A former horseshoe pit at the county fairgrounds has been transformed into the Sutter-Yuba Learning Garden, a community space for growing food, teaching gardening skills and bringing volunteers and residents together. Over the past eight years, the Learning Garden, led by the UC Master Gardener Program of Sutter-Yuba Counties, has become more than a place to grow plants.

When the UC Master Gardeners first adopted the site in 2018, the space was modest with just a handful of raised beds without irrigation. The space was used to grow fresh produce for food-insecure residents across Sutter and Yuba Counties. Like many community projects, the garden faced a major setback during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, it was forced to close, and without regular care, the space gradually fell into disrepair. But the pause also created an opportunity to reimagine what the garden could become.

The garden opened again in 2022 with a renewed purpose. In addition to producing food, the space was re-envisioned as a demonstration and learning garden for the public. The UC Master Gardeners launched a series of gardening and horticulture workshops that received an overwhelmingly positive response. Community members were eager to learn, connect, and grow alongside experienced volunteers. 

Building on that momentum, the UC Master Gardeners expanded their offerings in 2023 by extending the Learning Garden workshop series from four months to 10 months and adding a summer stroll series for visitors to explore the garden on Wednesday evenings from June through August. At the same time, the space continued to provide fresh produce to food-insecure residents in both Sutter and Yuba Counties. 

By 2025, the garden had outgrown its original footprint. When the program’s agreement with the fairgrounds came up for renewal, the UC Master Gardener Program requested to expand the space to meet increased public demand, including room for a long-dreamed-of greenhouse.

Thanks to the program’s proven success demonstrated through workshops, community events and consistent outreach, the fairgrounds approved an expansion that would double the size of the garden. Marking a major milestone in its evolution.

The expansion addressed two critical needs. First, it created a more functional space for workshops and events. Before the expansion, visitors often had to stand because there was little room for seating. The larger footprint now allows for a more comfortable learning space.

Second, the expansion made room for a greenhouse, an essential addition that transformed how the program grows its plants. Before its construction, volunteers started seedlings at home using varying equipment and conditions, which led to inconsistencies in quality. The greenhouse changed that entirely, providing a centralized, controlled environment for growing plants, improving both the quality and consistency of the plants offered to the community through plant sales and donations. 

Construction began in early 2025. Volunteers removed the original, deteriorating garden beds and replaced them with new ones, increasing the total from eight to thirteen. An in-ground irrigation system was installed with the help of staff from the Rice and Wild Rice Program of UC Cooperative Extension of Sutter-Yuba Counties. Six fruit trees were planted, establishing the beginnings of a small orchard. Even the fencing was upgraded to better match the fairgrounds’ overall aesthetic.

The greenhouse was completed in November 2025, with the support of community partners SayLove and Blue Zones. Having previously received support from the UC Master Gardeners, both organizations stepped in as a way of giving back. Working alongside dedicated UC Master Gardener volunteers, they helped bring the project to life. The greenhouse was finished on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a day marked by both gratitude and accomplishment.

The garden highlights the power of volunteerism. The 12 new raised beds and greenhouse shelving were built by UC Master Gardener volunteer with woodworking experience, Duane Cornett. The irrigation system was installed by David Smith, with a parks and recreation background, and both efforts were coordinated by Heidi Hudgins. Every improvement reflected the skills, dedication, and generosity of the community.

Today, the impact of the expansion is clear. Workshop attendance continues to rise, and participants now enjoy a more welcoming and functional space.

 Plants grown in the greenhouse are thriving, offering a level of consistency and quality that elevates the program’s reputation. Most importantly, volunteers take immense pride in what they’ve created together.

Cheryl Hoke, program coordinator, said the project succeeded because of the passion and teamwork of UC Master Gardener volunteers. “Nothing is impossible with a dream and a dedicated group of people who will not take no for an answer,” Hoke said. “We came up against a number of roadblocks, challenges and difficulties in bringing this vision to life, but it was all worth it. The garden looks tremendous, and we have more work to do. A small group of dedicated and passionate people can create extraordinary results, and we proved that.”

What began as a small garden at the fairgrounds is now a year-round learning space, a source of fresh produce, and a model of what volunteers can build together.

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