Want to Be a Master Gardener?

U.C. Master Gardeners are trained representatives of the University of California Cooperative Extension. We assist farm advisors by providing advice and information to our home gardening community. If you would like to share your own gardening skills, experience, and enthusiasm, we invite you to join us. Master Gardener applicants should have some agricultural or horticultural experience and be able to communicate effectively with individuals and groups.

As part of our training program, applicants attend a 14-week (56-hour) series of classes in plant science, pest control, and horticulture. After passing a written examination, first-year Master Gardeners are expected to devote a minimum of 50 volunteer hours to activities mutually agreed upon with our Master Gardener Program Advisor. Each year thereafter, Master Gardeners volunteer at least 25 hours.

As a volunteer, you have an opportunity to serve in many ways. You may advise gardeners at our office, farmers markets, or plant clinics, or you may teach groups and organizations. You might contribute to special community projects and events. You can also share your horticultural knowledge by writing articles for our newsletter or by designing publications and presentations.

The current Master Gardener training series has been completed. The next Master Gardener training series is tentatively scheduled to start in January 2013. If you have questions about our program or are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please call 822-7515, email us at cesutteryuba@ucdavis.edu, or send us a note at 142A Garden Highway, Yuba City, CA 95991 in the fall of 2012.

Our 2007 MG Training: the Plant Identification Lab