The Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program is a national program chartered through the United States Department of Agriculture, sponsored locally by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) of Ventura County, and the University of California Hansen Trust.

The Master Gardener Program enables the University of California Cooperative Extension to more efficiently share its extensive gardening resources and science-based gardening information with Ventura County residents through public service, educational outreach, and research programs.

Master Gardeners are certified volunteers who extend horticultural knowledge to home gardeners.  These volunteers play a vital role in providing the local public with non-biased gardening information.

Master Gardeners receive up to 80 hours of horticultural instruction from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Ventura County, landscape and nursery professionals, and experienced Master Gardeners.  They are trained in gardening topics ranging from basic botany and plant pathology, to integrated pest management and irrigation techniques.  In exchange for this training, Master Gardeners agree to complete 50 hours of apprenticeship and volunteer work to become certified.  Additional training and volunteer time are  required annually to renew certification.

Entry to the Master Gardener training program is by application and interview only.  Qualifications include a desire to expand one's knowledge of horticulture and share gardening skills with the community. Want to improve your gardening skills and share your knowledge with your community?  If so, become a Master Gardener.