Linn Master Gardener eNews

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  • Please bookmark the Volunteer Resource Page. It has newsletter archives, an updated volunteer sourcebook, continuing education opportunities, and volunteering opportunities. It is your one-stop source for program essentials!
  • Have an item for eNews? Please contact staff by the second or last Wednesday of each month. Please use this event checklist to ensure all needed information is included in your request.
New – continuing education and garden lab opportunity!
Feb 8 Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration – Albany 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Albany, OR with Erica Chernoh, Horticulture Faculty. Free, drop in.

Shout outs

  • Welcome trainees! If this is your first eNews please take your time to explore. You’ll find events, news, volunteer opportunities, and garden labs. Check out the headliner event, above, which is an option for garden lab credit.
  • 9th Annual BEEvent. 9th Annual BEEvent Pollinator Conference- March 4, 2023, Linn Expo Center, Albany, Oregon. “Adapting Your Garden to the Coming Changes”. This in-person conference is back after a 2-year online-only presence. Focus on Home Gardens and Small Farms. 9:00am – 3:30pm Registration has been postponed briefly due to circumstances beyond our control. It will open soon at www.LinnMasterGardeners.com
  • Extension News
    • Volunteer Reporting System updates. The statewide Master Gardener volunteer reporting system is now more secure. It also has a new look and feel. Please bookmark the new site: https://vrs.osumg.org/ When you log in, follow the steps to update your password. Tech Support is at https://vrs.osumg.org/help/ (Trainees – please wait on making accounts until prompted – thanks!)
    • **New information about emerald ash borer.** We know you may be concerned about your ash trees with the news of the arrival of the emerald ash borer. It’s important to know what to look for. A new guide developed by OSU Extension faculty can help you distinguish the effects of emerald ash borer from those of typical ash pests. Many new photos in the guide show the holes of emerald ash borer and the trees in Forest Grove, Oregon infested with the invasive pest.  
    • The Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge, Oregon State University Extension’s statewide seed giveaway, returns for a fourth year in 2023 featuring a continued partnership with the Oregon Potato Commission.
      • Starting Feb. 6, individuals and households, schools and groups can sign up to receive an individual/household seed kit, group kit or seed-starting teacher classroom kit through the mail. 
    • Coffee chats are back for 2023! If you are a board member, committee chair, or engaged volunteer, this is a chance to visit informally with program staff (Elza). Learn more and sign up HERE.
    • NEW! EM 9380 Oregon Ash: Insects, Pathogens and Tree Health Published January 2023.
    • Popular this week: EM 9277 Trees and Shrubs for Fall and Winter Bloom
    • Dirt! The Movie: Gail’s Answers to Questions for Reflection. Oregon State University (OSU) kicked off their 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration event. For the fourth consecutive year, the OSU Extension Master Gardener program hosted a commemoration event. In advance of the movie, we shared three questions that we asked attendees to reflect upon during the movie. In an effort to spur discussion, I (Statewide MG program coordinator) wanted to share my answers to these three questions. I invite you to share your answers, in the comments section. Read the blog.
  • LCMGA News
    • OSU Extension Needs Assessment Committee and OMGA Advocacy Committee: The Needs Assessment group will be sending out a questionnaire to all Master Gardeners. Please take the time to do it. It will provide vital information to inform the OSU Extension administration about the Master Gardener program’s needs. OMGA Advocacy group is launching a campaign to push for more state funding for Extension programs. They are asking MGs to contact their legislators to ask that Extension funding be increased. See the 6-month action plan and timeline in the link. It is not too soon to start now. This is extremely important to the future vitality of Master Gardeners and Extension as a whole. View the presentation here.
    • PNW Brownbag lunchtime talks – new location! Noon to 1 p.m. at the OSU Linn County Extension office 33630 McFarland Rd, Tangent, OR 97389
      • Feb 9 Spring Insects presented by Rich Little
      • Feb 23 Climate Change presented by Betty Goergen
      • Mar 9 Community Garden presented by Mich Sweigert
      • Mar 16 Garden Planning presented by Karin Magnuson
      • Mar 23 TBA
  • Volunteer opportunities [T] = includes opportunities that trainees can join now!
    • [T] BEEvent! March 4, 2023. The committee is still looking for some additional helpers. Learn more and RSVP. Report service as Fundraiser: Support.
    • GARDEN EDUCATION CLASSES Help develop gardening classes at the Demo Garden for 2023. We have two beds set aside at the Demo Garden and two beds at Willamette Community Garden to use to teach gardening classes. Classes will start in early 2023 and will be similar to Seed to Supper but with a hands-on approach. Want to help design the classes email me, Betty at goergenb@gmail.com. Report service as Instructor: Direct
    • [T] Community science. Contribute data to research on gardens, plants, and wildlife. Explore and sign up. Many projects are remote and on your own schedule. Report the time as “citizen science: indirect”. 
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page
  • Community news (Please note that anything in this section is not eligible for MGV volunteer service nor endorsed by Extension, but is mentioned as a courtesy to our community.)
    • None this week.
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