JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER - GROWING GOOD KIDS
By Kay Ferrill, KC Master Gardener, 2000
West Virginia State University Extension Agent Melissa Williams has been working with Junior Master Gardeners at Buffalo Elementary in Putnam County. In May, the group was featured on the JMG website. Melissa is offering training opportunities to spread the JMG program throughout West Virginia.
Texas Agricultural Extension Services created the Junior Master Gardener program and its subsidiary, Golden Ray Series. Although JMG and Master Gardeners share similar names, JMG is more closely related to 4H than to MG and is trademarked.
The JMG program is directed at children in grades 3-5 or 6-8. The structure is very adaptable. Certification as a Junior Master Gardener requires membership in a registered group, completion of 44 individual activities, 44 group activities, and 8 service projects. Time required depends on frequency and length of meetings. Williams expects 34 students to complete certification within 2 years, meetings averaging twice monthly for an hour or more.
Although certification is the ultimate goal, components of the program receive individual recognitions. It is not necessary to fully implement JMG to use the curriculum or to offer a worthwhile program.
There are 3 tracks available within the JMG program: Level 1, Level 2, and Golden Ray. Level 1 includes individual handbooks, similar to Scout handbooks. Students earn medals as they complete chapters. Level 2 is a more strenuous text designed for older students emphasizing plant growth and development.
Golden Rays Series uses a teacher handbook and emphasizes a particular topic from the Level 1 curriculum. Currently, Golden Ray texts include Health and Nutrition from the Garden and Wildlife Gardener. Students earn certificates and medals.
Costs of the JMG program vary. There are no fees to register a group and no cost for certificates. Level 1 student handbooks are $19 and teacher guides are $38. Health and Nutrition is $28.50 and Wildlife Gardener $34.50. There are discounts for multi-volume orders. Cost of optional medals range from $2.50 to $10.
KCMGA could use JMG materials in several ways. Suggested activities are appropriate for existing programs without registering a JMG group. Individual Golden Ray curriculum could be presented without planning a full JMG certification program. For example, either Golden Ray text could be used in the Habitat for Humanity training we provide. Groups using Golden Ray texts could be registered and receive curriculum recognitions. KCMGA could create a full JMG certification program, perhaps as a junior auxiliary. The JMG program is very adaptable and well worth exploring.