The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) invites adults interested in helping others learn about gardening and landscaping to apply to train as a Master Gardener volunteer. UCCE Master Gardener volunteers learn University-based scientific information and then share that knowledge with the gardening community. Master Gardener volunteers are people of all ages and from all walks of life with a common desire to help others learn about gardening and landscaping.
Who Can Apply?
- Any resident of Amador or El Dorado County for the 24 available openings in the training program. First priority is for Amador County residents.
- Residents of El Dorado County will train in Amador County but will be El Dorado County Master Gardeners.
- Applicants need internet access. Most communication will be through email and websites. Weekly class quizzes and homework will be online.
How to Apply
- Sign up on our MG Training interest list at ucanr.edu/be_mg.
- Attend one of our two Master Gardener orientation meetings to learn about the Master Gardener Program, our community involvement, and your participation requirements. These meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, November 28 and Friday, November 30, from 9-11am at the GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road in Jackson. Please RSVP to 530-621-5528.
- Schedule an interview at the orientation meeting and get the link to the online application.
- Complete and submit the online application by Friday, December 14, 2012.
What We’ll Do
- Review applicants. Main criteria for acceptance: 1) prior community service, 2) experience teaching others, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-to-one situations, 3) passion for helping home gardeners, 4) experience successfully gardening.
- Conduct interviews during January. We will contact you within a week after the interview with your acceptance status.
- If you are accepted, we will email you a Live Scan form and list of Live Scan locations. A background check, including fingerprinting, is required to become a Master Gardener. We will also offer a Live Scan session at the Amador UCCE office in February.
- Teach you how to garden successfully. Topics and activities will cover basic plant science, propagation, fertilization, irrigation, soil, compost, vegetable and fruit gardening, trees, Integrated Pest Management (diseases, weeds, insects, small animals), research tools, and outreach techniques.
- Provide you with plenty of Volunteer and Continuing Education opportunities.
What You’ll Do If Accepted into the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program
- By January 25, 2013 pay course fee of $185 online or mail a check made payable to “UC Regents” to Robin Cleveland, UC Cooperative Extension, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667.
- By February 22, mail the Live Scan form completed by the Live Scan operator to Robin Cleveland at the above address.
- Attend 16 classes on Wednesday, February 27 and most Fridays, March 1 through June 28, 2013, from 9am-3pm in Jackson. Only one class may be missed.
- Answer gardening questions at farmers markets, at the county fair and other local events, at the Master Gardener office, at the upcoming Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, or at public classes. Help with program activities offered through a variety of internal committees.
- Complete 50 volunteer hours your first year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours annually.
- Post your volunteer and continuing education hours on our online Statewide MG Volunteer Management System. (We provide instructions).
- Attend your county’s monthly MG Continuing Education meetings as often as possible.
What You’ll Get
- Five University of California publications including the California Master Gardener Handbook; discounts on other UC publications.
- Certificate of Completion of Class Instruction after completing the 16-week training program and passing the take-home, open-book examination.
- Monthly Continuing Education meetings with speakers and activities on in-depth gardening topics.
- Frequent notifications of Volunteer and Continuing Education opportunities and other program information.
- Annual recertification as an active MG after you post online at least 50 Volunteer hours by June 30, 2014. (Future years’ annual requirements are 25 Volunteer and 12 Continuing Education hours.)
- Joy and satisfaction that you’re helping other gardeners grow more nutritious vegetables and fruits, you’re making new friends, and working with others to help create a more sustainable environment.
For more information, contact Robin Cleveland at 530-621-5528 or rkcleveland@ucanr.edu.
