Families in San Bernardino recently took part in a hands-on gardening class designed to teach them how to grow food at home. The event, held at San Gorgonio High School, was organized by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) as part of its effort to encourage healthy habits and reconnect communities with traditional gardening practices.
The session was coordinated by Clara Wilshire, an educator with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Wilshire invited participants from her nutrition classes to join this practical experience. “We are working together with other UC ANR programs so that families not only learn about nutrition, but also develop practical skills they can use at home,” said Wilshire. “Many people have questions about plants, seeds, and how to make the most of small spaces for planting.”
Laurie Godfrey, a volunteer from UC ANR’s Master Gardener Program, led the class. She guided attendees through each step, answered questions, and demonstrated different types of soil and seeds suited for the region’s climate. “Often the mistake is buying seeds that do not correspond to our area,” explained Godfrey. “If we learn what to plant and when to do it, we can achieve better results throughout the year.”
Participants learned basic planting techniques and shared personal experiences during the activity. For some, it brought back memories of family gardens from their childhood; for others, it was their first time planting anything.
At the end of the session, each attendee left with a planted pot ready to take home and greater motivation to start a small household garden. Silvia, one participant, said: “The experience was very good. I prefer flowers and succulents, but learning how to plant food encourages me to try it. Here we learn together and support each other.”
This activity reflected the goals of UC ANR’s Master Gardener Program: combining practical education with volunteerism to strengthen communities and promote greener homes and neighborhoods.
For more information on workshops offered by UC ANR, visit ucanr.edu.