Contra Costa County Master Gardener Program in Danger

A friend just let me know the Master Gardener program in her county is in danger. I hope you'll forgive me for posting this action item here but time is of the essence and the Master Gardener program is so important to any county lucky enough to have one. She said they're asking that people contact the county supervisors regardless of whether they reside in Contra Costa County or not. As long as you're in California, it applies because the program is partially funded by University of California.

Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:31 PM

Subject: FUNDING EMERGENCY
Importance: High

Contra Costa Master Gardeners:

CRISIS ALERT:
The budget that has been presented to the Board of Supervisors by CEO David Twa has zeroed funding for our Cooperative Extension office. The Board of Supervisors will be voting on the budget Tuesday am. If county funding is removed as recommended, the entire office closes. This will end the Master Gardener Program in Contra Costa, and means the loss of farm, nutrition, sea grant and the youth advisors. We are asking Master Gardeners to email or call their local supervisor to let them know that this program is important by 5pm Monday evening. Because this is a budget issue, emails, faxes and phone messages should emphasize the following talking points:

#1) That You Vote

#2) The UCCE program saves money for county residents and agencies by giving them information that:
Ø reduces water use;
Ø reduces energy use by strategic planting;
Ø reduces food costs through home gardens, increasing local food security;
Ø reduces pesticide use, improving water quality and lessening exposure to toxins;
Ø provides resources on firewise landscaping, reducing the risk of home and human loss;
Ø identifies pests and diseases with cost effective control methods
Ø provide alternatives to invasive plants which cost the county money to remove
Ø tells homeowners how to compost and mulch; reducing green waste and saving money on fertilizers that can pollute.
Ø
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday, March 17 meeting will be held at:
County Administration Building
651 Pine St.
Room 107
Martinez, CA 94553
All meetings are open to the public, and you are encouraged to attend. Let me know if you plan on being there.
Home Page for County Supervisors: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.asp?nid=193


If you email your letter, the subject line should read:
Support Cooperative Extension in Contra Costa

Here is a sample letter: Please modify it as you see fit—




TO: Your local supervisor ( Names and contact information are listed below)
Date 03/14/09
Your name
Your address


Dear Supervisor___________________,

As a voter in Contra Costa from your district, I am distressed to hear that the current budget does not include funding for the Cooperative Extension (UCCE) office. I am a highly trained volunteer who contributes my time and energy for the people of Contra Costa through the Master Gardener program managed by UCCE staff. This program is a valuable resource for the people in this county, particularly in light of the current economic situation. We provide researched information to the public on ways to save money with
efficient watering systems and drought tolerant plants;
planting regionally appropriate shade trees;
planting and maintaining edible gardens that also improve local food security
reduce pesticide use, improving water quality and reducing human exposure to toxins
information and resources on firescaping to reduce the spread of fire and minimize the loss human life;
plans and instruction on composting and mulching, reducing greenwaste materials and utilizing local resources
advice for county residents on a hot-line staffed by volunteers 5 days a week.

This program is a very valuable resource well utilized by members of this community. I am asking that you reconsider the value of the UCCE program to my community, and continue program funding

Signed,
___________________________.



________________________________________________________________________
District I Sup. Gioia – John Gioia
Area: El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo
Map of District: http://www.ccmap.us/library/sup_1.pdf
Home Page: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.asp?NID=589
Contact Info:
11780 San Pablo Ave., Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Ph: (510) 374-3231
Fax: (510) 374-342
Email: dist1@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
Contact Us Page: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/forms.asp?fid=120


District II Sup. Uilkema – Gayle B. Uilkema
Area: Canyon, Crockett, Hercules, Lafayette, Moraga, Martinez, Orinda, Port Costa Rodeo, Walnut Creek (west)
Home Page: http://ca-contracostacounty.civicplus.com/static/depart/dis2/bosdistrict2/
Contact Info:
651 Pine Street, Room 108A
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 335-1046
Fax: (925) 335-1076
E-Mail: gayle@bos.cccounty.us



District III Sup. Piepho – Mary N. Peopho
Area: Alamo, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Byron, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Dougherty Valley, Knightsen, San Ramon, Walnut Creek (south)
Map of District: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=893
Home Page: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.asp?NID=740
Contact Info:
Danville Office
309 Diablo Rd.
Danville, CA 94526
Ph: (925) 820-8683

Brentwood Office
1200 Central Blvd.
Suite B
Brentwood, CA 94513
Ph: (925) 240-7260
Email: dist3@bos.cccounty.us


District IV Sup. Bonilla - Susan A. Bonilla
Area: Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek
District Map: http://susanbonilla.org/Default.aspx?tabid=198
Home Page: http://susanbonilla.org/
Contact Info:
2151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, CA 94520
Ph: (925) 521-7100
Fax: (925) 646-5202
Email: Dist4@bos.cccounty.us


District V Sup. Glover - Federal D. Glover
Area: Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Bethel Island
Home Page: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.asp?nid=781
Contact Info:
315 E. Leland Rd.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Ph: (925) 427-8138
Ph: (925) 634-5915
Fax: (925) 427-8142
Email: dist5@bos.cccounty.us
Contact us page: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/forms.asp?fid=44&admin=1




Bethallyn Black
UCCE Contra Costa
Urban Horticulture
75 Santa Barbara Rd. 2Fl.
Pleasant Hill, Ca 94523
http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/

ph. 925 646-6130
fax 925 646-6708
email bblack@ucdavis.edu
http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/