Working with the media is an important way to share the work of UC Master Gardeners and reach new audiences in your community. Whether you're promoting an upcoming event, highlighting a volunteer success story, or positioning your program as a trusted gardening resource, effective media relations can amplify your impact. This page provides guidelines for writing press releases and working with journalists. For additional public relations support and resources, visit the UC ANR Public Relations page.
Writing a Press Release
When it comes to creating paragraphs in your news releases, short paragraphs are easier to read so try to keep them to one, two or three short sentences. Leave a space between them, rather than indenting.
Also, it is now customary to place only ONE space between sentences (not two).
When you mention the UC Master Gardener Program for the first time, refer to the program like this: “UC Master Gardeners of ______ County, a program of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.” Be sure to link your local website and embed https://ucanr.edu into the name of our umbrella organization. If the sentence is lengthy, write a separate sentence: UC Master Gardeners is a program of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.” You can use UC ANR on subsequent references.
Gather information:
- Name of meeting
- Date, begin time and ending time
- Foreign language translation availability
- Location of meeting – name of facility, street address and city
- Primary audience
- Registration fee, deadlines, website, telephone and email address
- Payment details
- Overnight accommodations – hotel, cost
- Professional credit
- Newsworthy topics
- Agenda, speaker names and titles
- Program sponsors
- Contact information
Download UC Master Gardener Event News Release Template (Word)
UC Master Gardener Program - Boilerplate language
The following language is included at the end of news releases that are sent to the media:
The UC Master Gardener Program is a statewide program of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Our mission is to empower people with knowledge and skills to grow food and garden sustainably, protecting California’s natural resources. By customizing local gardening outreach to account for unique local landscapes and the diversity of California's residents, we strive to meet the needs of all the communities we serve. Learn more at mg.ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
Media Training Session 1
Available Resources:
- UC ANR Acronym Directory
- UC ANR Writing Style Guide
- UC Master Gardener Program Event News Release Template
- How UC Master Gardeners Can Work with the Media (PPT)
- UC Master Gardener Event News Template (Word)