Course: Garden-Based Learning Library

Garden-Based Learning Library

This Learning Library is an online community where CCE educators can connect around horticulture resources for their regional and local Extension programming especially the core preparation and advance training of Master Gardener Volunteers.

The goal of this library is to share quality garden-based learning strategies, materials and best practices. Select items from the library that will work for you, and tailor them to meet your local program needs and align with your local plan of work.

For our pilot period the site is open only to CCE paid staff members. Currently if you wish to share content with facilitators and key volunteers who do not have a Cornell NetID you will need to download the items for them.

Questions? Please email garden@cornell.edu

The information in this guide is for educational/training purposes. The information and recommendations presented here were updated in 2018 and contain the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. Cornell Cooperative Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which may be available.

Introduction

Module 1: The Fundamentals

Image of person reading a book

New York residents rely on a wide variety of natural resources including forested mountains; aquatic environments (wetlands, marshes, estuaries, streams and lakes); and an accompanying diversity of plant and animal species, for recreation, tourism, and raw products. Communities need education targeted to their specific concerns, including the interaction of natural resources, the environment, and the economy. And as a gardener, it is important to have an understanding of how plants grow and function. We could not survive without plants and depend on them for food, fossil fuels, lumber, fibers, medicines, paper, latex, resin, cork, spices, fragrances and dyes.

In this module, you will learn more about:

plant structure and function, participants will be able to translate these skills into more complex gardening topics
good management practices, alternative land uses, protection of open space, and development of environmentally-sustainable natural resource based businesses
pollinators and pollinator biodiversity in our environment
best management tactics for accurate and early detection of plant diseases in landscapes and communities

Module 2: Food Gardening

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Gardening is a great way to produce healthy, fresh food for yourself and your community. It is a nice to get into gardening because everyone likes to eat!

Whether you are growing in your own back yard or in a shared community garden, gardening is a way to be an ecological steward and produce nutritious food.

In this module, you will learn about:

gardening
plants
pests
how to care for your garden
storing and sharing your crops

Module 3: Ornamental Plants and Ecosystems Services

Image of a person reaching up to pick an apple out of a tree.

CCE is focused on developing capacity among citizens, leaders, and local officials so they are better prepared to address challenges and opportunities, improve quality of life, and build strong and vibrant communities. CCE works toward the long-term sustainability and well-being communities through collaborations and partnerships and promotes active and representative participation toward enabling all community members to shape their collective future. One key strategy is to increase the number of residents practicing management tactics in homes, lawns, gardens and landscapes that support environmental stewardship and a sustainable community.

In this Module, you will learn best practices for designing and maintaining community and home landscapes including lawns, herbaceous and woody plants.

Module 4: Problem Solving

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CCE supports programs aimed at empowering individuals and communities to make sound decisions for the future through access to research, best practices, university-based resources and community education.

Land use and residential spaces is an indicator area with the outcome that residents demonstrate knowledge and skills around ecological management of homes, gardens and landscapes. This includes best management practices and providing research-based options to solutions.

In this module, you will learn about:

principals of Integrated Pest Management
the seven S' of plant diagnostics, and how to utilize them
how to read and follow a pesticide label
problem solving in your vegetable and ornamental gardens
pest management

Warning! Agrichemicals/Pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. State regulations may vary. If the information does not agree with the current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law. Carefully handle and store agrichemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets and livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact your State Department of Environmental Protection or similar agency for current regulations. The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.

Module 5: Management Strategies

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Climate data for the last 50 years show dramatic changes in temperature and precipitation at the global, national, regional, and state levels. In New York and elsewhere, global climate change is believed responsible for more erratic weather patterns, warmer temperatures, heavier rainfall, lower snow levels, and altered season length with intensifying impact on humans, wildlife, the economy, and the environment. Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is committed to educating stakeholders about this intensifying challenge and helping citizens implement the strategies that are needed to adapt to and mitigate climate change. (CCE Statewide Plan of Work)

Module 6: Starting and Sustaining Learning Gardens

Image of a person pointing to a blackboard, while another person raises their hand and asks a question

MGV help to prepare citizens, leaders, and local officials so they are better prepared to address challenges and opportunities, improve quality of life, and build strong and vibrant communities. Building local capacity for governance, enhancing local economies, and investing in human capital by providing research-based knowledge, public issues education, and education and training are keys.

We work toward the long term sustainability and well-being of communities through collaborations and partnerships and promote active and representative participation toward enabling all community members to shape their collective future. Partnerships, based on mutual respect and trust, provide a foundation for innovative strategies and informed decision making to create positive and lasting change for communities.

Module 7: Action Project Presentations & Orientation to Local Program Areas

Image of arrows pointing from a lightbulb (ideas) to a gear (action)

The Action Project is a scaffolded activity for participants to work on throughout the core preparation. Participants will present their work during the Project Showcase at the end of the training.

Advanced Training Sessions

Master Gardener's who have completed their training will be curious to expand their learning into new areas. In this Module, you'll find advanced topics to help you continue their educational journey. Note that the materials in this session are typically for trainings and hands-on activities that are shorter in duration than the fundamentals (typically 45-60 minutes in length). Want to help develop new materials? We would love your help creating more Advanced Topics!!! Contact us at garden@cornell.edu if you have materials you'd like to submit for consideration for Advanced Topics.

Volunteer Program Management is not available