The UC Master Gardener Program invites you to stroll down memory lane and share your favorite photos of being a UC Master Gardener volunteer. The program will be celebrating its 40th anniversary (1980 – 2020), and we need your help to tell our story.

Enter the 40th Anniversary Photo Contest for a chance to win prizes and receive recognition among the UC Master Gardener community.

How to enter
Entry is free and open to all past and present UC Master Gardener volunteers. Entries must be submitted electronically by 11:59 PST on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 using the online photo contest submission form.

Please read and review the official photo contest participation guidelines before entering.

• Images must be smaller than 10MB
• No limit on number of images
• Winner selected by popular vote!

Winners
Photographs with the highest overall public votes will be designated as “People's Choice” winners. First, second and third place winners will receive prizes and be showcased on the statewide UC Master Gardener Program website, UC ANR Repository, UC Master Gardener social media channels, program marketing materials and the 2019 annual report. Winners will also be recognized by having their photo displayed in a gallery at the 2020 UC Master Gardener Program statewide conference.

More information about the 2019 UC Master Gardener 40th Anniversary Photo Contest can be found online:

• 40th Anniversary Photo Contest - Participation Guidelines
• Contest Rules

We can't wait to see your beautiful photos!

Questions? Contact:

Donna Valadez
Marketing Assistant, Statewide Office
Email: dnvaladez@ucanr.edu

Enter your favorite photos from the past 40 years to celebrate our anniversary next year!

Our 40th year anniversary aims to honor all UC Master Gardener volunteers, past and present!

BIG DIG DAY!

June 5, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and the UC Master Gardener Program launches our first ever independent statewide giving day! We call it Big Dig Day—a day to “dig in the soil, dig in your heart, and dig in your wallet to support the programs you care about!”

On World Environment Day—we aim to deepen awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment. By donating to the UC Master Gardener Program in your county, you support our mission to extend sustainable gardening practices in thousands of community, school and demonstration gardens gardens across California.

The UC Master Gardener Program delivers solutions to local problems in such areas as green waste, water conservation, pest management, pollinator friendly gardening, growing food and connecting people with nature.

Please join us at midnight on June 5 and be the first to give—or visit us anytime during the 24 hour giving day. Make your gift then share your excitement on social media using #BigDigDay and #DigDeep or call a friend to let them know what's happening.

We hope you will join us on June 5!

It's reappointment time for the UC Master Gardener Program! Before the reappointment process begins we would like to say thank you. Our dedicated volunteers are the heart of the UC Master Gardener Program. You make our program impact possible. We hope you'll join us for another year of extending research-based home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape information to Californians. 

Annual reappointment is a requirement for all volunteers working with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Please read this update thoroughly and direct any questions regarding the reappointment process to your program's UC Master Gardener Coordinator, Advisor, or County Director. Reappointment will be taking place from June 1 through July 31, 2019, across the state of California. The process for reappointment can be done in 3 easy steps!

Step One: Select “Please Complete!” in VMS

• Log into VMS, vms-mg.ucanr.edu/
• Select “Please Complete!” under "Reappointment" in right column of your VMS home screen

Step Two: Complete all three sections to fulfill county requirements for participation

Step Three: Verify Date Completed Displays and Print a Copy for your Records

Quick Tips and FAQ's:

Who must complete the reappointment process?
The reappointment process is mandatory for all UCCE Master Gardeners with the following status and achievement including:

Active AND Limited Active

• First Year Master Gardener
• Master Gardener
• Gold Badge
• Platinum Badge

How many hours do I need to volunteer for reappointment?
The minimum hours required to remain a certified UC Master Gardener volunteer are:

• 25 hours - Volunteer
• 12 hours - Continuing education

Note: First-year UC Master Gardener volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 50 volunteer hours (no continuing education requirement) before the next certification cycle.

What is the date range for calculating hours for reappointment?
Hours should be reported for the period of July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019.

Where do I send my payment?
Please check with your county Coordinator, Director or Advisor about fees and where and how to submit payment. The statewide office does not collect fees or payment directly from volunteers for reappointment.

Join me in celebrating the very first annual report for the UC Master Gardener Program! The annual report shares remarkable work and positive impacts made by UC Master Gardener volunteers over the past year.

In 2018, UC Master Gardener volunteers:

• Encouraged people to get outside and connect with nature. 71% of attendees at UC Master Gardener events reported spending more time gardening or outdoors.
  
  
• Taught food gardening best practices in communities throughout California. Last year, 68% of our clientele reported improved practices in growing edible plants.
  
  
• Contributed to the establishment of pollinator gardens and habitat across the state. 70% of surveyed participants at educational events reported using more plants to attract and support pollinators.

While the UC Master Gardener Program annual report is focused on our collective accomplishments and all of the ways we connect with our mission throughout the year, the real story is centered on each and every one of our 6,154 volunteers. Our volunteers are the core of the UC Master Gardener Program and I am honored to thank you for your support and dedication.

2018 Annual Report link:
http://mg.ucanr.edu/files/302109.pdf

With gratitude,
Missy Gable

Director
UC Master Gardener Program
mjgable@ucanr.edu
(530) 750-1266

P.S. Data shared in the annual report comes directly from VMS and our collective statewide evaluation effort. If you are interested in your local county's impact data, please connect with your coordinator, individualized county data reports are shared quarterly.