On June 1, UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties hosted a family-friendly celebration at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville to welcome the community to their newest demonstration garden.
Cutting the ribbon at UC Master Gardeners’ new demonstration garden at Pinto Lake County Park are (from left): Mark Bolda, UC Cooperative Extension acting county director strawberry and caneberry farm advisor, Rita Bell, UC Master Gardeners president, 4th District County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Sarah Shea, Santa Cruz County Parks superintendent, and Angela Bocanegra, field representative for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s office.
The goal is to help people grow their own food and see firsthand how and what to grow in your own backyard, and learn how to protect the watersheds and Monterey Bay.
Special guests included U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s field representative Angela Bocanegra, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Parks Superintendent Sarah Shea, and UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Mark Bolda.
Lofgren’s message called the day “a significant milestone for our community” — “a living classroom, a space for learning, inspiration and community engagement” for gardeners of all ages.
Booths line Pinto Lake County Park at the UC Master Gardeners celebration.
Booths were staffed by Second Harvest Food Bank, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Cabrillo College Horticulture Department, California Native Plant Society, Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley and UC Master Food Preservers, explaining their services.
For information, visit mbmg.ucanr.edu
Natasha Flechsig (left), Santa Cruz, assists visitors checking out succulents.