- Author: Anne Schellman
Are you interested in helping others and giving back to your community? Do you have a passion for gardening and volunteering? The Stanislaus County* UC Master Gardener Program is accepting applications for 2024.
Who are the UC Master Gardeners?
Master Gardeners are volunteers from the community that are trained to help answer questions about gardening and pest management and to promote sustainable landscaping. Watch this short video from the Coordinator, Anne Schellman, about what it takes to be a Master Gardener.
How are UC Master Gardeners Trained?
Classes are taught by University of California experts on water management, soils and fertilizers, ornamental and drought tolerant plants, landscape tree care, vegetable and fruit tree care, pest management, and more. Each session is approximately 5 hours long. The 2024 training program will be held weekly from January through early May (18 weeks).
Program requirements include weekly reading and quizzes, and an open book a final exam. Collaboration on assignments is encouraged, and trainees are provided any needed assistance by Master Gardener mentors.
How Can I Apply to Become a UC Master Gardener Trainee?
Visit Become a UCCE Master Gardener website page to read more and fill out an online application before August 18.
*You must be a Stanislaus County resident to apply. For other county programs, visit http://mg.ucanr.edu/FindUs/
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Demonstration Gardens
We plan to create a series of gardens the community can visit for inspiration on the following topics:
- Water-wise plants
- California native plants
- Plants for pollinators (hummingbirds, bees, butterflies)
- Vegetable gardens
- Fruit tree orchard
Outdoor Classroom
Giving Tuesday
We won't be able to create this garden without your help. We hope you will consider giving to our project. Please save the date of December 1, 2020. Announcements and a video coming soon about our Learning Landscape.
Giving Tuesday - SAVE THE DATE! Dec 1, 2020
We won't be able to create this garden without your help. Please consider giving to our project. Save the date of December 1, 2020. Announcements and a video coming soon about our Learning Landscape.
Where will the landscape be located at the Ag Center? Our video will tell you all about the different aspects of the project.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Time for a fun pop quiz!
- Do you spend a lot of time gardening or thinking about gardening?
- Are you often asked for gardening advice by friends or family members?
- Do you enjoy learning new information about gardening and pest management?
- Are you interested in helping others and giving back to your community?
If you answered an enthusiastic “yes” to these questions and you live in Stanislaus County, please consider applying for the UCCE Master Gardener Program!
What is the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program?
The program was created in the 1980's to help extend research-based information from University of California directly to the public. Volunteers are trained to preserve and encourage healthy environments with sustainable gardening, green waste reduction, and water conservation.
How are Master Gardeners Trained?
Master Gardener volunteers spend 5 hours per week for 19 weeks learning about soil, water management, ornamental and drought tolerant plants, landscape tree care, pest management, and much more. Classes are taught by University experts and advisors.
How do you become a UCCE Master Gardener?
We are taking applications for our 2020 class that will start in January. To learn more and apply:
- Visit our Become a UCCE Master Gardener website and read the training information on the page.
- Click on the bright yellow button to fill out our application form before September 8, 2019!
- Attend a mandatory orientation meeting in October
- Interview in November
- Acceptance letters mailed in early December
Who are the UCCE Master Gardeners?
UCCE Master Gardeners are residents in the community trained by University advisors and experts using science-based information. They take a weekly class for 6 months and learn about a variety of topics, including soils, horticulture, vegetable gardening, composting, fruit trees, and many more! After passing an exam, the trainees become certified UC Master Gardeners, ready to answer your questions about home gardening.
You may see the UCCE Master Gardeners at events such as farmer's markets, the library, the fair, or a school garden. They will also be at the UCCE office each week, available to answer your questions.
UCCE Master Gardener Focus
The UCCE Master Gardener Program plans to address local issues related to reducing green waste, conserving water, integrated pest management (IPM), and sustainable landscaping.
The first group of trainees will start their classes in January and finish in June, ready to volunteer. In the meantime, you can still bring your pest or gardening questions to the UCCE office at the Agricultural Center at 3800 Cornucopia Way, Suite A in Modesto. Or call (209) 525-6800. The office is open M-F 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Blog Focus
Posts for this blog will include seasonal gardening tips, posts on how to solve pest problems, and notices for events featuring the UCCE Master Gardeners.
Interested in Becoming a UCCE Master Gardener?
Visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/ to read about the program in detail. Our next class will start in January of 2020. Click on the big yellow button to fill out a survey to be contacted when sign ups for the class are available.