Without volunteers, leaders, and program supporters,  fulfilling our mission would not be possible. UC Master Gardener volunteers we are able to serve our mission to teach people how to garden more sustainably, protecting California's landscapes and ecosystems. 

We're excited to share some of the key priorities the UC Master Gardener Program statewide office is working on for the 2022-23 program year:

• Growing an Inclusive Culture - We're committed to serving the public, but does everyone have access? We serve the state of California and want to emulate the beautiful diversity of the people who live here. This year we will expand the adoption of our program's best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion. We've re-vamped our volunteer application and screening materials, adopted federal best practices for broadening our marketing and racial equity resources. We'll be working on resource adoption this year while expanding program resources related to contact reporting and program evaluation.
  
  
• Our Impact by the Numbers - Each county contributes to local and statewide program evaluation impact data where we collect behavior change for attendees at workshops and events. Impact data is shared quarterly with each county and celebrated in our biennial Impact Report. Do you have an impactful story or images you'd like to see included in the biennial Impact Report? We're looking for inspiring projects, partnerships and volunteers, and encourage you to submit the projects that have been meaningful in your community here: ucanr.edu/2022impactreport.
  
  
• Building Partnerships - The UC Master Gardener Program is poised to tackle some of California's greatest challenges like drought, invasive pests, fire, and overflowing landfills. You connect Californians with the expertise of University and state partners, empowering people to make informed decisions that protect themselves, their communities, and complex ecosystems around the state. We are working hard to create new partnerships to help tackle these challenges. For example, new online invasive spotted lanternfly training is coming soon, developed with funding from our new program partner, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
  
  
• Investing in Continuous Learning - Save-the-date the 2023 Statewide Conference is taking place Oct. 2-6 in Tahoe City, Calif. After a hiatus due to Covid-19, we're planning a BIG in-person learning and networking event and hope you will join us. From drought to wildfires, the conference will have sessions that will leave you inspired. Have a great speaker to recommend? Submit speaker recommendations or requests using the conference speaker survey: ucanr.edu/speakers

This program year will offer tremendous growth opportunities, expanding our program's reach and impact. I hope that the program's new year priorities inspire you!