Elza (Elizabeth) Records is Sustainable Transportation Coordinator with OSU, and former staff with OSUES Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties.
Save the date for Through the Garden Gate! Volunteer opportunities and tickets coming soon.
Shoutouts
NEW!Trainees and returning volunteers! Linn County Pop-Up Plant Clinics need people to “talk plants” with our communities. Upcoming dates at Farmers Markets and more to come.
Interested in scheduling booth at the Lebanon Farmers Market? Please contact Elizabeth.
Save the dates:
PNW Gardening Series returns
May 19: Don Lyon — seed starting
June 2: Rich Little — insects
Did you miss the 8th Annual BEEvent Pollinator Conference? You can still register at www.LinnMasterGardeners.com to access the great information shared by the experts. The recorded conference is now available for you to watch at your convenience.
Volunteers needed
Trainees welcome – help plan the Linn County demonstration garden for 2022 and get involved in this fun hands-on project. For more information contact raneewebb66 (at) gmail.com
Demo Garden: Join us for work parties at the Linn Demo Garden on Wednesdays and/or Fridays from 1:00-3:00. Get volunteer hours by helping make the Demo Garden look great.
Speakers’ bureau – are you an organized, outgoing person interested in helping connect interested volunteers with community organizations needing gardening education? Please contact Elizabeth Records.
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.)
Job: The Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a full-time Office Specialist 1 for the OSU Extension Service Benton County Office. This position is located in Corvallis, Oregon.This Office Specialist 1 is a member of the OSU Extension Benton County Office support team and contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture. This position provides routine office support tasks for the OSU Extension Benton County Office. The Office Specialist provides educational resources and general assistance to Extension clients and/or refers clients to the appropriate faculty or staff member. The ability to travel is required to perform office-related errands such as picking up or delivering materials to the OSU main campus, supply stores, printing and mailing. https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/116390
Got Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs? Donate them for research! Jana Lee, a research entomologist at OSU, has a postdoc student needing brown marmorated stink bugs for his research, Ryan Paul. We would be willing to stop by local homes to collect any BMSB where people see them, or pick up any container with them. If any BMSB are put into a container, they need air since they will ‘stink’ themselves to death in a closed container. There should also be a wet towel, and some food like carrot stick, bean, apple slice or grape. If you have stink bugs, contact:
Teresa Matteson, Resource Conservationist, demonstrates a worm bin to Master Gardener trainees at a 2022 garden lab. Thanks to MGV committee members who are teaching some of these garden labs, including the Community Gardening Education Team, Plant Problem Scenarios, Plant Sale Committee, and (from Linn County) Pollinator Project Team. Trainees love the combination of on-their-own schedule coursework and hands-on weekend garden labs.
Correction: Debbie Lauer’s email address had an error in eNews. The correcte email for Debbie is DSL2017@peak.org
Trainees & continuing volunteers – Fun roles & activities in the upcoming S2S in the Garden workshops 🌿April 23, 10-12, May 21, 10-12, July 23, 10-12, Sept 10, Potluck. Please click the following link to get to the “S2S in the Garden 2022 Signups” worksheet in eNews.
Farmer’s Market Clinic Table! It’s nearly time for the outdoor farmer’s market in downtown Corvallis. The first clinic table will be Saturday, April 16. Beginning in May the Master Gardener clinic tables at the Farmer’s Market will be the 2nd Saturday and 4th Wednesday of each month. Certified Master Gardeners are required to give advice but trainees may volunteer as well. If enough people volunteer, we can have two shifts. Please contact Debbie Lauer at 541-929-7544 or DSL2017@peak.org to sign up.
Shoutouts
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Pairs of volunteers can currently sign up in the front office again! Sign up HERE. If you’re a trainee, please wait to connect with a mentor, before enrolling.
Next Board Meeting is Monday, April 11, 3:00 – 5:00. See invitation from the board president to join.
April 18th BCMGA membership meeting – at 7 PM, we will be meeting in the Sunset room where we used to meet before Coronavirus changed everything. The speaker will be Kathy Clark and her presentation is entitled Making Smart Plant Choices for Less Work. Many of us have come to the uncomfortable – literally – realization that plant decisions we made in the past resulted in more work than we want to continue to do or can no longer do. Kathy will give us great ideas about how to make changes or, if you’re still a “youngster” , how to do it right the first time. If you won’t be attending in person, a zoom link will be provided in the email version of this newsletter.
Returning volunteers – need a replacement badge? Order them HERE.
LOTS of new volunteer opportunities, see below!
Free Seed Packets. We are fortunate to have several generous local garden supply companies who have donated commercial seed packets to the Master Gardener Program that we’ve primarily used for Seed To Supper. Although the packets expired last year, many still have useful viability. We have a large variety of vegetable as well as perennial and annual flower seeds for MG use! If you have a project that could benefit (community gardens, beautification areas, etc.) please contact Shikha Ghosh Gottfried at shikhagg@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed
The 2022 Plant Sale is on! Click HERE to volunteer for the BCMGA Plant Sale on May 7 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed for both May 6 (Set up) and May 7 (Sale day). If you have any questions or prefer to not use Sign-Up Genius, please email Leslie Hauser, this year’s Volunteer Coordinator, at lesliehauser107@gmail.com.
The Grow Team is looking for volunteers to help start seeds at the Philomath High School greenhouses to have plants ready for the annual plant sale on May 7. Please follow the link to Sign Up Genius to volunteer to help with seed starting. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45AAAE2AA57-bcmg1
Mentors needed! We have a full class of people about to start training to become Master Gardeners. Mentors are key to helping these folks become effective problem solvers, as well as part of the Master Gardener community. At this time, mentors and trainees are unable to work together at the help desk in the Extension office but can do so in the conference room. They can also meet virtually from anywhere. Training for mentors is being updated to make these meetings easier, using new resources as well as refinements of the virtual help desk. There is a place for continuing Master Gardeners to serve at all levels, from working at the traditional desk to those totally online, so please volunteer to mentor the next generation and keep Master Gardeners thriving. Contact Alan Taylor, Mentor Committee chair, at tayloala@peak.org or 541-929-4141.
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.)
Job: The Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a full-time Office Specialist 1 for the OSU Extension Service Benton County Office. This position is located in Corvallis, Oregon.This Office Specialist 1 is a member of the OSU Extension Benton County Office support team and contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture. This position provides routine office support tasks for the OSU Extension Benton County Office. The Office Specialist provides educational resources and general assistance to Extension clients and/or refers clients to the appropriate faculty or staff member. The ability to travel is required to perform office-related errands such as picking up or delivering materials to the OSU main campus, supply stores, printing and mailing. https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/116390
Got Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs? Donate them for research! Jana Lee, a research entomologist at OSU, has a postdoc student needing brown marmorated stink bugs for his research, Ryan Paul. We would be willing to stop by local homes to collect any BMSB where people see them, or pick up any container with them. If any BMSB are put into a container, they need air since they will ‘stink’ themselves to death in a closed container. There should also be a wet towel, and some food like carrot stick, bean, apple slice or grape. If you have stink bugs, contact:
Master Gardener volunteers are invited to join a very special opportunity:
Film Screening! Food for the Rest of Us in partnership with the DisOrient film festival and the Lane County Master Gardener Association on April 5. Watch the trailer. Food for the Rest of Us will examine how getting back to the land is tied to other movements such as Black Lives Matter, Idle No More and Times Up. Food for the Rest of Us is a feature film that presents 5 stories of people living life on their own terms, serving as leaders and leading a revolution to a better world, from the ground up! “Growing your own food is probably the most revolutionary thing you can do!” Directed by Carolyn Cox / Canada / 2021 See the emailed version of eNews to sign up.
Shoutouts
Next Board Meeting is Monday, April 11, 3:00 – 5:00. See invitation from the board president to join.
Spring schedule for program coordinator: March-June, Elizabeth’s weekly schedule is Wednesday-Sunday, 8-5.
LOTS of new volunteer opportunities, see below!
Free Seed Packets. We are fortunate to have several generous local garden supply companies who have donated commercial seed packets to the Master Gardener Program that we’ve primarily used for Seed To Supper. Although the packets expired last year, many still have useful viability. We have a large variety of vegetable as well as perennial and annual flower seeds for MG use! If you have a project that could benefit (community gardens, beautification areas, etc.) please contact Shikha Ghosh Gottfried at shikhagg@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed
The 2022 Plant Sale is on! Click HERE to volunteer for the BCMGA Plant Sale on May 7 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed for both May 6 (Set up) and May 7 (Sale day). If you have any questions or prefer to not use Sign-Up Genius, please email Leslie Hauser, this year’s Volunteer Coordinator, at lesliehauser107@gmail.com.
The Grow Team is looking for volunteers to help start seeds at the Philomath High School greenhouses to have plants ready for the annual plant sale on May 7. Please follow the link to Sign Up Genius to volunteer to help with seed starting. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45AAAE2AA57-bcmg1
The Outreach Committee is seeking a volunteer to coordinate clinic tables at local nurseries and related businesses this spring/summer. These are similar to the clinic tables at the Farmer’s Market except they can happen on weekdays, weekends or evenings. It is a great opportunity to connect with the community, and an easy way for our MGs and trainees to gain experience and hours. If you are interested in this position, please contact either Bob Smythe at smytherobert1@gmail.com or Nancy Tovar at njtovar@gmail.com
Mentors needed! We have a full class of people about to start training to become Master Gardeners. Mentors are key to helping these folks become effective problem solvers, as well as part of the Master Gardener community. At this time, mentors and trainees are unable to work together at the help desk in the Extension office but can do so in the conference room. They can also meet virtually from anywhere. Training for mentors is being updated to make these meetings easier, using new resources as well as refinements of the virtual help desk. There is a place for continuing Master Gardeners to serve at all levels, from working at the traditional desk to those totally online, so please volunteer to mentor the next generation and keep Master Gardeners thriving. Contact Alan Taylor, Mentor Committee chair, at tayloala@peak.org or 541-929-4141.
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Desk is open for solo volunteers, or grab our ipad and mini microscopes and work in the conference room with a friend. Sign up HERE. If you’re a trainee, please wait to connect with a mentor, before enrolling.
March is Women’s History Month: A message from Celina Ratliff, Clackamas County Master Gardener. Recognizing National Women’s History Month during the month of March, I invite you to explore these articles and videos highlighting gardening and landscaping accomplishments by women. Read the blog.
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.)
Evening Garden Club accepts applications for 2022 Grants Program: Corvallis Evening Garden Club is accepting applications until March 30, 2022.The Evening Garden Club supports the expansion of gardening, education and beautification in the Corvallis community through its Grants Program. The EGC offers grants to Benton County nonprofit organizations to carry out worthy gardening related projects. To learn more about the program and to apply please visit our website: https://corvalliseveninggardenclub.org/grants/
Now available – Continuing Master Gardener volunteers may enjoy free access to this Master Gardener Online program
Continuing Master Gardener volunteers may now enjoy free access to this Master Gardener Online program, similar to auditing live classes in past. All modules are optional and can be studied at your own pace. If it’s been a while since your first certification or you are transferring from another growing region, this will be a valuable learning experience that you may report as continuing education. This will be available now through the end of the service year.Any classes that cover topics you have not studied recently, may be reported for continuing education. See eNews to enroll.
Program Updates
Via Richard Riggs, Extension Regional Director Western Region: “OSU is following OHA guidance and has lifted the indoor mask mandate over the weekend. You may still continue to wear masks indoors if you are more comfortable doing so, and I have asked all offices to maintain a stock of masks on hand to facilitate this. Offices also no longer need to use/maintain the contact tracing forms. Additionally, our indoor events no longer require social distancing, however people may be more comfortable maintain a distance so please accommodate them whenever possible.” This means that office plant clinic for volunteer pairs is now possible! We’ll continue to offer other options for plant clinic too. Check out the full post.
OSU is following OHA guidance and has lifted the indoor mask mandate over the weekend. You may still continue to wear masks indoors if you are more comfortable doing so, and I have asked all offices to maintain a stock of masks on hand to facilitate this. Offices also no longer need to use/maintain the contact tracing forms. Additionally, our indoor events no longer require social distancing, however people may be more comfortable maintain a distance so please accommodate them whenever possible.
As we adjust to the endemic phase of COVID there will be awkwardness and people will be uncomfortable, please be patient and show your coworkers and others grace as we reach a new normal. “
– Elizabeth Records – program coordinator (interim)
Shoutouts
Did you miss the 8th Annual BEEvent Pollinator Conference? You can still register at www.LinnMasterGardeners.com to access the great information shared by the experts. The recorded conference is now available for you to watch at your convenience.
Demo Garden: Join us for work parties at the Linn Demo Garden on Wednesdays and/or Fridays from 1:00-3:00. The first priority will be weeding. For now parking will be in the parking lot behind the Expo buildings. Go all the way along the back to get to the Demo Garden. We are also working on setting up a few Saturday work parties. Those who have expressed an interest in Saturday’s will get an e-mail soon with more details. When the afternoons start getting hot, we will switch to morning hours. Get your volunteer hours by helping make the Demo Garden look great.
Spring schedule for program coordinator: March-June, Elizabeth’s weekly schedule is Wednesday-Sunday, 8-5.
eNews spring schedule: MGV eNews for Linn County volunteers will be published second and fourth Thursdays with occasional updates inbetween.
Volunteers needed
Trainees welcome – help plan the Linn County demonstration garden for 2022 and get involved in this fun hands-on project. For more information contact raneewebb66 (at) gmail.com
In-person outdoor community plant clinics coming up this spring to a garden center near you. Locations and times still TBD – likely Saturdays, with an opportunity to engage trainees. If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Speakers’ bureau: are you an organized, outgoing person interested in helping connect interested volunteers with community organizations needing gardening education? Please contact Elizabeth Records.
BEEvent – tickets to view recordings are available at linnmastergardeners.com
OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you.
Dr. Staci Simonich is appointed as Oregon State University’s new Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, effective March 28. Read the post.
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.)
Benton County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale is back live and in person, scheduled for May 7 from 9-3! This big plant sale is worth visiting Corvallis! https://www.bentonmg.org/plant-sale
Now available – Continuing Master Gardener volunteers may enjoy free access to this Master Gardener Online program
Continuing Master Gardener volunteers may now enjoy free access to this Master Gardener Online program, similar to auditing live classes in past. All modules are optional and can be studied at your own pace. If it’s been a while since your first certification or you are transferring from another growing region, this will be a valuable learning experience that you may report as continuing education. This will be available now through the end of the service year.Any classes that cover topics you have not studied recently, may be reported for continuing education. See eNews to enroll.
Program Updates
Via Richard Riggs, Extension Regional Director Western Region: “OSU is following OHA guidance and has lifted the indoor mask mandate over the weekend. You may still continue to wear masks indoors if you are more comfortable doing so, and I have asked all offices to maintain a stock of masks on hand to facilitate this. Offices also no longer need to use/maintain the contact tracing forms. Additionally, our indoor events no longer require social distancing, however people may be more comfortable maintain a distance so please accommodate them whenever possible.” This means that office plant clinic for volunteer pairs is now possible! We’ll continue to offer other options for plant clinic too. Check out the full post.
OSU is following OHA guidance and has lifted the indoor mask mandate over the weekend. You may still continue to wear masks indoors if you are more comfortable doing so, and I have asked all offices to maintain a stock of masks on hand to facilitate this. Offices also no longer need to use/maintain the contact tracing forms. Additionally, our indoor events no longer require social distancing, however people may be more comfortable maintain a distance so please accommodate them whenever possible.
As we adjust to the endemic phase of COVID there will be awkwardness and people will be uncomfortable, please be patient and show your coworkers and others grace as we reach a new normal. “
– Elizabeth Records – program coordinator (interim)
Shoutouts
March 2022 Membership Meeting. Time: Mar 21, 2022 07:00 PM Join us as we listen to Sharon Knight of Garland Nursery speak about various new items available to enhance your gardening experience – from new fertilizers to new tools. The presentation will be a live event from the barn at Garland Nursery. See members email for the link to join.
Spring schedule for program coordinator: March-June, Elizabeth’s weekly schedule is Wednesday-Sunday, 8-5.
eNews spring schedule: MGV eNews for Benton County volunteers will be published first and third Thursdays. Second and fourth Thursdays, look for a newsletter from BCMGA board president.
LOTS of new volunteer opportunities, see below!
Containers needed: BCMGA is putting together a display garden at the fairgrounds to show various types of edible vegetables, flowers and herbs that can be grown in containers. We are looking for large (18” or larger) decorative pots for the garden, preferably ceramic or terra cotta. If you have any extra pots that you can donate, please send a photo of the pots and an indication of size to Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders@comcast.net
Volunteers needed
The 2022 Plant Sale is on! This is BCMGA’s biggest and only fundraiser this year to support all our education programs. It takes many volunteers to make this event a success. If you are not comfortable working with the public, there are still plenty of opportunities to help. Please mark your calendars to “save the dates”.
Friday, May 6: Loading and unloading plants/Sale set up
Saturday, May 7: Sale All day and Clean Up
Leslie Hauser, this year’s Volunteer Coordinator, is already beginning to fill the lead positions. Contact her at lesliehauser107@gmail.com or 702-340-6513 if you have worked one of the lead positions at a previous sale and would like to continue in that role.
The Grow Team is looking for volunteers to help start seeds at the Philomath High School greenhouses to have plants ready for the annual plant sale on May 7. Please follow the link to Sign Up Genius to volunteer to help with seed starting. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45AAAE2AA57-bcmg1
The Outreach Committee is seeking a volunteer to coordinate clinic tables at local nurseries and related businesses this spring/summer. These are similar to the clinic tables at the Farmer’s Market except they can happen on weekdays, weekends or evenings. It is a great opportunity to connect with the community, and an easy way for our MGs and trainees to gain experience and hours. If you are interested in this position, please contact either Bob Smythe at smytherobert1@gmail.com or Nancy Tovar at njtovar@gmail.com
Mentors needed! We have a full class of people about to start training to become Master Gardeners. Mentors are key to helping these folks become effective problem solvers, as well as part of the Master Gardener community. At this time, mentors and trainees are unable to work together at the help desk in the Extension office but can do so in the conference room. They can also meet virtually from anywhere. Training for mentors is being updated to make these meetings easier, using new resources as well as refinements of the virtual help desk. There is a place for continuing Master Gardeners to serve at all levels, from working at the traditional desk to those totally online, so please volunteer to mentor the next generation and keep Master Gardeners thriving. Contact Alan Taylor, Mentor Committee chair, at tayloala@peak.org or 541-929-4141.
BCMG Greenhouse Help: It’s time to begin growing veggies in the greenhouse at Philomath High School for the annual plant sale on May 7. Enroll HERE.
Presentation:Corvallis CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Corvallis, Oregon is seeking a presentation for a group of volunteers that are interested in learning more about gardening, non-invasive species, native plants and more, as part of emergency response! If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Desk is open for solo volunteers, or grab our ipad and mini microscopes and work in the conference room with a friend. Sign up HERE.
BEEvent – ticket sales for the live webinar have closed, but shortly tickets to view recordings will be available at linnmastergardeners.com
OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you.
Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Urban Greenspace: To observe Oregon State University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the Master Gardener Program hosted a screening of the movie ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’. The movie follows Anita Chitaya, as she travels from her home in Malawi, to farms and gardens across the United States to share her story of how climate change is impacting her village. Afterwards, Dr. Vivek Shandas of Portland State University joined us to discuss the intersection of historical racism, landscaping and greenspace, and environmental justice. Read the blog.
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.)
Evening Garden Club accepts applications for 2022 Grants Program: Corvallis Evening Garden Club is accepting applications until March 30, 2022.The Evening Garden Club supports the expansion of gardening, education and beautification in the Corvallis community through its Grants Program. The EGC offers grants to Benton County nonprofit organizations to carry out worthy gardening related projects. To learn more about the program and to apply please visit our website: https://corvalliseveninggardenclub.org/grants/
Please also note that County policies affect Extension activities, and in Benton County as of today (3/4/22), we are still waiting for County policies to be announced. Next week we should know more.
– Elizabeth Records – program coordinator (interim)
Shoutouts
Thank you Nancy, Ranee, Rich and Susan for taking the lead on a successful 8th Annual BEEvent! Thank you Bobbye and Diane for leadership in bee gear pick ups, and countless others who have lent a hand! And special thanks to Brooke Edmunds for tech support and Q&A moderation. Together, we put Linn County on the map for pollinator education!
Spring schedule for program coordinator: March-June, Elizabeth’s weekly schedule is Wednesday-Sunday, 8-5.
eNews spring schedule: MGV eNews for Linn County volunteers will be published second and fourth Thursdays with occasional updates inbetween.
Volunteers needed
Trainees welcome – help plan the Linn County demonstration garden for 2022 and get involved in this fun hands-on project. For more information contact raneewebb66 (at) gmail.com
In-person outdoor community plant clinics coming up this spring to a garden center near you. Locations and times still TBD – likely Saturdays, with an opportunity to engage trainees. If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Speakers’ bureau: are you an organized, outgoing person interested in helping connect interested volunteers with community organizations needing gardening education? Please contact Elizabeth Records.
BEEvent – shortly, tickets to view recordings will be available at linnmastergardeners.com
OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you.
Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Urban Greenspace: To observe Oregon State University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the Master Gardener Program hosted a screening of the movie ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’. The movie follows Anita Chitaya, as she travels from her home in Malawi, to farms and gardens across the United States to share her story of how climate change is impacting her village. Afterwards, Dr. Vivek Shandas of Portland State University joined us to discuss the intersection of historical racism, landscaping and greenspace, and environmental justice. Read the blog.
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.)
Please also note that County policies affect Extension activities, and in Benton County as of today (3/4/22), we are still waiting for County policies to be announced. Next week we should know more.
– Elizabeth Records – program coordinator (interim)
Shoutouts
Spring schedule for program coordinator: March-June, Elizabeth’s weekly schedule is Wednesday-Sunday, 8-5.
eNews spring schedule: MGV eNews for Benton County volunteers will be published first and third Thursdays. Second and fourth Thursdays, look for a newsletter from BCMGA board president.
LOTS of new volunteer opportunities, see below!
Containers needed: BCMGA is putting together a display garden at the fairgrounds to show various types of edible vegetables, flowers and herbs that can be grown in containers. We are looking for large (18” or larger) decorative pots for the garden, preferably ceramic or terra cotta. If you have any extra pots that you can donate, please send a photo of the pots and an indication of size to Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders@comcast.net
Volunteers needed
The 2022 Plant Sale is on! This is BCMGA’s biggest and only fundraiser this year to support all our education programs. It takes many volunteers to make this event a success. If you are not comfortable working with the public, there are still plenty of opportunities to help. Please mark your calendars to “save the dates”.
Friday, May 6: Loading and unloading plants/Sale set up
Saturday, May 7: Sale All day and Clean Up
Leslie Hauser, this year’s Volunteer Coordinator, is already beginning to fill the lead positions. Contact her at lesliehauser107@gmail.com or 702-340-6513 if you have worked one of the lead positions at a previous sale and would like to continue in that role.
The Grow Team is looking for volunteers to help start seeds at the Philomath High School greenhouses to have plants ready for the annual plant sale on May 7. Please follow the link to Sign Up Genius to volunteer to help with seed starting. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45AAAE2AA57-bcmg1
The Outreach Committee is seeking a volunteer to coordinate clinic tables at local nurseries and related businesses this spring/summer. These are similar to the clinic tables at the Farmer’s Market except they can happen on weekdays, weekends or evenings. It is a great opportunity to connect with the community, and an easy way for our MGs and trainees to gain experience and hours. If you are interested in this position, please contact either Bob Smythe at smytherobert1@gmail.com or Nancy Tovar at njtovar@gmail.com
Mentors needed! We have a full class of people about to start training to become Master Gardeners. Mentors are key to helping these folks become effective problem solvers, as well as part of the Master Gardener community. At this time, mentors and trainees are unable to work together at the help desk in the Extension office but can do so in the conference room. They can also meet virtually from anywhere. Training for mentors is being updated to make these meetings easier, using new resources as well as refinements of the virtual help desk. There is a place for continuing Master Gardeners to serve at all levels, from working at the traditional desk to those totally online, so please volunteer to mentor the next generation and keep Master Gardeners thriving. Contact Alan Taylor, Mentor Committee chair, at tayloala@peak.org or 541-929-4141.
BCMG Greenhouse Help: It’s time to begin growing veggies in the greenhouse at Philomath High School for the annual plant sale on May 7. Enroll HERE.
Presentation:Corvallis CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Corvallis, Oregon is seeking a presentation for a group of volunteers that are interested in learning more about gardening, non-invasive species, native plants and more, as part of emergency response! If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Desk is open for solo volunteers, or grab our ipad and mini microscopes and work in the conference room with a friend. Sign up HERE.
BEEvent – ticket sales for the live webinar have closed, but shortly tickets to view recordings will be available at linnmastergardeners.com
Consider This, Oregon Humanities: Join us on March 10, 2022 for an online conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss. Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This program will be streamed live at 5:00 p.m. Pacific on YouTube. RSVP for this free program.
OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you. March 8: Local Beauties: Native Plants for Ecologically Enhanced Gardens and Landscapes with Nikkie West, Kathryn Prive and Rick Martinson
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.)
Do you have an edible garden? Consider being a host on the Edible Garden Tour. Please respond to this survey if interested: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7FTPKW9
Gardener seeking part-time helper (paid) via Susan Hoffman: “I am writing because I have a friend, Sally Utt, who is historically a very good gardener, but is now totally blind. She still gardens with some help. She has asked me to try to find a person who would be willing to spend a few hours weekly or biweekly to tend some beds for her. She wants someone who already understands plants, pruning, etc. I am willing to make any connections, meet the person, connect with Sally. I thought that maybe with your contacts thru all the horticulture people, this would be a great opportunity for a student in horticulture, to do some hours, earn a small amount and ply their trade. If you have any other ideas, that would be great. It seemed that because she is willing to pay someone, a student would be perfect…a need for a little cash and a somewhat flexible schedule.”If you can help, please contact Susan.
Beefuddled, Beewildered, Beeknighted about bees? Join Linn County Master Gardeners at the 8th annual BEEvent Pollinator Conference on March 5, 2022, via Zoom. Our speakers will include: –Olivia Carril, co-author of Bees in Your Backyard, Bee-plant relationships: A match made in heaven or love on the rocks? –Erin Wickliffe, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Beneficial Insects –Gail Langellotto, Professor of Horticulture at Oregon State University and State Coordinator of the Extension Service Master Gardener Program, Native Plant-Bee Associations in Western Oregon –Sarah Kincaid, Bee Atlas Education Coordinator, The Oregon Orchard Bee Health Survey Cocoons –Susan Morton and Ranee Webb, Linn County Master Gardeners, Blue Orchard Bees (in the Willamette Valley) & Best Practices Registration is $25. The event will be broadcast live. Registrants will be able to access recording of the talks at their leisure beginning about a week after the event. Registration is at linnmastergardeners.com; mason bee housing and cocoons may also be purchased at that site.
Program updates 2/8/2022: This is to update Master Gardener volunteers on the latest public health requirements per OSU. Please let me know what question you have.
–No change in current mask requirements at OSU – still need face coverings inside for now.
–Proof of vaccination or negative test no longer required for outdoor events and activities
In-person outdoor community plant clinicscoming up this spring to a garden center near you. Locations and times still TBD – likely Saturdays, with an opportunity to engage trainees. If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Speakers’ bureau:are you an organized, outgoing person interested in helping connect interested volunteers with community organizations needing gardening education? Please contact Elizabeth Records.
Seed Starting -Tips for Success – Monday, February 21, 7:00-8:00 pm on zoom.
Benton Co. MGs Jennifer and Lisa draw from their experience seeding and growing on starts for the BCMGA plant sale. They will share strategies for starting veggies, annuals and perennials. PowerPoint presentation, demonstrations, and open Q/A. We’d love to hear from the audience: What is your favorite/most challenging plant you’ve started from seed? Be ready to answer in chat! Looking forward to growing season! Register in advance for this meeting.
Fruit Tree Pruning workshop – special invitation from Community Gardening Education Team
Saturday, February 26, 1:30-3:00 pm, The Giving Garden at Shepherd of the Valley, 2659 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis. Learn pruning basics on 10-year old apple, plum and pear trees trained in open vase shape on semi-dwarf root stock. We will have some hand tools available. Optional: Bring gloves, hand clippers. Wear weather appropriate clothing (rainwear, boots – long grass in orchard). Please be ready to wear a mask if social distancing is difficult during demonstrations. Led by Meleah Ashford and Jennifer Klammer
Consider This, Oregon Humanities: Join us on March 10, 2022 for an online conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss. Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This program will be streamed live at 5:00 p.m. Pacific on YouTube. RSVP for this free program.
OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you. March 8: Local Beauties: Native Plants for Ecologically Enhanced Gardens and Landscapes with Nikkie West, Kathryn Prive and Rick Martinson
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.)
BCMGA presentation on Monday, February 21, 7:00-8:00 pm on zoom Seed Starting -Tips for Success Register in advance for this meeting: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErdOitqT0vGdGqkO9WGq3RdLmXKh7rZLXG MGs Jennifer and Lisa draw from their experience seeding and growing on starts for the BCMGA plant sale. They will share strategies for starting veggies, annuals and perennials. PowerPoint presentation, demonstrations, and open Q/A. We’d love to hear from the audience: What is your favorite/most challenging plant you’ve started from seed? Be ready to answer in chat! Looking forward to growing season! Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash
Shoutouts
LOTS of new volunteer opportunities, see below!
Continuing ed: Fruit Tree Pruning workshop
Saturday, February 26, 1:30-3:00 pm
The Giving Garden at Shepherd of the Valley
2659 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis
Learn pruning basics on 10-year old apple, plum and pear trees trained in open vase shape on semi-dwarf root stock. We will have some hand tools available. Optional: Bring gloves, hand clippers. Wear weather appropriate clothing (rainwear, boots – long grass in orchard). Please be ready to wear a mask if social distancing is difficult during demonstrations.
Led by Meleah Ashford and Jennifer Klammer
Containers needed: BCMGA is putting together a display garden at the fairgrounds to show various types of edible vegetables, flowers and herbs that can be grown in containers. We are looking for large (18” or larger) decorative pots for the garden, preferably ceramic or terra cotta. If you have any extra pots that you can donate, please send a photo of the pots and an indication of size to Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders@comcast.net
Volunteers needed
Call For Applications: Cohort II of the Master Gardener JEDI Task Force
JEDI stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity. Sometimes, we call ourselves the DEI Task Force.
Sometimes, we call ourselves the JEDI Task Force, because frankly, the word ‘JEDI’ is both more representative
of what we are trying to do, and is also more fun to say.
Applications for the second cohort of Master Gardener JEDI Task Force Members are now being accepted.
BCMG Greenhouse Help: It’s time to begin growing veggies in the greenhouse at Philomath High School for the annual plant sale on May 7. Enroll HERE.
Presentation:Corvallis CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Corvallis, Oregon is seeking a presentation for a group of volunteers that are interested in learning more about gardening, non-invasive species, native plants and more, as part of emergency response! If interested, please contact Elizabeth Records.
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public as of January 2022, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Desk is open for solo volunteers, or grab our ipad and mini microscopes and work in the conference room with a friend. Sign up HERE.
BEEvent – save the date: Sat. March 5, 2022. Learn more & sign up February 2022 at linnmastergardeners.com
Consider This, Oregon Humanities: Join us on March 10, 2022 for an online conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss. Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This program will be streamed live at 5:00 p.m. Pacific on YouTube. RSVP for this free program.
New! OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you. March 8: Local Beauties: Native Plants for Ecologically Enhanced Gardens and Landscapes with Nikkie West, Kathryn Prive and Rick Martinson
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.)
Do you have an edible garden? Consider being a host on the Edible Garden Tour. Please respond to this survey if interested: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7FTPKW9
Call For Applications: Cohort II of the Master Gardener JEDI Task Force JEDI stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity. Sometimes, we call ourselves the DEI Task Force. Sometimes, we call ourselves the JEDI Task Force, because frankly, the word ‘JEDI’ is both more representative of what we are trying to do, and is also more fun to say. Applications for the second cohort of Master Gardener JEDI Task Force Members are now being accepted. Click here to learn more and apply. Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2022.
Office Plant Clinic sign ups open: The office is open to the public as of January 2022, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Desk is open for solo volunteers, or grab our ipad and mini miscroscopes and work in the conference room with a friend. Sign up HERE.
BEEvent – save the date: Sat. March 5, 2022. Learn more & sign up February 2022 at linnmastergardeners.com
Consider This, Oregon Humanities: Join us on March 10, 2022 for an online conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss. Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This program will be streamed live at 5:00 p.m. Pacific on YouTube. RSVP for this free program.
New! OSU Extension Master Gardeners announce 2022 Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series schedule It’s a new year and a new slate of free online learning webinars with Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series. Whether you want to learn how to finally be better with your irrigation, understand if cleaning up leaves in the fall is really good or not so good for the insects in the garden, or get excited for all things roses, there’s a class for you. This year’s schedule:
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.)
