Junior Master Gardener Program

1. Junior Master Gardener Program ® Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening! Program Purpose

2. Program Purpose • Youth can explore their world through meaningful horticultural and environmental science activities that encourage leadership development, personal pride, responsibility and community involvement. The program incorporates service-learning and volunteerism enabling youth to make a positive contribution to their home, community and country. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

3. Program Purpose • The JMG program certifies youth for completing contextual hands-on horticulture and environmental science activities and volunteer service. • The program utilizes a “hands-on” activity based curriculum that directs youth in individual and group learning activities. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

4. Program Purpose • The Junior Master Gardener program was launched in August of 1997 with the release of the Level 1 JMG Curricula. The program was developed at Texas A&M University and the terms, Junior Master Gardener, JMG and Golden Ray Series, and associated logos, are service marks of Texas Cooperative Extension. These service marks are reserved to insure the quality of the JMG program and the association of the program with the Cooperative Extension network. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

5. State and National Contacts • Currently, we are working with state Cooperative Extension Services across the United States so that they can designate a JMG Coordinator for their respective state. We have many states that participate in the program, even though their state does not have a JMG Coordinator. Their registration and certification is handled through the National JMG Program office. • The National JMG program can be contacted at: • JMG Program Office • Department of Horticulture • 225 HFSB • College Station, TX 77840 • 979-845-8565 fax 979-845-8906 • Email: JMG@tamu.edu For information about the JMG program in your state, contact your State JMG Coordinator. Click on the Cooperative Extension Logos to find the contact information for your state. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

6. Program growth & involvement • The word is out and the JMG program is plowing across the Nation. Everyday new JMG groups become registered and work toward certification. The JMG program is flexible and involvement is as simple as completing the following five steps. • Have a minimum of 5 youth in a group • Have one or more adult teachers/leaders for the group. • Order the JMG curricula • Complete and submit the 4 page registration packet. • Have fun Click on the map to view the registered JMG groups from your state. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

7. Junior Master Gardener Program ® Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening! Curriculum

8. JMG® Curricula • The sound academic standards of the JMG program coupled with a creative hands-on teaching delivery, capitalizes on the strengths of all youth. The program cultivates personal leadership, volunteerism and character education. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

9. JMG® Curricula • The JMG Curricula focuses on horticultural and environmental education through hands-on contextual activities. More specifically: • Plant Growth and Development • Soil and Water • Ecology and Environmental Horticulture • Insects and Diseases • Landscape Horticulture • Fruits and Nuts • Vegetables and Herbs • Life Skills and Career Exploration Level 1: Grades 3-5 Level 2: Grades 6-8 Level 3: Grades 9-12 JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

10. JMG® Curricula • The JMG curricula has a variety of teaching concepts in each chapter. For youth to receive certification they must complete activities from each learning concept. • In Level 1 Chapter 1 – Plant Growth and Development the teaching concepts are: • Importance and Use of Plants • Plant Classification • Plant Parts • Plant Needs • Plant Growth • Plant Process • Propagation • Leadership/Community Service Projects JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

11. JMG® Curricula -Design The JMG curricula was designed with the assistance of tenured teachers and horticulturalists. Utilizing a large number of individuals allowed us to create a curriculum that meets state standards and is fun for youth to learn. The design incorporates: • Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts • Flexibility of use • Alignment with state teaching standard • Group and individual activities • Service learning and leadership incorporated in all chapters JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

12. JMG® curricula - Utilization • The JMG curricula allows you the flexibility to choose how to incorporate the curriculum into current youth programming efforts. • The curriculum can simply be used as program enrichment material or youth can work through the curriculum to obtain certification. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

13. JMG® Curricula – Level One • The Level One JMG Curriculum is made up of a Youth Handbook and a Teacher/Leader guide. • The two books combined have more than 400 hands-on activities for youth to complete. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

14. JMG® Curricula – Level One • The JMG Youth Handbook contains individual activities and is intended to compliment the JMG Teacher/Leader guide. At the end of each chapter are leadership/community service projects. These are projects and activities to help your JMG group share with their family, friends, and community all the many things they have learned. We encourage each JMG member to have a JMG Handbook, however this is not required to participate in the program. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

15. JMG® Curricula – Level One • The JMG Handbook is also available in Spanish! JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

16. JMG® Curricula – Level One • JMG youth utilize their handbook to learn more about the topic that is being studied in the JMG group. The handbook allows the youth to self-direct their learning and focus on what is interesting to them. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

17. JMG® Curricula – Level One • Research states that • “Parent involvement of almost any kind can improve student achievement.” • The JMG curriculum encourages parental involvement. Youth utilizing the JMG handbook can have parents validate that they completed an activity within a learning concept. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

18. JMG® Curricula - JMG Level One • The JMG Teacher/Leader Guide contains the group activities from the eight chapters that make-up the JMG Youth Handbook. These group activities are integrated into math, science, language arts, and social studies. They also include work sheets, fun pages, songs, and additional resource materials for the instructor. For teachers in Texas, there are special sections that include TAAS formatted reading passages and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) correlation for all activities in the curriculum guide. The JMG curriculum is being correlated to the state teaching standards for states that have JMG coordinators. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

19. JMG® curricula - Level One • The JMG Teacher Guide contains: • Individual activities – ex: How Tall is that Tree? • Community service and leadership projects • Chapter worksheets/fun pages • Rhythms • Registration forms – page 217 • Working with young people • 4-H program information JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

20. JMG® Curricula Sample JMG Activity: Grow Cards • This JMG activity from Chapter 3- Ecology and Environmental Horticulture is a favorite for youth and leaders! Youth can create a card utilizing recyclable materials and seeds. Each card can be planted and will grow. Click on the Grow Card to learn how to make your own. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

21. JMG® Curricula - Level One • Research shows that youth participating in gardening programs not only benefit from a higher self-esteem but also better nutritional habits. • Health and Nutrition from the Garden is the first stand alone thematic JMG Golden Ray series to be released from the Junior Master Gardener program. • The curriculum chapters are listed below and each chapter has a focus on life skill development and career exploration: • Thrifty Gardens • Basic Gardening • Growing Techniques • Food Safety • ABC’s of Healthy Eating • Healthy Snacks JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

22. JMG® Curricula – Level Two Operation Thistle: Seeds of Despair Plant Growth and Development . • JMG Level Two - Operation Thistle: Seeds of Despair is the newest JMG curriculum. This novel, hands-on model of the JMG curriculum combines the teacher/leader guide with reproducible pages of the youth handbook into one book. Through dozens of activities, students can investigate plant growth and development, take part in service learning projects and earn certification all while being engaged in an urgent mission to defeat Dr. Thistle! JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

23. JMG® Curricula – Level Two • Operation Thistle: Seeds of Despair • Activities focus on Plant Growth and Development • Teaching Concepts Include: • Importance and Use of Plants • Plant Classification • Plant Parts • Plant Needs • Plant Growth • Plant Processes • Seep Propagation • Vegetative Propagation • Life Skills and Career Exploration JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

24. JMG® Curricula – Level Two • Youth Mission Briefs and Mission Options • While completing self-directed learning outside of the group setting their study of Plant Growth and Development, youths will be engaged in a special mission. Youths will join JMG Plant Intelligence in an urgent mission to defeat the evil Dr. Thistle. As your JMG group works to complete an activity in each learning concept, you can provide students with a copy of the independent activity option (mission option) for the learning concept. • By completing the activities in the mission option pages, the students can help foil the twisted plans of Dr. Thistle and his menacing gang while reinforcing plant growth and development concepts. Example of a Mission Option JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

25. JMG® Curricula – Level Two A preview of what is to come: In the deep dark shadows of a crumbling overpass, under the mangled, rust silhouettes of a long-forgotten junkyard, a weed is growing. A prickly, thorny, twisted little weed with at twisted little plan... Beware of the thistle... Coming soon to a garden near you... Example of a Mission JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

26. JMG® Curricula – Web activities • Within the JMG curricula youth can complete JMG activities on-line. • That’s Gross!!is an example of a Level One on -line activity from the Insect and Diseases chapter. Click on the picture to see the activity JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

27. JMG® Curricula – Web activities • Germ – Animation • is a Level Two is an example of an on-line JMG activity. • Students will answer several questions about how a seed would germinate and grow. Once the questions have been answered the students click on the growth accelerator button. This will cause the time to accelerate to show one day’s growth. Students can accelerate each day’s growth for the first twelve days of this plant’s life. Click on the picture to see the activity JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

28. Junior Master Gardener Program ® Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening! The JMG Group...

29. The JMG® Group... • To get started: • Identify a group of youth. This may be a school group, 4-H club, home school group, or after-school program. The program is flexible and can be offered to many different groups and in many different environments. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

30. The JMG® Group... • Next.. • Identify a leader or teacher willing to be the contact for the JMG group. This can be anyone interested in working with youth. The JMG leader does not have to be a Master Gardener. If a JMG leader needs garden resources and information they can contact their local county Extension service for gardening support. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

31. The JMG® Group... • An important step is to REGISTER your JMG group. The registration packet is four pages and located in the appendix of the JMG curricula. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

32. The JMG® Group... • Why should I register my group? • Registering your group is fast and free. There are no annual fees and your are not obligated to complete the program. Registering gives us a way of knowing where our program is working and how we can provide program updates and information to you. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

33. The JMG® Group... • Registered JMG groups receive: • Registration certificate • Their own JMGweb page • JMG Updates • Opportunity for Certification and Recognition • Support from Cooperative Extension JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

34. The JMG® Group... • What will be in the cost of utilizing the JMG program? • Each group will have a different incurred cost. It all depends upon how many youth are in the group, the type of activities the group chooses to complete, and the type of garden. • Factors to consider: • Registration is Free • Curriculum Cost (quantity discount) • Cost of activity supplies • Cost of garden and supplies JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

35. The JMG® Group... St. Joseph Eagles Positive Planters • Each JMG group can have their own JMG page on the JMG web site. Check out these two registered JMG groups by clicking on the picture. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

36. Junior Master Gardener Program ® Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening! Recognition Opportunities

37. Recognition Opportunities • Choose the recognition opportunity that works best for your JMG group. Some groups choose one type of recognition, while others use a combination of recognition opportunities. • Certified Junior Master Gardener, • Golden Ray Series Certification, • Or • JMG Recognition Medals JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

38. Certification – Level One • Becoming a Certified Junior Master Gardener is the highest level of program participation. • Youths can earn certification as a Junior Master Gardener in Level One, by completing the minimum requirements listed below. • Belong to a registered JMG group. • Complete 1 group activity per learning concept in each chapter. • Complete 1 individual activity per teaching concept in each chapter. • Complete 1 community service/leadership project per chapter. • The JMG core curriculum contains eight chapters with a total of 44 teaching concepts. Therefore, youth complete a total of 44 group activities, 44 individual activities and eight community service/leadership projects to become certified Junior Master Gardeners. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

39. Golden Ray Seriessm Certification • The Golden Ray Series is recognition offered to youth that complete a small part of the Level One JMG program. Groups can choose to focus on one chapter or topic. • Youth can receive Golden Ray Series certification in all eight chapters of the Level One curriculum and/or Health and Nutrition from the Garden. • Belong to a registered JMG group. • Complete any combination of 12 activities (group, individual, or a combination of both). • Complete one life skill/career exploration activity from chapter eight.  • Participate in one community service project. • For youths to receive their certification certificates, the JMG Teacher/Leader should submit the JMG Completion Form to their State JMG Coordinator or the National JMG Program office. Click here for the completion form. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

40. Certification – Level One • When youth complete the requirements to become a Certified Junior Master Gardener or certify in a Golden Ray Series the JMG leader submits the Completion Form to the JMG program office (the completion form is the last page of the JMG registration packet). The JMG Program Office will then send the JMG leader the appropriate certificates for each youth. Groups can also purchase Certified JMG medals for each youth. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

41. JMG® Recognition Medals • Youth can receive a chapter medal for any of the eight chapters in the JMG Level 1 curriculum for completing any 6 activities from the Teacher/Leader Guide, Youth handbook, or a combination of these books. JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

42. JMG® Recognition Medals • Youth can receive a Service Crest Medal for completing a service project for any of the eight chapters of the JMG curriculum. These medals are made to fit together with the chapter medals. Service Crest Service Crest and Chapter Medal JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

43. JMG® Recognition Medals • Youth who receive Golden Ray Series Certification can purchase Golden Ray Shield medals. These medals are made to fit together with the chapter medals and service crest. Golden Ray Shield Golden Ray Shield, Service Crest, and Chapter Medal JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

44. Certification – Level Two Checklist for earning certification in Level Two • Complete and mail in registration packet • Complete ONE group activity per Teaching Concepts • Read the Mission Brief • Complete ONE mission option per Teaching Concepts • Complete one activity as a group from Life Skills and Career Exploration section • Group completes one service learning or leadership project JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

45. Certification – Level Two • To Obtain Recognition: • Teacher/Leader sends in • the completion form • Each youth receives certificate JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

46. Junior Master Gardener Program ® Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening! JMG Garden Shop

47. JMG® Garden Shop • Now at JMG we have more than just curriculum. They have Medals • T-shirts • White collared shirts • Denim button-down shirts • Note cards • Hats! JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

48. JMG® Garden Shop • To order JMG items: • By Phone: 1-888-JMG-KIDS • By Fax: 1-979-695-8498 • By Mail: JMG Kids • 4066 State Hwy 6 South • College Station, TX 77845 • On-Line: www.jmgkids.org JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!

49. For More Information • For JMG program information contact the National JMG Program Office • Junior Master Gardener Program • 225 Horticulture Forestry Sciences Building • College Station, TX 77843-2134 • Phone: 979-845-8565 • Fax: 979-845-8906 • Email: Programinfo@jmgkids.org JMG... Cultivating Youth and Communities through Gardening!