All Reasonable Effort, or ARE, is the documented outreach UC Cooperative Extension programs conduct to invite potential and targeted clientele to participate in programs and activities.
UC Master Gardener Program counties document the ARE methods used to recruit prospective volunteers and invite members of the public to participate in educational programs. ARE is achieved when a county program uses at least three of the six federally accepted outreach methods during a program year.
2026 All Reasonable Effort Survey
The 2026 All Reasonable Effort Survey is required for every county UC Master Gardener Program.
- Survey opens: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
- Survey closes: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Reporting period: July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026
Each county must submit information about the ARE methods used during the reporting period. Coordinators responsible for more than one county program may need to submit a separate survey for each county.
Complete the 2026 All Reasonable Effort Survey
Understanding Parity and All Reasonable Effort
Federal civil rights requirements call for UC Cooperative Extension programs to monitor who participates in their programs and conduct outreach to potential clientele.
Parity is the measurement
Parity is reached when the percentage of actual clientele participating in a program is at least 80% of that group’s percentage in the potential clientele. Parity helps programs answer the question: Does participation reflect the population eligible to benefit from the program?
All Reasonable Effort is the action
ARE documents the outreach methods used to invite potential or targeted clientele to participate. It helps programs answer the question: What outreach has the program conducted to broaden participation?
All Reasonable Effort Methods
A county program must use at least three of the following six outreach methods during the program year.
Mass Media Effort
Outreach through social media, press releases, public service announcements, radio, podcasts, television, blogs, websites and other web-based channels.
Promotional Material Effort
Newsletters, posters, flyers and other promotional materials distributed broadly to potential or targeted clientele.
Individual Effort
Direct, one-on-one outreach through in-person conversations, telephone calls, Zoom conversations, tabling, fairs, farmers markets and similar activities.
Personal Letter Effort
A printed or electronic message addressed to an individual by name and inviting the person to a specific event or activity. The invitation should include:
- The recipient’s name
- The name or purpose of the event
- The event date and time
- The location or information needed to participate
Organizational Collaboration Effort
Outreach conducted in partnership with community organizations, agencies or groups. Examples include conducting joint outreach activities, sharing program invitations with a partner’s audience and working with trusted organizations that serve targeted clientele.
Other Outreach Effort
An outreach method that invites potential or targeted clientele but does not fit one of the five categories above. Programs should clearly describe the activity in their local records and annual survey response.
County Program Responsibilities
Each county UC Master Gardener Program is responsible for:
- Using at least three of the six ARE methods during the program year.
- Submitting the required ARE Survey annually.
- Retaining local ARE records and examples for at least three years.
- Promoting nondiscrimination in program outreach and participation.
- Partnering with groups, agencies and organizations that serve potential or targeted clientele.
- Including targeted clientele in program planning when appropriate.
- Conducting activities in welcoming and accessible ways.
- Adapting outreach and programming to be culturally responsive.
- Collecting required contact and demographic information in accordance with UC ANR guidance.
Documenting Your Outreach
Counties should retain examples showing how each reported ARE method was used. Documentation may include:
- Social media posts or screenshots
- Press releases, media coverage or interview information
- Copies of newsletters, posters and flyers
- Personal letters or emails
- Event outreach logs or tabling records
- Partner correspondence or joint outreach materials
- Brief descriptions of other outreach activities
Training and Resources
- Watch the All Reasonable Effort webinar (YouTube, Aug. 26, 2026)
- Use the parity calculator
All Reasonable Effort Reports
Review results from previous All Reasonable Effort surveys:
- Program Year 2023-24 All Reasonable Effort report (BOX folder)
Questions
For questions about All Reasonable Effort, reporting requirements or incorporating ARE practices into your county program, contact:
Jocelyn Mobley
Statewide Evaluation Coordinator
UC Master Gardener Program
jmmobley@ucanr.edu