The Latest Dirt - November 2024

Jardineros is Expanding into the Community

by May Coleman

Our newly approved Jardineros project emphasizes the growing importance of community-based connections, particularly between the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa and the large Spanish-speaking community in the county.

in the last few months we have started three new educational gardens: Pueblos Del Sol, First Five Pittsburg Children’s Garden and First Five Monument. We have also taught several classes, collaborated with many school programs and conducted workshops and webinars in collaboration with the UCCE Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program.

We plan to expand our work to collaborate with School Gardens, especially in areas with large concentrations of Spanish speakers. Additionally, we will continue to offer classes and certification for Jardineros (the Spanish version of Growing Gardeners) at Pueblos Del Sol and plan to expand it to the greater community. We certified about 50 participants at Pueblos Del Sol and will continue to do so.

We've also partnered with several organizations to strengthen our community impact, including Urban Tilth, Yes Nature to Neighborhoods, Yes Families, Groundwork Richmond, First Five, Monument Crises Center, Bi-Bett, and Support for Recovery.

We have several ongoing events scheduled until the end of this year, and many opportunities are being considered, so all UC Master Gardeners should be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities that will be posted on VMS.

I want to thank the volunteers who made this year such a great and successful year for Jardineros: Laura Brainin-Rodriguez, Anne Sutherland, Lorraine Rose-Lerman, Rosalie Frankel, Tara Vaishnav, Tina Schumann, Joie Spinelli, Dorothy Abeyta, John Fike, Mike Corby, Liz Rottger, Janet Miller, Mary Joe Corby, Robyn Barker, Kirsten Mollo, Joyce Hennessey, Marian Rule, Alisson Thomas, Amanda Merril, Jon Schwartz and Lucy Duquette. Forgive me if I forgot anyone. I also want to thank Program Coordinator Dawn Kooyumjian and Administrative Assistant Diana Garcia–Colmenarez for making things possible.

Jardineros is currently going through an initial structural process. We are writing internal procedures and regulations and setting realistic goals to efficiently communicate our mission statement and educational goals to our multicultural communities.

Some changes and rearrangements are taking place, as I am currently the only official Lead of Jardineros. We thank Anne Sutherland for her years of leadership and for staying on as a valuable member of Jardineros.

Soon, we will be opening our meetings to everyone and would love to have you aboard to hear your thoughts and ideas. We will also have a kickoff meeting and a new recruitment event. Did I mention there will be a special cake?

“Cultivando salud amistades y belleza, un jardín a la vez.” (Cultivating health, friendships and beauty, one garden at a time.)