The Master Gardener Program does not accept volunteer activity hours or continuing education hours on the following:

• Using plants for medicinal or homeopathic purposes
  There are legal, medical, and safety issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on growing ornamental and edible plants in sustainable ways.
• Food nutrition, preparation, preservation and recipes
  There are safety issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on growing ornamental and edible plants and using proper sanitation and hygiene in the garden to minimize foodborne illness.
• Foraging for mushrooms and plants 
  There are legal, medical, and safety issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on growing ornamental and edible plants in sustainable ways.
• Identification and growing of mushrooms for human health or edibility
  There are safety issues related to this topic. Instead focus on whether or not the mushroom will have an impact on the health of your plants/gardens. 
• Diagnosing risk trees and recommending tree removal
  There are legal and safety issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on the right plant, right place, and proper maintenance of woody plants; refer individuals to tree-care professionals for more information.
  
• Agronomic crops / agronomy
  There are safety and financial issues related to this topic. Direct individuals to agronomic professionals, including Extension staff, for more information.
• Commercial horticulture including landscape, nursery, and tree-care professionals
  There are safety and financial issues related to this topic. Direct individuals to green-industry professionals, including Extension staff, for more information.
  
• Restricted use pesticides
  There are safety and medical issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on IPM and judicious use of products available over the counter.
• Environmental or human health safety issues involving pesticides
  There are legal, safety and medical issues related to this topic. Focus on IPM and directing clients to appropriate pesticides using Extension resources. If a chemical product is to be recommended, focus on the proper use of products according to labels and MSDS as discussed in training.
• General wildlife or animal husbandry (including beekeeping) that is unrelated to gardening
  There may be safety and legal issues related to this topic. Instead, focus on the gardening and horticulture aspects of these topics, such as the plants that support wildlife and pollinators, or managing nuisance wildlife in the garden.
• Hardscaping, including water features installation or maintenance
  There may be financial, safety and legal issues related to this topic. Direct individuals to landscape professionals for more information.
  
• Gardening lifestyle topics, including entertaining or garden photography
  These topics are not addressed in the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program
  
• Education, restoration and maintenance of shorelines, waterways, and aquatic systems
  There are legal and safety issues with this topic that are not addressed in the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program. Please see the Extension Lake program if this interests you.
• Cannabis and marijuana
  There are legal and medical issues with this topic. These topics are not addressed in the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program.

Additional Activities that are Out of Bounds

• Travel time to and from the activity does not count for activity hours.
• Activities for payment and/or personal gain as a Master Gardener. 
• Activities on private property, except when a volunteer-from-home (e.g. prep for a presentation) or citizen science option is provided.  
• Activities for private/commercial business or out-of-state organizations.  
• Activities acting as a “Free Agent”. Master Gardeners must be able to say they are volunteering on behalf of an appropriate organization.  
• General attendance of membership meetings of organizations cannot be counted.  This includes the business section of master gardener association membership meetings.  
  • However, if you are attending the meeting in your leadership role as a board or committee member the time can be claimed if it meets the requirements in the “What Counts” section. 
  • Also, if a presentation is part of the meeting, continuing education can only be claimed if it meets the requirements in the “What Counts” section.

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