Volunteer Continuing Education

After the introductory year, UC Master Gardener volunteers are required to obtain a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education (CE)  each year to be eligible for reappointment. UC Master Gardener volunteers act as agents of the University of California and are expected to keep up-to-date on the latest gardening information and topics. It is recommended that 8 of the 12 required annual continuing education hours be research-based gardening topics. This page includes links to approved training suitable for both new volunteer training and continuing education.

CE opportunities must be approved in advance by the program coordinator and/or county director to ensure they meet UC standards. Program coordinators or county directors may ask volunteers to demonstrate knowledge gained by requesting the volunteer speak on the topic at a UC Master Gardener meeting, write a brief article for a newsletter, newspaper, blog, or other "homework" as assigned.

Counties are encouraged, where space permits, to coordinate with other nearby programs to host events and invite neighboring counties to participate in CE opportunities. 

Online Continuing Education Opportunities

The following is a list of web-based continuing education opportunities that programs throughout the state have utilized to help volunteers log their CE hours.  Although this list has been reviewed, not every resource listed below may be appropriate for every program. Please assess the needs of your volunteers and clientele to determine if the following resources would add to a well-rounded education for your volunteers.
 

UC  Resources:

• UC Master Gardener Toolkits:
  • Drought Training Resources
  • Fire and Defensible Space Training Resources
  • Asian Citrus Psyllid
• UCTV Master Gardener Video Series
• Training Young Trees Youtube Series
• UC ANR and the California Invasive Plant Council
  • Invasive plants and fire in California
  • Quagga mussels, nutria and other threats to California's water bodies
  • Shot hole borers and other threats for California's trees
• UC IPM Training
• UC IPM Tools and Resources
• Navigating the UC IPM Website
• UCCE Weed Research and Information Center Video Series
• UC Davis, Department of Entomology Seminars:
  • Department of Entomology UCTV Channel
• UC Ag Expert Talks (website)
  • UC Ag Expert Talks (video playlist)

eXtension Resources:

• Online Learning Opportunities

Questions? Contact: 

Lauren Snowden
Online Training Specialist
llsnowden@ucanr.edu
530-750-1203