How Local Volunteers Make a Difference
Many people see volunteering as a way to live their lives with purpose and to make this world a little better than they found it. They live their lives with purpose. Through their efforts, they have the opportunity to make a difference by combining their knowledge and experiences so that everyone in the community benefits.
Whether it is a passion for nutrition, natural resources, or gardening, here is what three volunteers give and receive from volunteering.
For Patti Graham, an Extension Master Food Volunteer (EMFV), giving back is a two-way street. She shares nutrition education resources through public classes and community events. While her goal is to teach something new to those she meets, she finds herself learning along the way.
"I've learned so much as an EMFV," Patti shares. "Not only while preparing for a class, but when I'm in a group of other EMFVs just talking to each other."
Beyond the joy of meeting new people in the community, Patti enjoys interacting with the other volunteers. "It's the feeling of having a group where I can make a mistake and still belong," she laughs, thinking of the time she accidentally swapped the salt and baking soda in a recipe. Being part of something bigger that makes such an impact on the community brings great pride in the work she does with the other volunteers.
For the past 30 years, Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Jackie Goetz has continued to enjoy critters in the garden and the joy of public interactions with people eager to learn.
Jackie first fell in love with butterflies, their caterpillars, and the host plants they needed to survive. But after giving presentations to Garden Clubs and Elementary Schools for a few years, it became apparent there was a need to spread this information more widely, so she became an EMG.
She enjoys working with many other enthusiastic EMGs to share caterpillars and butterflies at many different venues over the years. “We never get tired of seeing faces light up at the sight of various caterpillars on display with their host plants. No matter the age, these faces grow even brighter when they're invited to touch or ‘pet’ the caterpillars,” says Jackie.
It's apparent that the knowledge about how beneficial these insects and wildlife in the garden is spreading. Now she hears stories about visitors’ own experiences with caterpillars and other critters in nature, welcoming an ever-expanding appreciation for these critters with new learners in the community.
Frank Mundt has been an 'armchair' naturalist watching nature shows for years from the comfort of his living room. Becoming an Extension Master Naturalist (EMN) gives him the opportunity to apply his knowledge and interest in ways that can make a difference.
Whether it is through citizen science or public education, Frank is happy to support efforts to make the planet a better place to live while helping the next generation appreciate and care for the environment.
He also enjoys connecting with other like-minded people. Frank says, “There are so many interesting EMNs that truly enjoy and believe in what they are doing, which makes participating that much easier. Everyone is very welcoming and appreciative of each other.”
These volunteers and many others like them understand that sharing their skills and passion help to build a stronger community, while making new connections with other volunteers and members of the public. They also know that the time and energy they spend becomes a win-win for everyone.
by Tracy Hemsath, Volunteer Leadership and Development Agent, 2026