Over fifteen years ago, a small group of volunteers completed their training at the Sacramento County offices of the University of California Cooperative Extension, and became the first Master Gardeners for El Dorado County. The primary responsibility of a Master Gardener is to extend horticultural information to the home gardener. All information provided to the public is based on University of California research. Master Gardeners assist residents with their gardening needs by providing technical advice and information. Master Gardeners are under the supervision and operate with the approval of the El Dorado County Farm Advisor.
Volunteers also maintain booths at the County Fair and Home and Garden Show.
Part of the public education portion of the program is designed to reach local gardeners through a series of classes. These are normally conducted on Saturday mornings at the county agriculture building. Occasionally Master Gardeners will speak to other organizations such as garden clubs and schools. While El Dorado County is relatively small in relation to other counties in California the Master Gardener program is extremely active. The program has retained over fifty per cent of its original trainees, has the second highest per hour volunteer rate, and responds to the most information assistance calls in the state.