Museum of Ventura County - Agricultural Museum

University of California – Master Gardener Program

Ventura County Museum Agricultural Museum in Santa Paula

Fact Sheet

In 2011, the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) realized a decades long dream of creating a museum dedicated to the region’s farming and ranching history. Located in the historic Mill building built in 1888 in downtown Santa Paula, the Ag Museum houses exhibits and a broad collection of tractors, farming implements, a living beehive and interactive activity stations for kids. These exhibits help visitors of all ages understand the importance of agriculture in Ventura County and around the world.

The museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue in Santa Paula and is open to the public Thursday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free.

In February of 2018, the UC Master Gardener program began its partnership with the Agriculture Museum as a hands-on project for MG trainees. The adjacent “sort of native” garden immediately came under our care. Since then, the master gardener volunteers have transformed what once was a barren, deserted, weed-filled area into a soil-rich garden alive with birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

We continually strive to make our demonstration gardens an example to the many visitors to the museum and to hopefully inspire them to create their own vegetable gardens and wildlife friendly, low maintenance California native gardens at home. Because studies show that gardening is beneficial to our physical and mental well-being, our volunteers value the time spent in the garden, cultivating friendships and enjoying the beauty and bounty of the gardens.

Objectives:

· Provide educational experiences for museum visitors and MG volunteers

· Provide access to a local garden in center of urban setting that is welcoming to all visitors

· Promote research-based knowledge and information on home gardening, pest management and sustainable landscape practices

Activities:

· Maintenance of raised beds with flowers and seasonal vegetables and herbs

· Maintenance of native garden and trees

· Coordination with museum staff on educational activities and events

· Sharing of gardening passion and expertise with fellow MGs

Volunteer Workdays

Wednesday – 9am to 11am (8am to 10am in summer months)