national EMG Volunteer program summaries

View the 2020 National Summary Dashboard

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.

This biennial 2018 Extension Master Gardener summary conservatively estimates there are 86,076 Extension Master Gardener 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. Our volunteers reported over 8.6 million contacts and continue to be the front line of Extension’s consumer horticulture efforts. 46 states participated in this report.