Growing Together 2014 UC MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE October 7–10, 2014 | Lodge at Yosemite Welcome I’d like to personally welcome each of you to the 2014 UC Master Gardener conference. It’s an exciting time for our community as we have grown to 6,048 volunteers in 50 counties across the state of California. Thank you for growing with us, staying ever adaptable, motivated and responsive as we find new ways to reach our audience with messages of sustainability in the garden. The theme for our conference is “Growing Together” – symbolically represented in our conference logo with the Three Sisters and physically represented at our event with record numbers, new faces and program innovations. Over the next couple of days, we’ll enjoy talks from some of the nation’s leading horticulture and industry experts, network with our peers and get energized about the years to come. UC Master Gardener volunteers remain a vital link between the public and the University of California, especially in times of drought, fire stress and expanding food deserts. I feel fortunate that our community is part of the solution, at the front lines of improving lives and supporting the health of California’s ecosystem. In closing, many thanks to each of you for attending the triennial conference and bringing your energy and expertise to this gathering. A special welcome to the UC Master Food Preservers in attendance – we are so pleased to have you join us. Please enjoy the event and take advantage of the time to network and meet your fellow UC Master Gardeners and UC Master Food Preservers. I look forward to seeing each of you in the garden … or in this case, the Tenaya Lodge’s Grand Ballroom. With gratitude,

Missy Gable Director

UC Master Gardener Program “Welcome to the 2014 UC Master Gardener conference and congratulations on a record turnout. How fitting that the statewide conference is taking place in UC Cooperative Extension’s Centennial Year as we focus on science and service. UC Master Gardener volunteers epitomize this theme and we couldn’t accomplish all that we do at UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources without your support and hard work. I look forward to continuing to work together towards a common vision as we pave our way into the future.” Barbara Allen-Diaz Vice President UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Director University of California Cooperative Extension

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dan Heims Renee Shepherd President, Terra Nova Nurseries Owner, Renee’s Garden Keynote Presentation: “A Funny Keynote Presentation: “A Seedy Business” Thing Happened on the Way to the Renee Shepherd is widely regarded Garden Center”– Humor from the as a pioneering innovator in Horticultural Trenches introducing international specialty vegetables and Since 1973, Dan Heims has been deeply involved in all herbs for home gardens and gourmet restaurants. facets of horticulture and he is currently the president She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. Dan’s work and garden in Santa Cruz where she taught in the Environ- has also been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Better mental Studies department before founding Homes and Gardens, Sunset Magazine, Martha Stewart Renee’s Garden. TV, and Organic Gardening.

Alan McHughen Doug Tallamy Cooperative Extension Specialist, Professor, University of Delaware UC Riverside Keynote Presentation: “Networks Keynote Presentation: for Life: Your Role in Building “Pandora’s Picnic Basket” Biological Corridors” Alan McHughen is a public sector educator, scientist Doug Tallamy is a professor at the Entomology and and consumer advocate. After earning his doctorate Wildlife Ecology Department at the University of at Oxford University, Alan worked at Yale University Delaware. He has spent more than 33 years studying and the University of Saskatchewan before joining insects and their role in the environment, including the University of California, Riverside. A molecular researching the impact of alien plants on native geneticist, his current research focus is crop ecosystems, interactions between plants and insects, improvement and environmental sustainability. and the conservation of biodiversity.

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 3 GUEST SPEAKERS

Kevin Cann Chair, Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Welcome to Mariposa County Kevin Cann enjoyed a 30-year career with the (NPS). The last 18 years of Cann’s career were spent in – serving as the park’s deputy superintendent for his

PHOTO CREDIT: DAN HORNER last ten years. Elected to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors in 2008, after retiring from the NPS, Cann Don Neubacher is now in his second term. Superintendent, Yosemite National Park Shelton Johnson Presentation Title: “Discovering Yosemite: 150 Years and Counting” , Yosemite National Park Presentation Title: “Down the Mountain” Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Shelton Johnson, a native and Superintendent, oversees and directs Yosemite National University of graduate, has Park’s complex daily operations. Yosemite, known for been a park ranger since 1987. Johnson has spent the its waterfalls, deep valleys and meadows, is a World last 20 years of his career as a National Park Ranger Heritage Site which attracts more than four million at Yosemite National Park. Johnson was featured in visitors annually. Neubacher received degrees ’ Emmy-winning 2009 documentary, The in environmental planning and management and National Parks: America’s Best Idea. resource management.

“I’m pleased to be joining all of you for this event to learn from exceptional speakers, share program ideas and inspire innovative outreach. UC Master Gardener volunteers donated over 385,000 hours in the past year to enable the people of California to better understand the research-based principles behind sustainable gardening. I greatly appreciate your efforts in promoting sustainable water and food systems to provide for a healthier environment and community across the state.” Bill Frost Associate Vice President UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

4 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference CELEBRATION OF GRATITUDE

It is our pleasure to celebrate Pam Geisel and her incredible contributions to the University of California Master Gardener Program. Pam has been and continues to be a key component of the UC Master Gardener Program’s success. Her long career with Cooperative Extension began in 1981 as an environmental horticulture advisor. An early adopter of the “power of volunteerism”, she saw a promising opportunity for public engagement and established the UC Master Gardener Program of Fresno County.

In 2006, with years of community impact already defining her career, Pam became the first statewide director of the UC Master Gardener Program. During her time as director Pam worked diligently to establish the UC Master Gardener Program within the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR).

She quickly doubled program reach across all corners of California from 24 counties to 50 counties, her work made tools and resources available for the first time - bringing program consistency and credibility. She retired and joined the emeriti community in June 2013. Pam’s achievements are too many to list but every action contributed to the transformation of the UC Master Gardener Program into a statewide community of volunteers and coordinators extending research-based home horticulture information to the public.

Pam’s leadership has left an incredible legacy; because of her efforts the UC Master Gardener Program will continue to grow and serve as a vital program for ANR’s strategic initiatives. At the conference, Pam will be awarded the ANR Distinguished Service “Outstanding Leader Award” and we’re pleased that Pam will have the opportunity to celebrate her achievements with the many volunteers and coordinators that are so dear to her.

Silent Auction Specialty items will be on display near the Outdoor Pavilion during the Welcome Reception. Silent Auction bidding takes place from 6 – 8 p.m. Special thanks to the following donors: Dripworks, GEOBINS Composting Systems,

PHOTO BY PAT ALTHIZERPHOTO PAT PHOTOSAFARIYOSEMITE.COM BY Matt Ritter, Monrovia Growers, UC ANR, Xerces Partners in Pollinator Conservation Welcome Reception and to the following UC Master We welcome you to join us on Wednesday evening Gardener Programs for their donations from 6 – 8 p.m., for a “Magical Night at Tenaya.” and support: Mingle with UC Master Gardeners from other Amador Mendocino San Luis Obispo counties, speakers and guests, place your bid for Butte Monterey Santa Barbara the Silent Auction, and shop at the Marketplace and Vendor Mall. Calaveras Napa Solano Colusa Orange Sonoma Hors d’oeuvres and no-host beverages will be Fresno Riverside Sutter/ Yuba available. Reception will begin on the Grand Terrace and continue onto the Outdoor Pavilion allowing Madera San Bernardino Trinity guests to enjoy a beautiful fall evening in the Mariposa San Diego Tulare/Kings splendor of Yosemite. Merced San Joaquin

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 5 SPONSORS

We would like to acknowledge the sponsors that generously helped make this conference possible. Monrovia Growers, www.monrovia.com Niche Software Solutions, 559.283.0673 Renee’s Garden, www.reneesgarden.com UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources UC Master Gardeners of Colusa County UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County UC Master Gardeners of Fresno County UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County UC Master Gardeners of San Joaquin County

Vendors The MarketPlace Visit the Vendor Mall and learn about new gardening The MarketPlace is the “GO TO” spot during the technology, meet horticultural organizations and conference. Here, you will find unique garden-related purchase gardening-related products. The Vendor items such as aprons, mosaics, note cards, photo art, Mall is located in the Foyer, just outside the breakout birdhouses, shirts, gloves, and jewelry. Take advantage classrooms. of this unique opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind, DripWorks, www.dripworks.com handcrafted gifts for yourself, a friend, or a fellow UC Master Gardener! GEOBIN Composting System, www.geobin123.com The MarketPlace is located in the Madera & Monrovia, www.monrovia.com Mariposa rooms. PlantRight, www.plantright.org MarketPlace Hours: Steelescapes Inc. and Easy Turf, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm www.steelescapes.com Wednesday, Oct. 8: 6:15 – 8:30 pm Xerces Partner in Pollinator Conservation, 7:30 – 9:15 am www.xerces.org Thursday, Oct. 9: 12:45 – 1:45 pm UC Integrated Pest Management, 5:30 – 6:30 pm www.ipm.ucanr.edu Friday, Oct. 10: 7:00 – 8:15 am UC ANR Publications, anrcatalog.ucanr.edu Sacramento and Yolo Counties are proud to host the Vendor Mall Hours: MarketPlace. Stop by to see what UC Master Gardener programs from throughout the state are offering for 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 8: sale. Funds raised are returned to the respective county 6:15 – 8:30 pm programs. We look forward to meeting you during your 7:30 – 9:15 am visit to the MarketPlace. Thursday, Oct. 9: 12:45 – 1:45 pm 5:30 – 6:30 pm Cash and checks encouraged, limited credit and debit Friday, Oct. 10: 7:00 – 9:00 am service available.

6 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference Tours UC Master Gardeners of Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties have been designing, planning and coordinating tours across all corners of the Central Valley for the last year. The countless hours of preparation for conference tours by numerous volunteers and the tour committee should be noted and applauded! The final tour destinations are not only unique and beautiful but also educational.

Advanced ticket purchase required, on-site registration is not available. ALL TOURS WILL MEET IN THE LOBBY OF THE TENAYA LODGE. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 Wednesday, Oct. 8

Yosemite Morning Tour Depart 7:30 a.m. Tour and . Mariposa Grove, near Yosemite’s south entrance, contains approx. 500 mature giant

PHOTO CREDIT: DAN HORNER sequoias. Giant sequoias are perhaps the largest living things on Earth. Enjoy the view at Glacier Full Day Yosemite Tour Point, a commanding overlook of . All Depart 8:30 a.m. park fees, naturalist/guide, and water are included. See the wonders of Yosemite! , , , , Mariposa Grove, Three Yosemite Morning Brothers, Leaning Tower, Glacier Point, Wawona, Photo Shoot Cathedral Spires, Royal Arches, Turtleback Dome, Depart 8:30 a.m. Vernal and Nevada Falls. Includes all park entry fees Join Dan Horner, and a certified California Naturalist guide. retired Park Ranger, UC Master Gardener Gardens of and avid photographer- Central Valley -as we explore the perfect place for that special photo Depart 8:00 a.m. memory of Yosemite. Includes a free 2015 Mariposa Clovis Botanical County Master Gardener calendar featuring Horner’s Garden is the only Yosemite photographs. botanical garden in the San Joaquin Valley. This one-acre water-wise demo garden showcases Thursday, Oct. 9 beautiful plants and landscapes appropriate for the hot summers and cool winters of California’s Central Flyfishing Valley. Enjoy lunch at the home and garden of one Depart 8:30 a.m. of our own UC Master Gardeners of Fresno County. Full day of fly-fishing The Forestiere Underground Gardens is listed on in the majestic High the National Register of Historic Places. Explore Sierras. Transportation the underground maze of rooms and passageways to trailhead, lunch reminiscent of ancient catacombs, carved out of hard- and all equipment pan. See unique fruit producing trees, shrubs, and provided. If you have your own equipment, we vines growing underground – some over 90 years old. encourage you to bring it with you.

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 7 2014 UC MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE Program Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 ALL CONFERENCE TOURS DEPART FROM MAIN LOBBY OF THE TENYA LODGE.

4:00 – 6:00 pm Conference Check-In

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

7:00 am – 7:00 pm Conference Check-In

10:00 am – Silent Auction Drop-off 12:00 pm

10:00 am – MarketPlace & Vendor Mall Open 12:30 pm

12:30 – 1:00 pm Welcome GRAND BALLROOM Missy Gable, Director, UC Master Gardener Program

1:00 – 2:00 pm Introduction to Yosemite Guest Speakers: Kevin Cann, Chair, Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Don Neubacher, Superintendent, Yosemite National Park Shelton Johnson, Ranger, Yosemite National Park

2:00 – 3:30 pm Networks for Life: Your Role in Building Biological Corridors Keynote Speaker: Dr. Doug Tallamy, Professor, University of Delaware, Entomology and Wildlife Ecology

3:30 – 4:30 pm Break

4:30 – 6:00 pm Pandora’s Picnic Basket Keynote Speaker: Dr. Alan McHughen, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Biotechnology and Genetics

6:00 – 8:00 pm Welcome Reception GRAND TERRACE AND OUTDOOR PAVILION

6:00 – 8:00 pm Silent Auction OUTDOOR PAVILION

6:15 – 8:30 pm MarketPlace & Vendor Mall Open

8:00 – 8:30 pm Silent Auction payments and pickup all items must be picked up by 8:30 pm, or forfeited

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014

7:30 – 9:15 am MarketPlace & Vendor Mall Open

9:30 – 10:25 am SESSION A

1.A Successful Propagation Techniques (Part 1 of 2) FORESTVIEW ROOM Ellen Zagory, Director of Public Horticulture, UC Davis Arboretum

2.A Sexy Succulents SALON I Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

3.A Bringing Back the Pollinators – Native Bees in Our Gardens SALON II Julie Serences, Educator, Xerces Society

8 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference 4.A Potentials & Hazards of Genetically Modified Foods SALON III Alan McHughen, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Biotechnology and Genetics

5.A Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety SALON IV Marcia Rosenberg, UC Master Gardener, Fresno County

6.A Cultivating Partnerships with Agencies, Non-Profits and Businesses SALON VI Panel of UC Master Gardener Coordinators and Volunteers

7.A Human Pathogens in the Garden and Compost Pile SALON VII Julie Oliver, UC Master Gardener, Sacramento County and Consumnes River College Biology Professor

8.A Preserving Across California SALON VIII Ernest Miller, UC Master Food Preserver, Los Angeles County and Chef & Founder of Rancho La Merced Provisions

10:25 – 10:35 am Break

10:35 – 11:30 am SESSION B

1.B Hands-on Propagation Workshop (Part 2 of 2) GRAND TERRACE Ellen Zagory, Director of Public Horticulture, UC Davis Arboretum

2.B Edible Landscape Design SALON I Claire Napawan, Assistant Professor, UC Davis, Department of Human Ecology

3.B Everything Native: Planting for Place & Planet SALON II Kris Randal, UC Master Gardener Coordinator, Mariposa & Merced Counties

4.B Garden Gems SALON III Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

5.B Planting Right: Choosing Noninvasive Plants for your Garden, SALON IV Community, & Environment Christopher Crawford, Project Associate, PlantRight

6.B Who Has The Grant Funding and How Can I Get My Share? SALON VI Kathy Nolan, Director, UC ANR Office of Contracts and Grants

7.B Toastmasters Public Speaking Tools SALON VII UC Master Gardeners of Orange County Toastmaster Group

8.B Keeping your Produce from Rotting in the Kitchen SALON VIII Pam Geisel, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Emeritus

11:30 – 11:40 am Break

11:40 am – SESSION C 12:35 pm

1.C Gardening in California Under Drought Limitations FORESTVIEW ROOM Janet Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, San Bernardino County

2.C Soil Microbiology and Its Effects on Nutrient Availability and Uptake in Plants SALON I Kate Scow, Professor, UC Davis, Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources

3.C Social Media Savvy SALON II Aubrey Bray, Statewide Training Coordinator, UC Master Gardener Program

4.C Gardening for Food Safety SALON III Linda Harris, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Food Safety and Microbiology

5.C How a Butterfly Operates SALON IV Greg Kareofelas, Volunteer, UC Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 9 6.C Good vs. Evil: Parasites and Parasitoids SALON VI Mark Hoddle, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Entomology

7.C Green Roof Design SALON VII Haven Kiers, Special Projects Manager, UC Davis Arboretum

8.C Masterful Master Food Preserver Demonstrations SALON VIII Michael Pizza, UC Master Food Preserver, El Dorado County Sue Mosbacher, UC Master Food Preserver Coordinator, Central Sierra

12:45 – 1:45 pm Lunch GRAND BALLROOM

12:45 – 1:45 pm MarketPlace & Vendor Mall Open

2:00 – 2:55 pm SESSION D

1.D So You Think You Need Fertilizer? Think Outside the Bag FORESTVIEW ROOM Chuck Ingels, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Sacramento County

2.D The Importance of Seed Saving SALON I Paul Wallace, Manager, Petaluma Seed Bank

3.D Passive Solar Greenhouses: Keep Your Greenhouse from Becoming a Tool Shed SALON II Cathe’ Fish, UC Master Gardener, Nevada County and Owner, Practical Permaculture

4.D Optimizing Use of the UC Integrated Pest Management Website SALON III Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Urban Educator, UC IPM

5.D Building Mentor Programs SALON IV Janet Cangemi, UC Master Gardener Coordinator, Fresno and Madera Counties

6.D Innovative Outreach: Scripting, Shooting, Editing, and Posting Videos SALON VI Melissa Womack, Statewide Marketing Coordinator, UC Master Gardener Program

7.D Becoming a Backyard Beekeeper SALON VII Eric Mussen, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Apiculture, Emeritus

8.D The Science Behind the Standards SALON VIII Linda Harris, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Food Safety and Microbiology

2:55 – 3:05 pm Break

3:05 – 4:00 pm SESSION E

1.E Compost, Amendment and Mulch – FORESTVIEW ROOM Understanding Organic Matter in Garden Soils Jim Downer, UC Cooperative Extension County Director and Advisor, Ventura County

2.E Ornamental Edibles to Grow from Seed SALON I Renee Shepherd, Owner, Renee’s Garden

3.E Making a Case for Natives SALON II Doug Tallamy, Professor, University of Delaware, Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Department

4.E Chicks in the City SALON III Pam Geisel, UC Cooperative Exention Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Emeritus

5.E Designing Place in Demonstration Gardens SALON IV Patsy Eubanks Owens, Professor and Chair, UC Davis Department of Human Ecology

6.E What’s in Your Garden? Protecting California from Invasive Species SALON VI Mark Hoddle, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Entomology

7.E Starting a Master Food Preserver Program SALON VII Sue Mosbacher, UC Master Food Preserver Coordinator, Central Sierra Missy Gable, Director, UC Master Gardener Program

10 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference 8.E Dried Food Diversity SALON VIII Cheryl Knapp, UC Master Food Preserver, El Dorado County Linda Elbert, UC Master Food Preserver, El Dorado County

4:00 – 4:10 pm Break

4:10 – 5:05 pm SESSION F

1.F Wave of the Future: Espalier for Harvest and Pest Management FORESTVIEW Chuck Ingels, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Sacramento County

2.F Container Edibles SALON I Robbie Cranch, UC Master Gardener, Fresno County

3.F No-Till Gardening, a Comparison of Methods SALON II Kevin Marini, UC Master Gardener Coordinator, Placer and Nevada Counties

4.F The Case of the Disappearing Bees SALON III Eric Mussen, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist, Apiculture, Emeritus

5.F Empowering Leaders and Keeping Volunteers Engaged SALON IV Sharon Stolen, UC Master Gardener Coordinator, Orange County

6.F Cross Pollination – Working with UC ANR Programs to Further Outreach SALON VI Panel of UC ANR representatives

7.F Banking on Heirloom Seeds – Recommended Varieties SALON VII Paul Wallace, Manager, Petaluma Seed Bank

8.F The Art of Fermentation SALON VIII Ernest Miller, UC Master Food Preserver, Los Angeles County and Chef & Founder of Rancho La Merced Provisions

5:30 – 6:30 pm MarketPlace & Vendor Mall Open

6:30 – 8:30 pm Dinner GRAND BALLROOM

7:00 – 8:15 pm A Seedy Business Keynote Speaker: Renee Shepherd, Owner, Renee’s Garden

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

7:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast TENAYA LOBBY

7:00 – 8:15 am MarketPlace Open

7:00 – 9:00 am Vendor Mall Open

9:00 – 9:15 am First Place Search for Excellence Presentation – Riverside County, Gold Miners GRAND BALLROOM

9:15 – 9:30 am Second Place Search for Excellence Presentation – Santa Clara County, South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden

9:30 – 9:45 am Third Place Search for Excellence Presentation – Orange County, Composting Video Series

9:45 – 10:00 am Guest Speaker: Bill Frost, Associate Vice President, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

10:00 – 10:30 am Honoring Pam Geisel – A Celebration of Gratitude

10:30 am – Humor from the Horticultural Trenches 12:00 pm Keynote Speaker: Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 11 Search for Excellence Search for Excellence is a statewide competition designed to recognize outstanding counties and volunteers for projects that support the mission of the UC Master Gardener Program. This competition is a unique opportunity to celebrate and share our accomplishments by showcasing the tremendous talent of UC Master Gardeners throughout the state in creating innovative outreach programs. Eighteen projects were submitted for consideration this year, although each submission had its own unique qualities, judges selected the following counties and their projects for special recognition and awards:

UC Master Gardener FIRST PLACE Riverside County – Gold Miners “There’s gold in them thar hills!” Riverside County is a big county, stretching from the Los Angeles metro area to the Colorado River. The main challenge of the UC Master Gardener Program of Riverside County was how to better fulfill their mission of educating their community on sustainable gardening practices. The answer – “Gold Miners.” Riverside County was divided into nine geographic areas with a UC Master Gardener volunteer in each area actively pursuing volunteer opportunities for their peers. Since the program began in 2011, “Gold Miners” has increased the presence of UC Master Gardeners throughout the county, giving volunteers the opportunity to provide outreach closer to home, engage new members of the public and increase the number of certified UC Master Gardeners from all regions of the county.

SECOND PLACE Santa Clara County – South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County developed a one-acre teaching and demonstration garden on the grounds of St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy. The demonstration garden was designed to create educational outreach opportunities in the far southern portion of the county. UC Master Gardener volunteers provide hands-on public workshops in the garden as well as classes in both the hospital boardroom and community libraries. The objectives of the St. Louise Hospital garden includes teaching residents about low-water vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants well-suited to local growing conditions, and modeling sustainable gardening practices reflective of UC research-based horticultural principles.

THIRD PLACE Orange County – Composting Video Series Passionate volunteers from the UC Master Gardener Program of Orange County developed a series of 15 educational videos. Nine videos provide a comprehensive overview of the composting process and six videos concentrate on worm composting. Each series begins with an explanation of what composting is and shifts into how to start, maintain and troubleshoot a compost pile or worm bin. The videos are designed to instruct and encourage the gardening public to compost either at home or in community gardens. All of the educational videos were filmed and narrated by UC Master Gardeners. The videos are published on the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County public website.

Congratulations and a job well done to all of the counties that were selected as Search for Excellence winners!

12 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference UC Master Food Preserver UC Master Food Preserver Programs from across the state were invited to submit projects that support the mission and goal of sharing safe home preservation methods with the public. Three inspiring submissions were received for this year’s competition. Congratulations to the winners of the first UC Master Food Preserver Search for Excellence!

FIRST PLACE Orange County – UC Master Food Preserver Quick Tip Cards The UC Master Food Preserver team responsible for this project identified the most commonly asked questions and developed a set of cards to address the research-based information about food preservation and related topics. The team worked to make the information easily understandable to the public, while communicating the necessary information. They focused on four cards to begin the project: About the UC MFP Program, Food Safety, Boiling Water Canning, and Emergency Food Safety. They expect to expand the number of Quick Tip card topics in the near future. These quick tip cards could be replicated in any county to help share our UC food safety information with the public.

SECOND PLACE Orange County – UC Master Food Preserver Helpline The UC Master Food Preserver of Orange County helpline is used to answer questions from the public about food preservation and food safety. Utilizing both voicemail and email systems, the helpline affords opportunities for the public to easily reach UC Master Food Preserver volunteers with questions. The process utilizes existing UC ANR technology systems to capture and store questions and answers, which creates a repository of reference information. The system also allows the tracking of current topics of interest which can be used as the basis for public classes. The Orange County program is equipped to share the helpline resources with other counties and be a statewide support system for the public’s food safety questions.

THIRD PLACE Orange County – Jr. UC Master Food Preserver Academy for 4-H The UC Master Food Preserver team created lesson plans and found recipes that would adapt well to a younger audience. Concentration on food safety, water bath canning, dehydration and freezing techniques as methods of food preservation have been taught in two separate training sessions to date. Both sessions involved a period of classroom instruction as well as hands on activities and training. All participants were able to successfully process various food products to take home and enjoy. This program could be expanded and easily adopted throughout the state.

Search for Excellence Judges Thank you to our judges, who evaluated all the entries with great expertise and interest:

Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D. | UC Cooperative Extension IPM Advisor, Bay Area Pam Geisel | UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, emeritus Amanda Crump | Associate Director, UC Davis Horticulture CRSP Dustin Blakey | UC Cooperative Extension Director and Advisor, Inyo-Mono Counties

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 13 Conference Committee Thank You

Statewide Staff: Missy Gable Melissa Womack Aubrey Bray Conference Chair Statewide Marketing Coordinator Statewide Training Coordinator Director UC Master Gardener Program UC Master Gardener Program UC Master Gardener Program

Core Committee Members: Brad Barker Gerry Hanford Kris Randal Master Gardener Volunteer Master Gardener Volunteer Master Gardener Coordinator UCCE, Fresno County UCCE, Fresno County UCCE, Merced and Mariposa Counties Janet Cangemi Debbie Hillel Master Gardener Coordinator Master Gardener Volunteer Yvonne Rasmussen UCCE, Fresno and Madera Counties UCCE, El Dorado County Master Gardener Coordinator UCCE, Napa County Gail Cole Kevin Marini Master Gardener Volunteer Master Gardener Coordinator Marcia Rosenberg UCCE, Fresno County UCCE, Nevada and Placer Counties Master Gardener Volunteer UCCE, Fresno County Gerry Cross Judy McClure Master Gardener Volunteer Master Gardener Coordinator Marcy Sousa UCCE, Mariposa UCCE, Sacramento County Master Gardener Coordinator UCCE, San Joaquin County Rita Evans Sue Mosbacher Master Gardener Volunteer Master Food Preserver Coordinator Sharon Stolen UCCE, Fresno County UCCE, Central Sierra Master Gardener Coordinator UCCE, Orange County Gail Fulbeck Christina Oborn Master Gardener Volunteer Master Gardener Volunteer UCCE, El Dorado County UCCE, Mariposa County

Thank you to the UC Master Gardeners of Madera, Mariposa, and Fresno counties for hosting the 2014 conference and for your outstanding contributions. Your support was consistently above and beyond!

Special thanks to ANR Program Support Unit Staff for all of their time and effort put towards this conference.

The Conference Committee would also like to extend sincere thanks to all of the volunteers not listed here who helped plan and implement the conference. Although too many to list, please know that your contribution is valued and helped make this conference a success!

14 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference Venue Map

Legend 1 Salon I

2 Salon II

3 Salon III

4 Salon IV

1–4 The Grand Ballroom

5A Salon VI

5B Salon VII

5C Salon VIII

6A–6C Forestview Room

8A–8B Madera and Mariposa Room

10 Pre-Function Foyer

11 The Grand Terrace

12 The Outdoor Pavilion

General Information

Additional Restrooms Photographs Conference Evaluation Restrooms can be found at the Should you NOT wish to be How did we do? Following the south end of the conference center photographed, kindly tell the conference, you will receive an next to the Tenaya Lodge gift shop. individual photographers that electronic evaluation, please Additional restrooms are available you do not want your photo used provide us with feedback and let us downstairs on the first-level next to or published. know about your experience. Your the service elevator, labeled Pavilion participation will help us improve Restrooms on the venue map. future conferences. The survey can be found at http://ucanr.edu/ mgfeedback.

2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 15

UC Master Gardener Program camastergardeners.ucanr.edu