University of California Master Gardeners
Who we are and what we do:
UCCE Master Gardeners of Lake County are volunteer staff of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), the public service branch of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Master Gardeners are members of the local community who share a common interest, the growth and environmentally-sound care of plants. Whether it is grasses, herbs, indoor or outdoor ornamentals, shrubs, vegetables, vines, or trees, it falls within the scope of the “Master Gardener Program”.
The Master Gardener Program began in the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington area in 1973 in response to the public’s need for information regarding the planting, growth, and care of plants. Those who join the program complete 50 hours of classroom training and additional mentoring in horticulture and performing volunteer service. In return, we commit to 50 hours of volunteer time within the first year. In following years, we commit to 25 hours volunteer service and 12 hours of continuing education to remain certified. The volunteer hour requirement is met by working shifts on the Master Gardener Help Desk at the Lake County UCCE office in the Agricultural Center in Lakeport, staffing educational booths at Farmers Markets and other locations, and by organizing field trips, working on special projects, or participating in other horticulture-related educational activities.
On the Help Desk, we receive questions from the public (we call them “clients”) and make every attempt to answer the questions or resolve their problem(s). We have access to many resources not generally available to the public, including on-site professional staff, outside experts, and faculty and specialists from the University of California’s Berkeley, Davis and Riverside campuses. For research purposes, we have access to on-site libraries that cover every aspect of horticultural science. Many of our members have developed extensive skills and acquired knowledge in specific areas of gardening; we educate ourselves at the same time that we provide service to the public.
What do we gain from our volunteer service? Aside from sharing our knowledge with the community, we enjoy the association of others who share a common interest, participate in interesting field trips, attend informative classes and presentations on horticulture, and best of all, we learn how to grow and care for plants sustainably and successfully.
If you would like further information, please contact the Master Gardener Community Education Specialist - Louise Pagone, lpagone@ucanr.edu or by calling the UCCE office at 707-263-6838