The Texas Master Wellness program, offered through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is looking for volunteers in the Williamson County area interested in serving their community.

A group of people participating in the Walk Across Texas! program. It is a cold day and they wear jackets and hoods and warm clothing. This is one of many programs Texas Master Wellness volunteers support.
Walk Across Texas! is one of the many programs that Master Wellness volunteers may assist with. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

The training on May 9 will begin with the education and tools volunteers need to assist their communities with healthy living. On May 23, a Master Wellness certification exam will be given. Previous health or wellness training is not required — only an interest in living healthfully and helping others.

The training includes both an in-person and online portion, as well as the test. The total cost is $75. The two-day in-person volunteer training will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on both May 9 and May 23 at the AgriLife Extension office, 100 Wilco Way, Suite AG 201, Georgetown. A link to the online portion of the course will be sent to those who register to complete at their own pace.

Those interested in participating may call the AgriLife Extension office in Williamson County at 505-943-3300 or email Katie Sharpton, family and community health agent for Williamson County, at [email protected] for more information.

Master Wellness program

“Finding reliable resources of health and wellness information can be a challenge,” Sharpton said. “Since 1906, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided Texans with guidance in various health areas and is now training volunteers to provide more communities with the education and tools needed for healthy living.”

The Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative is a program that provides volunteers with 40 hours of training in health and nutrition education. In return, the volunteers agree to give back 40 hours of service. Once volunteers meet the 40 hour training criteria, they become Master Wellness interns and will then work with their local agents on project selection and can begin to serve their communities.

The volunteer opportunities are diverse and may include giving presentations for local community groups, assisting with periodic cooking schools, distributing information at health fairs and other activities as determined by each individual county’s needs. Volunteers may also assist with AgriLife Extension’s Cooking Well with Diabetes in-person programs or the Walk Across Texas! program.

“Because each community is different, Master Wellness volunteers work with AgriLife Extension county agents and other stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities to help make a local difference,” Sharpton said.

In 2022, volunteers provided 6,468 hours of service reaching 29,446 Texans.

Training topics

The Master Wellness training on May 9 and May 23 will focus on:

  • Physical activity.
  • Nutrition.
  • Food safety and food demonstrations.
  • Child health.
  • AgriLife Extension health programs available to communities.
  • Master Wellness certification exam.
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