“California’s strength is its diversity. ANR is committed to reaching all segments of the state’s population.” - Glenda Humiston
Whether during informational sessions, the volunteer application and interview process, training, or in the way volunteers deliver education and outreach—the UC Master Gardener Program, aligned with the UC ANR Strategic Plan, continues to center equity, inclusion, and belonging. Often referred to as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, these values remain essential to fulfilling our mission of serving all Californians—and that commitment has not changed.
At the same time, the VCE team understand that these terms have become politically contentious in the current U.S. climate. This presents both challenges and opportunities. It gives us the chance to reaffirm the foundational role of the University of California—as a Land-Grant Institution—upholding federal non-discrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also reinforces our responsibility to the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) to ensure our programs reach a wide and diverse audience across the state.
This commitment has been reinforced over the past year through several key efforts: the deployment and results of the first UC Master Gardener Volunteer demographic survey in 2024, the development and application of the Parity Calculator, ongoing All-Reasonable Effort evaluations, the creation of standardized volunteer applications and interviews that are now more widely adopted, and professional development opportunities such as the Fostering a Welcoming Environment and Culture webinar, which highlighted successful practices from across the state. Together, these initiatives strengthen the UC Master Gardener Program’s programmatic and cultural competency—ensuring we continue to meet our obligations as a land-grant institution.
As these conversations arise in volunteer settings, coordinators and leadership may encounter questions or concerns about the purpose and direction of UC’s equity and inclusion efforts. These moments provide valuable opportunities to reaffirm our shared values through the UC ANR Principles of Community, clarify our obligations to the public as a Land-Grant institution, and help volunteers understand why fostering inclusion—ensuring everyone can participate meaningfully—remains essential to our mission.
To stay continuously informed on this topic follow the Together@Work a blog by Elizabeth Moon the UCANR Director of Workplace, Inclusion, and Belonging.