Master Gardeners Announce Fall 2010 Volunteer Training

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) will be offering its fifth Master Gardener training for residents of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties in the fall of 2010.
The UCCE Master Gardener Program brings the University’s research and expertise about home horticulture and pest management to the public. Master Gardeners volunteer in their local communities in a number of ways, including staffing a gardening HelpLine, providing educational programs about sustainable gardening and pest management, and otherwise teaching local residents how to become more successful gardeners.
Through the extensive 12-week training, participants learn from UC researchers and other experts about topics including sustainable horticultural practices, soil and plant nutrition, pest and disease management, plant problem diagnosis, and plant selection and care.  In the year following their training, Master Gardener interns are required to volunteer 75 hours on local educational projects, including the Master Gardener HelpLine in Half Moon Bay.

The 2010 classes will be held each Wednesday from September 1 – November 17, from 10am – 4pm at A. Silvestri Co. at 2630 Bayshore Blvd. in San Francisco.  The $325 training fee covers all textbooks and tuition for the course.

Gardeners who enjoy sharing garden knowledge with others and want to learn more about sustainable gardening practices are encouraged to apply to the program.
Applicants are selected based on their interest in horticulture, and their ability to serve the community as a Master Gardener.  Applications and more information can be found on the Master Gardener website at http://groups.ucanr.org/sanmateo. Applications are due by June 1, 2010.
For more information about the Master Gardener program, visit our website at http://groups.ucanr.org/sanmateo or call the HelpLine at 650-726-9059, ext. 107.