Advanced Master Gardener

Level 4 Programming Resource List:  Program Examples

Programming at Level 4 involves an organized program of education, community action, and a documented change in the way yardwaste is managed in the community and neighborhoods involved.  This level requires long term programming, much planning, involvement of many people and different agencies, and results in committed change in behavior among members of community.  Long term goals become reality.  Examples include community-wide composting campaigns, the creation and maintenance of community mulching sites, a landscaping-for-less-in-the-landfill demonstration lawn program, and others.  These kinds of programs are those that many people in a given community or neighborhood will either hear about or become involved with over time.  As they actually change behavior, Level 4 activities have the greatest long-term impact. 

The following example, developed at an In-Service Training for Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents and Master Gardeners, includes activities and resources used in Levels 1, 2, and 3 programming that may also have value as part of Level 4 programs and also includes means of evaluating the status and impact of a MG Land Care program.

Sustainable Landscape Covenant Project

Concept: To alter existing or create new homeowner landscape covenants that reflect proper yardwaste management practices.

Target audience for participation and partnership in establishing project: homeowners= association, homeowners

Actual Program (for five year period):

Contact homeowners= association to discuss needs/interests in program, review current covenants

Meet with association to do community site analysis to determine problems to be addressed

Re-write covenants

Discuss covenants at evening workshops and print a series of articles in association newsletter

Conduct educational workshops on complying with covenants.  Invite applications for demo yards.  In return, homeowner will receive 2-4 consultations with a MG.

Conduct more level 3 Saturday demonstration lawn field days

Conduct contests for ABest Compost,@ ABest landscape design,@ etc.

Bring in other neighborhoods, communities to use program as a model for what can be done and to involve in activities.

Program Evaluation:

Year 1

$Strong working relationship with association, commitment of association

$ Baseline Land Care management assessment information including behavior change impact statements based on self-administered knowledge and skills tests.

$Decrease in tonnage and/or volume of yard waste generated by community

Year 2

Re-written covenants reflecting Land Care management

Awareness of covenants- number of applicants, number attending sessions

Status of demo yards- what changed, photographs, videos

Knowledge and attitudes toward Land Care management and covenants- Conduct survey

Year 3

Number of participants

Contest winners and applications

Increase in number of demo sites

Knowledge/attitudes/behavior instruments- self-administered by association

Year 4

Tonnage/volume reduction

Number of community participants

Testimony of success from association

Year 5

Success; spin-off; no longer MGLCS responsibility

Impact

Potential program impact evaluations can include use of:

Environmental indicators:

reduction in yardwaste tonnage to landfill; improved soil and landscape health; reduced runoff and erosion

Economic indicators:

home resale values; tree values; number days on market (homes in the program vs. similar homes in the area outside of program); reduced cost of waste hauling and disposal

Aesthetic indicators:

questions/surveys about appearance given through real estate agents showing homes; enhanced public safety; crime statistics

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Last changed: May 16, 2008