UCCE Master Gardener

Volunteer Activities Description

There are a number of ways in which UCCE Master Gardeners serve their 50 hours of volunteer time. The following are brief descriptions of some activities.

Plant Clinics: Regularly scheduled clinics are held at libraries, community gardens and other appropriate settings. These clinics offer the public a chance to bring their plant questions and get answers on a wide range of garden problems. The clinics are held weekdays, evening and weekends, usually for 3-4 hours. Three to four Master Gardeners are on duty at each clinic. Normally a formal presentation is not involved, but rather the Master Gardeners are available as "plant doctors" for any question the public might have.

Public Service Phone Calls and Visitors: Within the Cooperative Extension office there is a Master Gardener office with a reference library. Master Gardeners staff this office during the workday. Master Gardeners answer plant and garden telephone and visitor questions. Pesticide recommendations, suggestions on how and when to plant vegetables and ornamentals, pruning, identifying insects and diagnosing plant problems are just a few of the topics Master Gardeners may handle when answering public service calls.

Presentations, Classes and Demonstrations:
Presentations: Presentations differ from demonstrations in that they are prepared in advance on a particular subject and given to a specific audience. Visual aids are often used. Presentations are normally at a non-UC location. Garden clubs, homeowner's association, school children and community gardens are some of the groups to which Master Gardeners speak to on gardening and horticulture.

Classes: Adult education classes are offered at the Garden of the Sun on a regular basis for the public to attend. These classes are taught by UCCE Master Gardeners on a variety of garden topics.

Demonstrations: Demonstrations are a "hands on" approach to teaching which can involve planting or pruning a tree, preparing for planting a vegetable garden, or acting as a guide for a tour of a local arboretum. The variety of topics and settings for these presentations are endless.

News Media:
Newspaper:  Readers of the Fresno Bee send in a variety of garden questions to the newspaper each week. Master Gardeners research and write the answers to many of these questions, which are then published with the Master Gardener's name, in a weekly garden advice column. Other writing opportunities include preparing book review and news releases for local newspapers.

Radio:  Master Gardeners are often asked to give radio interviews or appear on local garden talk shows.

Demonstration Garden: The Master Gardeners of Fresno County have a one-acre demonstration garden located at 1944 N. Winery in Fresno and it is named Garden of the Sun. UCCE Master Gardeners maintain and teach adult education classes at the Garden. General garden maintenance is needed on a regular basis.

Seminar or event organization:
Smart Gardening Seminar: This one-day seminar open to the public is presented and organized by Master Gardeners. The day features many concurrent sessions, keynote and general session speakers with display booths from local clubs, societies, horticultural groups and professional horticulturalist.

Spring Garden Tour: A one-day garden tour of five homeowner gardens and the Garden of the Sun. Attendees receive a map of the locations for all gardens and can visit them at their leisure on that garden tour day.

Taste of the Harvest: Celebrate the bounty of the San Joaquin Valley with seasonal produce, mini seminars, cooking demonstrations, salsa contest, country store, and activities for children. It is held in September annually.