This year’s Annual Coordinator Meeting brought together 27 local program staff and lead volunteers representing 31 counties across California! The event was held at the UC ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, offering attendees the chance to connect with Orange County-based colleagues and enjoy a guided tractor tour of the impressive 193-acre living laboratory.
The agenda was packed with engaging professional development sessions, including an extended State of the Program presentation from Statewide Director Missy Gable, presentations on the ISOTURE volunteer engagement model, volunteer identification and selection, decision-making and consensus building, and a working session on organizational operating procedures.
Other highlights included a coordinator panel on volunteer selection, an expanded Coordinator Round Table where participants shared best practices on a range of program topics, and a guided mindful meditation activity in the beautiful UC Master Gardener Demonstration Garden.
Beyond the valuable learning and networking that took place, this year’s meeting strengthened the bonds that connect our UC Master Gardener community. Coordinators from across California came together to exchange ideas, celebrate one another’s successes, and collaborate on shared challenges. The event also fostered meaningful dialogue between local programs and the statewide office, reinforcing our collective commitment to working together as one vibrant, connected network—supporting each other as we grow and sustain the UC Master Gardener Program’s impact across the state.
Discover more from the 2025 Annual Program Coordinator Meeting, including presentation slides and handouts, headshots, event photos, and more on the Annual Coordinator Meeting page on the UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator website.