Since 2016, Coastside Magazine has featured monthly articles written and edited by members of the San Mateo-San Francisco chapter of UC Master Gardeners. But what, exactly, is a “Master Gardener?” Presumably, “Master Gardeners” are really good at gardening, but what does the title really mean and where does it come from? The short answer is this: Master Gardeners are volunteers from your community who have been trained under the direction of the University of California Cooperative Extension to assist home gardens with science-based information. But there's more to it than that, so what follows is a bit of history, personal reflections from veteran UC Master Gardeners, and information about how you, too, can become a UC Master Gardener.

Roots of the Program
In 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which granted federally owned lands to each state to use for the creation of public colleges and universities and led to the founding of the University of California in 1868. A revolutionary idea at the time, these “land grant” schools were centered around a practical curriculum of agriculture, science and engineering and made higher education widely available to people of modest means. Subsequent legislation led to the establishment of Cooperative Extension programs under the auspices of each land grant institution for the purpose of connecting farmers and growers directly with university research.

Growing with the Times

In 1972, Washington State University Cooperative Extension agents, being overwhelmed with calls from home gardeners, recruited and trained a team of volunteers to help and christened them, “UC Master Gardeners.” The University of California adopted the concept and created the UC Master Gardener program in 1980. There are now Master Gardener chapters in 52 counties across the state working under the auspices of The University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources (UCANR).

 

As agents of the University, UC Master Gardeners provide people in their communities with current research-based information on everything related to home horticulture, sustainable landscape practices, pest management and more. Education and outreach is accomplished through classes and workshops, personalized trouble-shooting via The Helpline and plant clinics, print and digital media, school and community gardens. These programs and services are offered at no charge and are largely self-funded by each chapter.

After training, First Year Master Gardeners must complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service with additional requirements for continuing education in subsequent years. Many Master Gardeners amass hundreds and even thousands of hours while working on projects in their communities.

Although people decide to join for different reasons, each person enriches the program with their own culture and skills.

We asked two veteran Master Gardeners on why they joined and what they've learned.

 

For more information about becoming a SM-SF Master Gardener, four info sessions are being held for prospective applicants to our 2024 training program: https://smsf- mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/become-a-master-gardener/ . Attendance is required to receive an application and prospective applicants must register for the session of their choice.