Greetings!
Our hearts go out to everyone as we are all affected by COVID-19. With the recent statewide ‘stay-at-home’ order for all Californians, it is more important than ever before to stay
connected as a community. I continue to be inspired daily by the stories I am hearing of UC Master Gardeners taking action and finding solutions to meet the needs of their friends, neighbors and fellow volunteers.
Our UC Master Gardener community is truly special. Volunteers in San Joaquin County are making grocery runs for fellow volunteers who may not be able to leave their home. Programs are working on creative solutions to donate thousands of plants intended for plant sales, to local community gardens and others. In El Dorado and Amador Counties, training mentors are ramping up communication efforts to keep trainees engaged, despite the lack of in-person interactions. Statewide, everyone is taking action and we are grateful for it.
We realize the tremendous impact COVID-19 is having on planned spring activities across the state, and I have received many questions about volunteer and continuing education hour requirements. After thoughtful consideration to the current crisis, I wanted to let you know that
volunteers who choose to remain active and reappoint during the upcoming reappointment period, June 1 – July 31, will be approved, regardless of the number of volunteer or continuing education hours completed this year. Further, volunteers will
not be responsible for making up any incomplete volunteer and continuing education hours in the following program year.
- Report your hours. During this time, it is crucial we enter all hours into the VMS system to be able to share impacts with our partners and county leaders. Please take this time to record your hours.
- Stay connected. We have great volunteer activities you can do from home! Consider being a part of the virtual helpline, write about seasonal gardening activities, or contribute to your program’s social media with videos of what is happening in your garden.
- Continue learning. Expand or re-fresh your knowledge using online continuing education opportunities or review UC ANR publications like our own California Master Gardener Handbook. Check out this recently published blog post for virtual continuing education opportunities available to you: ucanr.edu/continuelearning
Our top priority, as always, is the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, and community members. We are continuing to carefully monitor the situation as it evolves and taking appropriate measures as recommended by the CDC and health authorities. I hope you are able to take some time to get outside and enjoy your garden or an outdoor space this week. Gardening supports both physical and mental well-being, and will certainly help us get through these challenging times.
Best,
