Hope you are ready for an exciting year of gardening education and volunteer service!!!

There are many events and volunteer opportunities planned. The MG speaker bureau is also gearing up with a great series of garden talks for the Simi Center in Simi Valley, theGoebel Center inThousand Oaks, the ARC Center in Ojai and the Camarillo Library in Camarillo. Dates and times for the speaking engagements will be posted in the Master Gardener Program update. Be sure to reserve your space by registering.

Need Help!
We need two volunteers to help with scheduled garden talks for the Camarillo Library and theGoebelCenter. If you decide to volunteer for this position, you will be asked to distribute MG materials prior and following the speakers presentation; retrieve and return laptop and computer to the UCCE office; gather names and emails from individuals interested in receiving information about upcoming VC Master Gardener events and activities; and pick-up plant giveaways from the Hansen Agricultural Center.

- March 2013, Camarillo Library talks are held every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00pm
- July to October 2013,Goebel Center talks are held on the 4th Saturday from 9:30-11:30am

If you are interested in helping with these projects, send me an email, ljhaynes@ucanr.edu or call (805) 320-4134. Training is provided and you will receive volunteer service hours for your time spent supporting this effort.

On Thursday January 10, the first training class was held and the Executive Committee Co-Chair Joanne Abing welcomed the Class of 2013 Trainees. Education Committee Chairs Cathy Allen,Kathryn Estomo Carole Roland, and Barbara Wilsey were on-hand to greet and meet trainees.Carol Seaman, Rodney Fernandez, Juan Hernandez, andJulian Hoyle, members of the Education Committee supported the class and shared pertinent information. Jim Downer was also available to greet and welcome the new class. The day was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Join me in welcoming the Class of 2013

• Raymond Alvarez
• Paul Booth
• Cindy Camillucci
• Quenby "Q" Dunlap
• John Fluharty
• Pam Grossman
• Mary Ellen Hammel
• Carey Johnson
• Olwyn Kingery
• Harry Lee
• Akiko Lindmark
• Terri Markovitz
• Marti Meister
• Carolyn Morales
• Elizabeth Oleks
• Theresa Petersen
• Roanna Prell
• Bill Rutan
• Timothy Schneider
• Arlene Starkey
• Suzanna Safar
• Susan Sundell
• Sheila Tate
• Linda Travis
• Caroline Troupe
• Nancy Thorne
• Nicole Vanole
• Paula Walsh
• Angela Wilson
• Yacine Woodall

Certified Master Gardeners are welcome to attend the MG Class of 2013 training classes. Classes are held from 1-4:30 pm. You will receive 3.0 hours of continuing education. We will need advance notice to ensure enough seating space. Please register for training classes at - http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9961

If you have questions about classes, contact Carole Rowland, crlrowland5@gmail.com

You are welcome to view class presentations at:
https://ucanr.edu/collaborate/filemanage.cfm?cluster=5428

Sorry, we don't award continuing education hours for reviewing slides.

Tick Toc! Tick Toc! Your volunteer hours need to be updated by February 15, 2013. It would be very helpful if you could also update your profile and interests to accurately reflect your true passion. Need help to post hours? Email Heather Johnson, dirttdiva@gmail.com

Potting Shed Update: Potting Shed needs one gallon size containers. You may contact Kathleen Diermier directly at webee1@gmail.com to schedule a time to drop-off containers.

Just a Reminder:

Remember to wear your name badge. If you need a badge, please let me know.

Post your volunteer service and continuing education hours weekly or daily.

Always sign-in when you attend volunteer activities.

Special Thanks to MG 2012 Class Representatives for coordinating and supporting the Post Graduation Sessions with graduates:

I would like to thank the interviewers for assisting with this effort, Master Gardeners Joe Kimbrough, Kathleen Diermier, Susan Carter, Joanne Abingomack, Joan Brown, and Marcia Keen. Congratulations to the Class of 2012 and thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. More than 65% of this year’s graduates have taken on leadership roles in the organization. Last week, the Class of 2013 selected their hands-on garden projects and I am happy to report that more than 80% of the leads are graduates from the Class of 2012. This is very exciting!

Home & Garden Show at the VC Fairgrounds: Earn Fun Hours! We need volunteers to staff the following shifts at the Home & Garden Show: To reserve your shift contact: Maxine Martin at martin.mw@verizon.net

Available Shifts by Date:
• Friday March 15th, 12pm to 3pm and 3pm to 6pm
• Saturday March 16th, 10am to 1pm, 1pm to 4pm and 4pm to 6pm
• Sunday March 17th, 10am to 12:30pm, 12:30pm to 3pm and
3pm to 5pm (plus tear down)

We need your help!

Do you like lemons? If so, Dr. Ben Faber needs your help with a lemon research project. We need three or four volunteers interested in making lemonade and counting seeds. You will be asked to volunteer in the UCCE Lab located in Ventura. UC Staff Researcher Anna Howell will lead this effort on Tuesday February 12, Wednesday February 13, and Thursday February 14. If you are interested in participating, email me at ljhaynes@ucanr.edu with your available dates and times.

Master Gardener Quarterly Gathering scheduled on Tuesday March 12th: Come join your gardening friends for an evening of delicious food and engaging information.

The Master Gardener Quarterly Gathering/Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday March 12, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Camarillo Ranch House. Dr. Gordon W. Frankie, from UC Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management will be our guest speaker talking about bees and bee management.

This is potluck event! Remember to bring enough food for six to eight people. You can bring one friend or your spouse. To register for the MG Gathering/Meeting scheduled on Tuesday March 12, 2013, go to: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10115

Dr. Frankie has requested a grant from the Hansen Endowment to fund his research work on bees. We need twenty-two Master Gardeners interested in studying California Native Bees in Santa Paulato help in this project. Master Gardeners Tracey Nisky and Amy Roemelen will act as leads for this project. Dr. Gordon Frankie will schedule two Saturday workdays in 2013. Training is provided. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tracey Nisky, whosawhat@hotmail.com or Amy Roemelen, aspandrio@gmail.com.

Clerical Support Needed: Are you interested in supporting clerical type tasks? If so, we will offer a clerical orientation on Wednesday February 20 from 9am to 10am. Please contact Velma Womack at womackvellie@aol.com if you plan to attend. The session will be held in the UCCE office library. Let Velma know in advance if you plan to join us.

Upcoming Training Opportunities:

We invite you to attend special Edible Landscaping Workshops in March and April at convenient locations throughoutVenturaCounty-- inCamarillo,Oxnard,Santa Paula,Simi Valley,Thousand Oaks, andVentura.

The Edible Workshops are offered at NO COST.

Why should you want edibles in your landscape? Edible landscaping is good for the environment, provides your family with healthy and delicious food choices, and if done properly, will reduce your water use, support wildlife and reduce chemical use. Learn how to design, install, and maintain your own edible landscape!

Sample topics: Why edibles? How to creatively design your own edible landscape? Plant choice, soils, fertilizer, composting, site selection, safe harvest and storage, local ordinances or HOA rules that may affect what you are allowed to do, and more!

Dates, locations, and links to register for Edibles Landscaping Workshops:

March 2, 2013 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
• United Methodist Church in North Oxnard – Community Roots Garden
Lnk to register – http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10113

March 2, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon)
• UC Cooperative Extension in Ventura
Link to register - https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10111

March 3, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
• Camarillo Ranch House in Camarillo
Link to register - http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10112

March 23, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Rancho Santa Susana Community Center in Simi Valley
Link to register - http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10114

March 23, 2013 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
• Hansen Agricultural Center in Santa Paula
Link to register - https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10110

April 6, 2013 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
• Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks (Sage Room)
Link to register - http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10099

• Certified Master Gardeners receive two hours of Continuing Education.
• Trainees receive two hours of volunteer service. You may track one session for volunteer service hours.

Advanced Integrated Pest Management Hands-on Training:

 Saturday February 23, 2013 at the HansenAgriculturalCenterin Santa Paula§ from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the small barn.
Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9614

 Saturday,§ March 23, 2013 at the Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Sage Room.
Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9613

Topics to be covered:
 What is IPM?§
 Household§ Pests
 Less Toxic Pesticides§
 Beneficial Insects§

Certified Master Gardeners receive two hours of Continuing Education. Trainees receive two hours of volunteer service. You may track one session for volunteer service hours.

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:
 VC Certified Master§ Gardeners are allocated eighteen months to complete 37 volunteer hours and 18 hours of continuing education. Why 37 and 18? Certified Master Gardeners are required to complete 25 hours of volunteer service and 12 hours of continuing education in twelve months. Due to the additional six months, we have calculated required hours based on an eighteen month period, not twelve. When you recertify in June 2013; we will count your volunteer and continuing education hours posted from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Your posted hours will need to total 37 volunteer hours and 18 continuing education hours.

Typically recertification information is sent in January. In April 2013, you will receive your recertification information to accommodate the new fiscal year calendar. In subsequent years, the recertification period will be from July 1st to June 30.

Class of 2012 Graduates:
 From January 1,§ 2013 to June 30, 2013, your posted hours will need to total 12.5 volunteer hours and 6.0 hours of continuing education hours.
 From July 1, 2013 to§ June 30, 2014, your posted hours will need to total 25 volunteer hours and 12 continuing education hours.  In subsequent years, your certification§ period will be from July 1 to June 30.

Thank you for all you do to support the Master Gardener Program!!!