When You Meet Them…
[Be sure to say hello to our wonderful new group of trainees, the Class of 2026. They have taken the time to introduce themselves to us with what must be, for them, painfully brief bios, yet packed with information about their lives and passions. There are 26 new trainees–seven from Central County, six from West County, six from South County and seven from East County. We enjoyed editing these bios, and we think we speak for all of us when we say we look forward to meeting them in person on our projects, Demonstration Gardens, and perhaps at our upcoming holiday party on December 8th. Each year, a new class of volunteer UC Master Gardeners reinvigorates our organization and helps to expand its mission. They are our seed corn, with the potential to produce, in the future, even larger and more diverse harvests in the communities we serve. We also thank Fletcher Oakes for all of his beautiful portraits of the new class. Editors]
Ranjib Dey (Pleasant Hill) Marigolds and dahlias only bloom in winter. How you prune them determines the size of each flower. They need early morning watering, the right fertilizer, and at least a one–gallon pot. As a child in a small, densely populated town in West Bengal, India, I learned this through experience–climbing a bamboo ladder to reach our clay–tiled roof, where I tended my plants with care and creativity. Since I couldn’t afford fertilizer, I volunteered at local stables and butcher shops to collect manure and bone meal. The work was demanding, but the joy of seeing those flowers bloom made every effort worthwhile.
Over the next 20 years, I came to appreciate how deeply life, soil, and microbes intertwine. My curiosity led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in Microbiology and a Master’s in Bioinformatics, grounding my passion in science. Today, I live in Pleasant Hill, where I’ve spent the past five years cultivating a backyard vegetable garden, native perennials, and a few fruit trees. Gardening has also become a way to bond with my ten–year–old son, Ryan, as we explore nature together–from backyard soil life to the giant sequoias and bristlecone pines of North America. Through the UC Master Gardener Program, I hope to deepen my knowledge, give back to my community, and build the confidence to one day create a self–sustaining permaculture homestead in the High Sierra. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to learn and serve.
Jay Dike (Oakley) I grew up in Vermont surrounded by dairy farms. We always had a couple of extensive gardens on our 50 acres. It was mostly my oldest brother who drove the garden efforts, and being 17 years younger, I became the main laborer in the gardens when I got old enough. Where we lived was actually a nursery in my great–grandfather’s days.
I remember looking through the Burpee garden catalogs each winter. Where we lived, we generally couldn’t break up the soil until early May, when we would plant peas. I remember in grade school that the W. Atlee Burpee company ran a contest for $10,000 to the first person to breed a pure white marigold. They sold seeds of an almost white marigold. I dreamt of creating that marigold. I didn’t, of course, but someone else did in 1975.
I spent a lot of time hoeing the gardens through high school and some college. After moving from Vermont to California, I didn’t really have room to grow anything until I got out of school, got married, and we bought a house. I struggled with the clay soils in Brentwood, though our cherry tree in our tiny yard did well. We then moved to Oakley, where the soil is a very fine sand. We had more room. I made a large indoor plant starting stand with strong lighting and some fans to help the plants be stronger.
We now have quite a few raised beds, lots of automated watering, a well with less–than–perfect water, and many chickens producing compost material. I still struggle to achieve the kind of growth I think should be possible, so I recently had soil tests done on various parts of the yard. My background as a mechanical engineer makes automation projects and technology, combined with gardening and its technical aspects, especially interesting.
I enjoyed my time as an assistant scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts while my sons were in it, helping them learn the many topics covered in the program. I’ve also helped with some infrastructure projects at the Vintage Parkway garden.
Teresa DiMeglio (Danville, 38 years) I have been gardening since grade school. I was my father’s shadow in the garden. My father taught me about roses and camellias, and the environments they needed–sun vs. shade. This was the beginning of my love for gardening. We always had a small vegetable and herb garden, but flowers have always been my passion. My garden today has both roses and camellias.
I am recently retired. My last place of employment was Hewlett–Packard Enterprise. I managed a global Software Engineering team (Taiwan, Houston, and California) that delivered customized operating systems. On the weekends, I spent as much time as allowed in my garden. My most recent project was transforming a sun garden into a shade garden, taking advantage of the shade provided by my redwood trees.
I have been volunteering at Tassajara Hill Elementary School and the Hap Magee Ranch Bounty Gardens. Working in these gardens made me realize that I am missing a great deal of garden knowledge. Through the UC Master Gardeners Program, I hope to broaden my understanding of gardening and natural resources, allowing me to continue volunteering at school and bounty gardens and to begin giving back to my community.
Tony DiStefano (Orinda) I can’t say that gardening was my first love. Sure, I loved being in our little garden in Queens, New York, chasing butterflies and making bouquets for my mom. But my real love of gardening didn’t fully develop until much later–about 30 years ago. My first love was actually electricity. It was a love affair that began early, at about age 7, and ended tragically more than a decade later.
By the time eighth grade, I was a certified science nerd–reading every book on electricity and electronics that I could find, riding the subway into Manhattan to rummage through the army surplus electronics bins on Canal Street and entering (and winning) the New York City Science Fair for the Borough of Queens with my project “The Effects of Electricity on Plants.”
Sadly, in my early 20s, after attending a technical high school and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, the affair had run its course, and I realized I wasn’t born to be an electrical engineer after all. I set off in a new direction, but that’s a whole other story.
A few years later, I found myself in the Bay Area, reunited with my high school sweetheart after a year apart (me in California and her in Paris). She was a passionate gardener and couldn’t live without dirt under her manicured nails. Six homes and six gardens later, I have her to thank for my development as a gardener.
We settled in Orinda back in 1992. Starting as her assistant and always an available source of free labor, moving on to studying horticulture myself, then planting a vineyard, fruit trees, hundreds of bulbs, and countless thousands of seedlings, I’ve found my own niche in the garden. Although I’m a jack of all trades, I especially love growing flowers. I study the Japanese art of floral design, ikebana, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than growing the materials for my arrangements. I’m an advanced student in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana and, together with my wife, Susan, have demonstrated and displayed ikebana arrangements on numerous occasions in the East Bay and at the DeYoung Museum’s Bouquets to Art exhibition.
Susan was a member of the Contra Costa UC Master Gardener Program Class of 2025, and I’ve seen the training program and subsequent volunteer activities up close. I’ve also had the opportunity to see the wonderful kindred spirits–trainees, mentors, and leaders–that this program attracts. I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge of gardening and to working alongside all of you to share it.
Leo Dominguez (Walnut Creek, 50 years) I have always been interested in gardening since my maternal grandfather showed me how to graft when I was about 8 in my country of birth, Cuba. I grew up in San Francisco since I was 10 years old, when my family immigrated there from Cuba. I had a small yard at the time. As an adult, I bought a condo in Walnut Creek and soon thereafter a home in 1985. I am still in the same house with a very large yard. I often smile to myself because I had never mowed a lawn until I came to Walnut Creek and had to learn all about yard maintenance, making many mistakes along the way.
I tried to care for many fruit trees the previous owner had–apples, pears, cherries–and, of course, battled all the critters that wanted part of the “buffet”. Over the years, the trees suffered from different diseases, and none are still around. My career did not allow me much time to plant a garden, since most of the time I had left was spent on yard maintenance, aside from work. I retired in December 2017 and began learning more about gardening. A neighbor is a UC Master Gardener, and she convinced me to try to qualify for this program. I have been attending weekly presentations at the Our Garden, and it has been an absolute pleasure to continue learning about all that gardening encompasses. I am looking forward to meeting fellow volunteer students and hopefully becoming a UC Master Gardener.
Letty Gonzalez (El Sobrante, 25 years) I am a gardening enthusiast with a passion for growing flowers and food. I started my journey years ago when my kids were young. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and the garden took a back seat. Fast forward to 2025. I retired in September 2025 after 20 years in the insurance business, specializing in employee benefits for small employers. As I approached retirement, I knew I wanted to get back into gardening. In April, I searched for classes, started following gardeners on Instagram, and drooled over photos of gardens. I took the CoCoMG Beginning Gardener class in Spring 2025.
Inspired, I decided to tear up my old garden. I removed pavers, buried rocks due to gophers, overgrown plants, huge roots, and lots and lots of weeds. I put in raised beds and started growing tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and dahlias. I spent hours looking online at plants and seeds, ordering way too many. I now have a garden blooming with color. I spend most of my time outdoors, making my rounds, digging in the soil, and smiling. Life is good.
Previously, I worked from home and rarely stepped outside. I enrolled in the Garden Design class at Diablo Valley College. It’s been a great learning experience. I plan to use my new skills to design my front yard. I love spending time in nurseries, among all the beauty, just dreaming. Gardening has been healing for me. I go out to the garden, and all my worries disappear. It’s my migraine–free zone. I am excited to participate in the UC Master Gardener program–to learn all I can about the plants I love and then share that knowledge with the community.
Jenny Hammer (El Cerrito, 25 years) I’ve been gardening in various places and with various success since I was a child. My family had a small plot at the Huntington Organic Garden in Long Island, New York, and I was mesmerized by the steam rising from the huge manure pile there, from my shovelfuls, and from the wheelbarrow in the early morning hours. I love every aspect of growing things (mostly vegetables) and have become an avid organic gardener, soil amender, and gardener. In the early ’90s in San Francisco, when I didn’t have a garden, I raised three chickens. I also joined the San Francisco Hobby Beekeepers (under the tutelage of Louis Dubay). I kept bees for about four years, sequentially, at Crystal Springs Reservoir, at Sibley, and in my backyard in Berkeley.
I enjoy growing standard vegetables but also like to try exotics, even as I learn more about the importance of planting native species. I grew cotton and hops while in Berkeley and, since moving to El Cerrito, have tried jatropha, sorghum, tobacco, chayote, passion fruit, pumpkins, corn, soybeans and quinoa. I like to experiment, though many of my attempts to “grow outside the box” have failed.
The six fruit trees I planted in the side yard (cherry, peach, two apples, nectarine, and persimmon are watered by a graywater system from my washing machine. I am passionate about saving water and was introduced to the UC Master Gardener program through several volunteer opportunities at the Water Conservation Garden here in El Cerrito. I’ve also gotten tomato starts from the Great Tomato Plant Sale in Richmond.
I look forward to learning best practices from the program and disseminating the same to the broader gardening community. I also want to generate interest from non–gardeners in the joys and importance of working with the natural world.
Colleen Hilker (Concord) First of all, my career in journalism means I never do anything until there is a deadline. So here I am. I can’t say, as many others have, that I have always been interested in gardening. In my younger years, I was always on the go; I didn’t have time for such things. I am one of those who, as I have grown older, have slowed down a bit–not much–and have taken up gardening.
I did have early exposure to vegetable gardening. My grandparents always had a large vegetable garden. As a child, I thought I didn’t like tomatoes until I tasted the tomatoes from my grandparents’ garden. And then I learned I didn’t want mushy, tasteless tomatoes – this was a totally different experience! And now I grow my own tomatoes and enjoy them as much as I did my grandparents’ tomatoes. I’m ready to expand my knowledge and introduce others, like me, who may have thought gardening wasn’t for them, until they taste a home–grown tomato!
Jillian Kerrins–Torres (Richmond, 8 years) Hi everyone! I’m excited to join the 2026 UC Master Gardener training class. I’ve been an on–and–off edible gardener for about 20 years, growing everything from tomatoes and greens to fruit and herbs–usually from seed and often with the enthusiastic help of my two young kids.
My gardening has become more intentional over the years, and I’m excited to deepen my knowledge, especially around native plants, sustainable practices, and how to better support others who want to grow their own food, regardless of space or experience.
I currently live in Richmond Annex and have lived there for over 8 years. I’m very involved in my daughter’s school, serving as both a class garden parent and the PTA’s social media manager. Previously, I volunteered at the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, where I supported docent training and event coordination. I also worked with Freedom From Hunger, assisting with global program research and education.
Professionally, I work in digital experience and operations, with a background in e–commerce program management, content strategy, and cross–functional team leadership. I also hold a certificate in Graphic Design from UC Berkeley Extension and pursue photography on the side. I speak conversational Cantonese, and I studied Italian in college. I’m always drawn to opportunities that combine creativity, communication, and community–building. Becoming a UC Master Gardener feels like the perfect intersection of personal passion and public service.
I’m looking forward to learning from all of you, getting my hands dirty, and eventually giving back–whether that’s through community garden work, the Help Desk, or school garden programs. Can’t wait to meet everyone soon!
Laura Klemme (Antioch, 6 years) I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over 20 years and in Antioch for the past 6, where gardening has become both a creative outlet and a grounding practice. My love of gardening began early, growing vegetables and flowers with my family. Still, it’s taken on new meaning as I’ve reconnected with the rhythms of local soil, seasons, and community.
Much of my career has been spent in the fast–paced world of technology, and gardening offers the perfect counterbalance –a slower, hands–on, and deeply rewarding way to learn, create, and restore balance after long days spent working in tech. I’m especially interested in native plants, pollinator habitats, and sustainable garden design. Through the UC Master Gardener Program, I hope to deepen my horticultural knowledge, contribute to community education, and help others discover the same joy, curiosity, and calm that gardening has brought to me.
Sabine Kroeber (Germany, 33 years, Walnut Creek, 25 years) I knew I had a severe case of “plantitis” when I was more interested in the front yards and street vegetation of the cities I visited than the actual landmarks I was supposed to see. I just came back from Denver, and my camera roll has 50 photos of plants, insects, front yards, and community gardens, and five photos of Denver sights. You can call that selective perception. But it really makes every stroll an adventure because there are always new miracles to discover.
I grew up in Germany and moved to the Bay Area in 1999. I had three careers: One as a journalist and public relations manager for a nonprofit (working in nature conservation), one as a mom of three kids and one as an instructional assistant at an elementary school. I recently combined my passions and started working as a garden educator for Growing Healthy Kids at Highlands Elementary in Concord.
From 2021 to 2024, we moved back to Germany for my husband’s job. That brought me back to my roots as a naturalist and environmentalist. We lived in the beautiful city of Ulm, and I started leading urban green city tours with a friend. The question of how we can promote biodiversity with plants and how green cities can soften the effects of climate change became big topics during our tours and have been with me ever since. When I returned to Walnut Creek in 2024, I joined the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation to volunteer at its restoration site in Lime Ridge.
I am slowly gaining knowledge about the native plants in this area and their relationships to the insect world. It is still fascinating to me that keystone plants in Germany (like English ivy and milk thistle) are considered invasive and non–beneficial here, and vice versa: Our native goldenrod has overrun vast areas in Germany and was long considered a villain there.
I’ve been a passionate gardener my whole life, and my gardening style has changed with me. When I moved to California, I was fascinated with succulents, agaves and cacti. I couldn’t believe I could grow lemons in my garden! Fruit trees I had never heard of before ended up in my yard: jujubes, loquats, guavas and even a failed attempt with a pawpaw tree. Lately, I have been adding more California native plants to support local wildlife. That is the beauty of gardening: It changes with you, and there is an endless amount to learn. It connects people and can empower them. You might not be able to control what is happening in the world, but you can control what happens in your garden – and it matters. I am so excited to become a UC Master Gardener, to give my passion a solid foundation of knowledge, and to bring it back into the communities I live and work in!
Jim Laird (Alamo, 30 years) I first became interested in the UC Master Gardener program through my wife, Laura (class of 2025). Watching her go through training and volunteer at the Danville and San Ramon Farmers Markets with Ask a Master Gardener inspired me to get involved myself.
Our initial introduction to the UC Master Gardener community came through Gail Bowser, who helped us reimagine our front yard by replacing the lawn with drought–tolerant landscaping. I still remember Gale’s enthusiasm as she walked our property, pointing out where different plants would thrive based on sunlight and soil conditions. That experience sparked my curiosity about sustainable, climate–smart gardening.
My love of gardening started early. Both of my parents were avid gardeners, and when I was five, our family moved into a fixer–upper with a quarter–acre of weeds for a front yard. After the local fire department used it for a training burn, we began planting. Some of my favorite memories are of driving to the dump with my dad, rescuing discarded nursery plants, and loading up our truck to bring them home. A few cigars for the dump attendant and several trips later, our yard was filled with thriving redwoods, willows, plums, oaks, and pines; all revived from what others had thrown away.
Professionally, I’ve spent my career in the software industry, most recently working with product compliance platforms that help organizations navigate complex regulations ranging from mineral sourcing in the Democratic Republic of Congo to FDA transportation compliance for food safety. Beyond my career, I enjoy mentoring nonprofit leaders on building strong teams, developing sustainable revenue streams, and scaling their impact through modern technology. I’ve worked with organizations such as GiveCloud, the Human Trafficking Network, and More Than Sport. I hope to combine my UC Master Gardener training with this experience to support nonprofits focused on community gardens, home gardening education, and environmental sustainability.
Dominique Miller (Richmond) I’ve been outside, loving nature, for as long as I can remember. I’ve been farming, gardening and educating with Urban Tilth since October 2020, which has been made easier since I live on the Richmond Greenway Trail. I just celebrated my fifth anniversary with them.
I want to become a UC Master Gardener because I know how important green spaces and access to locally grown organic food are. Helping home growers is a passion of mine. Being self–sustainable is a revolutionary asset for all people and families. I plan to continue serving as a UC Master Gardener and to continue my journey, learning and sharing knowledge on how to grow your own.
Eli Lito Nevel–Tyler (Richmond, 2 years) One of my earliest memories is of sitting in the backyard of my family’s Section 8 apartment, looking at a dry patch of land in a communal space, and wondering, “Why doesn’t anyone grow anything there?” I’ve asked myself that same question over and over again as I’ve traveled and moved to different locations all over the world. It motivated me to start collecting succulents in high school, since they were hardy enough to grow almost anywhere, and then to spend a few summers in college as a WWOOFer (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) in Mendocino County. I felt like I really became an adult on the farms there. To this day, nothing tastes more nostalgic to me than fresh goat cheese and basil, and patchouli and sage still smell a little like home.
I got my degree in Environmental Studies but didn’t feel like I could make a sustainable living working close to the outdoors. I instead ended up in a series of direct service and administrative nonprofit roles, mainly serving the LGBT community. My interest in gardening and small–scale farming has stayed strong. Since this is the Bay Area and housing is a struggle for so many, I’m especially interested in learning how to make natural systems more accessible for people who either might not have much space of their own or move too frequently to keep a permanent garden. The Master Gardener program looked like the perfect way to get my hands dirty again, and I’m excited to share whatever knowledge I can gain with the community.
Jeff Olson (Brentwood) When we first moved to Brentwood, the town had just installed its very first stoplight. Over the past four decades, we’ve raised our five children here, welcomed 12 grandchildren, and watched both our town and the greater East County area transform from a quiet, rural agricultural community into a vibrant and growing region.
Having lived in England and, more recently, Barcelona, Spain, we’ve always enjoyed visiting gardens. Each visit left us inspired and deepened our appreciation for the beauty and creativity that goes into cultivating a great garden. I’m currently a semi–retired real estate broker–still advising and mentoring agents–but this phase of life has opened the door to new opportunities. It’s allowed me time to serve the community and finally pursue some of those long–standing hobbies that once lived on the “someday” list. Gardening was one of those passions.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve experimented (and yes, unintentionally killed quite a few plants) to the point where I’ve developed a habit of apologizing to them at planting time, just in case. But each mistake has been a lesson, and the desire to learn and improve continues to grow. I’m truly excited about the opportunity to learn from and work alongside a passionate, knowledgeable group of gardening enthusiasts. I look forward to contributing to the community in a meaningful way.
Nehal Parekh (San Ramon, 12 years) The memories of my childhood are as fresh as the herbs from my garden. I can still feel the warmth of my dad’s hand as I walked beside him, taking my very first steps as a gardener. He held up a leaf to my nose, “Smell this, it’s eggplant!” He taught me how to recognize plants by the scent of their leaves: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and corn, each with a fragrance uniquely its own. Wherever we went, he made the world a classroom. I remember watching farms rush by through the window of a moving train. He would point and name each crop: sugarcane, wheat, cabbage, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, and more.
At home, I would intently read about herbal remedies from my grandfather’s copy of the Charaka Samhita, the ancient foundation of Ayurvedic medicine. Though the pages of that book have long since withered, the lessons remain vivid in my mind. That’s where the first seeds of my herb garden were truly planted. Life, of course, kept moving–school, marriage, moving to California, children. Gardening quietly slipped into the background. But years later, when we moved to Bangalore, India, next to a village rich in farmland, something stirred again. I began exploring the fields, buying produce directly from farmers. I realized that the best produce grows right where you are.
I began gardening again–this time, to grow my own food, herbs, and medicine. I discovered that seeds from my garden grew stronger than store–bought ones, already adapted to the local climate and soil. I began saving seeds intentionally.
Eventually, we moved back to California and bought a home with more backyard space, which I made the most of. It was just a lawn when we got the keys. Still, soon it was flourishing with summer vegetables and the nostalgic plants of my childhood: sugarcane, butterfly pea, guava, paan, turmeric, damask rose, night–blooming jasmine. I also branched out with plants from other regions, like pawpaw, Surinam cherry, ice cream bean, and countless herbs. I started a small seed bank to share with others, encouraging new gardeners to begin their own journeys.
As my garden grew, so did my community. I found joy in offering advice, connecting with like–minded people, and volunteering at local farms and gardens. My curiosity deepened; I wanted to understand better plant genetics, plant intelligence, permaculture, and sustainable gardening. What began as the fragrance of a single leaf in my father’s hand has become a lifelong journey rooted in memory, soil, and seeds. Through this program, I hope to deepen my knowledge, connect with fellow gardeners, and learn practices that will help me cultivate more resilient, sustainable gardens.
Kranthi Pasupuleti (Brentwood) I’m a garden enthusiast with a Bachelor’s in science and over 5 years of gardening experience. Though not from a farming background, I’ve successfully grown tropical fruits and vegetables in Brentwood for the past three years and opened my garden to the public. Flowers are my passion, and I love inspiring others to start their own gardens.
Prakash Raygor (Danville) I was born and raised in a small town in a middle–class family in India. During my childhood, I did not have electricity (using a lantern), a fan, a refrigerator, or any other modern facilities. I even studied under street lights at night. I was a very studious, hardworking student and had a positive attitude towards life. I wanted to help people, so I decided to study medicine and become a physician. I worked as a Medical Officer for 10 years in my town. Then, 45 years ago, I had the opportunity to come to the United States. I further studied in my specialty and worked as a physician for 40 years. To be helpful to the community, I worked in underserved areas for a while and participated in international medical missions in developing countries.
I retired 2 years ago at 72. In my free time, I got exposed to gardening and attended many events at Our Garden. Gardening seems like meditation to me, and working with plants feels like taking care of a family member. It keeps me busy, and after learning more skills, I want to help my community that wants more insight into gardening.
Stephanie Recinos (Antioch) Born to Mexican and Salvadorian roots, I was raised with a deep respect for nature, animals, and the rhythms of the earth. From an early age, I spent many days exploring the outdoors, studying plants, caring for (and capturing) insects and animals, and living in harmony with the land. My childhood was rich with lessons passed down through generations –how to grow food, how to respect the land, and how to honor the natural world.
This early love of learning and desire to share my knowledge with others as a kid shaped my career path as an early childhood educator (ECE Specialist), a role I’ve held passionately for over 11 years. With a deep commitment to community, I have dedicated my career to nurturing not only young minds but also instilling in them a sense of caring for our natural world. I challenge myself to integrate nature–based philosophies into my teaching, encouraging children and families to reconnect with the land, understand their ecological impact, and learn and adopt sustainable practices.
As a bilingual educator and advocate, I work to bridge cultural wisdom with modern environmental practices, offering families accessible, hands–on learning experiences rooted in ancestral knowledge and ecological awareness. Whether leading nature walks, gardening with toddlers, or guiding parents in sustainable living, I remain a passionate voice for the planet, believing that caring for nature begins in early childhood and thrives in community.
Miriam René (Antioch 2+ years, Bay Area 9 years) Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be joining the UC Master Gardener program and learning alongside all of you. My gardening journey began about three years ago, and it’s quickly become one of the favorite parts of my life. Even before I started gardening, I loved watching YouTube videos and sharing what I learned with friends. Now, I have eight raised beds and several containers filled with fruits, vegetables, and herbs–everything from citrus and stone fruit to tomatoes, peppers, broccolini and carrots to basil, garlic, and thyme. Each season teaches me something new! I’m especially interested in growing medicinal herbs and creating a more pollinator–friendly garden.
Before discovering my love of gardening, I spent seven years as an elementary school teacher and now work in Human Resources, supporting employees across four countries. In both roles, I’ve been passionate about learning, teaching, and building inclusive communities. I’ve also been an active volunteer for many years, serving at my church as a Prayer Team leader, coordinating financial literacy classes, and helping at our local food pantry. Giving back is deeply important to me, and I see gardening as another way to nurture both people and places. I’m especially excited to support community garden projects in Antioch and can’t wait to grow, learn, and serve together!
Preeti Shah (Berkeley, 12 years, San Ramon, 13 years) They say love can make you do anything–and in my case, it made me smuggle a tiny curry leaf stem (Murraya koenigii) inside an eyeglass case during a trip from India. My deep affection for this plant, rooted in childhood memories and cultural traditions, made me fearless. At immigration, I even declared that I had the little stem in my case. Despite my best efforts, the plant did not survive, but the experience only deepened my commitment to growing the plants I love. Today, that story is a source of laughter among friends who jokingly call me “the smuggler,” but it also symbolizes the passion I bring to gardening.
After living in Berkeley for 12 years, I moved to San Ramon 13 years ago. The additional space allowed me to grow two of the most meaningful plants from my upbringing in India: Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Curry Leaf. These plants, common in Indian households, are used not only for cooking but also for their medicinal properties. I have been nurturing my curry leaf plant for over seven years now, carefully managing its environment by bringing it indoors during colder months and preventing it from flowering to maintain healthy growth. Holy Basil, being an annual, is started from seed each year. These plants have become an essential part of my home and identity.
A few years ago, I expanded my gardening efforts and tried growing tomatoes. Though I harvested only one tiny tomato that season, it brought immense joy and pride. That small success inspired me to take the Growing Gardeners Vegetable Gardening Course, which boosted my confidence and gave me practical knowledge about plant care, soil health, companion planting, and pest management. I now enjoy teaching others what I’ve learned, sharing tips on which plants grow well together and why rainwater benefits plants by delivering natural nitrates.
In my professional life, I am a preschool teacher. Just as gardening does, teaching young children requires patience, care, and a deep sense of responsibility. I often bring gardening into the classroom, and my students are eager learners. When we discuss the role of plants, they say things like, “Plants give us oxygen to breathe and help bees pollinate so we can get food!” These moments reaffirm my belief that gardening can be a powerful educational tool.
I feel fortunate to be accepted into the UC Master Gardener Volunteer Program. I want to expand my knowledge in areas such as soil science, pest control and sustainable gardening. More importantly, I want to use this knowledge to educate and support my local community. I look forward to collaborating with experienced UC Master Gardeners and contributing to outreach programs that promote ecological awareness and home gardening. Each moment in the garden has taught me something, and I truly believe that every day is a learning opportunity. The UC Master Gardener Program represents the next step in my growth as both a gardener and an educator. I am excited to be part of a community that shares my passion and commitment to making a difference through gardening.
Heera Sharma (San Ramon) Hello! I am delighted to be joining the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County. I live in San Ramon with my family, and I am excited to deepen my connection to this community through gardening education and outreach. My relationship with plants began in childhood, growing gladioli in pots on our terrace in the mountain town where I was born–a treasured memory that still brings me joy. We didn’t have much space, but I found immense satisfaction in nurturing those flowers and admiring well–kept gardens around us.
This passion continued when my family lived in Cleveland, where I cultivated a small plot in a community garden for vegetables. It was a magical experience that reinforced my belief in the profound fulfillment of growing your own food. Today, I maintain a small balcony garden, though I dream of having more space to grow vegetables and truly expand my gardening someday.
What excites me most about the UC Master Gardener program is the opportunity to empower individuals and communities to grow their own food. This fosters resilience and builds stronger, healthier neighborhoods. I remember my maternal uncle’s vegetable plot and the simple joy of harvesting fresh produce for our meals–and then sharing that abundance with others. That sense of self–sufficiency and community connection is something I’m passionate about cultivating in Contra Costa County.
I bring substantial volunteering and leadership experience to this program. I founded Go Laadli (meaning “beloved daughter” in Hindi), a nonprofit organization dedicated to powering young women’s leadership in India. In this role, I’ve had the privilege of working with more than 300 volunteers across five continents. Over the years, I’ve tutored math and science students and GED students and mentored international women’s groups and undergraduate startup students. I currently serve on the San Ramon Valley School District Deep Learning and Innovation Steering Committee.
Through fellowship programs like Vital Voices, Coro NorCal Women Leadership, and others, I’ve developed strong skills in cross–cultural collaboration and working with diverse communities. These experiences have taught me the value of bringing people together across different backgrounds and perspectives to achieve common goals. While I’m a novice gardener without professional horticulture experience, I’m deeply committed to learning. I’m particularly interested in teaching others to grow their own produce in spaces large and small and in promoting environmentally responsible practices such as composting, water conservation, and reducing pesticide use.
I contribute through demonstrations, workshops, clinics, and one–on–one consultations. I also bring skills in project management, program development, social media, and graphic design that I’m happy to share with the program. My goal is to strengthen Contra Costa communities by promoting food security, increasing access to fresh produce–particularly in underserved areas–and spreading sustainable gardening practices. I’m eager to reconnect with soil and plants on a deeper level while making a meaningful impact in our community. The opportunity to learn alongside fellow gardening enthusiasts and share that knowledge with others is precisely what drew me to this program!
Suzanne Kelez Soshea (El Sobrante, 21 years, Oakland, 10) I moved to California from Washington at the age of eight and spent my childhood in Foster City before moving to San Francisco. There has never been a time when I wasn’t in the garden. Both my maternal and paternal great–grandparents were gardeners, and that love of gardening has been passed down to each generation. I’ve always had a garden, even if it was just a few pots on a fire escape in the city. As a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors, either in the garden or camping and fishing.
My fascination with the natural world led me to pursue a degree in geomorphology from UC Berkeley. My love of travel led me across the globe with my backpack, “the blue beast,” discovering amazing cultures, cuisines, and wine! I spent many years in the restaurant business as a sommelier and later in management. But after designing a few gardens for friends and family, I decided to pursue a degree in landscape architecture from UC Berkeley. I could finally merge my love of the natural world with design and plants. Now I get the opportunity to work one–on–one with clients to create the outdoor spaces of their dreams. I am also a passionate advocate of California native plants and incorporate them into all my designs. Creating an environment for people to connect with nature is immensely gratifying.
There is a wine term, “terroir,” which refers to a sense of place. It includes everything that affects a wine’s expression, from soil and climate to human interaction. Becoming a UC Master Gardener will allow me to discover how this sense of place is reflected in the interconnected web of soil, plants and people here in the East Bay. And I look forward to sharing my experience and passion with the community and my clients.
Lore Vanden Heuvel (Brentwood, 25 years) I grew up in Austria, where gardening and homeopathic fertilizing were a natural part of daily life. Growing vegetables, berries, and fruit trees was not just about food –it was a way of connecting with the land and with one another. From a young age, I was inspired by how my parents and neighbors shared their gardening knowledge and supported each other. Many weekends were spent hiking as a family, collecting wild mushrooms and berries, and sharing our harvest with friends and neighbors. Those experiences taught me the value of working with nature and building community through shared effort.
One of my fondest memories is of my grandmother, who used only natural methods to nourish her plants. Twice a year, she would ask her nephew to bring fresh cow manure for the garden. Though I complained about the smell, she would smile and say, “Honey, this way the flowers and vegetables will grow beautifully – you will see!” And she was right– her begonias, herbs, and balcony plants flourished. She even spoke to her flowers as if they could hear her, and perhaps they could, because they always seemed to bloom brighter under her care. Those early experiences profoundly shaped my appreciation for gardening and its power to connect people. I believe that gardening is not just about growing plants– it’s about nurturing life, building community, and sharing knowledge.
Frederika Villacarlos (Walnut Creek, 12 years) We moved to our home in Walnut Creek in 2013; my eldest had just graduated from college, and my youngest was starting high school. The property is a little less than a third of an acre, and I’m able to plant on a tenth of an acre. My first attempts at gardening consisted of growing herbs in containers. In 2016, amid recurring droughts in California, I availed of a Lawn to Garden rebate program to replace our front lawn with drought–tolerant plants, mostly California natives. In the backyard, I started my first raised garden bed.
When we sheltered in place in 2020, I realized we needed to be more resilient and grow our own food (or at least some of it). We converted the remaining lawn into 144 sq ft of raised beds and grew vegetables, herbs, and flowers (annuals) from spring through fall. The tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, eggplants, peppers, zucchini, beans, broccoli and many more have never tasted so good!
In the last two years, we replaced most of the ornamental plants on our property with fruit trees, other fruit–bearing perennials, and native plants. The pomegranate tree, blueberry bushes, and passion fruit vine have already been producing abundantly. I can’t wait for the rest of them also to bear fruit! I learned mainly from YouTube videos, blogs, articles, and gardening webinars – all of which were prolific during the pandemic – and through trial and error.
Eventually, I earned a Permaculture Design Certificate from Oregon State University. Permaculture is a design approach that seeks sustainable solutions to ecological and social problems in harmony with nature. I’ve become quite passionate about growing nutrient–rich food for my family and to share with the community; creating a space that is sustainable, regenerative, self–maintaining, and rich in biodiversity; and providing a welcome place for family, friends, pets, and wildlife to live, work, and play, now and for generations to come.
I’ve recently retired after 30 years in the financial services industry as a marketing professional. And now, I would love to deepen my knowledge and experience in gardening and food–growing, as well as serve by using my skills to help others on their gardening journeys.
Colleen Westfall (Walnut Creek, 4 years) Some of my fondest memories from childhood were spent with my grandmothers in their gardens. One had a lovely patch of wild mint, beautiful roses, and irises. The other grew exceptional tomatoes, squash, peaches and satsuma tangerines (turns out soil that used to be home to a chicken ranch is suitable for the home garden 😉). My mother, like her mother, focused on roses and irises–some of her plants were over 50 years old! But one of my favorite childhood memories was picking and eating the boysenberries that she cultivated for a few years.
I find comfort and connection to my past when I garden, which is why I sought a volunteer opportunity that would allow me to garden and give back at the same time. I’m a retired elementary school teacher, so finding something that will allow me to both learn and potentially teach is a bonus.
My husband and I relocated to Walnut Creek (from inland Southern California) four years ago to be closer to our children and our granddaughter. It has become home, and we couldn’t have landed in a better location than the East Bay. We are both retired now and in our “let’s travel while we can” phase. One thing I like to do while traveling is to explore botanical gardens, national parks, and city gardens wherever possible. The botanical gardens in Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand, the national parks of Croatia and Norway, and the rainforest and cloud forest in Costa Rica have been highlights for me.
Besides gardening, I’m an avid reader and participate in a family book club. I’ve been a quilter for over 30 years, and I attempt to fit sewing into my schedule several times per week. And I love to cook and bake. I have learned to bake bread in the last few years. Probably my favorite part of retirement is the freedom and time to learn and try new things. I’m excited to start this new adventure with the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: to learn, to share what I know, and to meet new people.
Portraits by Fletcher Oakes and Robyn Barker
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