How to Become a Master Gardener

The next UCCE Placer County Master Gardener volunteer training is scheduled for 2024.

You can put your name on our interest list so you receive future information about the next volunteer training:

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener?

What is the UC Master Gardener program all about?

Thank you for your interest in the University of California (UC) Master Gardener volunteer program. The UC Master Gardener program is a county-based volunteer program; that is, the local University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) county office administers the local Master Gardener program.

In our case, our UCCE office covers 2 counties (Placer and Nevada) and therefore we administer two Master Gardener programs, each one separate and distinct. Our Placer County office in Auburn is the home base for the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County while our Nevada County office in Grass Valley serves our UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County.

The UC Master Gardener program is a VOLUNTEER program not a CERTIFICATE program.

If accepted into the program, you are trained and then “certified” an active UC Master Gardener volunteer in the greater county program. You then volunteer your time (50 hours the first year, 25 each year thereafter) to remain “certified” and active in the program. If you fail to put in your volunteer hours, you are no longer able to claim “UC Master Gardener” status. Each UC Master Gardener program has multiple projects that a volunteer can become engaged in to earn their hours. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities!!

If you have more questions about the Placer or Nevada County Master Gardener program, feel free to call 530-889-7399 (Auburn); 530-273-4563 (Grass Valley).