Plant a Row for the Hungry - Master Gardeners, Fresno County, California

1. Fresno County Master Master Gardeners ~
Our Master Gardeners Gardeners Mission Statement
The University of California Cooperative
Fresno County
Extension in Fresno County has an active
Master Gardener volunteers provide the
public with University of California (UC) University of California
group of over 200 Master Gardener volun-
teers who support local educational pro- research-based information, verified by UC Cooperative Extension
grams in home horticulture by staffing a
experts, about home horticulture, pest Healthier Plants
phone-in helpline, providing public educa-
tion classes and presentations, coordinating identification, landscape management, and Healthier Environment
a Plant a Row for the Hungry program, other environmental and natural resource Healthier Gardeners
maintaining a one-acre food production and Healthier Community
issues.
ornamental demonstration garden, con-
ducting plant clinics, and providing other
educational opportunities. Local Master Gardener Website
Our programs are open to all potential participants. http://mgfresno.ucdavis.edu/
Please contact the Fresno County UCCE office, (two
weeks prior to the “scheduled” activity), at 559-456- UC Cooperative Extension Office
Gardening Resources 7285, if you have any barriers to participation requiring 1720 S. Maple Ave.
any special accommodations. Fresno, CA 93702
559-456-7285
Master Gardener Website The University of California prohibits discrimination against or har-
http://mgfresno.ucdavis.edu assment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin,
Garden of the Sun Demonstration Garden
religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-
related or genetic characteristics) ancestry, marital status, age, sex- 1944 N. Winery
Master Gardener Helpline ual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered (South end of Discovery Center)
559-456-7563 veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Fresno, CA
Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active 559-456-4151 (M,W,F mornings)
duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a cam-
California Gardening Website
paign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities Master Gardener Helpline
http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu or with respect to any of its employment policies, practices, or
559-456-7563 (M to F - 9 a.m. to noon)
procedures. University policy is intended to be consistent with the
Integrated Pest Management Website provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding mgfresno@ucdavis.edu
http://ipm.ucdavis.edu the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the
Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of
California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive,
Books Available at the UC Cooperative 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3550, 510-987-0096.
Extension Office for purchase:
California Master Gardener Handbook
Gardener’s Companion

2. Master Gardener Programs
Garden of the Sun Integrated Pest Management Outreach Special Projects: Community Gardening,
Demonstration Garden and Kiosk Spanish Outreach, Landscape Tree
Located at the south end of the Discovery Cen- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses environ- Care, Youth Gardening, Sustainable
ter at 1944 N. Winery in Fresno (near Winery mentally sound, yet effective ways to keep pests
and McKinley) and open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on from annoying you or damaging plants. Look for Landscaping and more...
most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the one IPM information posted by Master Gardeners and Whatever your interest, we have Master Gar-
-acre Garden of the Sun includes an extensive the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District dener experts to help. We
orchard of fruit trees and vines, beds of vegeta- at local Orchard Supply Hardware stores! We can help your organization
bles, herbs, perennials, cut flowers, an All- have an interactive IPM computer kiosk that helps start a community garden
America Selection Garden, and a compost dem- you identify and find safe ways to control pests. or offer classes to community
onstration area in a setting designed by landscape The kiosk moves every month to a different gardeners. Our bilingual Mas-
designer, Robert Truxell. Also featured in the school or library. To find where ours is, visit ter Gardeners can be heard
garden are specialty gardens for children and the http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/FAQ/kiosk.html. on local Spanish radio and
physically challenged. Stop by and learn from the teach classes in Spanish at the
Master Gardeners who volunteer there. Garden of the Sun. The
Plant a Row for the Hungry Landscape Tree Care
Plant A Row (PAR) is a nationwide, people-to- committee gives educational tree walks and has
Adult Education Classes people program sponsored locally by UC Coop- developed guides to buying, planting, and caring
Take a gardening class from the Master Garden- erative Extension Master Gardeners and Commu- for trees that are available on our website for
ers and learn about everything from pruning fruit nity Food Bank. We connect home gardeners download. Our award-winning Youth Garden-
trees to composting. Offered throughout the who grow extra fruits and vegetables with those ing program maintains a demonstration garden at
year on most Wednesdays and Saturdays, our in our community who are in need of that nutri- the Garden of the Sun, holds an annual Kid’s Gar-
classes are an inexpensive (and sometimes free) tious food and teach four free classes each year. dening Day, and has published a gardening re-
way to learn how to take care of your garden or PAR volunteers pledge source guide for teachers. Master Gardeners
landscape. To learn about upcoming classes, visit to donate produce with expertise gardening in the foothills pro-
our website or call 559-456-7285 to have a class through the Commu- vide written guides to help higher elevation gar-
schedule mailed to you. nity Food Bank's net- deners on our website. You can hear or see
work of food pantries Master Gardeners on local radio and television
and at PAR-sponsored shows nearly every week and read the Master
Helpline events. PAR gardens Gardener newspaper column in the Fresno Bee
A Master Gardener is available to answer your are excellent projects every Thursday.
gardening questions Monday through Friday from for families, schools,
9 a.m. to noon at 559-456-7563 or email and youth organiza-
mgfresno@ucdavis.edu. Call them for help! tions. Plant Clinics
Ever wonder what kind of insect is eating your
plant or how to care for your annuals? Master
Special Events Speakers Bureau Gardeners hold plant clinics at Farmers’ Markets
At least twice a year, we hold special gardening Need a speaker for your school or church group? and garden centers. These booths are staffed by
events like our Spring Garden Tour and Taste of Call the UC Cooperative Extension Office to expert Master Gardeners who can provide you
the Harvest. These activities are designed to request a Master Gardener speaker. Master Gar- with answers to your questions.
educate and inspire! deners can speak on a variety of gardening topics.
Photos: Bill Murphy