The Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program will be 35 years old in 2007. As of 2005, there were approximately 90,000 EMG active volunteers in the US and Canada, and probably another 100,000 who were no longer active in the program. From15-20,000 MG volunteers are trained annually in the US. After training, the volunteers complete approximately 2,557,792 annual hours of volunteer work. Using an economic value of $10-$17 per hour of volunteer work, the value of EMG volunteer work is $25,577,920 to $44,889,250 annually. If 5 people are assisted for every 1hour of EMG volunteer time, then 12,788,960 people are assisted by Extension MGs every year.

EMGs work on many different community projects; most educational events focus on growing plants and local community needs. The original volunteer work was answering phone calls and hotline responses. Although the hotlines are still as busy as ever, the EMG's role has expanded to proactive and community based projects such as setting up exhibits, writing news articles, participating in community gardens, Yards and Neighborhood environmental programs, public demonstration gardens, community plantings and control of invasive plants. Specific projects and their impacts are listed in the Appendix of this report.

The EMG program requires continued financial support through federal, state and county funding to train, manage and administer the program. Without federal support and recognition, the program is in danger of being terminated in many locations as state and county legislators choose between several public programs including health care, education, and social services. Extension funding remains precarious and is often reduced and in some cases eliminated.

This white paper outlines the EMG program, its impacts and need for national support through CSREES.