Green Works: An Innovative Green Industry Integrated Vocational Program

Patti NagaiHorticulture Educator

Racine County UW-Extension

Terri FriedrichVocational Consultant

Custom Employment Solutions

Meryl StrichartzMaster Gardener Volunteer

Kenosha and Racine Counties UW-Extension

Community Need

• Grass Roots Approach– Master Gardener

Volunteers attended budget meetings

– Waiting List for Services– Proposed vocational

program

Green Works Partnerships& Program Model

Time Line

• 2004 Need based opportunity to work with adults with developmental disabilities presented by Master Gardener Volunteers.

• 2005 Developed community partnerships, defined program philosophies and designed program.

• 2006 USDA grant funds pilot.• 2007Acquired greenhouse. • 2008 Added soft job skills to curriculum. Expanded

greenhouse.• 2009 Added micro-enterprise self-employment and life-

well being to classroom curriculum.

Green WorksAn application of therapeutic horticulture

specifically for vocational purposes.

Therapeutic Horticulture• The active or passive process by which individuals may

develop well-being using plants and horticulture.

Benefits:

– Intellectual• Memory stimulation• Vocational skills

– Physical• Daily life skills• Fine and gross motor

skills• Nutritional

– Emotional• Self worth• Nurturing

– Social• Sharing• Accepting

– Spiritual

Three Stages of Program

I. Recruit and train Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) to be job coaches in integrated work environment. Select program participants through hands-on-interview process.

II. MGVs and program participants work together in horticultural skills training, discovery process, soft job skill exercises, and micro-enterprise classroom/workshop self-employment activities.

III. Job development, placement and job coaching in wage and volunteer employment positions.

Stage I: Training MGVs to be Job Coaches

• Emphasis on self-determination• Systematic instruction of tasks • Developing natural supports• Understanding work culture• The importance of “fading”

MGV Training• Read Job Coach Quickstart and attend orientation

• Meet monthly during greenhouse training

• Consult with vocational specialist as needed

• Approximately 24 hours of volunteer training

Hands-On InterviewAnnounce event through human service communication channels

invite applicants upon review of written application (can be filled out by parent/guardian),

conduct interview with tactile activities, e.g. putting soil in pot

select applicants as a group

Stage II: Horticultural Skills Training

MGVs and program participants work together in greenhouse skills training

Green Works Training• 12 week course meets weekly

• self-employment activities

• soft job skill training

• Participants receive a Certificate of Achievement after completing the coursework.

Greenhouse Training:

• Seeding

• Watering

• Materials assembly

• Transplanting and labeling

• Plant identification and care

Master Gardener Volunteer Formal/Informal Mentoring:• Discovery process • Workplace culture discussions• Workplace etiquette• Workplace ethics discussions• Workplace conflict resolution

Soft Job Skills Training:• Self-Advocacy• Sexual harassment review• Safety Rules/OSHA • Resume preparation• Application instruction• Mock interviewing

Self-Employment Training:• Micro-business idea generation• Production experience• Basic micro-business planning• Business Powerpoint™ pitch• DVR/SSI opportunities

Stephy’s SnacksNutritious and Delicious

Gourmet Vegetable Platters,Salad Mixes and Dressings

Stephy’s Snacks

Vegetable platters are a staple at

every festive event, but often the most overlooked menu item.

Party planners need a source of organic delicious and decoratively prepared

vegetable platters for special occasions!

Stephy’s Snacks offers

healthy, organic, gourmet

and decorative vegetable platters

to satisfy the needs of party planners.

Stephy’s Snacks

Stephy’s Snacks

Stephy’s Snacks will direct market to local party planners, event planners,

businesses and individuals who announce their engagement publicly.

Stephy’s Snacks will also sell trays, salad mixes and dressings

at the local farmer’s market.

Stephy’s Snacks

The secrets to Stephy’s Snacks success:

• Edible flowers• Organic • Artistic• Nutritious & Delicious

Questions

Stage III: Job Development, Placement & Coaching

Partnering with an employment specialist, Green Works develops jobs and coaches

Job CoachingMaster Gardener Volunteers spend

an average of 20 hours actual job coaching per participant

Value of a Volunteer

• The national average hourly wage value of a volunteer is $17.04.

• We estimate the Master Gardener Volunteers trained as Job Coaches are worth approximately $45.00/hour because they are so highly skilled.

Keys to SuccessDeveloping Partnerships

• Southern Wisconsin Center - Facilities• Racine Co. Human Service – Consumer needs• Custom Employment Solutions• Local Businesses – Employment trends & material donations• Small Business Development Center – Educational materials• Local politicians – Community program support & promotion• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – Consumer services• Gardening groups – Community program support and

promotion• Civic groups - Community program support and promotion

Program Design Considerations

• Can be used with DVR services– Participants can request Green Works training– Supported employment – Future microenterprise ventures

• Can be used with County HSD services– Referring participants– Potential funding (non-Family Care Counties)

Program Design Considerations

• Important to understand trends in volunteerism

• The potential of volunteers to contribute to your organization and/or program in powerful ways.