Date of Award
12-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy - Forestry
Department
Forestry
First Advisor
Pat Stephens Williams
Second Advisor
Ray Darville
Third Advisor
Jared Barnes
Fourth Advisor
Canids Scallan
Abstract
East Texas Master Gardener volunteers were asked to participate in an exploratory Qualtrics survey during the fall of 2023. This study examined the demographic characteristics, volunteer engagement choices, and challenges of Master Gardener volunteers in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service District 5, focusing on whether current training adequately prepares volunteers for public-facing roles. Findings showed that volunteers were primarily older, retired, well-educated, white females, favoring hands-on activities like garden demonstrations and fundraising over Help Desk question answering roles due to perceived inadequacies in knowledge. Over 80% indicated that mentorship and advanced training could improve their confidence in public interactions. Recommendations include specialized training, mentorship programs, and simultaneous credit incentives. These enhancements could increase volunteer confidence, knowledge, and engagement, thereby expanding the program’s community education impact.
Repository Citation
Grant, Damon Gregory, "EAST TEXAS MASTER GARDENER CHARACTERISTICS, VOLUNTEER CHOICES, AND WILLINGNESS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 584.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/584
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
