Author Archives: Elza Records

About Elza Records

Elza (Elizabeth) Records is Sustainable Transportation Coordinator with OSU, and former staff with OSUES Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties.

Linn MGV eNews

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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.
  • Shoutouts
    • LCMGA Board Meetings Time: Feb 1, 2022 01:00 PM on Zoom. See your email for a reminder with link the morning of the meeting!
  • BEEvent – save the date: Sat. March 5, 2022. Learn more & sign up February 2022 at linnmastergardeners.com
    • Continuing education opportunities:
      • 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: 

February 8: The Science and Practice of Seed Starting: Secrets to success when growing by seed with Dennis Brown 

March 8: Local Beauties: Native Plants for Ecologically Enhanced Gardens and Landscapes with Nikkie West, Kathryn Prive and Rick Martinson 

April 12: Plant Grow Harvest Repeat: Succession Planting with Meg McAndrews Cowden 

May 10: Growing Great Roses! with Mark Windham 

June 14: Irrigation Choices and Design with Alec Kowalewski 

July 12: Best Ecological Ways to Control Pests with Silvia Rondon, Chris Hedstrom and Isaac Sandlin of the Oregon IPM Center 

August 9: Should You Leave Your Leaves? How autumn yard maintenance affects overwintering insects with Max Ferlauto 

September 13: Compost Can-do: develop a system that meets your needs with Linda Brewer 

October 11: Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling in Garden Beds & Home Landscapes with Gordon Jones 

November 8: TBA 

  • Extension updates:
    • We have a full class of applicants for 2022! Thanks to everyone who joined us for Master Gardener Meet & Greets! We have a great group of applicants and you showed them why Master Gardener is important to you!
  • 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 MGV eNews

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Biological Pesticides with Heather Stoven
January Association Meeting 2022 (Open to the public) Monday Jan 24 
Register in advance for this meeting HERE. (LINK WAS WRONG IN ENEWS BUT IS FIXED HERE.)
After registering, will receive a confirmationemail containing information about joining the meeting. 

Join us for the first Association meeting of the year with guest speaker Heather Stoven. Heather will give a presentation about “biological pesticides”. While something like rotenone has been around forever, there are new agents involving plant extracts, bacterial cultures, etc., that are becoming available to farmers and home gardeners in recent years, offering an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Zoom in to learn more about these new developments and about uses and limitations.

  • Shoutouts
    • You’re invited: MGV 2022 Applicant Meet & Greets! This is a good opportunity to meet potential trainees, learn about their interests, and share what you enjoy about volunteering as a Master Gardener. A link to meetings will be in eNews.
      • Tue 1/18/2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
      • Wed 1/19/2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
      • Thu 1/20/2022 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
      • Sat 1/22/2022 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Continuing education opportunities: Events 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. To get continuing education for either event, please share how what you learned is meaningful in the context of your service as a Master Gardener.
      • From 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. (LINK WAS BROKEN IN ENEWS BUT IS FIXED HERE.)
      • Lecture: Women as change agents in forestry. Speaker: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Plant Ecology, Ethnobotany, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7:00pm, La Sells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium. Registration required: Please register here. Please note: To reduce the risk or spread of COVID-19, you will need to provide proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test result within the previous three days of the event to attend. An OSU representative will check your vaccination status or review your negative test result upon your arrival at the event. Further information can be accessed at https://beav.es/U4a.
  • Volunteers needed
    • 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.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Benton Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education: It’s winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
  • BCMGA news
    • Kick-off Meeting for the 2022 Benton County Fairgrounds Demonstration Garden.  If you are interested in being part of a fun and fulfilling community gardening project, please join us on Zoom on Monday, January 24 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for the 2022 kick-off meeting.  See eNews for information on joining the meeting. Please contact Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders (at) comcast.net or Dan Dix at DDIX (at) verizon.net for the more information.
    • Community Gardening Education Team contact update: Hello all! In an effort to streamline communications we’ve created a CGET Committee email address.  We’d like to get the word out that starting immediately if you have a request for CGET or want to correspond with the CGET Committee we’d appreciate the email correspondence to be directed to CGET.BentonMG (at) gmail.com. As co-chairs we will be monitoring this email regularly and will respond to requests as soon as we can. Thank you, Cheryl Stratton, Kandi Maestri and Wendi Gale, CGET Committee Co-Chairs
  • Extension updates:
    • We have a full class of applicants for 2022 but are inviting people to join the wait list until 1/15.
  • 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.)
    • 2022 Soil Amendment Sale Now Open!
      • More than just soil amendments! We also offer a wide selection of propagation supplies, organic pest controls, cover crop seeds, and poultry/livestock supplies.
    • Order with us to get bulk pricing and save on freight charges. We’ll group your order with those of other local farmers and gardeners so we all share in the savings. Proceeds help support Ten Rivers Food Web.
      • Here’s how it works:
        • Order online: Through January 31st.
        • Pick up your items: March 5th, 9am – Noon and 1 – 4pm, at the Benton County Fairgrounds

Linn eNews

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Meet & greet
You’re invited: MGV 2022 Applicant Meet & Greets! This is a good opportunity to meet potential trainees, learn about their interests, and share what you enjoy about volunteering as a Master Gardener. A link to meetings will be in eNews.

Tue 1/18/2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Wed 1/19/2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Thu 1/20/2022 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Sat 1/22/2022 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Shoutouts
    • BEEvent – save the date: Sat. March 5, 2022. Learn more & sign up February 2022 at linnmastergardeners.com
    • Movie and Discussion: The Ants and the Grasshopper, and a climate change discussion for gardeners with Vivek Shandas. Join us for the 40th anniversary of OSU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, when we will gather virtually to reflect upon environmental justice as a component to achieving social justice.  We will watch the documentary that chronicles Anita Chitaya’s story, “The Ants and the Grasshopper”. Afterward, stay for a live discussion with Dr. Vivek Shandas about climate change effects on vulnerable communities, the intersection of climate change and social justice, and what role gardeners can play to promote healthier living environments for all.
    • Heather Stoven on Biological Pesticides. January BCMGA Association Meeting 2022 (Open to the public) Monday Jan 24. Join guest speaker Heather Stoven. Heather will give a presentation about “biological pesticides”. While something like rotenone has been around forever, there are new agents involving plant extracts, bacterial cultures, etc., that are becoming available to farmers and home gardeners in recent years, offering an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Zoom in to learn more about these new developments and about uses and limitations.
      • Register in advance for this meeting HERE. After registering, will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 
  • Volunteers needed
  • Continuing education: It’s winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
  • Extension updates:
    • Master Gardeners join 40th anniversary of OSU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service exploring the intersection of climate change and social justice. How will you use your day of service? Read the whole article HERE.
    • We have a full class of applicants for 2022 but are inviting people to join the wait list until 1/15.
  • 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.)
    • 2022 Soil Amendment Sale Now Open!
      • More than just soil amendments! We also offer a wide selection of propagation supplies, organic pest controls, cover crop seeds, and poultry/livestock supplies.
    • Order with us to get bulk pricing and save on freight charges. We’ll group your order with those of other local farmers and gardeners so we all share in the savings. Proceeds help support Ten Rivers Food Web.
      • Here’s how it works:
        • Order online: Through January 31st.
        • Pick up your items: March 5th, 9am – Noon and 1 – 4pm, at the Benton County Fairgrounds

Benton MGV eNews

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You’re invited: MGV 2022 Applicant Meet & Greets! This is a good opportunity to meet potential trainees, learn about their interests, and share what you enjoy about volunteering as a Master Gardener. A link to meetings will be in eNews.

Tue 1/18/2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Wed 1/19/2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Thu 1/20/2022 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Sat 1/22/2022 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Shoutouts
    • BCMGA BOARD MEETING: JAN 10, 2022, 3:00PM – 5:00PM. In person and Zoom options – see email for details
    • Movie and Discussion: The Ants and the Grasshopper, and a climate change discussion for gardeners with Vivek Shandas. Join us for the 40th anniversary of OSU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, when we will gather virtually to reflect upon environmental justice as a component to achieving social justice.  We will watch the documentary that chronicles Anita Chitaya’s story, “The Ants and the Grasshopper”. Afterward, stay for a live discussion with Dr. Vivek Shandas about climate change effects on vulnerable communities, the intersection of climate change and social justice, and what role gardeners can play to promote healthier living environments for all.
  • Volunteers needed
    • Returning soon – Winter In-person plant clinic. Solo shifts at the desk and shared shifts in the conference room will soon be available. Also seeking on-call volunteers to meet clients or pick up samples at the office as needed, by appointment. Please contact elizabeth.records@oregonstate.edu to get started. An official sign up will be published soon.
    • Staffing the booth at the Corvallis Farmers market is a fun way to talk to the community about gardening. Volunteers needed for Farmers Market Coordination: Please contact Debbie Lauer ifinterested. Please, we need your help in 2022!!!!
  • Continuing education: It’s winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
  • BCMGA news
    • January Association Meeting 2022 (Open to the public) Monday Jan 24 Zoom link will be provided in your email. Join us for the first Association meeting of the year with guest speaker Heather Stoven. Heather will give a presentation about “biological pesticides”. While something like rotenone has been around forever, there are new agents involving plant extracts, bacterial cultures, etc., that are becoming available to farmers and home gardeners in recent years, offering an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Zoom in to learn more about these new developments and about uses and limitations.
  • Extension updates:
    • We have a full class of applicants for 2022 but are inviting people to join the wait list until 1/15.
  • 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.)
    • 2022 Soil Amendment Sale Now Open!
      • More than just soil amendments! We also offer a wide selection of propagation supplies, organic pest controls, cover crop seeds, and poultry/livestock supplies.
    • Order with us to get bulk pricing and save on freight charges. We’ll group your order with those of other local farmers and gardeners so we all share in the savings. Proceeds help support Ten Rivers Food Web.
      • Here’s how it works:
        • Order online: Through January 31st.
        • Pick up your items: March 5th, 9am – Noon and 1 – 4pm, at the Benton County Fairgrounds

Linn MGV eNews

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What are *really* the best native plants to attract bees? The Garden Ecology Lab is releasing a series of plant profiles of the top 10 Oregon native plants for pollinators, based on Aaron Anderson’s 2017-2019 field trials of 23 Oregon native plants. We will feature one plant per week for 10 weeks, this is week 4! Profiles will include photos, planting information, and will highlight common pollinators of each plant.
  • Shoutouts
    • DUES:  Linn Master Gardener Association (LCMGA) did not collect dues at the end of 2020.  The Board has voted to resume collecting dues.  Please pay your $15 dues by December 31st.  Dues paid or post marked after December 31st are $18. You can pay with a credit card at:- www.LinnMasterGardeners.com.  Put in the dues amount or any amount you wish to donate to LCMGA.  As you go through the process and near the end, you will see an option to pay “without” a PayPal account.  To learn more about being listed in the LCMGA directory and other reminders please click here.
    • Holiday closures (and no eNews the weeks of 12/20 or 12/27): Christmas Day Observed 12/24, New Years Day Observed 12/31
  • Volunteers needed
    • NEW! Love to grow veggies? Master Gardener volunteers are needed to provide advice for participants of the Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge. Note: The sign up is only open to MGs at this time. Please do not share with the public-thanks!
      • Must be a current Oregon Master Gardener volunteer (or a Master Gardener representing a county demonstration/educational garden).
      • Sign up by midnight January 3rd and indicate that you are a Master Gardener when asked about your gardening experience.
      • You will be mailed 5 seed packets free of charge (cilantro, green onions, kale, mesclun lettuce mix, zinnias) to plant.
      • Must agree to give feedback on your growing process and results at least once—but as often as you want—during the Challenge. Feedback could include suggestions, comments, challenges and solutions, stories, photos, drawings or videos that we can share with others (with or without your name). You will receive an invitation to join our private discussion group—just for Master Gardeners—which will have monthly prompts and requests for your feedback. Report your active time spent on this project as Master Gardener volunteer hours (report as ‘community science’).
      • Hope you are able to join in! Questions? please reach out to Brooke Edmunds, OSU Extension, brooke.edmunds@oregonstate.edu
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education: It’s nearly winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
    • NEW webinar: Trauma-Informed College Teaching: Prepare, Respond, Restore by Jeff Kenney, Ph.D. Have you ever had a fellow MGV or client respond negatively or shut down seemingly out of the blue? Or had this experience yourself? Understanding how common trauma is and how it affects adult learners can help community educators like us to reach more people and reduce barriers to learning. Though this webinar was made for college instructors, most lessons are valuable for MGVs and volunteer Extension educators. I, Elizabeth, got a lot out of this and would really recommend it for MGVs who regularly teach others.
  • LCMGA news:
    • Beevent and Through the Garden Gate are tentatively scheduled for 2022, format still TBD. That’s great news!
  • Master Gardener applications for 2022 are open, with a new more flexible schedule and sliding scale pricing. About 36% of applicants so far are from Linn County! Know someone who is ready to step up as a gardening educator or plant clinic researcher? They can find more information and apply HERE. Applications are coming in fast – folks who apply sooner have a better chance of joining us next year.
  • 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.

Benton MGV eNews

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If you missed the Celebration or want to revisit it, click the image above to open the scrapbook to see best/worst garden puns, awardees, certified MGVs, amazing insect and garden photos, and smiling pictures of your pals!
  • Shoutouts
    • Official BCMGA Board for 2022
      • President: Jana Tindall (2013)
      • President Elect: Mary Mellard (2—7)
      • Past President: Deb Kern (2013)
      • VP Programs: Janet Magedanz (2012)
      • Membership: Deborah Hobbs (2018)
      • Co-Secretary: Cynthia Roler (2020)
      • Co-Secretary: Wendi Gale (2021)
      • Co-Treasurer: Lynn Trimpe (2012)
      • Co-Treasurer: Paula Lupcho (2007)
      • OMGA Rep: Rich Taylor (2012)
      • OMGA ALt. Rep: David Mandel (2016)
      • Communications Liaison: Bob Smythe (2011)
      • Member at Large: Frank Garcia (2020)
      • Alan Taylor (2015)
      • Fred Prahl (2016)
  • Volunteers needed
    • NEW! Staffing the booth at the Corvallis Farmers market is a fun way to talk to the community about gardening. Volunteers needed for Farmers Market Coordination: Please contact Debbie Lauer ifinterested. Please, we need your help in 2022!!!!
    • NEW! Love to grow veggies? Master Gardener volunteers are needed to provide advice for participants of the Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge. Note: The sign up is only open to MGs at this time. Please do not share with the public-thanks!
      • Must be a current Oregon Master Gardener volunteer (or a Master Gardener representing a county demonstration/educational garden).
      • Sign up by midnight January 3rd and indicate that you are a Master Gardener when asked about your gardening experience.
      • You will be mailed 5 seed packets free of charge (cilantro, green onions, kale, mesclun lettuce mix, zinnias) to plant.
      • Must agree to give feedback on your growing process and results at least once—but as often as you want—during the Challenge. Feedback could include suggestions, comments, challenges and solutions, stories, photos, drawings or videos that we can share with others (with or without your name). You will receive an invitation to join our private discussion group—just for Master Gardeners—which will have monthly prompts and requests for your feedback. Report your active time spent on this project as Master Gardener volunteer hours (report as ‘community science’).
      • Hope you are able to join in! Questions? please reach out to Brooke Edmunds, OSU Extension, brooke.edmunds@oregonstate.edu
    • Winter In-person plant clinic. Solo shifts at the desk and shared shifts in the conference room are available by appointment. Also seeking on-call volunteers to meet clients or pick up samples from the office as needed, by appointment. Please contact elizabeth.records@oregonstate.edu to get started.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education: It’s nearly winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
    • Featured webinar: Trauma-Informed College Teaching: Prepare, Respond, Restore Jeff Kenney, Ph.D. Have you ever had a fellow MGV or client respond negatively or shut down seemingly out of the blue? Or had this experience yourself? Understanding how common trauma is and how it affects adult learners can help community educators like us to reach more people and reduce barriers to learning. Though this webinar was made for college instructors, most lessons are valuable for MGVs and volunteer Extension educators. I, Elizabeth, got a lot out of this and would really recommend it for MGVs who regularly teach others.
  • BCMGA news
    • January Association Meeting 2022 (Open to the public) Monday Jan 24 Zoom link will be provided next month. Join us for the first Association meeting of the year with guest speaker Heather Stoven. Heather will give a presentation about “biological pesticides”. While something like rotenone has been around forever, there are new agents involving plant extracts, bacterial cultures, etc., that are becoming available to farmers and home gardeners in recent years, offering an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Zoom in to learn more about these new developments and about uses and limitations.
  • Extension updates:
    • Holiday closures (and no eNews the weeks of 12/20 or 12/27):
      • Christmas Day Observed 12/24
      • New Years Day Observed 12/31
    • Master Gardener applications for 2022 are open, with a new more flexible schedule and sliding scale pricing. Know someone who is ready to step up as a gardening educator or plant clinic researcher? They can find more information and apply HERE. Applications are coming in fast – folks who apply sooner have a better chance of joining us next year.
  • 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 consider donating to the Growing Ancestral Roots fundraiser to support creating food equity and access to people of color through community gardens. You can learn more support this group HERE.

Linn MGV eNews

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If you missed the Celebration or want to revisit it, click the image above to open the scrapbook to see grads, awardees, certified MGVs, amazing insect and garden photos, and smiling pictures of your pals! Watch the best/worst garden puns in this link.
  • Shout outs
    • The 2022 Linn County board is:
Betty Georgen                  PresidentAnn Kinkley                        OMGA Rep
Kelly Muller                       Past PresidentJanice Gregg                      OMGA Alt Rep
Daniel Murphy                  1st viceBobbye Rainey                   Member at large
Pam Nelson                        2nd viceDiane White                        Member at large
Ann Capps                          co-secretaryTina Soares                         Member at large
Ranee Webb                      co-secretaryNancy Messman                 Member at large
Erin Steinke                        TreasurerNancy Ragghianti               Member at large 
  • Volunteers needed
    • NEW! Love to grow veggies? Master Gardener volunteers are needed to provide advice for participants of the Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge. Note: The sign up is only open to MGs at this time. Please do not share with the public-thanks!
      • Must be a current Oregon Master Gardener volunteer (or a Master Gardener representing a county demonstration/educational garden).
      • Sign up by midnight January 3rd and indicate that you are a Master Gardener when asked about your gardening experience.
      • You will be mailed 5 seed packets free of charge (cilantro, green onions, kale, mesclun lettuce mix, zinnias) to plant.
      • Must agree to give feedback on your growing process and results at least once—but as often as you want—during the Challenge. Feedback could include suggestions, comments, challenges and solutions, stories, photos, drawings or videos that we can share with others (with or without your name). You will receive an invitation to join our private discussion group—just for Master Gardeners—which will have monthly prompts and requests for your feedback. Report your active time spent on this project as Master Gardener volunteer hours (report as ‘community science’).
      • Hope you are able to join in! Questions? please reach out to Brooke Edmunds, OSU Extension, brooke.edmunds@oregonstate.edu
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education: It’s nearly winter and most live events are on holiday. Take some ‘you time’ to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
    • NEW webinar: Trauma-Informed College Teaching: Prepare, Respond, Restore Jeff Kenney, Ph.D. Have you ever had a fellow MGV or client respond negatively or shut down seemingly out of the blue? Or had this experience yourself? Understanding how common trauma is and how it affects adult learners can help community educators like us to reach more people and reduce barriers to learning. Though this webinar was made for college instructors, most lessons are valuable for MGVs and volunteer Extension educators. I, Elizabeth, got a lot out of this and would really recommend it for MGVs who regularly teach others.
  • LCMGA news:
    • Beevent and Through the Garden Gate are tentatively scheduled for 2022, format still TBD. That’s great news!
    • DUES:  Linn Master Gardener Association (LCMGA) did not collect dues at the end of 2020.  The Board has voted to resume collecting dues.  Please pay your $15 dues by December 31st.  Dues paid or post marked after December 31st are $18. You can pay with a credit card at:- www.LinnMasterGardeners.com.  Put in the dues amount or any amount you wish to donate to LCMGA.  As you go through the process and near the end, you will see an option to pay “without” a PayPal account.  To learn more about being listed in the LCMGA directory and other reminders please click here.
  • Extension updates:
    • Holiday closures (and no eNews the weeks of 12/20 or 12/27):
      • Christmas Day Observed 12/24
      • New Years Day Observed 12/31
    • Master Gardener applications for 2022 are open, with a new more flexible schedule and sliding scale pricing. Know someone who is ready to step up as a gardening educator or plant clinic researcher? They can find more information and apply HERE. Applications are coming in fast – folks who apply sooner have a better chance of joining us next year.
  • 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 consider donating to the Growing Ancestral Roots fundraiser to support creating food equity and access to people of color through community gardens. You can learn more support this group HERE.

Linn MGV eNews

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Linn MGV Celebration & Recognition is set for December 8 @7PM on Zoom. See your email for directions to join. Come celebrate MGV program graduate Erin Steinke, bask in appreciation for your engagement this year, and laugh at some dreadfully wonderful gardening jokes.
  • Program update
    • OSU has an update about face coverings which doesn’t much change current MGV activities. Just note that for OSU sponsored activities held indoors, face coverings are still required even though State rules on outdoor face coverings have changed. You can read details HERE.
  • Volunteers needed
    • Things are pretty quiet right now but plant clinic is still getting regular questions. Now would be a great time to partner with Diane and Bobbye to explore how online plant clinic works.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education: It’s nearly winter and most live events are on holiday. Take a moment to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
  • Extension updates:
    • Master Gardener applications for 2022 are open, with a new more flexible schedule and sliding scale pricing. Know someone who is ready to step up as a gardening educator or plant clinic researcher? They can find more information and apply HERE. Applications are coming in fast – folks who apply sooner have a better chance of joining us next year.
    • Helpful this week: EM 9277 Trees and Shrubs for Fall and Winter Bloom, EC 1438 Selecting, Planting, and Caring for a New Tree.
  • 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 consider donating to the Growing Ancestral Roots fundraiser to support creating food equity and access to people of color through community gardens. You can learn more support this group HERE.

Linn MGV eNews

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Linn MGV Celebration & Recognition is set for December 8 @7PM on Zoom. Send Bobbye Rainey your photos of your garden activities – whether with MGVs or on your own – to share in our celebration slideshow.
Interesting insects, brilliant blooms, smiling faces – anything to bring some cheer!
  • Shout outs
    • Congratulations, Erin Steinke! Erin persisted through the challenges of the past 20 months and earned Master Gardener certification! Thank you Erin for your contributions to Oregon Season Tracker, plant clinic help, engagement with LCMGA and all you do!
    • Vote for LCMGA board members by 11/23! LCMGA members will get a link and password to vote securely online.
  • Volunteers needed
  • Continuing education: It’s nearly winter so things are quite. Take a moment to learn something new in our huge library of recorded webinars.
  • Extension updates:
    • Master Gardener applications for 2022 are open, with a new more flexible schedule and sliding scale pricing. Know someone who is ready to step up as a gardening educator or plant clinic researcher? They can find more information and apply HERE. Applications are coming in fast – folks who apply sooner have a better chance of joining us next year.
    • Helpful this week: Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard. Provides general rules for training, pruning, and limb bending, and explains open-center, central-leader, and espalier training. Outlines specific guidelines for training and pruning apple, pear, sweet cherry, sour cherry, peach, prune, plum, apricot, fig, persimmon, walnut, hazelnut, and chestnut trees. Includes 17 figures that illustrate various techniques.
  • 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 – please share opportunities for future eNews.

Benton MGV eNews

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Come recognize new grads, celebrate continuing volunteers, see what we accomplished during a challenging year, and hear some of the worst garden puns you’ve ever experienced! See your email for an invitation and link to RSVP.
  • Shout outs
    • Congratulations new Master Gardener Volunteer grads! These gardeners earned their certification through tough times while empowering aspiring gardeners in so many ways!
      • Brenda Bye (transfer from Washington State) has done a little of everything from online plant clinic to teaching Seed to Supper
      • Wendi Gale has volunteered in the demo garden and taught Seed to Supper and has taken on a leadership role in the Community Garden Education Team
      • Rynda Gregory taught cancer survivors how to garden with Hope Grows Here and volunteered for plant sale efforts
      • Kandi Maestri has taught Seed to Supper and grown plants for plant sale
      • Ann Schauber has volunteered in plant clinic and in the demo garden
  • Thank you for reporting your volunteer service and re-enrolling! Service totals are down from past but re-enrollment is steady – across Linn and Benton, 76% of people who ever took MGV training have re-enrolled.
  • Volunteers needed – Visit the Benton County Volunteer opportunities page to sign up for recurring events.
    • Mountain View Elementary School Garden: The current emphasis is to get all students and teachers involved in the garden. A grade appropriate lesson in plant propagation is followed with the students planting in the garden. If possible, the lessons are scheduled so that the students can harvest before school is out in June. Fall crops can be harvested shortly after the September start of school, if that grade is still enrolled at the school. Please contact Glen Canning if you are interested.
    • Community Garden Action Team & Seed to Supper: Teaching hands-on gardening to underserved community members. Contact Judith Kenner if interested.
  • Continuing education (free to MGVs unless noted with $)
  • Master Gardener Association
    • The Gardeners Pen newsletter of the Oregon Master Gardener Association is back! Huge thanks to Master Gardener volunteer, Ann Kinkley, for stepping forward to revive the newsletter. Read the new issue.
  • Extension updates
    • It’s a new day for training to become a Master Gardener volunteer. The OSU Extension Master Gardener program has revamped, revised, and re-imagined training for new Master Gardeners in 2022 to become more accessible than ever. Mixing the best of both worlds, online training will deliver our top-notch university-level gardening education, with localized and in-person hands-on training workshops organized by county-based OSU faculty. 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.)
    • Corvallis Evening Garden Club is holding their 2021 Fall Bulb-a-Palooza! This is to support their community gardening grants and horticulture scholarships. Many, many exciting and beautiful varieties to choose from! Go to corvalliseveninggardenclub.org to find the online ordering form. They will begin taking orders as soon as the bulbs arrive, sometime in the next few days. Note: Cash or Check will be accepted at time of pick up. Supplies are limited. To see some of the bulbs available click here.