UCCE Master Gardener Spotlight: Dee Denton

 

This month's UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener Spotlight is on Dee Denton.  She is new to our team here in

the Master Gardener program, but not new to our counties UC Cooperative Extension! She is also with the Master Food Preserver (MFP) program, first as a volunteer and now as the program's coordinator.  Our programs have worked together for many years. We teach people about growing food, and the MFP program teaches people how to preserve their harvest.  It's a perfect match!  Dee has always been interested in growing food, asking questions when we work together at events and presentations, but it wasn't until this year's Master Gardener training class that she decided that it was time to take the plunge and join our team of garden loving volunteers, and we are so glad to have her!  She has a genuine interest in learning all she can about growing food and being self-reliant, and that interest shows when she interacts with the public.  As her coworker, I have watched her teach food preservation classes and talk with the community at events, and it's always a delight to see how she takes the fear out of safe food preservation and helps show people that “they can do it too!”  Her enthusiasm for self-reliance and genuine interest in empowering others is a quality and talent that we are excited to bring into our program!  The next time you see us at a presentation, or an event keep an eye out for our new Master Gardener Dee to learn more about both gardening and food preservation.  Here's a little more about Dee in her own words.           

                              -Maggie O'Neill, UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener Program Coordinator

 

Tell us a little about yourself Dee:

 

In 2017 my family found themselves with more fruit than we could eat or share.  This city girl found herself wanting to learn about food preservation and found the Master Food Preserver program.  I was accepted into the program and was certified that very year.  I started preserving a ton of stuff – almost anything I could get access to.  I jumped into my volunteer commitment even before I graduated the program and was so excited to talk about the skills I was learning.  I felt so empowered that I was learning skills that would help my family one day. 

 

Why did you decide to be a MG?  

 

I joined the Master Gardeners so I could learn best practices and researched based information to ensure the  best outcome from growing food for my family.  I want to make sure that I teach my younger family members how to be self-reliant -  growing and preserving food is a great place to start.  I want to make sure they have the skills they need to leaders and a contributing member of their community.

 

What are your gardening passions?

 

I want to have a garden that is plentiful. I want to grow items that I may not normally purchase in a store or farmers market.  I want to make sure that I teach my younger family members how to be self-reliant and growing food is pretty important.  I want to make sure they have the skills they need to be productive.   

 

What is a tidbit or two you've learned as a MG that the public reading our newsletter could gain from?

 

I have learned that the gardening education is there if you want it.  If you have any issues, you can reach out the volunteer staffed hotline for advise and they will get back to you with your options to address your issue.   Talk about an EASY button….

 

What advice would you give someone considering becoming a UCCE MG?

 

Join the volunteers in San Bernardino to make a change!  I know what you are thinking - Public speaking is not for me.  Let me tell you something – I FAILED speech in college and now I am excited to get up in front of a group and share with others everything I have learned.  This program needs dedicated people to make changes, people just like YOU! There is lots to do, so don't let public speaking stop you from making a difference.