Congratulations to our Latest Master Gardener Graduates in the Class of 2020!

February 22, 2020
By Janet S Hartin

Congratulations to our 52 San Bernardino County University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener graduates from all corners of the county! Please help Master Gardener Coordinator Maggie O'Neill, previously certified Master Gardeners and myself welcome these new volunteers who completed their 18-week training course and graduated on February 18, 2020 in Loma Linda.

What does it take to become a UCCE Master Gardener? Dedication, passion, a strong desire to help local residents and communities garden more sustainably. Each graduate completed an 18-week training session with weekly classes on sustainable landscaping, growing vegetables and fruits in home, school, and community gardens, pest management, and building healthy communities. Course requirements included passing a midterm and final exam and presenting a class (project to peers in a group setting. Most importantly of all, graduates each made a pledge to volunteer at least 50 hours of their own time over a one year period to help residents of San Bernardino County garden smarter.

Thanks to the continued dedication of over 150 previously trained Master Gardeners, San Bernardino County now has the talents of over 200 knowledgeable Master Gardener volunteer who you will very likely meet at local events and activities from Chino Hills to Yucaipa as well as in desert and mountain communities alone or in partnership with over 75 collaborating agencies, cities, schools, and county departments.

Since a picture can paint 1,000 words, we hope you enjoy living vicariously through a few graduation photos! Fiends and family members alike enjoyed an evening of celebration in honor of their Superstars who they are rightfully very proud of!

MG San Bernardino County 2020 Let's Eat Cake and Celebrate! — Four women smiling and holding a decorated cake shaped like an open book, with colorful icing and writing, at an indoor event.

Mg graduation 2 — Three women wearing matching blue shirts with a logo stand close together, smiling with their arms around each other at a gathering.

MG family affair 9 — A man and a woman sitting at a table, both smiling at the camera, with drinks and other people blurred in the background.

AA MG Family Affair San Bernardino County 2020 — A man and a woman sit close together at a table, both smiling warmly at the camera. There’s food laid out behind them, suggesting a shared meal or potluck-style event.

MG family affair 8 — Another pair sits side by side in what looks like an auditorium or meeting room. The man has his arm around the woman, and both are smiling broadly, giving a relaxed and cheerful impression.

MG family affair with two children in tow! — A woman is holding a small child on her hip while another young child stands beside her. All three are smiling, and the setting looks like a hallway or entry area. The mood feels very family-oriented.

MG family affair 10 — Two teenagers (or young adults) stand together, smiling. One is holding a jar, possibly part of an activity or event. They look comfortable and casual.

A MG Family Affair San Bernardino County graduation 2020 — A woman sits holding a young child in her lap. The child leans into her, and both look happy and relaxed. There’s a small potted plant on the table in front of them.

MG thumbs up — A man and woman sit at a table with flowers in front of them. The woman is giving a thumbs-up, and both are smiling enthusiastically, suggesting they’re enjoying the event.

Thank you to each and every one of our new graduates! You helped UC Cooperative Extension in San Bernardino County reach over 30,000 county residents each year garden more sustainably through public workshops and classes, information booths,Farmers Markets, telephone and email helplines, develop school and community gardens, and many other activities throughout San Bernardino County communities.

Are you interested in becoming a UCCE Master Gardener? The next 18-week class will be held at the Chino Basin Water Conservation District in Montclair on Saturday mornings starting in late Spring 2020. Please contact Master Gardener Coordinator Maggie O'Neill at magoneill@ucanr.edu for a link to the online application. Residents of San Bernardino County over the age of 18 are eligible to apply. No formal college degree is required. However, Department of Justice background clearance is required by the University of California prior to participating in any volunteer activities.

Congratulations graduates!