Master Gardener

Master Gardener trainees attend a training program comprising approximately 50+ hours of instruction in plant science and horticulture covering such topics as soils, fertilizers, irrigation, weeds, diseases, insects and other pests, fruit and landscape trees, vegetables, xeriscaping, and more. Each trainee receives The California Master Gardener Handbook as well as other UCCE publications. Classes are taught by experts in their fields. They include Cooperatice Extention advisors and specialists from the Universtiy of California at Berkeley and Davis, local community college faculty, and other knowledgeable resource people.

Master Gardeners are people of all ages and from all walks of life. They include business men and women, professionals, educators, retirees, homemakers, and students -- all with some experience and knowledge of plants and gardening. Master Gardeners must be enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others, and must be able to communicate with diverse groups of people.

After completing the training and passing a written exam, the new Master Gardener interns are required to complete a minumim of fifty hours of volunteer service. Master Gardeners are selected on the basis of their ability to fulfill this commitment. In order to retain the title Master Gardener in ensuing years, Master Gardeners must complete twelve hours of continuing education per year and perform twenty-five hours of volunteer service per year. Limited scholarship assistance is available.