1. Building A Master Gardener-Driven
Pest Diagnostic Clinic
Patrick L. Byers1 and Lisa S. Bakerink2
1. Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Springfield, MO 65809
2. Hotline Coordinator, Master Gardeners of Greene County, Springfield, MO 65809
Abstract
The Master Gardeners of Greene County, Missouri, staff an outreach education service, the Hotline, for the public, which annually addresses
over 2,000 inquiries. Many of these inquiries focus on pest identification and management. An ongoing project to develop an effective
volunteer-driven diagnostic clinic to meet the needs of the Hotline in a timely fashion was initiated in 2010. The project goals include developing
a Hotline diagnostic clinic, building the skills and confidence of present Hotline volunteers, attracting additional volunteers to Hotline service,
and developing a sense of community among present and future Hotline volunteers.
Introduction Outfitting a Diagnostic Clinic
• Dissecting microscope • Petri dishes • Plant press, mounting
The Master Gardeners of Greene County Hotline is an integral part of • Hand lens, 10x power • Insect vials supplies
MU Extension horticultural programming. The Hotline is volunteer- • Refrigerator • Plastic sample bags • Insect collection supplies
driven, and an informal survey of Master Gardeners in 2010 indicated • Dissecting tools • Mailing supplies • Alcohol for preservation
that perceived lack of knowledge was a major concern among present
and potential Hotline volunteers. The majority of the contacts that the Impacts and Discussion
Hotline addresses annually are focused on problem diagnosis, and
accuracy and timeliness are critical. The operations of the Hotline have markedly improved since the
project was implemented. Informal review of client contact sheets
indicates a high degree of accuracy among the diagnoses, and the
Hotline Diagnostic Clinic Procedure volume of samples referred to the regional horticulture specialist has
Initial contact with client; Volunteer performs Sample submitted to Client contact sheet is declined. Hotline volunteers were surveyed in 2011 and 2012 to
client contact sheet diagnostic investigation university clinic if filed and entered into
completed; sample needed; diagnosis database; sample is assess the impact of the project. In 2012 100% of volunteers
logged and prepared, complete, client preserved if needed reported a good to excellent level of satisfaction with the Hotline
sample stored if needed contacted with
diagnosis and experience, up from 89% in 2011. Similarly, in 2012 100% of
recommendations
volunteers reported a good to excellent level of satisfaction with the
Sample referral to diagnostic training program, up from 82% in 2011. In 2011 77.2% of
horticulture specialist
If needed volunteers reported a Hotline activities confidence level of moderate
to considerable, which was improved in 2012 to 96.8%. Finally,
knowledge gain, which was measured on a 1-4 Likert scale, showed
Developing the Diagnostic Clinic an improvement of 0.962 in 2011 and 1.359 in 2012. The number of
Hotline volunteers has increased from 32 in 2010 to 40 in 2012.
Funding was secured in 2010 from the University of Missouri IPM
Demonstration program to purchase equipment, supplies and
references for a basic diagnostic clinic. The Hotline client contact
sheet was revised to more accurately collect information needed for
diagnostic work. A sample-handling procedure was instituted. A
database was developed to systematically organize information on
diagnostic samples, and 4 years of contact information are available
for reference. A monthly newsletter was initiated in 2011, designed to
provide timely pest diagnostic information and to build Hotline
community. Monthly training sessions further develop the diagnostic
skills of Hotline volunteers. A white board was installed in the Hotline
room to highlight current pest issues. Diagnostic activity (left) and Hotline white board