Edna Blackhurst has been with UCCE Tulare for more than 25 years.  As the office supervisor, Edna has supported the UC Master Gardener Program since 1997 under Michelle Le Strange, farm advisor emeritus and UC Master Gardener Program advisor. 

Being the UC Master Gardener secretary has always been the best part of her job.  Edna loves working with UC Master Gardener volunteers who appreciate and welcome her guidance through times without a program coordinator.  Edna supported program needs in the absence of a coordinator and will continue to do so until there is successful recruitment for the position.  “I am just so glad that I understand the role of the program coordinator so that UC Master Gardener volunteers can continue to flourish,” says Blackhurst. Edna's goal is to maintain UC policies, keep UC Master Gardeners focused on providing education through research-based information, look for safe outreach opportunities during COVID-19, and provide the quality of support that the Tulare/Kings UC Master Gardeners need. 

Edna was born and raised in Tulare and is married with three children and eight grandchildren.  She was not raised around gardening and knew nothing about it until becoming the UC Master Gardener Program secretary. Her favorite gardening hobby is collecting and growing various succulents (easy to propagate and hard to kill!).