Master Volunteer Programs

Master Volunteers are local people who start out with an interest in a particular subject. They take classes that increase their knowledge and skill in that area; then they use what they have learned to work as volunteers in their communities. They may teach youth or adults, train other volunteers, work on projects like community gardens -- there are lots and lots of possibilities! To find out which Master Volunteer programs are available in your community, contact your county Extension office.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Master Volunteer programs include:

Master Clothing Volunteer: Master Volunteers with sewing expertise increase their skills and help others learn to sew. They target people with little or no sewing experience and help them develop skills for constructing and evaluating apparel and home interior products.

EnviroSmart Master Volunteer: These Master Volunteers learn about current legislation, management of solid and hazardous waste, home and office recycling methods, enviro-shopping, reduction and re-use techniques, composting, lawn waste, pesticides, and public policy.

Family Alliance Master: These volunteers are trained in various aspects of family life education, including parenting, relationship skills, and money management. They are members of the Family Alliance Council and provide training to others in these subjects. At this time, this program is available only in Bexar County.

Master Family Consumer Sciences Volunteer: These volunteers increase their skills in general leadership, organizational leadership, and educational leadership. These skills enable them to make a positive impact on their communities. At this time, this program is available only in Montgomery County.

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Master Food Preserver: These volunteers are trained in various aspects of food preservation and safety to provide credible and responsible information on food preservation to people in their communities. They use a variety of education and communication strategies and work closely with their county Extension agents to ensure the accuracy of their information.

Master 4-H Beef Volunteer: These volunteers are trained to train other volunteers to recruit and educate youth about beef. They may also teach young people in the 4-H Beef Project.

Master 4-H Method Demonstration Volunteer: These volunteers are trained in public speaking skills to develop method demonstrations and illustrated talks. In turn, they train and advise 4-H'ers in researching, composing, and presenting method demonstrations and illustrated talks to groups in their communities.

Master 4-H Poultry Volunteer: These Master Volunteers are trained to work with other volunteers and youth to teach and conduct 4-H poultry projects.

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Master 4-H Recordbook Volunteer: These volunteers guide and help 4-H'ers as they develop a record-keeping system. In addition, they assist and encourage 4-H'ers to complete a 4-H Recordbook and to make families aware of the value of record-keeping.

Master 4-H Sheep Volunteer: These volunteers are trained to train other volunteers to recruit and educate youth about sheep. They may also teach young people in the 4-H Sheep Project.

Master 4-H Swine Volunteer: These Master volunteers are trained to work with other volunteers in recruiting and educating youth about swine. They may also teach young people in the 4-H Swine Project.

Master Gardener: These Master Volunteers receive in-depth horticultural training. In return, they provide volunteer service through Extension by delivering horticultural and environmental education and projects to their communities.

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Master Marketer: The Master Marketer program combines three successful concepts--intensive education, master volunteers, and marketing clubs. The volunteers are agricultural producers who are trained in advanced risk management and marketing techniques and then extend that knowledge to other producers by leading marketing clubs in their counties.

Master Money Management Volunteer: This program equips financial professionals, educators, and others to work with people interested in learning to better manage their family's finances.

Master Parent Volunteer: These volunteers gain skills in working with adults and adolescents; child growth and development, communication, building self-esteem, and guidance and discipline; and preventive safety, health, and nutrition. In turn, they provide parenting education to others in their communities.

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Texas AgriFood Master: The AgriFood Master mission is to recruit and train urban and suburban volunteers to provide agricultural, biotechnology, and food-related environmental education for adults and youth to ensure that wise decisions are made regarding America's food, fiber, and forestry system.

Texas Master Naturalist: These Master Volunteers provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.