From the MG Program Coordinator: Need to reach me?  Send an email to: ljhaynes@ucdavis.edu or call my cell phone, 320-4134 Monday through Friday, during working hours from 9 am to 5 pm.   

April is Volunteer Recognition Month: Thank you for all you do to support the Master Gardener program.  We are fortunate to have so many talented and devoted community service minded volunteers.

Master Gardeners in the News!

MG Executive Committee Chairperson Chuck Andrews will be inducted to the Ventura County Educators’ Hall of Fame on Saturday June 23 at the Four Points Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort.  Chuck Andrews an accomplished educator and served as a teacher and counselor in the Conejo Unified School district during his 36 year career.  Chuck won Teacher of the Year for the State of California (1972),County ofVentura (1972 and 1982), and California Counselor of the Year (1992).  Congratulations Chuck and thank you for sharing your expertise with the University ofCalifornia Master Gardener program.

Article and picture of Chuck featured in Thousand Oaks edition of Acorn, pages 38-39. Link:http://www.toacorn.com/pageview/pages/2012-03-22

Janet Sklar was re-certified as a "Consulting Rosarian" for the American Rose Society.  She was required to attend a seminar inRiverside on March 10, 2012, for 6 hours of class time covering chemical safety, pests, and diseases of roses, (IPM), irrigation, Nutrients, Fertilizers and Soils among other topics.  She also received the ARS Bronze Medal for volunteer service to the Ventura Rose Society. 

Celebrating the birth of grandchildren, the following Master Gardeners became grandparents, if you would like your information included in the weekly update, please send me the facts.  Send the   name of your new grandchild and birthplace to: ljhaynes@ucdavis.edu 

Great Grandmother Pat Ellis welcomed her 2^nd great grandchild James Thomas born on Mar. 16, 6:10 AM.  He arrived 5 wks early, but doing well.  She calls him her a little peanut.

Computer Training Opportunities - Would you like to augment your computer skills, but don’t know where to start?  The following link - provides contact information for adult schools, park and recreation districts, senior centers, libraries, commercial training centers, colleges, and universities that provide computer and software training classes. Classes cover such topics as computer hardware operation, operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programs, database programs, e-mail software, Internet browsers, and photo, and graphic software. These classes are offered all throughout Ventura County, so you should be able to find a class of interest near you. Online training classes are also available.  Class hours vary making it easy to find classes that fit your schedule. The costs of most classes are modest, especially those held at senior centers, libraries and adult schools. To enhance your learning experience, pick a class well suited to your level of expertise.  For questions on computer training opportunities, contact Bill Marlatt at bmarlatt@aol.com.

Westlake Village Garden Tour, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday April 29, 2012.  Master Gardener graduate Elda Bielanski has created an information table for the five garden tour locations.  Tables will include MG event flyers, Asian Citrus Psyllid bookmarks, helpline cards, and 2013 MG training class fact sheet.  Ticket price for this event is $20.00 per person and under 12 free.  You can purchase tickets by phone at (805) 496-0316 or online with a credit card at www.westlakevillagegardenclub.com  Garden tours do not count towards required continuing education hours, but are a wonderful way for us to share UC science-based gardening information.

Continuing Education Opportunities:

Citrus Pruning and Care Workshop - Master Gardeners Carol Piros and Diane Ross will lead a workshop on the topic of pruning and caring for citrus on Thursday April 5^th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Hansen Agricultural Center.  Certified Master Gardeners will receive 2.0 hours of continuing education and trainees are welcome to attend, (sorry no volunteer hours for this activity).  If you plan to attend, register by Monday April 2, 2012. 

Register at: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=8215

Scheduled Garden Talks given by VCMGs:  

Location for speakers’ series is available where you register for the session.

Camarillo Speakers’ Series – Every Wednesday from 4/4 to 4/25/2012

• Master Gardener Co-Leads for the series – Support speakers and greet attendees.
  • Suzanne Osgood – scottymom@roadrunner.com 
  • Linda Owens – llowens2@verizon.net
• Register on MG website and attend at no cost 

Goebel Speakers’ Series in TO – 4^th Saturday from 6/23 to 9/22/2012

• Master Gardener Lead for the series – Support speakers and greet attendees.
  • Peggy Ellis – getpellis@yahoo.com
• Register on MG website and attend at no cost 

Ojai Speakers’ Series – 2^nd Saturday from 4/14 to 10/13/2012

• Master Gardener Lead for the series – Support speakers and greet attendees.
• Robin Graham – stuartgraham@att.net
• Register on MG website and attend at no cost 

Simi Valley Speakers’ Series – Every Tuesday from 5/1 to 6/12/2012

• Master Gardener Co-Leads for the series – Support speakers and greet attendees.
  • JoeSantos– ezmail63@yahoo.com
  • Lois Shoemaker – loiss105@gmail.com
  • Judy Anderson – anderson9874@sbcglobal.net
  • Register on MG website and each class cost $5.00 (pay at the door)  

Certified Master Gardeners receive continuing education hours for attending sessions.  Trainees are welcome to attend sessions, sorry no volunteer hours.  Registration is required!

Lotusland Tour and Continuing Education Opportunity

A special Lotusland Tour for Ventura Master Gardeners scheduled on Wednesday May 16, 2012.  Certified Master Gardeners will receive 2 hours of CE & Trainees are welcome to attend.  Lotusland is in the southern part of Santa   Barbara.  The guided tour starts at 10:00 am, we should be there by 9:30 am.  The price is $35.00 per person. 
Carpooling is required!  We will meet and coordinate carpools at the Pacific View Mall at 8:45 am, behind Wood Ranch Barbeque Restaurant and next to Mimi’s.  Lotusland has limited parking and we should try for 4 people in each car. Prepayment and registration is required.  

If you reserve a spot and are unable to attend, you will be responsible for finding a replacement.  Sorry no refunds!

Register on-line: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=8039

Make check in the amount of $35.00 and payable to “UC Regents” to: UCCE,669 County SquareDrive, Suite100,VenturaCA93003, Attn: Leah Haynes by Friday, April 6, 2012.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Earth Day in Camarillo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday April 21 at the Camarillo Community Center.  This is a fun family event!  We need two volunteers for two shifts 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  David Hibbits is coordinating volunteers working in the booth.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact David at hibbits@vcnet.com or (805) 482-2580.

Ventura Garden Tour - Certified Master Gardener Susan Crespi is co-chair for the Ventura Garden Tour and she needs the support of the Ventura County Master Gardeners.  The tour includes eight beautiful homes and tours will be held from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 5^th.  If you are interested in participating, contact Susan Crespi directly at (805) 415- 7661 or susancrespi@yahoo.com

Barbara Hill, Approved Site Lead is facilitating a Pumpkin Growing Contest with the staff and residents of the Veterans Home.  She is forming teams and needs the support of 3 to 4 Master Gardeners to work with these teams.  MG will mentor a team through the process of growing the pumpkins.  The soil has been prepared and is ready for planting.  Seeds provided and instructions on how-to grow pumpkins.  The mentoring MG for each team will need to do a little digging, interpret instructions, share expertise, and make it a fun project.  Hours are flexible and one meeting will be held to get organized.  Barbara is available to provide support as need to mentoring MG.  However she will not lead a team.  This is great opportunity for the Vets to grow pumpkins.  If you are interested in supporting this worthwhile effort, contact Barbara directly at qbarbhill@aol.com or 443-2073.

Hansen Agricultural Center (HAC)

Vegetable Garden Co-Leads – Juan Hernandez, Kathryn Estomo and Velma Womack

Hands-on photographer: Sally Kosoff – sallyakosoff@aol.com

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=695

Cut Flower Garden Lead – Kim Herren

Hands-on photographer: Patti Handfinger – fingerprintz2000@yahoo.com

View pictures:  https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=697

Propagation Group Lead – Kathleen Diermier

Hands-on photographer: Jeff Dodson – jefferseed@gmail.com

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=696

Ojai Valley Half-Moon Community Garden

Vegetable Garden Co-Leads – Charles Duncan, Robin Graham and Gene Volkerding  

Hands-on photographer: Simone Patterson– citrusbaroness@me.com

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=688

Camarillo Ranch House

Butterfly Garden Lead - Chuck Andrews

Hands-on photographer: Paul Goodman – paulr.goodman@gmail.com 

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=698

Channel Island Marine Center & Native Garden

Native Garden Leads - Norma Hogan and Freda Massaro

Hands-on photographer:  Kelli Green – mrsgreenjeans360@gmail.com

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=692

Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks

True Colors California Garden - Laurel Ford, Maryrose Caspray, and Ruth Lee

Hands-on photographer:  Barbara Morse – morseb@mac.com

View pictures:  https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=693

Earths Academy in Newbury Park

Succulents and Tolerant Garden - Cathy Lewis 

Hands-on photographer: SteveSchwaiger – ashrammastergardener@yahoo.com

View pictures: https://ucanr.org/mg/users/photoalbumview.cfm?albumnum=694

Got Questions?

Help with posting your volunteer hours or accessing MG website:

Contact Heather Johnson at dirttdiva@gmail.com 

Need information about planned MG events including the VC County Fair:

Contact Special Projects & Events Chair Nancy Nasalroad at nazrd@msn.com

Continuing Education (CE) opportunities and questions:  

Contact CE Chairs Charleen Siegler at fauxnombre@roadrunner.com or      Nancy Lindsay at nancyllindsay@verizon.net

About MG Helpline Desk schedule:

Contact Joan Brown at bennett.brown64@gmail.com or Peggy Ellis gettpellis@yahoo.com

Happy Gardening!

Would you like to augment your computer skills, but don’t know where to start?  

The following attachment provides contact information for adult schools, park and recreation districts, senior centers, libraries, commercial training centers, colleges, and universities that provide computer and software training classes. Classes cover such topics as computer hardware operation, operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programs, database programs, e-mail software, Internet browsers, and photo, and graphic software.

These classes are offered all throughout Ventura County, so you should be able to find a class of interest near you. Online training classes are also available.  Class hours vary making it easy to find classes that fit your schedule. The costs of most classes are modest, especially those held at senior centers, libraries and adult schools. To enhance your learning experience, pick a class well suited to your level of expertise.  
For questions on computer training opportunities, contact Bill Marlatt at bmarlatt@aol.com.

As of January 1, 2012, the Ventura County Master Gardener (VCMG) Program follows the University of California fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30.  The VCMG education program is scheduled from the second week of January until the fourth week of May. 

Upon completion of the training program and passing the final exam with a score of 70% the trainees become Certified Master Gardeners. 

In December, UCCE staff, MG Education Committee, and the MG Executive Committee members recognize new graduates with a certificate of accomplishment and celebration.  

First year Master Gardeners are required to complete a total of 50 volunteer service hours of which 9 hours are spent at the helpline desk and 20 hours participating in the hands-on garden program.  The twenty-one volunteer service hours remaining, can be spent participating in variety of approved projects and activities. 

Master Gardeners in their second and any subsequent years are required to complete a total of 25 hour volunteer hours annually, and 12 hours of continuing education (CE).  Completion of volunteer service hours and CE hours is necessary for recertification of Master Gardeners.  Recertification documentation must be completed and returned promptly and upon request.   

The following requirements apply:

• Master Gardener Trainees do not have to complete any CE hours during their first year but are welcome to attend CE lectures and events if space is available. 
• Trainees are not eligible to earn CE hours.  
• Certified Master Gardeners have until December 31^st of each year to complete 25 volunteer service hours and 12 hours of CE.
• The Ventura County MG office anticipates many opportunities to earn CE credit.  UCCE Staff in partnership with the CE Committee will identify eligible opportunities and ensure that there are adequate chances for MG’s to complete CE hours.  We welcome your suggestions on possible topics for CE workshops.  Send us an email at ljhaynes@ucdavis.edu with your ideas for future topics. 

All scheduled CE opportunities will be posted on the internal MG website calendar.  Registration for CE events is accepted by email on a first come first served basis.  Certified Master Gardeners receive preference for CE opportunities.  Trainees may also attend (but not received CE credit for) CE opportunities if space is available.  

Volunteer Service Policy: What Counts?

Primary ways to earn volunteer service hours:  

1. Support and complete work assignments at MG Approved Garden Sites.
2. Coordinate approved events and activities.
3. Set-up and volunteer at the HGW workshops.
4. Work on clerical type tasks in the UCCE offices. 
5. Coordinate approved speakers’ series in your local community.  
6. Coordinate plantings for special events and speaking engagements.
7. Answer questions at the Helpline Desk. 
8. Attend MG committee and general meetings.
9. Support approved outreach program activities.
10. Distribute approved brochures and information flyers.     

Continuing Education Policy: What Counts?

Primary ways to earn CE credit:

• Participation in UCCE sponsored educational activities.  This is the preferred way for MG’s to earn their CE hours.  It includes training classes, lectures given by UCCE faculty and advisors, as well as workshops, seminars, and conferences sponsored by the CE Committee.  For MG’s who are unable to attend CE classes in-person, the UC offers a variety of web-based and other online learning opportunities (i.e. UCTV, videos on the IPM website) that are eligible for CE credit as well. 
• Other educational activities approved in advance by the UCCE MGP staff.  This is much more of a gray area.  In order to earn credit for attending outside educational opportunities or activities, MG’s must submit a written request that includes information related to what you hope to learn, explains how it is relevant to our local area, and your willingness to share information learned with other MG’s and the general public. 

Please remember that, while information from other sources can provide context for our work as Master Gardeners, our recommendations must come from UC research-based sources.

Please note that 1 hour of instruction may not equate to 1 hour of CE credit. 

If there is a 4-hour garden tour that involves admiring flowers and stopping for lunch – as well as learning relevant information that MG’s can use to educate the public – only a portion of the time will be able to be counted as CE credits.  The MG program will determine in advance how many hours are appropriate and publicize these on the VMS in advance of the meeting.  If you want to attend a non-UC educational event and receive CE credit for it, you must notify UC Staff prior to the CE opportunity, not after you have attended the session.  There may be more potential CE opportunities that fall outside of these guidelines.  Don’t hesitate to contact the MG Program Coordinator at ljhaynes@ucdavis.edu with any questions or requests for CE credit, even if you’re not exactly sure whether it would be eligible.  Again be sure to ask before you attend!