Master Gardener Quick Facts
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The University of California Master Gardener Program provides the public with UC research-based information about home horticulture, sustainable landscape, and pest management practices. The program is administered by
local University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) county offices that
are the principal outreach and public service arms of the University’s division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The UC Master Gardener program supports sustainable gardening practices that protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and take into consideration each gardener's lifestyle and goals.
Fast Facts:
• There are programs in 44 counties with more than 5,000 Certified UC
Master Gardeners as of January 2011
• An average of 650 UC Master Gardeners are trained each year for a total
of more than 20,000 trained since 1980
• UC Master Gardeners have volunteered 258,016 hours in fiscal year
2009/2010
How does someone become a UC Master Gardener?
To become a UC Master Gardener, a person must participate in a 40- to 50-hour intensive training program consisting of lectures and demonstrations conducted by experts in their fields. To retain their certification UC Master Gardeners must complete at least 25 hours of service to the community every year and participate in at least 12 hours of continuing education annually.
Who are UC Master Gardener candidates?
UC Master Gardener candidates are all ages and come from all walks of life.
They have:
• A basic knowledge of landscape and food gardening
• An interest in increasing their horticultural knowledge and skills
• A desire to volunteer in their community to share what they have learned
and teach gardening skills.
What do UC Master Gardeners do?
UC Master Gardeners are trained to help residents of California become better
gardeners. Using a variety of activities such as workshops, lectures, and garden hotlines these volunteers answer questions about home horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and integrated pest management using University of California research-based information.
After their training UC Master Gardeners are qualified to help the public with
problems in areas such as:
• Plant problem diagnosis
• Integrated Pest Management (insect and pest control)
• Soils, fertilizers and irrigation
• Selecting and caring for fruit and landscape trees
• Growing annuals, perennials and food crops
• Composting
• Weed control
• Lawn care
• Vegetable gardening
• Plant pathology
Each county develops programs to address local needs. Some typical activities are:
• Teaching workshops, or lecturing on gardening practices
• Answering gardeners’ questions via email or help lines
• Speaking to the public on horticultural and gardening topics
• Consulting with gardeners to improve their landscape practices
• Designing, planting and maintaining demonstration gardens
• Educating and guiding parents and teachers in gardening practices in
support of school gardens
• Using mass media to disseminate gardening information
• Manning county fair information booths
• Participating in research activities with academics within the University of
California
For more information about the [your Program Name here] UC Master Gardener
program, please contact: [name & email].
To find the UC Master Gardener Program in your county click here or go to
http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu/California_Counties_MG_Websites/