What is a Master Gardener?
U.C. Master Gardeners are trained representatives of the University of California Cooperative Extension. We assist farm advisors by providing advice and information to our home gardening community. If you would like to share your own gardening skills, experience, and enthusiasm, we invite you to join us. Master Gardener applicants should have some agricultural experience and be able to communicate effectively with individuals and groups.
Master Gardeners are available to answer your home garden questions beginning May 19, 2009. The U.C. Master Gardener Office Hours are: Tuesdays from 9am - 12pm at the UCCE Office, and Thursdays from 1pm - 4pm at the Farm Bureau Office.
Call the UC Cooperative Extension office at 530-458-0570 or the Colusa County Farm Bureau office at 530-458-5130.
Bring in any plant sample to help diagnose your garden problems.
We have two locations: UC Cooperative Extension office, 100 Sunrise Blvd. Suite E, Colusa, CA 95932 AND Colusa County Farm Bureau, 520 Market Street, Colusa.
Become a Master Gardener
We will have completed our recruitment and training for our first ever group of locally trained Master Gardener Volunteers in May 2009 with a graduating class of 15 volunteers. Our next Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program will be offered in 2011. If you would like more information, please email one of our Master Gardener Program Coordinators, Gerry Hernandez at glhernandez@ucdavis.edu or Melodie Johnson at ccfb@colusanet.com.
As part of our training program, applicants attend a 17-week (76 hour) series of classes in plant science, soils, water management, vegetable gardening, entomology, integrated pest management, home orchard, turf grass, oaks, fire safety, pathology, weeds, pest control and more. Classes are taught to prepare you for your work as a Master Gardener Volunteer.
After passing a written examination and completing a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service, the Master Gardener is certified. To maintain your affiliation with the University Master Gardeners, you need to complete 12 hours of continuing education yearly and continue to volunteer 25 hours per year.
Click this link to reach the State Master Gardener website: camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu