The Youth Protection Policy is in place to ensure to the best of our ability, that the UVM Community Horticulture program does its part to provide a safe environment for youth engaged in our gardening programs. The program's policies and procedures are informed by UVM's Protecting Minors Policy. Our policies are in place to guide us in carefully selecting and supporting our volunteers.
All active volunteers, regardless of their interaction with youth during their volunteerism, are required to complete our Minor Protection Training (as of Feb 2023, we are asking volunteers to take the training just once -- subject to change based on University protocols).
All volunteers must also complete a Volunteer Application form (as of Feb 2023, this is a one-time request for active volunteers).
All volunteers must also complete a Background Check (if you are new to Vermont, have lived in the state for less than 1 year, you must also complete federal Fingerprinting) -- these are completed every three years.
See below for forms and instructions.
Note: All transfer and re-activating certified Master Gardener/Composter volunteers must complete the Volunteer Application, Minor Protection Training, and a Background Check (plus fingerprinting for new Vermonters) through UVM before starting in a volunteer position.
Working with Youth
- All UVM Extension Master Gardener/Composter projects and activities directly engaged with youth must always have at least two adults present at all times.
- If a project partner is not able to ensure a proper staff/volunteer adult ratio or ensure that all volunteers have gone through a background check then that project will no longer be able to serve as an official volunteer project that counts for volunteer hours.
- All Master Gardener/Composter Volunteer Project Site Partners are responsible for making sure that any Gardener or Composter volunteers who have not completed a background check DO NOT under any circumstances volunteer on a youth master gardener project without another adult present, (Staff, Teacher, Parent).
- Projects that are "directly engaged with youth" are defined as projects where volunteers will be supervising 1 or more youth without their parent or guardian present.
- Project leaders are responsible for making sure that youth activities have at least 2 adults present at all times.
- Project leaders are responsible for making sure that all Extension Master Gardener/Composter volunteers working with youth have gone through the background check process and are up to date on renewal.