The problem

Volunteers play a crucial role in Extension programs, contributing their time, talents, and skills to provide instruction, research, and public service.

The educational program response

The Scott County Extension Master Gardener Prgram's dedicated volunteers are part of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension program. They engage with local citizens, delivering up-to-date, research-based information. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the Scott County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program contributed a total of 421 volunteer hours.

Program impact or participant response

Understanding the value of volunteer time is essential. The Independent Sector, an organization that assesses the economic impact of volunteering, estimates the value of volunteer time at $34.00 per hour. Using this valuation, the Scott County Extension Master Gardener volunteers’ contribution of time amounts to $14,314.  I

t’s noteworthy that the nationwide increase in volunteer monetary time (5.3 percent) surpasses the annual inflation rate (3.4 percent in 2023). This demonstrates the significant impact and appreciation for volunteer efforts.