSUE Bookstore

or at MSUE offices Crops:

• Home lawns & vegetable gardens• Flower gardens, trees & shrubs• Fruits

Client mails soil directly to lab Result link emailed back to client Link to www.msusoiltest.com website for:

• Customized recommendations• Fertilizer & area calculators• Tip sheets

(XXXXXX)

**********

Consistency and Replication Plants of Distinction Smart Gardening Backyard Fruit Series Veggies 101 Home to Market Garden

2012 Training Opportunities

Media Outreach – PROACTIVE!

Active collaboration with ANR Communications Team MSUE News

2 articles/month

MI fruit crop /

Media Outreach – PROACTIVE!

Michigan Fresh Screen capture of booth with the QR code

Michigan Farmer

Questions?

Thank you!