By Terri Takusagawa: ELT Member at Large and Continuing Education Project Lead
Photo by Greg Doyle

On behalf of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), we offer a warm welcome to the latest crop of trainees – the Class of 2026!

I was privileged to meet them at the first lab session of the training course, a workshop at the Rivertown Demonstration Garden in Antioch. The trainees were treated to a garden tour, orchard talk, family bed activity and an Ask a Master Gardener (AAMG) demonstration. For the latter, I was part of an AAMG team at a fully equipped table and canopy setup to demonstrate AAMG client interactions and resources. But the highlight was meeting the trainees when they approached the table for their own AAMG interaction. They were enthusiastic, curious, excited and eager to engage in the program! What a delight! We can’t wait to get them involved in our projects when they complete their training!

The 2026 New Volunteer Training project is under the capable leadership of Ann Ramirez, a seasoned UC Master Gardener who also leads the Growing Gardeners project. Wow! Ann manages a great team of volunteers who help with the many details required to run the training course. It is a tremendous job that Ann approaches with a fresh eye, calm demeanor, and creative new ideas. The lectures this year are delivered remotely via Zoom, while the in-person lab sessions are held at the Rivertown Demonstration Garden. The setting provides an excellent opportunity to experience the East County garden as it changes through the training period.

We hope for a strong turnout from the Class of 2026 trainees at the social event of the year – the Year-End Recognition Event – to be held on Monday, December 8th, at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. The Hospitality Team is busy planning for the event, and the ELT team is working on the program. Please join us to celebrate another successful UC Master Gardener year, connect with friends (old and new), and enjoy delicious food from our colleagues! You won’t want to miss the event and the opportunity to meet the new trainees! 

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