Impacts

Extension Master Gardener National Summary

2020

The 2020 Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program (EMGV) estimated at least 84,700 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C, contributed 3.1 million hours educating others, and helped people use gardening to grow food, improve their physical and mental health, and address environmental issues. Conservatively, these efforts are estimated to contribute 88 million dollars in value to the general public. Forty states participated in this report.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic state programs implemented reduced requirements and increased flexibility for volunteers. Most states suspended or reduced volunteer hour requirements, moved educational programming delivery through virtual platforms, and altered or suspended many volunteer projects.

View the 2020 National Summary Dashboard

2018

The 2018 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) survey conservatively estimates there are 86,076 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C, contributing 5.6 million hours educating the public, providing youth programming, and facilitating produce donated to local food banks. While this is only the beginning of the value EMGs provided in their communities this year, these efforts are estimated to have contributed 140 million dollars in value to the general public. Forty-six states participated in this report.

For more information, see the following report: 2018 EMG Summary

2016

The 2016 Extension Master Gardener survey conservatively estimates there are 88,951 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C, annually contributing 5,718,738 hours educating the public, providing youth programming, and facilitating produce donated to local food banks. While this is only the beginning of the value EMGs provided in their communities this year, these efforts are estimated to have contributed 138 million dollars in value to the general public. Fourty states participated in this report.

For more information, see the following report: 2016 EMG Summary

2014

The 2014 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) survey conservatively estimates there are 83,389 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C, annually contributing 5,293,130 hours educating the public, providing youth programming, and facilitating produce donated to local food banks. While this is only the beginning of the value EMGs provided in their communities this year, these efforts are estimated to have contributed 122 million dollars in value to the general public. Thirty-eight states participated in this report.

For more information, see the following report: 2014 EMG Summary

2009 

The 2009 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) survey conservatively estimates there are 94,865 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C, annually contributing 5,197,573 hours educating the public, providing youth programming, and facilitating produce donated to local food banks. While this is only the beginning of the value EMGs provided in their communities this year, these efforts are estimated to have contributed 101. 4 million dollars in value to the general public.

For more information, see the following report: 2009 EMG Summary