Emy joined our UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener team during our first online training ever in 2020. She jumped right in and was excited to learn all about gardening and to share her passion for gardening with her peers. As we got to know each other online during class it was clear that she had a connection to gardening that went beyond just the horticultural aspects to include how gardening can change our lives and the connections we can have with our family and loved ones through the plants they grew. When pandemic restrictions began to lift, and we were able to work more directly with the community, Emy was able to get out to the community as a newly certified Master Gardener and stated seeing what the possibilities were in her new role. We always hope, as community members join our Master Gardener team and become volunteers, that they connect us to needs and opportunities that they are aware of in their community and Emy did just that. Right away she saw how the program could support some organizations she has worked with in the past and brought in fellow volunteers to get some gardening going. Our volunteers are an invaluable resource for knowing the needs of their own communities so that we can go where we are needed. Many of our outreach activities also include our Master Food Preservers and Emy was excited to learn more about that program too. She loved how Master Gardeners helped people grow their own food, and Master Food Preservers helped them to preserve it safely. Her and her husband are now enrolled in the Master Food Preserver program so that they can have an even greater impact on their community through education and sharing of resources on gardening and safe food preservation. Emy's soft spoken determination to improve the lives of her community members, both physically and emotionally, makes her a wonderful Master Gardener (and human!). She gardens with a heart and shares that heart with all she comes in contact with. Encouraging people to try it themselves and providing them with the information they need to be successful. All those who come in contact with Emy know that if they have any questions or need any support that Emy and her fellow Mater Gardeners are here to help!

Why did you decide to be a MG?

When I was working at the AAA Speedway in Fontana, every time we had an event, I'd always tell the caterers to give me the produce that they were about to throw away. One day, they finally asked me why and I told them, "It's because I have worms!" After seeing the shocked look on their faces, my boss and I laughed, and she told them that I have composting worms. Then one of them said that she was a Master Gardener, told me about the program as I had never heard about it before. We exchanged numbers and emails, but it wasn't until I was taking an EFNEP Class through our granddaughter's school and the teacher mentioned the Master Gardener Program that I really thought about it again. Excited to find out that was available in our area, I signed up!

What are your gardening passions?

We'll, as I previously mentioned, I'm NUTS about our worms! I treat them as our babies! We've given them out to many friends and relatives as birthday and Christmas gifts! My first workday as a Master Gardener was at Kimbark Elementary School in Devore. Cass Henderson and I were digging out the old soil from one of the raised beds. I told her not to think I'm crazy if I stop to save a worm! We came across a few…all digging had to stop so I could pick the worm up to place it safely away from our shovels! I also LOVE fruit trees, any edible plants and anything related to gardening! I'm not allowed to

go to Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco or Sam's Club by myself, just in case I go crazy buying everything. I justify it by saying that it was on sale!

What do you think gardening gives back to our community and why do you think it's important for overall community health?

Interning a few months at Sarvodaya Farms, an organic teaching farm in Pomona changed my life! It helped me to see that gardening is healing, not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually! Not to mention the joy it brings to be able to share your bounty with family, friends, and others. The food that comes from the garden tastes SO MUCH BETTER than store bought! I feel it's important to teach everyone, both young and old alike, the importance of growing your own food, especially through a time such as what's happening now.

Do you have any tips for the community about conserving water in the drought?

Mulch, mulch, mulch. And did I mention mulch? We actually use hay from our friends' goat ranch, so it also contains goat poo here and there. It doesn't smell and our plants and trees love it. And best of all, it's free!

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

I love how it has upcoming events and Zoom Classes. The newsletter's free! It's great that it has tips that are pertinent for issues happening right now, being more mindful about your plants and trees during this drought, how deal with pests and what might one do to have a more successful garden.There's SO MUCH VALUABLE information that one can learn, but unfortunately, many people nowadays just want to get their information from social media or other platforms that they could just watch online through their TVs, pads, computers or phones, not knowing about our the great resources Master Gardeners provide.

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

Do it! Not only for yourself, but how you can help teach your family, friends, neighbors, and others! When we help each other, we too also get blessed!