- Author: Sheron Violini
In October of 2023, at the UC Master Gardener Conference in Tahoe City, Anne Megaro, Director of Government and Community Relations, and I spoke to attendees about the benefits of engaging elected government officials.
Why do you want to engage and include them in your UC Master Gardener activities and celebrations? They are members of your local communities who wish to connect to their constituents. By extending invitations to elected officials, you are giving them an opportunity to learn more about your projects and build support.
To build rapport or enhance your current connections, identify who in your organization already has relationships. As part of your UC Master Gardener team, ask individuals with relationships or connections to reach out on behalf of the program. When reaching out to make an invitation to an event, make sure you or your designee have all the information, such as the event type, agenda, location, time, and parking information. Unless you have a personal contact with the elected official, you will likely be talking to staff who will need detailed information to provide to the elected official.
Just as important as providing the event details is the description of how both the event and the elected will benefit by attending the event. A descriptive story or outlining the impact might help persuade attendance. For instance, [X] number of constituents will attend the UC Master Gardener graduation ceremony. Or provide a short, meaningful impact story about how UC Master Gardeners teach people how to grow food sustainably, offer hands-on workshops to community members, and teach horticultural skills to seniors, veterans, and young people.
If the elected official attends your event, try to create a role for them, or at the very least, recognize them as attendees. If you take photos, take photos with the elected official and share them with the elected or their staff following the event. Following the event, write a handwritten thank you note to demonstrate your appreciation and acknowledge them.
By creating partnerships with your elected officials, you highlight how to build climate-resilient communities and more. For more information on partnering with your elected officials and spreading the word, please contact the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources Government and Community Relations team at Aamegaro@UCANR.edu or Sviolini@UCANR.edu.
Thank you in advance for being a champion for the UC Master Gardener Program. Please make sure to share your stories with us!
- Author: Missy Gable
We were pleased to welcome 27 people representing 34 counties at this year's annual UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator Meeting. As this was a conference year, our meeting was held at the start of the triennial UC Master Gardener Conference, this year in Tahoe City, CA on Monday, Oct. 2. This year's meeting emphasized networking and emerging partnerships.
We have a lot of new faces since our last in-person annual Coordinator Meeting so we kicked off our event with a wonderful opportunity to get introduced to one another and highlight local program successes. We enjoyed meals together and continued conversation and connection to share resources and ideas across programs.
Presenters joined us to contribute to our theme of emerging partnerships. In addition to the impactful work new partnerships represent, strategic partnerships can help us open our program doors wider to a broader diversity of clientele and future trainees. Elizabeth Moon, UC ANR Director of Workplace Inclusion and Belonging, helped set the stage to discuss partnerships by grounding us in shared language around equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Following Elizabeth's presentation, we had engaging learning and discussion opportunities with Karina Hathorn, Garden Project Manager with CalFresh Healthy Living, UC, and Yana Valachovic, Forestry Advisory with UCCE Humboldt & Del Norte. We look forward to hearing about new and expanding partnerships to address California's pressing needs!
Before breaking for a shared meal, Anne Megaro and Sheron Violini from UC ANR Government and Community Relations impressed on us the importance of sharing and celebrating with our elected officials. The importance of their presentation was reinforced later in the week when each of the four search for excellence winners received a Senatorial Resolution in honor of their impactful community work.
Resources and presentations from our meeting are now available on the Coordinator's Website: https://mgcoord.ucanr.edu/Training/Annual_Coordinator_Meeting/
Thank you for all who were able to attend in person and who have reviewed the materials posted online. We look forward to hosting our next annual meeting in fall of 2024. Until then, let's continue the networking and dialog!
/span>- Author: Missy Gable
The UC Master Gardener Program is pleased to be welcoming new Advisors to our community of practice! New advisors are joining the statewide team for a 3-part, 3.5-hour orientation to our program where we review roles and responsibilities, opportunities, and the incredible benefits that come along with supporting volunteers. Each new academic has responsibility for the academic integrity of the UC Master Gardener Program in their county or region. This includes aligning program activities with local and state consumer horticulture needs, providing high quality trainings, and reviewing UC Master Gardener volunteer outputs for accuracy. Advisors Goncalves, Solins, Spinelli, and Tanner also have administrative responsibilities to their respective UC Master Gardener groups, working in close alignment with UC Master Gardener Coordinators. Additional Advisor recruitments are currently underway in Ventura County and Tulare/Kings/Madera/Merced Counties.
The following fantastic new Advisors have recently joined UC ANR:
Dr Clebson Goncalves
Diversified Agriculture Advisor, Lake & Mendocino Counties
Areas of Expertise:
- Plant management systems
- Weeds
- IPM
- Soil, plant, water, and nutrient relationships
Dr Chris Shogren
Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Los Angeles County
Areas of Expertise:
- Ornamentals
- Entomology
- IPM
Dr Joanna Solins
Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo Counties
Areas of Expertise:
- Urban green infrastructure
- Ornamentals
- Watershed protection and management
- Trees & urban forestry
Dr Gerry Spinelli
Production Horticulture Advisor, San Diego County
Areas of Expertise:
- Nurseries and floriculture
- Conservation and efficient use of water
- Soil, plant, water, nutrient relationships
Eddie Tanner
Specialty Crops & Horticulture Advisor, Humboldt & Del Norte Counties
Areas of Expertise:
- High tunnels
- Organic systems
- Vegetables
- Native plant landscaping
- Author: Sheron Violini
Former Speaker Tip O'Neill coined the phrase, “All politics is local.” So, I ask you ... do you know who your local and state representatives are?
To find your local government official, visit https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ or simply do a quick search online for your state legislators. Once you have identified your elected officials, I encourage you to get to know them by visiting their websites and social media accounts or attending community events they are hosting.
Engagement and connection in our communities are essential. To mobilize support for your local county UC Master Gardener Program, I encourage you to invite your elected officials to a workshop or event. Most elected officials have an e-mail address or directions on how to send an event invitation posted online. Policymakers might be interested in attending a hands-on gardening workshop around a cause they support (community well-being and health, food security, water conservation, protecting the environment, and many more) that allows them to mix and mingle with their constituents. If it is a well-attended event, you might offer the district office an opportunity to host a constituent services table. You provide a six-foot table and a couple of chairs, and the elected official sends staff to provide constituent services to the attendees. Remember to take photos to post on your social media accounts, thanking them for attending. Also, share those photos with the elected officials so they can post or share them on their social media pages.
If you want to learn more about how to work with your public officials, please contact me at sviolini@ucanr.edu. Remember, to grow a healthy garden, it takes time and energy. The same concept applies to growing program awareness with your public officials, it takes time and commitment to help them get to know you!
Questions? Contact:
Sheron Violini
Associate Director of Government and Community Relations
sviolini@ucanr.edu
- Author: Lauren Snowden
As we observe Invasive Species Week, we invite you to join us in our collective efforts to combat the potential threat posed by the Spotted Lanternfly to the state of California. We kindly request your assistance in sharing the following information through your internal and external newsletters to raise awareness and empower our community to take action.
eLearning Course: Spotted Lanternfly in California
Join us in an exciting announcement as we unveil the launch of our brand-new eLearning course, "Spotted Lanternfly in California," available on eXtension Campus. This comprehensive online training is specifically designed to educate the public, UC Master Gardeners, and other stakeholders about the potential threat posed by the Spotted Lanternfly (SFL) to the state of California.
The interactive nature of the course ensures an engaging learning experience, providing learners with a deep understanding of the Spotted Lanternfly's ecology and its potential impact on California's agricultural and natural ecosystems. By enrolling in this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to detect, identify, and report any Spotted Lanternfly sightings within the state.
Why should you take this course?
- Stay Informed: The course delivers information on the Spotted Lanternfly's biology, behavior, and potential risks to California. You'll gain valuable insights into the species and its potential impact, ensuring you are well informed about this emerging threat.
- Early Detection and Reporting: Recognizing the signs of a Spotted Lanternfly infestation is crucial for preventing its establishment and spread. This training equips you with the skills to identify the different life stages and habitats of the Spotted Lanternfly, empowering you to promptly report any sightings to the appropriate authorities.
- Protect California's Agriculture and Environment: California's diverse agriculture and delicate ecosystems make it susceptible to the damaging effects of invasive species. By completing this course, you become an essential part of the defense against the Spotted Lanternfly, helping safeguard the state's valuable crops and natural resources.
- Share Your Knowledge: As a UC Master Gardener or gardening enthusiast, your influence within your community is invaluable. By participating in this training, you gain the tools and expertise to educate others about the Spotted Lanternfly and promote awareness and prevention measures.
How to access the course
To enroll in the "Spotted Lanternfly in California" eLearning course, visit eXtension Campus. Create a free account or sign into an existing account. Locate the course title, “Spotted Lanternfly in California”, course #1900, and enroll. You will gain immediate access to the course materials, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience.
Additionally, we encourage you to share this training opportunity with friends, family, and fellow gardening enthusiasts. The more individuals we can reach, the stronger our collective effort to prevent the establishment of the Spotted Lanternfly in California. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a future free from the damaging impact of invasive species.