Do you want to be a Master Gardener? Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I interested in learning about plant anatomy, physiology and care?
• Do I have the time to participate in an intensive training program?
• Do I believe in volunteering within my community?
• Do I have enough time to complete the required volunteer service?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.  Before applying to the program, prospective Master Gardeners attend a mandatory orientation session that provides a more complete overview of both the training and the subsequent Master Gardener volunteer responsibilities.

Next Master Gardener Volunteer Training

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Master Gardener, the next Training Program will be held in the fall and winter of 2015-2016. To apply to the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program for either Alameda County or Contra Costa County, you must be a resident of that county, and must first attend an Orientation Session.  

Orientation Sessions for the two counties are being held jointly, but the actual Training Programs will be conducted separately.  You can sign up for any Orientation Session that suits your schedule, and will learn about the dates and locations for the actual Training Programs at your Orientation Session.   

 These sessions are free and will be held on:

• Sunday, June 14, 2015, 1:00-3:00 pm.  UC Cooperative Extension Offices, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 75 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill.
• Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 7:00-9:00 pm. Telegraph Community Center, 2316 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland.
• Thursday, June 25, 2015, 1:00-3:00 pm.  Los Medanos College, Library Building, Room L109, 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg.
• Sunday, June 28, 2015, 1:00-3:00 pm.  San Leandro Public Library, Estudillo Room, 300 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro.
• Tuesday, July 7, 2015, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Los Medanos College, Library Building, Room L109, 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg.
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015,  1:00-3:00 pm.  Alameda County Public Health Dept., Redwood Room, 1100 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro.

Registration for Orientation Sessions is now open!
 Please click here for more detailed information on the Training Program and to register for an Orientation Session.

from the Contra Costa Master Gardener Help Desk

Note: The Contra Costa Master Gardener Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions.  Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA  94523. We can also be reached via telephone:  (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/