UC Master Gardener volunteers in Butte County have expanded their garden-based science education through the Living Lab project, according to an April 14 announcement. The initiative trains teachers and afterschool leaders to deliver hands-on lessons about plants, soil, and living systems directly in their own classrooms and gardens.
The program addresses the challenge of limited volunteer capacity and shrinking school resources by shifting from direct classroom visits to a train-the-trainer model. This approach allows educators across the county to access ready-to-use lessons aligned with science standards. “We were in a lot of classrooms once a month, and to me it did not seem the most effective use of our time,” said UC Master Gardener Joyce Hill. She added, “We came to the realization that there were a few of us and a lot of schools, and a lot of kids that we were not getting to. We needed to do something different.”
The Living Lab curriculum includes activities where students learn how seeds grow, explore soil functions, observe plant life cycles, and build literacy skills through reading and storytelling. Training sessions are held at local teaching gardens so educators can practice these lessons firsthand before implementing them at their schools.
“I’ve been helping with some of the curriculum and doing the leadership training,” said UC Master Gardener Toni Morucci. “It’s been really fun watching the leaders from the different schools that have gardens come and learn about the curriculum and how they can take things back to their school site.” According to Hill, more than 120 educators have been trained over several years, reaching thousands of students without needing volunteers present in every classroom.
A team of 10–12 UC Master Gardeners developed this model by combining expertise from retired educators, curriculum writers, and longtime volunteers. “I saw that its mission and its goal was bigger than any individual […] it was community-wide,” said UC Master Gardener Rick Rogers.
The Living Lab recently received second place in the UC Master Gardener Search for Excellence competition—a statewide recognition highlighting impactful projects—and earned a $1,000 award along with opportunities for broader sharing at upcoming conferences.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions according to its official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices for resilient ecosystems according to its official website while utilizing nine research centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse environments according to its official website. It is recognized for linking research with community needs according to its official website, operates as part of the University system managing Cooperative Extension services according to its official website, conducts nearly 34,000 educational events annually, and engages over 18,420 volunteers according to its official website.
For many involved gardeners like Marie Dillon: “I love working with children…being excited about where their food is coming from.” By building educator capacity instead of relying solely on volunteer presence in classrooms or gardens each day, organizers say this project will continue impacting Butte County youth well into future years.
