Happy New Year!

I am amazed and gratified by what the Master Gardener Program organization accomplished in 2015. 

There are more than 250 active Master Gardeners, nine Hands-on gardening education projects for trainees with excellent volunteer leadership.  Seven approved sites!  The “best” MGP Executive Committee members, Speakers Bureau Speakers and Schedulers, and Clerical Support Group. We also have an impressive and informed group of Approved Garden Site Leads and Hands-on Leads.  A small but mighty group of volunteers supporting the work and efforts of the UCCE Farm Advisors research projects. MGs do such great work and contribute so much to the mission and goals of the MGP. 

In 2015, we made several changes to the MGP of Ventura County Bylaws, every Executive Committee now has two co-chairs to share the workload and responsibilities. Changes to the bylaws also included bringing the Helpline Area to the status of a Standing Committee. There are more than 15 Helpline Desk Trainers, the largest number of helpline trainers every. Our Helpline Schedulers have been in their positions for more than five years. Hope all volunteers are aware that the MGP was created to provide University's Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors with a group of educated volunteers to answer garden related questions with science-based gardening information. The Helpline is the cornerstone of the MGP in California, the United States and internationally. There are trained Master Gardener volunteers answering gardening related questions every day of the week. We are part of a very larger organization.

In July 2015, we started the new fiscal year with a Leadership Conference for Executive Committee Co-chairs and other members in leadership positions. The first MGP Operational Guidelines Handbook was reviewed and implement as part of the program. This handbook is designed to be a road map for existing and newly elected Executive Committee Co-chairs. The workshop also included sessions on leadership qualities and effective conflict resolution techniques. Special thanks to Nicole Vanole and Kei Zehr for their outstanding contribution and support in helping to create the first MGP Operational Guidelines Handbook for Ventura County.  

In 2005, the first class of the Master Gardener Program of Ventura County graduated. This year we celebrated our 10^th Anniversary and recognized Master Gardeners who have remained active in the program. We also celebrated the accomplishments of the Master Gardeners reaching 2500 hours of community volunteer service. This distinguish group of Master Gardeners included Julian Hoyle, Tony Hepton, Judy Ascheman, Barbara Hill, and Diane Carter.  

The HOPE Shed (aka Potting Shed) has become an area where Certified Master Gardeners can participate in hands on plant education and gain continuing education hours at the same time. So far, more than 200 continuing education hours have been posted by Certified Master Gardeners participating in these informative educational opportunities. Instructors for these classes include MGP Advisor Dr. James Downer along with many talented Certified Master Gardeners. We are working to create an outdoor classroom environment in the HOPE Shed. Special thanks to the creativity of UCCE and HAREC Director Christopher Smith, we now have beautiful worktables for these outdoor educational sessions.

Since January of 2015, we reached more than 20,000 individuals with science-based gardening information.  More than 600 questions were answered at the helpline desk.  MG participated in numerous outreach and community events and won many ribbons and awards for the Ventura County Fair display.  Hosted six Seasonal Mastering Your Home Garden Workshops.  MGP volunteers also led an effort to educate more 4500 residents in Ventura County about statewide declared DROUGHT.  MGP speakers presented 64 presentations on the topics related to saving water in the home landscape. Calleguas Municipal Water District provided advertising funding to promote the MGP water saving talks in local newspapers. Most talks were attended by more than 100 home gardeners.

In addition, the MGP of Ventura County was selected to host the first Statewide MGP workshop featuring the New “California” Landscape. This workshop provided Master Gardener volunteers with information and suggestions for approaching the drought in Ventura County. More than 100 volunteers from three counties were in attendance. This one day workshop was held in Thousand Oaks and UC educators from Ventura County and the state presented valuable information about saving water in the home landscape.

MGP volunteers facilitated two off-site plant sales and education workshops that yield more than 200 names for our contact list. MG woodworkers built more than 50 raised beds and nearly all been purchased. Propagated 5000 plus plants for Speaker Bureau engagements and school garden giveaways.  Supported HAREC youth school field trips, school visits, and Pumpkin-Pumpkin outreach effort.  Improved and maintained gardens and compost area used to educate the public at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center.  

Assisted UC Farm Advisors with research projects and tracked more than 400 hours of volunteer service.  

We interviewed and accepted thirty-six trainees to the Class of 2016.  This group of trainees are described best as engaged and excited about everything. They are eager to support the work and efforts of the MGP. 

Wishing you and yours the best in the coming year.  

If you need to reach me, email at - ljhaynes@ucanr.edu or call me (805) 320-4134.    

UC Farm Advisors Article and other resources:

• Dr. Ben Faber wrote an article about Disease Pyramid, tracking how diseases destroy plants.

Click to review article - http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=19842

Just a Reminder:

• If you would like to meet at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center, contact Louise Rangel to schedule your meeting space.  Or let me know, and I will complete the paperwork.  
• Post your volunteer service and continuing education hours weekly or daily.
• Certified Master Gardeners are welcome to attend the MG Class of 2016 training classes.  Please contact Education Co-chairs Julian Hoyle or Martha Tureen if you plan to attend one or more training class. Classes are held from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.  You will receive 3.0 hours of continuing education. 

January 2016

Saturday January 30, 2016

40^th Mastering Your Home Garden Workshop will focus on Tree Care 101 taught by Dr. James Downer. The workshop will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Santa Paula. Master Gardeners coordinating the workshop are Marti Miester at mparkgeo@aol.com, Allison Watese at awwatase@gmail.com and Carloyn Mullaney at carolyn.mullaney@gmail.com.

If you have questions about the workshop, contact these coordinators directly. Remember Master Gardeners pay a reduce price of $10.00 to attend. Register at: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16619

February 2016

Tuesday February 2, 2016

This is a two-part class and you must attend part I to be eligible for part II.

Part 1: Planting Seeds – Taught by Harry Lee and Teri Guillies will be assisted by Marsha Meeker. Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 19-25 and 92-99. Session is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00am.

Link to register - http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16892

Tuesday February 9, 2016

Join us in the HOPE Shed and learn about Modified Stems:  Bulbs, Rhizomes and Tubers (Onions, Garlic, Potatoes) taught by Marsha Meeker and Harry Lee will be assisted by Teri Guillies. Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 42-49 and 112-113. Session is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00 am. 

Link to register - http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16894

Tuesday February 23, 2016

This is a two-part class and you must attend part I to be eligible for part II.

Part II: Potting Up Seedlings – Taught by Harry Lee and Teri Guillies will be assisted by Marsha Meeker

Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 19-25 and 92-99

Session is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00am.

Link to register - http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16893

March 2016

Tuesday March 1, 2016

Learn about Propagation of CA Natives at the VA Home and Hardwood Cuttings (Fig and Grape) – Taught by Marsha Meeker will be assisted by Teri Guillies. Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 61-63 and 70-73 and 99-103. Session is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00am.

Link to register - http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16895

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Learn about Soft Wood, Green Wood, Semi-Ripe Wood Cuttings – Taught by Marsha Meeker and Harry Lee will be assisted by Teri Guillies. Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 64-69 and 100.

Session is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00am.

Link to register - http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16896

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - Quarterly Master Gardener Program Gathering

Hope to see you and yours at the 1st Master Gardener Program Gathering of the year.  The gathering will be held on Tuesday March 8, 2016 at the Camarillo Ranch House from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  You are welcome to bring your spouse or gardening friend to the gathering. This is a potluck event. Please bring enough food for serve six to eight people. If your picture is not on the VMS, we will be taking a picture of you to post for your gardening friends to see. Remember your information is always protected and not use for solicitation.

Our speaker will be University of California Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulturist Janet Hartin, she serves San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties.  She specializes in sustainable landscape practices and principles including water efficient landscapes; use of compost; and, integrated pest management stressing prevention.  She has presented over 1,200 talks to professional societies and organizations both nationally and internationally and authored numerous publications. In August 2014, Janet received a University of California Distinguished Service Award for her exceptional service as Associate Editor for UC ANR for all environmental horticulture publications.  You are in for a treat!

Link to register – http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16993

The Special Events and Projects (SPEC) Committee Co-chairs Robin Corey at rcoreyfam@hotmail.com and/or Nicole Vanole at masn2001@msn.com. and committee members will coordinate this gathering. If you have questions about the gathering, contact SPEC Co-chairs directly.  

Tuesday March 15, 2016

Grafting and Air-Layering taught by Marsha Meeker and Teri Guillies. Preparation for class reading assignment: Master Gardener Handbook pages 114-117

Link to register: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=16897 

Home & Garden Show at the Ventura County Fair - March 18, 19 and 20^th

We will need volunteers to help with set-up, teardown, and to work shifts in the booth. If you are interested in volunteering for the Home & Garden Show. Be sure to check emails, an announcement will be sent in February to recruit volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity for MG Trainees to track volunteer hours in the community.

Speakers Bureau Series:

We are working with several libraries and cities to schedule speakers series for the Spring, Summer and Fall.

Dates and topics will be included in the next update. 

Hands-on Program Update:

Thought you might be interested in browsing the impressive list of Hands-on Garden Education Programs planned for the Class of 2016 MG Trainees.  

ARC Enrichment Center and Garden - Ojai (meet on Wednesday)

• Irrigation management
• Fruit Trees management
• Learn about CA Natives
• Growing vegetables in raised beds

 CA Veterans Home and Garden - Ventura (meet on Tuesday)

• Rose Care and Pruning 

 Camarillo Ranch House - Camarillo (meet on Wednesday)

• Research and Install a Shade Garden

 Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center - Santa Paula

• Learn to grow vegetables in raised beds and row crops (meet on Tuesday)
• Propagation 101 in the HOPE Shed (meet on Thursday)
• Victorian Farmhouse Shade Garden (meet on Thursday)

 Oxnard Historic Farm Park - Oxnard (meet on Tuesdays)

• Research and Install a Native Garden in partnership with US Fish and Wildlife  

 True Colors Garden and Learning Center (meet on Thursday)

• Research and Install a South African Garden