The 2021-2022 program year marks the fifth year of data collection from public education events held across the state and, thus, the fifth year that we can tell a big piece of the UC Master Gardener Program story. It seems like just yesterday that we launched the statewide evaluation. Time sure does fly, especially for those of us who were affiliated with the UC Master Gardener Program during the initial stages of our evaluation efforts. Thank you to everyone who has helped with evaluation data collection!
Over the years, we have welcomed some new faces and everyone across the state has been doing an excellent job of helping your counties with the evaluation process. Whether you are a new face or have been around for a number of years, please check out the coordinator and volunteer program evaluation pages.
UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator: Program Evaluation Webpage (Link: https://mgcoord.ucanr.edu/Administration/ProgramEvaluation/)
UC Master Gardener Program Volunteer Information and Resources (Link: https://mg.ucanr.edu/Resources/For_Volunteers/Program_Evaluation/)
These pages are filled with resources to help you understand the statewide evaluation process and materials to collect the necessary attendee information and guidelines for submitting this information to the Evaluation Coordinator.
Every person connected to the UC Master Gardener Program plays a crucial role in the evaluation efforts, which allows the process to flow smoothly. Program coordinators and volunteer leadership socialize the evaluation process to volunteers and support them in understanding its goals. Supporting volunteers in this effort is essential because UC Master Gardener volunteers have direct contact with workshop attendees. Without them, we would not obtain the information needed from attendees to collect data.
Steps for recruiting evaluation participants:
Collect participant names and emails for both in-person and online public education events.
Socialize the survey at the end of each public education event.
Submit a contact sheet to mgevaluation@ucanr.edu within one week of the event.
A contact sheet template is available on the coordinator and volunteer evaluation resource pages (see above). Once contact sheets have been submitted, Dr. Tamekia Wilkins, statewide evaluation coordinator, manages the process, follows up with all attendees, analyzes the data, and creates customized reports.
Each quarter, participating counties with survey participants receive a report that indicates attendees' responses. The most recent report was sent in September 2021, which included data collected from July 2020 thru March 2021. Quarterly reports are cumulative. The last report received with data for a given program year can be used as a local annual report for your county. Be on the lookout for this county report to be sent in Dec. 2021 just before the holidays.
Quarterly reports are used to help tell your county UC Master Gardener Program story. This was a key goal of the statewide evaluation – to tell our story and showcase the value of our programs. We have always believed the UC Master Gardener Program has tremendous value in our communities. Now we can more accurately show its value, which is vital for several reasons, including fulfilling the mission of UC ANR and funding opportunities.
Keep sending those contact sheets in, they are so important! If you need to expand your evaluation effort to include online public education, and or re-engage in the process as you re-start in-person activities, now is a great time in anticipation of a busy spring season. Participation in statewide evaluation is required of all counties. If you have questions or need support, please be sure to reach out.
Questions? Contact:
Tamekia Wilkins, PhD
Evaluation Coordinator
twilkins@ucanr.edu