Greetings!

As we enter another vibrant summer season, thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to the UC Master Gardener Program. Your efforts in welcoming trainees and supporting new volunteers this year have been remarkable, and we recognize the hard work happening across counties as you manage summer outreach, events, and ongoing program administration. With Reappointment season in full swing, we appreciate your attention to detail and collaboration—these behind-the-scenes efforts truly make a difference and help set the stage for a strong 2025/26 program year.

We're excited to share that each program has received copies of our recently released 2023 & 2024 Impact Report, a beautiful celebration of our volunteerism and collective impact. We encourage you to share these reports with advisors, county directors, Boards of Supervisors, community partners, and key stakeholders to showcase the incredible work happening statewide. Additional copies can be ordered from the statewide office as needed.

Let's continue to stay connected, support one another, and celebrate the incredible impact of our collective work. Thank you for your passion and dedication!

Warm regards,

Missy Gable

Director UC Master Gardener Program

Volunteer Transfer Resources Available

Program Coordinators now have access to two new letter templates designed to streamline the volunteer transfer process between counties. These standardized templates for transfer requests and confirmations help ensure clear communication and a positive experience when volunteers relocate to different UC Master Gardener Programs across California. Read the complete transfer guidelines and step-by-step process by clicking here.

Apply for a Free UCANR Qualtrics account 

Program Coordinators who don't already have a Qualtrics account should apply now, as it's essential for accessing your county's UC Master Gardener Program Trainee Application. Qualtrics allows you to create and distribute surveys and forms with downloadable results. Program personnel can also obtain secondary accounts to provide select volunteers with Qualtrics access under proper oversight.

Click here to get the complete step-by-step application process and learn about available training resources.

Reappointment ended Statewide July 31

Per the UC Master Gardener Program Policy Handbook, Reappointment ended July 31, 2025. Whether all eligible volunteers in your program have been appointed by your Area/County Director or you still have a few folks who have not yet taken action, there are likely steps you can take to get us across the finish line.

Follow along in the 2025 Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Reappointment for Coordinators available on the UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator Reappointment page. You will need to be logged into BOX (using your UC Davis credentials) to access.

• Send list to Director.
• Collect insurance payments via check, credit card, or cash.
• Clean your roster by updating volunteer status in VMS.
• All changes requested via the Reappointment paperwork need to be made manually. If volunteers indicate:
• “Do not wish to be reappointed” MOVE TO Inactive-Resigned
• “Requesting Limited Active Status” MOVE TO Limited Active
• Resources:
• 3.6.6 Change Volunteer Status and/or Achievement
• 4.1.6 Roster Cleanup, Final Numbers, and Insurance Invoicing
•  Approve the Statewide Office invoice.
• Mail letters to Inactive-Resigned, Limited Active, and Honorary.
• Templates available on the UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator Reappointment page.

Questions? Join us for Reappointment Office Hours via Zoom on Tuesdays from 9:00 – 10:00 AM through the end of August.

Welcome! New Coordinators

Please join us in extending a heartfelt welcome to the newest member of our coordinator community!

Erinne Rabanal joined UC ANR in Spring 2025 as the inaugural Coordinator for the UC Master Gardener Program in Kern County! Erinne previously worked with the CalFresh Healthy Living program for UCCE Kern. With a background in public health, Erinne is passionate about community health and equity, food access, and empowerment through education – we are delighted that she will be building the newest UC Master Gardener Program. Welcome Erinne!

Email: erabanal@ucanr.edu

Austin Hoffmann serves as the UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator in San Francisco County. A UC Master Gardener Program volunteer since 2022, Austin is the founding member of the San Francisco Farmers’ Market project, an experienced nonprofit administrator, and a sustainable agriculture advocate. The first ever UC Master Gardener Program staff member based in San Francisco County, Austin will be building a garden education partnership with the SF Recreation and Park Department. Welcome Austin!

Email: ahoffmann@ucanr.edu

Branded Canva Templates

Canva recently changed how we are able to share and access templates. Please make sure that to use the following instructions to access the UC Master Gardener Templates:

1. Go to the template page here
2. Click on the template image to open the template
3. The link will open the file in view-only mode
4. Once it opens in your Canva account, go to File and click Make a Copy
5. You'll now have an editable version that you can customize with your own information

Sign up for a free Canva account at: https://www.canva.com if you are interested in a Pro Account through UCANR please contact Doralicia Garay dgaray@ucanr.edu

Statewide Evaluation Updates and Resources

Quarter 3 evaluation reports are now available on Box, providing valuable data from public education events between July 2024 and March 2025. These statistics are perfect for communicating program outcomes to stakeholders and the public.

Additionally, the annual All Reasonable Effort (ARE) survey is coming in August to help document our outreach efforts, and our new interactive Impact Report StoryMap offers a visual way to explore 2023-2024 program data through maps and interactive elements.

Click here to read about upcoming evaluation training opportunities and access all resources. If you have questions about evaluation, contact Jocelyn Mobley- jmmobley@ucanr.edu

Updates from UC IPM

California's new rodenticide restrictions, which took effect January 1, 2025, have significantly limited which products are available to the general public versus licensed professionals. To help UC Master Gardeners provide accurate information when fielding questions about controlling rats, mice, gophers, and other rodents, UC IPM has updated multiple Pest Notes with current regulatory information and published a helpful blog explaining the newest laws and available options for residents.

Read the complete update on rodenticide changes and access updated Pest Notes here.

Upcoming Training & Events

Webinars:

 Fostering a Welcoming Environment and Culture Training

Thursday, Aug. 7, 11-Noon

Zoom Link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/96706058986

Q and A Session: All Reasonable Efforts

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, 10– 11 am

Watch the recording: All Reasonable Efforts (15 mins)

Q and A Zoom link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/92343166206?pwd=dtk9tXKIbCobk1JJJEZdmj1d6frJvY.1

Volunteer Application and Qualtrics Basics

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 1– 2 pm

Zoom link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/95484713711?pwd=kaEHwvDcSjfinEXQxtA2Abd7pXsiC9.1

Office Hours:

 2025 Reappointment, with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Staff

Tuesdays, 9 – 10 am, thru Aug. 19

Audience: UC Master Gardener Program Coordinators, Advisors, County Directors or volunteers leading reappointment

Zoom link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/97573424723

Resources: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardener-coordinators/reappointment

UC Master Gardener Communications, with Barbra Bratten

Tuesdays, 11 am -12 pm

Zoom link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/94197406576?pwd=DVS1ulSHgtonzsLAarPS8WnxR2TAic.1

UC ANR Social Media, with Dora Garay 

Wednesdays, 11 am -12 pm

Zoom link:  ucanr.zoom.us/j/91408257262?pwd=dXl0a1RZbW5nR054OXcxYUVqckZtdz09 

Admin and Policy Support, with Missy Gable

Fridays, 9-10 am

Zoom link: ucanr.zoom.us/j/98021015391?pwd=CFAeiJZf5ionWPcVvAbKbADmmdPxoH.1

Recorded Webinars: 

From Spreadsheet to Spotlight One Sheet

Watch on YouTube (June 2025)

Professional Development:

Extension Skills – Professional Development | Extension Foundation

This resource hub from the Extension Foundation offers professional development opportunities designed to build key competencies for Extension professionals. The "Extension Skills" section focuses on practical, high-impact skill areas including communication, evaluation, engagement, innovation, and more. Courses and content are curated to support career growth, collaboration, and the application of evidence-based practices across the Cooperative Extension System. Ideal for both new and seasoned educators, this site helps build capacity for success in modern Extension work.

Thanks for reading this month's issue! To submit questions, topic suggestions, a spotlight story, project feature, new staff feature, or feedback, email Statewide Communications Specialist, Barbra Braaten at bbraaten@ucanr.edu.

Our Mission “To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California.”

The University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.