Happy New Year!!!

Hello Master Gardeners, 

As I think back on this past year, I am amazed and gratified by what the Master Gardener organization has accomplished.  Speakers Bureau efforts continue to expand reaching home gardeners throughout Ventura County.  The MG Hands-on program continues to thrive, and new gardens were designed and installed.  Last year, we identified 11 emerging leaders as well as 10 leaders ready and willing to take on the role of hands-on garden leads for the Class of 2013 program year.
 
More than 20,000 volunteer service hours were posted by 181 Certified Master Gardeners.  The Class of 2012 posted 3,519 hours, an average of 109.9 hours per trainee.  Thirty-two graduates graduated on Thursday December 13, 2012 and more than 99 people were in attendance.  There was record breaking interest in the VCMG Program and more than sixty-five individuals applied for a space in the 2013 MG Training Class.  Thankfully, we were able to accept 36 trainees.  

As I reflect on my role in the MG program - I feel fortunate - I count each and every one of you among the richest blessings in my life.  Your gifts to me go far beyond professional rewards; they fill me with optimism for the future.  Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the University of California Ventura County Master Gardener Program.  It is an honor to work with such dedicated and devoted group of volunteers.  I look forward to working with you in 2013.
 
Congratulations to the Class of 2012
Cathy Allen
Patricia Allen
John Baprawski
Chris Boykin
Leon Daniels
Jeff Dodson
Gerald Fitzgerald
Kelle Green
Patti Handfinger
Kim Herren
Jerome Holt
Candis Hong
Berta Hurley
Richard Kelman
Melissa Kornblatt
Sally Kosoff
Christopher Lynch
Mira Makdina
Janis McCromick
Rebecca Montgomery
Barbara Morse
Simone Patterson
Richard Paul
Lee Rosenboom
Joe Santos
Steve Schwaiger
Rita Stafford
Mike Stubblefied
Ellie Tu
Karl Volland
Carol Willard
Barbara Wilsey

Upcoming Events & Activities: Learn about Native Bees – Build a Bee Condo from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday January 12, 2013, Hansen Agricultural Center.  Cost is $10.00.  All materials provided.  Register online at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9611

New Additional to the Fuller Family: Master Gardener Sandy Fuller is a first time grandmother.  Greyson Michael was born on December 1, 2012.  The family is excited and pleased with the birth of Greyson.  He weighted 8 pounds, 1ounce and is 20 ¾ inches long.  Mom and Dad are doing well and adjusting to Greyson schedule.  Sandy is enjoying her “new” role as grandma. 

KUDOS to Volunteers Supporting Blackberry Research Project: Oleg, Cameron, and Anna would like to express their gratitude for all of your hard work and dedication to the blackberry project.  They would like to thank you for enduring the heat and wicked thorns.  The first group of blackberries was mowed down in December, the second will be mowed down in January, and the third in March.  But, these plants will regrow quickly and be ready for another round of harvesting next summer (2013).  Hopefully, many Master Gardeners will be able to support this project and Oleg looks forward to seeing your cheerful smiling faces next summer.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Rose Research Project: Jim Downer has requested the help of Master Gardeners and Hansen Volunteers to help remove the suckers from the roses as the suckers are taking over the roses and need to be removed as soon as possible.  What a great way to begin to accumulate volunteer hours for 2013! 

We plan to meet at the Rose Project site on Wednesday January 16, 2013 at 8:30 am.  For those who are joining us for the first time, please enter the Briggs Road gate, turn left, and drive all the way to the end of the parking lot.  The roses will be visible.  Please bring sharp clippers and sturdy gloves.  Dress in layers as it can be quite chilly when we begin.  Even though it may be overcast, sun screen and hats are recommended.  Water is available. 

Notify Sharon McGahan at smcga87190@aol.com by January 11, 2013, if you plan to join us for this very important research project.  If it is raining on January 16, the sucker removal will be canceled and rescheduled for another date. 
 
Vets Center in Ventura needs YOU!  On Friday January 18th, the first major workday of the year is scheduled from 9am to noon at the Ventura Veteran Center located at 10900 Telephone Road Ventura, CA 93004.  The day will start in the Veterans Center lobby where you can sign-in and then move to the gardens for a full morning of projects.  We will dig holes, plant trees, and spruce-up gardens.  Your work will provide veterans with a greater opportunity to participate in gardening activities.  Be sure to bring your own garden tools and a drinking vessel.  Contact Barbara Hill at qbarbhill@aol.com by January 14th to let her know you plan to join us.       

Want to work directly with the public, educating them about the Master Gardener program, and gardening?  Join our Master Gardener Special Projects and Events Committee.  We have fun:
•Working the booth at the VC Home and Garden Show
•Educating the public at Earth Day events
•Creating a winning exhibit for the VC Fair
•Selling produce and plants at Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

If you are interested in joining our merry group, come to the potluck lunch/planning meeting on January 14th, 11am – 1pm at Carolyn Willard’s house near River Ridge golf course in Oxnard.  Call her 805-485-9731 or email gardener4313@yahoo.com to let her know you are coming, what you are bringing and to get directions.

The Ventura County Master Gardener Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) Committee has formulated a plan to place brochures at key locations in Ventura County.  Since 2010, a small but mighty group of Master Gardeners have distributed more than 6,500 information flyers about the threat of ACP.  Linda Haque, MG ACP Committee Lead has actively participated in statewide and local meetings focused on the threat of ACP.  She is recognized for her outstanding work to address this serious problem facing the citrus industry in California.  The team includes Master Gardeners Arlene Pinkerton, Joan Stuart, Charlotte Kalenack, and Kim Herren.  Master Gardeners are needed to deliver brochures and holders to assigned sites and replenish brochures from January 14 to July 15, 2013. 

In January 2013, Master Gardeners assisting with this effort will receive a list of locations in their local community, “Save Citrus” brochures, and brochure holders by mail.  The ACP Committee members will make contact with locations prior to your delivery date.  If you are willing to support this project, contact Linda Haque directly at lhaque@earthlink.net to let her know you plan to join this important effort.  

Upcoming Events & Activities:
Learn about Native Bees – Build a Bee Condo from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday January 12, 2013, Hansen Agricultural Center.  Cost is $10.00.  All materials provided.  Register online at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9611

Mastering Your Home Garden Workshop is scheduled on Saturday January 26, 2013 from 8:15 am to noon.  Sessions offered are Pruning Dormant Fruit Trees & Selection and Care of Garden Tools.  Master Gardeners may attend by completing and returning registration form.  You will also need to include $10.00 to cover the cost of attendance.  If you register online, you will be asked to pay $30.00 with your debit or credit card.  We no longer accepted cash or checks online from the general public for these workshops. 

Advanced Integrated Pest Management Hands-on Training:
Saturday February 23, 2013 at the Hansen Agricultural Center in Santa Paula from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the small barn.  Register at:   http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9614
 
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the Sage Room.  Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9613
  
Topics to be covered:
What is IPM?  
Household Pests
Less Toxic Pesticides
Beneficial Insects
 
Certified Master Gardeners receive 2.0 hours of Continuing Education.  Trainees can track their time as volunteer hours.

Thank you for all you do to support the Master Gardener Program!!!