Often, they partner during community events with other horticulture groups, such as the Shasta College Horticulture Club and the Shasta County Rose Society. Master Gardeners complete a one-semester course to become certified and then must volunteer 50 hours in local garden-related venues and events during their first year. To maintain their status, each Master Gardener must accumulate 12 hours of continuing education and commit to 25 volunteer hours every year. During a recent meeting where Waite prepared the group for their responsibilities at the farmers’ market, a lively exchange of ideas followed, infused with passion in every voice. Each has developed areas of expertise from which they offer practical wisdom. However, when representing themselves through the Master Gardener Program, Waite cautioned, they must defer to the UC Davis researchbased advice and practices. Master Gardeners offer helpful tips in a variety of media outlets. Doug Mandel compiles a comprehensive list of local events on his Shasta Horticulture Resource Bulletin at www.shrb.blogspot.com. Rick Bonetti wrote his reasons for becoming a Certified Master Gardener on his blog, www. reddingvoice.com. “Gardening heightens our spiritual connection to the earth and all of God’s creation. There is something ’grounding’ (becoming more fully “rooted”, so to speak) about eating food grown from seeds and the process of nurturing the delicate interrelationships between seeds, soil, nutrients, water, climate and environmental factors.” Ajen Busher says, “As a fairly new Master Gardener whose background is rooted in psychology, I can say without a doubt that both horticulture therapists and Master Gardeners believe in the therapeutic benefits of gardening: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.” This month, Master Gardeners will be at the Certified Farmers’ Market at City Hall every Saturday from 7:30 am until noon. They will help with the Native Plant Society Garden Tour on May 5 and join the Shasta College Horticulture Club at the Mt. Shasta Mall on Mother’s Day, May 12. The next Master Gardener training course begins August 21. Now go ahead and get your hands dirty! If you need help, ask a Master Gardener. • www.camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu http://ucanr.org/sites/shasta-college-master-gardener/ Master Gardener Helpline: (530) 242-2219
Sandie Tillery writes about the North State from 35 years of personal experience exploring it from corner to corner with husband John, their three grown children and four grandsons. She loves interviewing the amazing people who live here and telling their stories.
18 Enjoy May 2012