Giulia Gambale recently joined our team as the Master Gardener Coordinator for New Haven County. She is originally from Peabody, Massachusetts, has a bachelor of arts in communication, and became a certified UConn Extension Master Gardener in 2023.
What is your area of interest and how did you get started with it?
Definitely vegetables, fruits and herbs. I got started at two years old, at my Nonna’s farm in Italy. I cried because my Nonna and Zias all had baskets of tomatos and I had no basket. My Nonna remedied that by giving me a basket small enough for my little hands, and ONE tomato. I am part of a mutual aid gardener group, and from there maintained and rejuvenated community gardens in Connecticut. I am also the caretaker of the Pardee Morris House historic herb garden, which is a big name for four lovely little beds of herbs that were used in the 17th and 18th century. I also facilitate workshops at New Haven Free Public Library and The Stratford Library.
What is your role with UConn Extension?
I am the Master Gardener Coordinator, so I will be working with all the active Master Gardeners and Interns, making sure their needs are met, questions answered and they feel supported. There are over 300! I am also excited about facilitating classes tree walks and helping the greater community!
What excites you the most about working with UConn Extension?
Right from the very first class I took as a Master Gardener Intern, I wanted to work in this space and be with all the other gardeners. I get to learn myself at the same time. It’s exciting to be around people who have so much knowledge and expertise and still have so much curiosity and innovation. On top of these the dedication to volunteering in the community and sheer desire to be helpers. I also love the resources that the UConn Extension provides. And the shelves of books!
What is one thing you hope people will learn from you and your work?
What I have learned and what I have been telling our interns is that you don’t have to have the answers right away. And I think that is a good lesson to learn in life, as well. We can slow down, really listen, take all the information in, and then move forward from there with the best solutions.
What is your favorite thing to do in Connecticut?
I love biking and hiking around Connecticut, and exploring all the wild spaces and the forgotten spaces as well. My partner and I photograph many different aspects of Connecticut and the US. Mostly places one would find on Atlas Obscura.
What is the most unusual job you’ve had?
I was a script reader for a product placement company. I would read scripts and highlight where the company’s clients’ products could be used, and make sure to note who the “bad guys” were so they would not use our clients’ products.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests?
Well, of course gardening. Also, photography, biking, reading and knitting.