- Author: Leah J. Haynes
Master Gardener Program Update – October 27, 2013
Greetings, I will be on vacation from Monday October 28 through Tuesday November 5. If you need assistance or have questions about the Master Gardener program, contact Executive Committee Co-Chairs Joanne Abing or Bill Dobner. Education Committee Chair Julian Hoyle can answer questions related to the Class of 2014.
Master Gardener Statewide Report: MG Statewide Program Advisor Missy Gable reported that we have 5,404 MGs’ in California and the group tracks more than 348,134 service hours, an average of 64.6 hours per volunteer annually. According to the National Association of Volunteers, the California MGs’ service hours are valued at more than 8.6 million dollars. There are 50 counties represented in the number of volunteer and service hours. In Ventura County, we reported 21,341 volunteer hours and 184 Certified Master Gardeners. We average 115 hours per Master Gardener annually.
Master Gardener Rodney Hernandez passed away on Wednesday October 23, 2013. During Rodney’s interview for the Master Gardener program, he mentioned that becoming a Master Gardener had been a lifelong dream. I am so glad we played a part in making his dream come true. Rodney enjoyed working with volunteers and loved talking about gardening. You could find Rodney supporting the Education Committee, working at the Helpline Desk, and taking shifts in the produce stand at the Pumpkin Patch. Until his health started to fail, he was an active Master Gardener. In the featured picture of Rodney on the STAR Newspaper website, he was wearing his Master Gardener name badge. He valued his role as Master Gardener and wore his badge with pride.
Rodney had a long history of community service and worked hard to provide affordable housing for farm workers. His work spanned three decades of connecting disadvantaged, low-income individuals with safe housing. The family has asked that well-wishers make donations in his name to the Rodney Fernandez Community Building Fund at CEDC.
PUMPKIN PATCH UPDATE: We sold more than 500 pounds of produce, numerous plants, and several MG calendars. Thanks to each of you, we were able to staff eighty-six volunteer shifts. The Pumpkin Patch Leads supported volunteers and the cashier for this month long fundraiser. Special thanks to HAREC Director Jose De Soto for his willingness to support the Master Gardener program by rotating the weekend days with me. Jose coordinated the growing, picking and delivery of produce to the stand each weekend. Money raised will support approved sites and hands-on programs. We raised more than $3500 dollars.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Plant Giveaway Lead Tom Dase needs one-gallon size containers for plant materials. Please bring one-gallon size containers to the shade house next to the beautiful Greenhouse at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Leave gallon size containers on the table outside the shade house. If you have questions, contact Judy Ascheman at jascheman2@gmail.com
CLASS OF 2014: The Ventura County is the only one in California that does not give its Master Gardener trainees a “take-home” exam at the end of the course, so when the Education Committee met this week, they started working on a “take-home” final exam for the Class of 2014. Trainees will have one week to complete the exam. MASTER GARDENER
TRAINING CLASS OF 2014: Interested in attending training classes, register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11298 The line-up of classes is great and I am sure you will benefit from a refresher course. We also have a couple of “new” classes. Certified Master Gardeners receive 3.5 hours of continuing education for each class attended.
COME JOIN US FOR MG APPROVED SITE VISITS: Each year we invite the Class of 2014 Trainees and Certified MGs to make site visits to approved sites to view activities and to hear about their hands-on program. Visit as many sites as you would like. Certified MGs receive 2.0 hours of continuing education and 2014 MG Trainees may track volunteer hours for time spent visiting sites. Remember to wear your Master Gardener badge. We will provide temporary name badges for the 2014 MG Trainees.
Here are the dates, times, and links to register.
CA State University of Channel Island on November 13, 9:30 am
Link to register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11351
Hansen Agricultural Research & Extension Center on November 14 9:30 am
Link to register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11352
Arc Ventura County Enrichment Center of Ojai on November 20 9:30 am
Link to register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9322
Channel Island National Park and Garden on November 21 9:30am
Link to register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11355
Camarillo Ranch House & Gardens on December 4 9:30am
Link to register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9324
CA Veterans Residential Home & Garden on December 6 9:30 am
Link to register at http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=6854
True Color Learning Center and Garden at the Goebel Center on December 11 9:30 am
Link to register at http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9327
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Saturday November 2: Rose Pruning 101 at Elegant Gardens Nursery located at 2046 Tierra Rejada, Moorpark from 9:00 to 11a.m. Master Gardener Barbara Morse will demonstrate and teach the basics of rose pruning. Certified MGs receive 2.0 hours of CE. Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11048
Saturday November 9: Mastering Your Home Garden Workshop at the Hansen Agricultural Center from 8:15am to noon. Topic to be covered is Gifts from the Garden and Create a Sucullent Wreath taught by Master Gardener Janet Foy. Cost for MGs is $10.00. Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11069
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: We always need help in the gardens of approved sites. Often, you will have an opportunity to participate in an educational session while volunteering in the gardens. Every moment is seen as a teachable moment. Come with your gardening questions and learn from the leads while supporting the work we do. Hope to see you in the GARDEN!
MG Approved Site Leads & Locations –
Camarillo Ranch House (Wednesday)
Chuck Andrews, chucknsusan@roadrunner.com
Channel Island Marine Center & Native Garden (Thursday)
Kelly Green, mrsgreenjeans360@gmail.com
Norma Hogan – n-hogan@usa.net
Conejo Botanic Gardens (Various days)
Bill Dobner – billdobner@yahoo.com
Earths Academy School (Tuesday)
Steve Schwaiger – ashrammastergardener@yahoo.com
Cathy Lewis – clewis@conejo.k12.ca.us
Goebel Center (Wednesday & Thursday)
Patti Handfinger – patriciahandfinger@gmail.com
Candis Hong - clch19@aol.com
Barbara Morse – morseb@mac.com
Tony Hepton – heptonpac@aol.com
Ruth Lee - ruthrob55@msn.com
Hansen Agricultural Center (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
Tuesday, Potting Shed Kathleen Diermier – kdmc255@sbcglobal.net
Wednesday, Gardens Susan Carter – scarter7272@yahoo.com
Thursday, Gardens Judy Ascheman – jascheman2@msn.com
Arc Enrichment Center, Garden, and Greenhouse in Ojai (Weds)
Charles Duncan – charlesbd@hotmail.com
Lee Rosenboom – ltrosen1@verizon.net
Pat Allen – patallen8@comcast.net
Simone Patterson - citrusbaroness@me.com
Ormond Beach Wetlands (Various days)
Nancy Pedersen – oxnardbutterfly@aol.com
Ventura Veterans Center & Garden (Various days)
Barbara Hill – qbarbhill@aol.com
Roanna Prell - roanna.prell@gmail.com
Thank you for all you do to support the Master Gardener Program