Become A Certified UCCE Master Gardener
By Lee Oliphant
What could be more fun and gratifying than mastering the art of gardening with friends and other garden enthusiasts? You may have been born with a green thumb or, more likely, were self-taught or learned gardening techniques from an experienced gardener. But if you feel limited in knowledge and experience, perhaps it's the time to become a skilled home gardener through a proven training program like that of the UCCE Master Gardeners. All you need is a love of learning, an eagerness to participate in a training program, and the willingness to share your knowledge with the community. If this sounds fun to you, this year may be the year to become a UCCE Master Gardener of San Luis Obispo County.
The UCCE Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization with the University of California Cooperative Extension. Trained volunteers teach home horticulture, sharing only proven research-based information with the public. The initial training and ongoing education includes materials and instruction from subject experts. Master Gardeners in San Luis Obispo County educate the public by way of a telephone helpline, newspaper articles, and information booths at farmers markets, festivals, and workshops throughout the county. Volunteers that prefer to keep their hands dirty can stay actively involved by maintaining a demonstration garden, the Garden of the Seven Sisters, in San Luis Obispo. The demonstration garden is where science based gardening practices are learned, demonstrated and on display for the public.
If you are interested in becoming a certified UCCE Master Gardener, you are cordially invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the application process and the 2018 training class.
The information meeting will take place on Thursday, September 14, 2017, from 1:00 pm– 3:00 pm, at the UCCE Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo
The 2018 training classes will be held on Thursday afternoons from January 11, 2018 to May 24, 2018. Applications can be downloaded from The UC Master Gardeners website http://ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/. Applications are due September 29, by 5:00 pm.