- Author: Lauren Snowden
Following a program wide call for photos, and two rounds of voting the official UC Master Gardener Photo Contest winners have been determined. We are very appreciative of the amount of support and participation from our UC Master Gardener volunteers and the public for casting their vote. Thanks to over 907 votes we now have our first, second and third place winners in each category. This contest was a huge success and we're proud of each and every volunteer who entered their images.
The winners are!
California Friendly Gardening:
1st- “CA Native Plants,” by Corinne Yoshihara, Napa County
2nd- “Drought Friendly Succulents,” by Monique Moench, Solano County
3rd- “The CA Dream,” by Kathy Ikeda, San Joaquin County
Creatures in the Garden:
1st- “Lily and the Swallowtail,” by Tom Furnanz, Calaveras County
2nd- “Female Native Longhorn Bee,” by Kimberly Steinmann, Sacramento County
3rd- “Ingurgitating Praying Mantid,” by Sharon Leos, Solano County
Incredible Edibles:
1st- “Ravishing Radishes,” by Anne McDermott, Orange County
2nd- “Beta vulgaris ‘Incognito',” by Kathy Ikeda, San Joaquin County
3rd- “Summer's Bounty,” by Rebecca Schoenenberger, Santa Clara County
UC Master Gardeners in Action:
1st- “Learning about Critters in a Pond,” by Peggy Chipkin Marin County
2nd- “Fresh peas taste great!” by Summer Brasuel, El Dorado County
3rd- “Happy to Help,” by Amina Horikoshi, Sacramento County
Outstanding Ornamental:
1st- “Exploding Milkweed,” by Cindy Elkins, Fresno County
2nd- “Looking Up,” by Carol Jesse, Alameda County
3rd- “Echeveria,” by Jeffrey Blake, San Mateo-San Francisco Counties
Prizes
First, second and third place winners will receive a certificate, professional print of their winning shot and will be featured on the 2017 UC Master Gardener Conference website, as well as displayed in a photo gallery at the 2017 UC Master Gardener Conference in Long Beach, Aug. 22-25.
Gardeners Choice: Be sure to vote at the Conference
The first place winner of each category is now entered to win the Gardeners Choice contest, to be voted on at 2017 UC Master Gardener Conference in Long Beach, Aug. 22-25. The winner will be announced on Aug. 25 and awarded a $75.00 gift card and certificate.
Congratulations to all
Thank you and congratulations to all the UC Master Gardner volunteers for participating. All of the submissions to the official 2017 UC Master Gardener photo contest on our contest website for viewing. Thank you to all those who took the time to participate and share your amazing work and congratulations to our winners. We had so much fun seeing all of your creative shots.
- Author: Marcy Sousa
Following a program wide call for photos, the official 2017 UC Master Gardener photo contest received more than 350 submissions from UC Master Gardeners across that state! Images ranged from beautiful flowers to fascinating creatures in our gardens in five categories.
Narrowing down each category's top five finalist was no easy task. Each categories finalists stood out to the judges because of its interesting subject matter, composition or connection to the program.
Photo finalists selected, now you vote!
Cast your vote by ranking the finalists in order from 1-5 (1 being your favorite). Online voting will close on July 31, 2017. Now it's your turn to help decided the winners! (Finalists listed in no particular order.)
California Friendly Gardening:
- "San Juan Capistrano Native Garden,” by Nina Payne, Ostensen Orange County
- “Drought Friendly Succulents,” by Monique Moench, Solano County
- “Quarry Lakes Demonstration Garden,” by Carol Jesse, Alameda County
- “CA Native Plants,” by Corinne Yoshihara, Napa County
- “Gardens Gone Native,” by Kathy Ikeda, San Joaquin County
Creatures in the Garden:
- “Lily and the Swallowtail,” by Tom Furnanz, Calaveras County
- “Ingurgitating Praying Mantid,” by Sharon Leos, Solano County
- “Female Native Longhorn Bee,” by Kimberly Steinmann, Sacramento County
- “Sharp-shinned Hawk Welcoming Visitors,” by Ken Martin, Ventura County
- “Last Meal of the Condemned,” by Bruce Goren, San Mateo-San Francisco Counties
Incredible Edibles:
- “Ravishing Radishes,” by Anne McDermott, Orange County
- “Beta vulgaris ‘Incognito',” by Kathy Ikeda, San Joaquin County
- “Winter Veggies,” by Randall Fox, Santa Cruz-Monterey Counties
- “Summer's Bounty,” by Rebecca Schoenenberger, Santa Clara County
- “Golden Raspberries,” by Bruce Goren, San Mateo-San Francisco Counties
UC Master Gardeners in Action:
- “Happy to Help,” by Amina Horikoshi, Sacramento County
- “Water Audit,” by Kathy Ikeda, San Joaquin County
- “Learning about Critters in a Pond,” by Peggy Chipkin Marin County
- “Fresh peas taste great!” by Summer Brasuel, El Dorado County
- “Which one is next?” by Kim Nguyen, Orange County
Outstanding Ornamental:
- “Looking Up,” by Carol Jesse, Alameda County
- “Exploding Milkweed,” by Cindy Elkins, Fresno County
- “Echeveria,” by Jeffrey Blake, San Mateo-San Francisco Counties
- “The splendor of a brilliant carnivorous plant,” by Marta Kravech, Sacramento County
- “Good Morning,” by Meredith French, Gold Badge, San Diego County
Click here to vote: ucanr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBoOSl4HlGfrpQ1
View all the photos entries
There is no doubt that UC Master Gardner volunteers have a creative side; be sure to check out all the submissions to official UC Master Gardener photo contest on the contest website. Thank you to all those who took the time to participate and share your amazing and inspiring work! Good luck to our finalists!
- Author: Leah Haynes
The UC Master Gardener Program conference planning committee is looking for generous people, businesses and UC Master Gardener counties to help make the 2017 UC Master Gardener Conference silent auction a huge success. The committee is seeking high quality silent auction donations the awards banquet happening at the Long Beach Convention Center on Weds. Aug. 23.
The potential 900 conference attendees will have the opportunity to browse and bid on donated baskets and items throughout the evening. Bidders can bid freely knowing their money will be used to offset future conference costs and provide conference scholarships opportunities for UC Master Gardener volunteers.
Themed baskets, local goods, gift cards and handmade items that were donated for the 2014 conference raised $6,400 and provide both full and partial registration scholarships to the 2017 conference.
Donating items is easy
Volunteers can work with their local program coordinator and fellow volunteers to designate a lead responsible for all future silent auction correspondence and complete the Silent Auction Participation Form. Please complete the survey no later than Monday, Aug. 7 to secure a spot for your donated items. Visit the conference website to learn more details about the silent auction and how to package silent auction donation baskets.
If you are a business and would like to donate items for the silent auction please contact Ann Daniel, statewide fundraising coordinator, anndaniel@ucanr.edu or (530)750-1387. We are happy to accept gift certificates, event and/or season tickets, travel vouchers, gardening tools, gloves, hats, gardening accessories, books, photography equipment, close-focus binoculars, pocket microscope, etc.
All individuals, businesses and organizations will be recognized for their donations at the silent auction on table signage and bid sheets for their support of the program.
Help support a program you love!
Leah Haynes, Program Coordinator in Ventura County and silent auction chair is excited to be a part of the 2017 conference committee and is looking forward to the conference. Haynes is particularly excited about providing an opportunity to UC Master Gardener volunteers to bid on items and support a program they love while creating future learning opportunities and scholarship funds.
“What an excellent opportunity to create a basket that showcases your county's agricultural profile,” says Haynes, “think big and beyond the basket. Let me know if you need my help in creating a theme for your county's basket. I truly appreciate your support for the work we DO!”
Questions? Contact:
(Please include county name and Silent Auction in subject line for all email communications)
County programs contact:
Leah Haynes
Program Coordinator, Ventura County
Phone: (805)320-4134
Email: ljhaynes@ucanr.edu
Businesses, organizations or individuals contact:
Ann Daniel
Statewide Fundraising Coordinator
Phone: (530)750-1387
Email: anndaniel@ucanr.edu
- Are you an artist with a unique masterpiece that reflects the beauty of your county?
- Do you have a family member, friend or neighbor that creates gifts for the garden?
- Did you purchase too many garden tools that you will never use?
- Do you have a vacation home a fellow UC Master Gardener could enjoy?
- Did you receive a gift card or two that you will never use?
- Do you make beautiful birdhouses or decorative items to adorn the garden?
Many Hands Make Light the Work!
Register to donate a silent auction item:
ucanr.edu/sites/2017MGConference/Activities/Silent_Auction
Learn more about the conference:
ucanr.edu/sites/2017MGConference
- Author: Valerie Borel
There is still plenty of time to sign up for one of the five fantastic garden tours that showcase some of the finest gardens in Southern California. Four day-long tours are offered Aug. 22, and one half-day tour is scheduled the morning of Aug. 23 which concludes in time to attend the welcome and enjoy the engaging key note speakers. The UC Master Gardener Conference tours were designed to give participants a behind-the-scenes look at how these gardens operate and have the opportunity to meet garden curators and UC Master Gardeners who are involved with these gardens. Come and learn a little about the history of these beautiful locations in both Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Click here to register for the conference.
Already registered for the conference but want to add a tour?
Click here to register for a tour only.
- Author: Missy Gable
It's reappointment time for the UC Master Gardener Program! Before the reappointment process begins we would like to say thank you. Our dedicated volunteers are the heart of the UC Master Gardener Program and we couldn't make such an incredible impact in our communities without you.
We hope you consider joining us as a volunteer again this upcoming program year. If the answer is yes, just follow the simple steps to reappointment below. Reappointment starts June 1 and is completed in the Volunteer Management System (VMS). Questions about reappointment? Contact your Program Coordinator, Advisor or County Director.
Step One: Select “Complete Agreement Now” in VMS
- Log into VMS, vms.ucanr.edu
- Select “Complete Agreement Now” from prompt box at top of VMS home screen
Step Two: Complete all three sections to fulfill county requirements for participation
Step Three: Verify Date Completed Displays and Print a Copy for your Records
Quick Tips and FAQ's:
Who must complete the reappointment process?
The Appointment process is mandatory for all UCCE Master Gardeners / Master Food Preservers, including:
- Active
- Limited Active
- First-Year
- Gold Badge
- Platinum Badge
How many hours do I need to volunteer for reappointment?
The minimum hours required to remain a certified UCCE Master Gardener / UCCE Master Food Preserver are:
- 25 hours - Volunteer
- 12 hours - Continuing education
Note: First year UCCE Master Gardeners / UCCE Master Food Preservers are required to complete a minimum of 50 volunteer hours (no continuing education requirement) before the next certification cycle.
What is the date range for calculating hours for reappointment?
The program year is July 1-June 30th. Hours currently being reported during the reappointment period are from July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017.
Where do I send my payment?
That statewide office does not collect fees or payment directly from volunteers for reappintment. Please check with your county coordinator, director or advisor about fees and where and how to submit payment.
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