MURFREESBORO,
Tenn. – A University of Tennessee Extension professional has been recognized
nationally for her work with local Master Gardeners. Rachel Painter, Master
Gardener coordinator with UT-TSU Extension in Rutherford County, has been
honored with the National Master Gardener Distinguished Early Career Award.
Over
the past three years, Painter’s efforts have helped the volunteer retention
rate go from 30% in 2016 to close to 75% in 2019. She has helped pioneer the
use of new technologies in Rutherford County, including new outreach efforts
during the COVID-19 pandemic. From Instagram to Google Drive, Master Gardeners
in Rutherford County have been trained by Painter to use technologies to their
benefit and to grow the program. She has also led efforts to involve Master
Gardeners in TV and radio appearances to showcase volunteer opportunities and
program impacts.
Painter
has focused on recruiting and retention by leading a dedicated ‘growth team.’
This team is responsible for mentoring new volunteers and serves as a
leadership pipeline. She also initiated and co-led listening sessions across
the state that formed the foundation for a new statewide Master Gardener
strategic and volunteer leadership development plan.
Jennifer
Salter, president of the Rutherford County Master Gardener Association,
nominated Painter for the award. “Rachel has inspired, motivated and
revitalized our whole group from the day she arrived and I am excited to see
what the future holds as she continues to mature in the position,” commented
Salter.
“From
her very first day, Rachel has been a passionate, organized, dedicated and
visionary leader of her local UT Extension Master Gardener group,” adds Natalie
Bumgarner, UT Extension specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences. “Her
leadership has transformed a struggling county group into one that is positively
impacting their community and serving as a leader in the state Master Gardener
program.”
The
award is presented on behalf of the Extension Master Gardener National
Committee and recognized the contributions of a coordinator with fewer than 10
years’ experience in the position. The Distinguished Early Career Coordinator
Award is presented at the organization’s annual conference, taking place
virtually this year in September 2020.
A
Lebanon, Tennessee native, Painter has been with UT Extension since 2017.
Painter holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor’s in
natural resources and environmental economics, both from the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville.
The UT-TSU Extension Rutherford County office is jointly staffed by agriculture
and family and consumer science professionals from the University of Tennessee
and Tennessee State University.
Through
its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of
Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life.
Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.
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