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 or horticultural experience and be able to communicate effectively with individuals and groups.  

Master Gardeners are available to answer your home garden questions on Monday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and Thursday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Call the UC Cooperative Extension office at 530-538-7201.
Bring in any plant sample to help diagnose your garden problems.

Our location is UC Extension Office, 2279 B Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965.

Become a Master Gardener

We have completed our recruitment and training for our first ever group of locally trained Master Gardener Volunteers in May 2008 with a graduating class of 17 volunteers.  Our next Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program will be offered in 2010.  If you would like more information please call the office at 530-538-7201.

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 by experts in their fields, including Cooperative Extension Advisors, Specialists and faculty from Universities and colleges.  The classes are meant 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.