Category Archives: Benton e-News

Benton Master Gardener eNews

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Bookmark our page: Find newsletter archives, volunteer handbook and more volunteer opportunities at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/activebentonlinnmg/

Share an item for eNews by contacting your program 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.

A person holds a selection of seed packets. Credit: urbancow, Getty Images
A person holds a selection of seed packets. Credit: urbancow, Getty Images
  • Shout outs
    • 12/16 – BCMGA Greens Party – Gruber Hall, Benton County Fairgrounds, Tuesday, December 6th, 11 AM – 2 PM.
    • The Extension office will be closed 12/24/2022 – 1/2/2023.
    • The Public Seed Library is a new collaborative project of the Benton County Master Gardeners and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, with the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library serving as the host partner. The free, volunteer-run Public Seed Library is expected to open at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library downtown by March ’23. Learn more and donate seeds.
    • You are invited to meet 2023 applicants and share your experiences with being a Master Gardener! Please RSVP to Elizabeth for one of these hourlong events:
      • Wed 1/4/2023 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Corvallis
      • Fri 1/6/2023 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Corvallis
      • Sat 1/7/2023 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ZOOM
  • Extension News
    • People often inquire about how to harvest wild foods, something outside Master Gardener Program expertise. We’re excited that OSU Extension now offers a resource for safely harvesting and eating nettles. Colleagues with backgrounds in traditional ecological knowledge, food safety, and disaster preparedness contributed to this great new publication. And there is even information for growing this itchy but tasty plant in home gardens. Check it out HERE.
    • Explore Oregon Bees is a bee-themed nutrition and garden environmental education activity e-book developed at Oregon State University by the Oregon Bee Project and Food Hero. The readability is 5th grade and up, but there are activities, recipes and images engaging to all ages.
    • Considering a live Christmas tree that you can plant later? Master Gardener Leo researched several native conifers to help you compare their features in a handy list, picked as an Ask Extension question of the week.
  • BCMGA News
    • 12/12 – December BCMGA board meeting which includes orientation for the new board members. We will meet at 10:00 at the Calvin Presbyterian Church on Monday, December 12. The address is 1736 NW Dixon in Corvallis. Our regular board meeting will be approximately 10:00 – noon. We’ll break for lunch (bring your own) and then pass along the notebooks and some words of advice to the new board members. There will be a brief meeting of the new board after lunch.
    • Via Jana Tindall: “reminder to pay your membership dues as soon as possible. Dues are $15 (plus a small fee if you use a credit card).
  • Volunteer opportunities
    • New BCMGA Plant Sale opportunities
      • Saturday, December 3 – 10am-12pm – Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate Street, WEEKDAY WORKERS- THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! Seeding Perennials Work Session. Since some of our MGs work or go to school during the week, they haven’t been able to join us in awhile. Please RSVP to lesliehauser107@gmail.com  if you are able to come help seed perennials inside the greenhouse on this day. This will help us plan ahead and if we get a large turnout, we will try our best to continue to schedule weekend and/or evening work sessions. Low turnout and we may need to stick to the week day meet ups. Thanks for understanding. 
      • Friday, December 16 – 10am-12pm – Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate Street, We will seeding perennials inside the greenhouse and also repotting nursery plant donations outdoors. We’ll have canopies up to provide as much cover as possible but you may want to wear warm clothes and rain gear just in case. 
      • Friday, December 30 – 10am-12pm – Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate Street, We will be seeding more perennials inside the greenhouse where it will be warm and toasty!
  • 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 – check back next time.

Gratitude for the Master Gardener Community

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Dear Master Gardeners,


Your generosity means the world to the people we serve. Through your volunteerism, you are growing gardens, knowledge, and communities.

Your friends in local programs assembled a virtual photo album of some great moments from the year. You can enjoy it HERE.


Thank you, Master Gardeners, for your amazing generosity and dedication.


With gratitude –


Elizabeth Records

OSU Extension Master Gardener Program

Celebration & graduation thank yous

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Here are some of the class of ’22! See Celebration slides with a complete list of graduates, volunteers, and award-winners. Click the image above or CLICK HERE to view.

Thank you to the graduates and volunteers who attended the Master Gardener Celebration, our first in-person celebration since 2019!

Congratulations to the new Master Gardener graduates!

Thank you to LCMGA for hosting, and to Central Electric Training Center for providing event space. This event truly brought our community together.

“What has made this program so wonderful to be a part of is not only the obvious (education and volunteerism) but the kindness and passion of every single person involved.”

–Master Gardener

Couldn’t make it? Starting Tuesday 11/22 the following items can be picked up at the Extension office in your home county, or sent to upon request to your local Extension office. Dual county volunteers awards are in Linn County. Our offices are closed 11/24-25 for the holiday.

  • Grads – pick up your award and official Master Gardener Badge
  • Recertified? Pick your badge sticker (and get a chocolate truffle!)
  • Volunteered 100+ hours in 2021-2022? Claim your gloves!

Event photos will be shared in the coming days.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to this lovely celebration!

Benton 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.
11/20 BCMGA members flash plant sale 11:00-2:00. Philomath High School Greenhouses, 2054 Applegate Street Philomath OR 97370 Enter parking at the west end of campus, near 20th. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and more! $1 off of each gallon or larger plants starting at 1:00pm. Cash, checks, or cards (with a small fee for purchases under $25) Important note:  Many of these plants are a bit pot bound and would love to get into the ground as soon as possible while the soil is still warm. Please bring your own boxes and be ready to have a fun shopping trip.
  • Extension News
    • Interested in organizing a service project for Martin Luther King, Junior Day? This could include community garden labor for a collaborating organization or similar tasks that are usually outside the MG scope of work. Please contact Elizabeth.
    • Growing & Belonging: Fall Update from Oregon State University Master Gardener Program. Autumnal greetings from your fellow Master Gardener volunteers, staff and faculty, participating in the statewide Growing and Belonging committee (formerly known as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce). This is the first of four updates a year we will publish, sharing our work, findings, and resources to help keep you informed—and hopefully engaged— in creating a local Master Gardener program and association experience that is one of growing and belonging. 
  • BCMGA News
    • Via Jana Tindall: “reminder to pay your membership dues as soon as possible. Paula Lupcho will be attending the Graduation/Celebration on November 19 so you can pay in person there. Paula will accept cash, check or credit card. Dues are $15 (plus a small fee if you use a credit card).
    • 12/16 – Greens Party – Gruber Hall, Benton County Fairgrounds, Tuesday, December 6th 11 AM – 2 PM. Via Janet Magedanz – “If you’ve not done a holiday wreath before, the following are some ideas for items to add to “beautify” your wreath:Vines, dried flowers, colorful leaves, bark, moss, feathers, ferns, rosehips, berries on stems, hydrangea blossoms, Magnolia grandiflora leaves (the big leathery kind), Buxus stems (common box), Pieris stems. The fact that you don’t have conifers in your yard should not prevent you from going outside and gathering wreath-making supplies. I think including things from your yard makes the wreath much more meaningful.If you’ve got a wire or vine wreath frame, please bring it with you. If you do not, there are several in the BCMGA supplies so you’re welcome to use one of those. Last thought: I’ve bought several rolls of holiday ribbon for making bows that will finish off your wreath. I also bought a bow-making gizmo that is really fun to use and I’ll be glad to show you how to use it.
  • Volunteer opportunities
    • New opportunities coming soon!
    • 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 more opportunities on the Benton 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 – check back next time.

Benton Master Gardener eNews

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Have your friends or family always wanted to volunteer as community gardening educators? Invite them to apply to become Master Gardeners! The 2023 training combines online coursework with in-person plant problem scenarios and garden labs – led by returning volunteers. Learn more and apply HERE by 12/31/2022.
  • Shout outs
    • 11/19 Master Gardener Celebration and Graduation. 2-4pm in Tangent. Small bites & treats potluck + awards. To RSVP CLICK HERE.
      • Got photos of fun MG events this year? To get them included in the slideshow, send them to Betty Goergen: goergenb (at) gmail.com
    • Thank you everyone for reporting service hours and re-enrolling!
      • 104 Benton MGs and trainees completed 9,150 service hours and 862 continuing education hours during the past year! They made 4,311 contacts. Congratulations!
    • If you want to participate in 2023 but still haven’t RSVP’d, please complete the DocuSign in your email. If you need paper forms or have questions please call Elizabeth: 541.730.3471
    • Growing Oregon Gardeners – Level Up 2022: November 8: Growing the Good Stuff: from Sweet Potatoes to Bitter Melons
  • BCMGA News
    • Via Jana Tindall: “reminder to pay your membership dues as soon as possible. Paula Lupcho will be attending the Graduation/Celebration on November 19 so you can pay in person there. Paula will accept cash, check or credit card. Dues are $15 (plus a small fee if you use a credit card).
    • The next board meeting will be Monday, November 14, 3:00-5:00. Please see an email from Jana Tindall for link to join via Zoom. (No in-person meeting.)
    • Like construction? Being an MG is not just about plants. We need you on the BCMGA Greenhouse Facility Committee. We need your skills for constructing shelters for new plants, building irrigation systems, maintaining the greenhouse, and other tasks. Some are occasional jobs that need a crew, and some can be solo projects.  If this other way to contribute (and clock MG hours) appeals to you, join up. The new committee has a leader, Jeff Stephens. Please let him know he can call on you to join in on group projects or take on a solo one. Email: jeffks023@gmail.com or phone (360) 624-4981.
    • Insights into Gardening is returning next year! After a 2-year hiatus we will be back with more great educational and entertaining presentations. Once again we will be at LaSells Stewart Center with classes beginning at 9 AM. So, save the date – February 11, 2023!Online registration will begin January 2, 2023.
    • The Fall 2022 OMGA (Oregon Master Gardener Association) newsletter, ‘The Gardener’s Pen’ is now out. Please take a moment to review the newsletter, which includes important updates on OMGA advocacy to improve MG Program funding.
  • Volunteer opportunities
    • New opportunities coming soon!
    • 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”. 
  • 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.)
    • NEW farm to school booster grants DUE November 8, 2022. Up to $2,000 for school garden projects (and maybe community garden projects)! Short application! Learn more and apply.

You’re invited: keep growing with us

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Bookmark our page: Find newsletter archives, volunteer handbook and more volunteer opportunities at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/activebentonlinnmg/

Share an item for eNews by contacting your program 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.

Dear Master Gardeners,

I’m sharing this again in case you missed it earlier. You are invited to participate as a Master Gardener in 2022-2023!

  • Welcome back to all those who volunteered in 2021-2022!
  • Haven’t participated for a while? Not sure about next year? You can still re-enroll.
  • Are you a trainee on an extended service plan? Did you defer enrollment in 2022? Re-enroll now as your next step towards earning Master Gardener certification.

Whatever your role, you are essential and appreciated!

As always we are supporting our communities with garden education and more. I hope you’ll consider joining us. Here are the steps:

  • Log any service hours you completed, by 10/31/2022
  • Review the updated Volunteer Success Sourcebook, HERE.
  • Then check your email for directions and a DocuSign to re-enroll. Don’t see it? Check Spam or All Mail.
  • Please complete your re-enrollment before 11/1/2022.
  • County Master Gardener Associations, the non-profit collaborators of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, are currently accepting membership dues.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about re-enrolling in the Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties. Please reach out with any other questions: 541-730-3471.

Best wishes for volunteering and gardening —

PS – don’t forget to RSVP for the Celebration and Graduation on November 19 in Tangent. All are welcome. To RSVP CLICK HERE.

Elizabeth Records – Program staff

Please re-enroll: Master Gardeners 2022-2023

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Dear Master Gardeners,

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about re-enrolling in the Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties. Please reach out with any questions: 541-730-3471.

Best wishes for volunteering and gardening —

Elizabeth Records – Program staff

FAQs – volunteer re-enrollment

Q: I haven’t done much with Master Gardeners lately. I might want to do a few activities in 2023 but I am not sure. Should I re-enroll?

A: If you might want to receive the volunteer newsletters or volunteer at even one or two activities, please complete program agreements to re-enroll. 


Q: Does signing up obligate me to volunteer for a certain amount of time or for particular activities? 

A: No. 


Q: Do I need to be certified to do projects like dig in the demo garden, grow plants or raise mason bees for sale, or do other hands-on tasks? 

A:  No, to do strictly hands-on activities, you just need to re-enroll.

Q: Do I need to be certified to do projects like answering gardening questions, giving presentations, teaching classes, or writing educational articles?

A: Yes, Master Gardener Volunteers need to be certified to volunteer as educators, unless they are trainees working on their first certification, or are working towards recertification after being non-certified. The goal is for volunteers to keep on learning and providing the most updated information to our communities.

Q: I know the Oregon MGV program requires 20 service hours, 50% direct/educational, to recertify. I volunteered 20 hours but most of those hours were indirect. I completed 10 hours of continuing education. Can I be recertified?

A: Due to the coronavirus, 20 service hours in any category plus 10 CE hours are accepted for recertification in 2021-2022, in the Linn and Benton programs. You can be recertified for 2022-2023.

Local certification requirements for the coming service year are TBD depending on the public health situation.

Q: I’m not currently certified but I would like to be certified again. I wish to volunteer for plant clinics and other direct education opportunities. What should I do?

A: If the last time you were certified was in 2018 or earlier, please volunteer alongside certified volunteers to level up your skills and earn direct hours to recertify.


Q: I want to get involved with teaching 2023 trainees – how can I help?

A: Several MGV committees across counties will be helping with in-person garden labs in 2023. Other online and in-person opportunities to collaborate with incoming volunteers will be available. Talk to committee chairs or your program staff to get involved.

Have more questions? Please contact Elizabeth Records:

541-730-3471 or elizabeth.records@oregonstate.edu

Benton Master Gardener eNews

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Small bites & treats potluck
+ awards

To RSVP CLICK HERE.

Saturday, November 19, 2022 @2-4PM
Event Address:  Central Electrical Training Center Tangent, OR 97389
Contact: Elizabeth Records, program staff: elizabeth.records@oregonstate.edu 541-730-3471

We gather to honor your achievements as a Master Gardener volunteer and celebrate what our community can do together.
Be recognized for your commitment to growing knowledge, gardens, and communities.
Enjoy a dessert/small bites social (please bring something to share and label food suitable for particular dietary restrictions).
Celebrate our graduating class of new Master Gardeners.
Honor volunteer achievement with awards and prizes.
Family, friends and loved ones welcome. To RSVP CLICK HERE.

Best from your hosts—
Linn County Master Gardener Association
OSU Extension Service Master Gardener Program

with support from–
Benton County Master Gardener Association
  • Shout outs
    • Volunteer service hours and continuing education are due 10/31.
      • Log your hours 
      • Are you a trainee who needs help completing your service? I can email you plant clinic questions on demand!
      • Questions about completing your service? Schedule a visit about volunteering or contact Elizabeth Records: elizabeth.records (at) oregonstate.edu, 541-730-3471.
  • BCMGA News
    • The Fall 2022 OMGA (Oregon Master Gardener Association) newsletter, ‘The Gardener’s Pen’ is now out. Please take a moment to review the newsletter, which includes important updates on OMGA advocacy to improve MG Program funding.
    • Meetings: Please see member email for meeting locations in person and/or online.
      • 10/24 Membership meeting. The October membership meeting will be on Monday, October 24 rather than October 17.
        • Vote for 2023 BCMGA board members
        • Learn how to identify and report emerald ash borer with Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester.
  • Volunteer opportunities:
    • Cocoon Care – Trainees welcome! Volunteer to help at Fall 2022 Mason Bee Cocoon Harvesting Classes. 10/8-10/25 (sites and times, including Corvallis). Assist instructors, support learners, and sell supplies. Some shifts are evenings or weekends. Learn more and RSVP. Report service as “instructor: direct”.
    • New! 10/25-11/3 Dig & Divide days for the BCMGA Plant sale. The Plant Sale Team is working on growing the inventory for our May 2023 sale NOW! We are hoping to reach this year’s goal of 40% of the plants in our inventory coming from Dig and Divides. That’s still a LOT of plants that need to get potted up in a very short time frame and we need help to do it. Please consider coming to some of the upcoming work sessions listed below. Contact Leslie Hauser at lesliehauser107 (at) gmail.com or 702-340-6513, if you have any questions or need help finding us.
      • Tuesday, October 25 10:00am – Dig at Jennifer Klammer’s Garden, 3343 NW Silktassel Dr.11:15am – Divide at Nellie Oehler’s farm, 5570 SW West Hills Rd.
      • Thursday, October 27 11:15am – Divide only on this day at Nellie Oehler’s Farm, 5570 SW West Hills Rd.
      • Monday, October 31 10:00am – Dig at Alsie Campbell’s Garden, 1403 NW Alta Vista Dr. 11:15am – Divide at Nellie Oehler’s farm, 5570 SW West Hills Rd.
      • Thursday, November 3 10:00am – Dig at Calvin Community Garden, 1310 NW Cleveland Ave.11:15am – Divide at Nellie Oehler’s farm, 5570 SW West Hills Rd.
    • 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”. 
    • Office Plant Clinic sign-ups open: The office is open to the public on weekdays, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Sign up HERE. 
    • Demonstration Garden at 9:30 a.m.  You can access the garden through the RV park entrance to the Fairgrounds.  Sign-up is not required and drop-ins are welcome.  If you would like more information, please contact Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders (at) comcast.net or Dan Dix at ddix (at) verizon.net
    • Find more opportunities on the Benton 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.)
    • NEW – Prairie Plant Grant Opportunity! ***Apply by October 27th*** Do you have a volunteer project coming up this fall to plant a native prairie garden in a community space? This grant is not only for upland prairie plant diversity and the insects and other organisms that rely on it, but also for the human community. Learn more and apply.
    • NEW farm to school booster grants DUE November 8, 2022. Up to $2,000 for school garden projects (and maybe community garden projects)! Short application! Learn more and apply.

Benton Master Gardener eNews

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Bookmark our page: Find newsletter archives, volunteer handbook and more volunteer opportunities at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/activebentonlinnmg/

Share an item for eNews by contacting your program 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.


While flowering plants provide pollinators with food, insects also require shelter for nesting and overwintering. Most bees and wasps create nests in the soil or within dead plant stems or in cavities in wood. Many butterflies, wasps, moths, and lady beetles seek shelter in leaf litter and brush piles. Master Gardener volunteer Janet Morlan assembled some tips to reduce garden labor and protect pollinators. This is part of the Neighborhood Planter Kiosk series. Read Janet’s post for three things you can do to provide nesting & winter habitat.
  • Shout outs
    • Cocoon Care volunteer opportunities
      • This Thursday! Cocoon Care helper training 9/29 @10am-12pm OR 9/29 @6:30pm-8:30pm. This course is recommended for volunteers nd trainees who are helping at cocoon care events. Please email Ranee Webb at raneewebb66@gmail.com to RSVP. Report service as “educational event prep: indirect”.
      • Trainees welcome! Volunteer to help at Fall 2022 Mason Bee Cocoon Harvesting Classes. 10/8-10/25 (sites and times, including Corvallis). Assist instructors, support learners, and sell supplies. Some shifts are evenings or weekends. Learn more and RSVP. Report service as “instructor: direct”.
    • Volunteer service hours and continuing education are due 10/31. Log your participation here.
      • Congratulations to the growing group of trainees who have completed learning and service goals to earn their first Master Gardener Volunteer Certifications! Save the date for graduation and celebration on Saturday, November 19 from 2-4 in Tangent. 
      • Are you a trainee who needs help completing your service? I can email you plant clinic questions on demand! Or Schedule a visit about volunteering or contact Elizabeth Records.
  • BCMGA News
    • Meetings: Please see member email for meeting locations in person and/or online.
      • 10/10 – BCMGA board meeting 3:00-5:00.
      • 10/24 Membership meeting. The October membership meeting will be on Monday, October 24 rather than October 17.
        • Vote for 2023 BCMGA board members
        • Learn how to identify and report emerald ash borer with Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester.
    • NEW! From Jeff Stephens: The board has recently approved the Greenhouse Facility Committee! The committee is looking for several MG members to join in designing, building and maintaining our propagation growing space at Philomath High School. Please contact Jeff Stephens (Greenhouse Facility Chairperson) at jeffks023 (at) gmail.com if you would like to help, or if you have questions and/or ideas to share.
  • Volunteer opportunities:
    • New! 10/7-10/27 (various sites and times) Dig & Divide days for the BCMGA Plant sale. Contact Leslie at lesliehauser107 (at) gmail.com to be added to the email list or for more information.
    • 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”. 
    • Office Plant Clinic sign-ups open: The office is open to the public on weekdays, and volunteers can sign up for plant clinic shifts as desired, to answer client questions or practice skills. Sign up HERE. 
    • Demonstration Garden at 9:30 a.m.  You can access the garden through the RV park entrance to the Fairgrounds.  Sign-up is not required and drop-ins are welcome.  If you would like more information, please contact Denise Saunders at vdenisesaunders@comcast.net or Dan Dix at ddix@verizon.net
    • Find more opportunities on the Benton 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.)
    • Your extra pots are needed by the Plant Sale team. You can drop them off behind the shed at the Demonstration Garden at the fairgrounds.  
    • 10/8/2022 Houseplant & cuttings swap. 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Albany Library, 2450 14th Avenue SE. FREE, drop in. Please bring cuttings and starts of healthy houseplants to share. (Note, volunteer plant clinic spots for this event are filled, and volunteers serving at this event CAN earn service hours. Attending the event as a guest is not eligible for MGV service, but we hope you’ll bring and share houseplant cuttings!)

Benton Master Gardener eNews

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Bookmark our page: Find newsletter archives, volunteer handbook and more volunteer opportunities at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/activebentonlinnmg/

Share an item for eNews by contacting your program 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.

Master Gardener trainee H. Chris Smith wrote a blog post of top tips for stewarding pumpkin seeds for a new crop,
and enjoying them as tasty snacks.
Congratulations Chris on completing your service hours, and thanks for an informative post!
  • Shout outs
    • New volunteer opportunities – 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”. 
    • Volunteer service hours and continuing education are due 10/31. Congratulations to the growing group of trainees who have completed learning and service goals to earn their first Master Gardener Volunteer Certifications! Save the date for graduation and celebration on Saturday, November 19 from 2-4 in Tangent. 
    • Are you a trainee who needs help completing your service? Schedule a visit about volunteering or contact Elizabeth Records.
  • BCMGA News
    • 9/23 – BCMGA Membership Gathering/Picnic—Friday, September 23, 5:00-7:00 PM. RSVP to Janet Magedanz: jkmagedanz (at) gmail.com
    • 10/10 – BCMGA board meeting 3:00-5:00. Via board President: “We are looking at holding an in-person meeting but will keep the Zoom option. Below is the link to join via Zoom. I’ll include the location in my next Bi-Weekly Update.”
    • 10/24 Membership meeting. The October membership meeting will be on Monday, October 24 rather than October 17.
      • Vote for 2023 BCMGA board members
      • Learn how to identify and report emerald ash borer with Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester.
  • Volunteers needed
    • 9/20 & 9/27 – Plant Sale Propagation teams will be meeting every Tuesday in September from 9:00 -11:00am near the greenhouses on the west side of Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St. Bring gloves, pruners, your badge, and perhaps a bottle of water. No experience is necessary. We’ll get you started potting up baby plants in no time! Please RSVP to Leslie at lesliehauser107@gmail.com (or show up anyway if you forget). This year, with your help, the Plant Sale Team will be growing 60% of the propagated plants for our May Plant Sale at Philomath Highschool. The other 40% will be from a scaled-down Dig and Divide season beginning mid-September. Stay tuned for more info on how you can join us at Nellie’s house this fall!
      • September 20
      • September 27
    • 9/24 Fall 2022 Master Gardener BioBlitz. Grab your camera and join us on iNaturalist to capture the insects, birds, wild plants, and other wild organisms in your garden or a nearby community or public garden space. Your efforts will help to document garden biodiversity in Oregon! Online – all day. Learn more and join. Report the time as “citizen science: indirect”. 
    • Anytime – Become a Forest Pest Detector and report observations of potentially invasive species. Report hours as “citizen science: indirect”. Master Gardener volunteers in Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties may report time spent with training as continuing education, and times spent and spotting and reporting possible pests as “citizen science: indirect”.
    • Weekdays – 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. 
  • 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.)
    • Your extra pots are needed by the Plant Sale team. You can drop them off behind the shed at the Demonstration Garden at the fairgrounds.