LAKE COUNTY >> Gardeners may apply to become a University of California Master Gardener.
Master gardeners are volunteer staff of the University of California (UC) who have been trained and certified to extend research-based horticultural information to the public. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the eight-week, 60-hour training on horticultural topics starting on Jan. 15. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 5.
Acceptance into the program is based on the following:
• Written application
• Interest in volunteer community service
• Interest in gardening and horticulture in general
• Willingness and ability to work compatibly with other volunteers under the direction of UC staff
• Commitment to the dissemination of University of California-approved information and advice
• Willingness to be fingerprinted for a background check
• In-person interview
The purpose of the training program is to build and maintain a group of dedicated volunteers trained to provide helpful and important horticultural information to the residents of Lake County.
Applicants must agree to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of public service to the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program within one year of completing their training.
Training is provided by UC and other experts. Classes are four hours long and are held from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 15 at the Agricultural Center in Lakeport, a wheelchair accessible site.
There is a $125 fee for the class which includes training, selected classroom materials and relevant publications, plus an additional cost of $25 for fingerprinting.
For an application or more information on the UC Master Gardener Program and training class, contact the UC Cooperative Extension office at 263-6838, celake@ucanr.edu or stop by the office at 883 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.
