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Linn 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.

Do you know how to identify emerald ash borer? On June 30, 2022, emerald ash borer (EAB), an exotic beetle that infests ash trees, was discovered in Forest Grove, Oregon, marking the first confirmation of the invasive pest on the West Coast. In Oregon, the establishment of EAB could devastate whole habitat types that are dominated by Oregon ash such as ash swales and sensitive riparian zones, as well as reduce urban forest cover. This pest has proven deadly to all ash species in North America and Europe, including the native Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia).

  • Shoutouts
    • Volunteer opportunity: Become a Forest Pest Detector and report observations of potentially invasive species. Report hours as “citizen science: indirect”.
    • Continuing education opportunity: Learn how to identify EAB and how to respond if it is found locally. Earn up to 1 hour of continuing education for following these steps:
      • Be alert: It is important to stop new outbreaks before they start. Early detection, coupled with rapid response, can stop the spread of new and emerging invasive species before they become established.
      • Learn to recognize ash trees.
      • Know how to identify the emerald ash borer:
        Insect identification: Adult: 7.5 to 13.5 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inch) long, slender, and metallic olive to emerald green; active June through July Larva: 2.6 to 3.2 cm (1 to 1.3 inches) long, creamy white, with bell-shaped segments; found under the bark throughout the year; causes damage to tree by eating tissue below the bark. See photos and learn the hosts, signs and symptoms.
      • Report sightings of emerald ash borer: Report online at the Oregon Invasive Species Council hotline.
      • Share information about emerald ash borer with others, including neighbors, fellow gardeners, hikers, mushroom hunters and campers.
      • Do not move or transport ash wood: Even after a tree has died or has been cut down, there is still the possibility for the emerald ash borer to be present in the wood. Keeping the wood on the same site as the infected tree can help to slow the spread of the insect.
  • Shoutouts
    • Linn Master Gardeners win award for pollinator newsletter! Congratulations to Linn County Master Gardener Association for winning the Marje Luce Search for Excellence from Oregon Master Gardener Association, for their publication Bee Notes.
    • In Memory – Marti Olsen. We were sad to learn that onetime Master Gardener volunteer Marti Olsen passed away in July 2022. Fellow volunteers recall that Marti truly loved gardening, especially roses. Marti, we miss you.
    • Save the date: Master Gardener Graduation and Celebration 11/19/22
    • Rich Little entomology learning opportunities
      • Starting soon – LIVE entomology workshops on August 18th from 10 am to 12 noon, and on September 15th 6-8 pm. These will be at the Linn Extension Office and open to both Linn and Benton County Master Gardeners. Sign up HERE.
      • Sign up now: 9/3 & 9/4 Plant Clinic at the State Fair. Free wristbands and parking permits will be mailed to participants as soon as they are available. Learn more and RSVP. Report service as Plant Clinic: Direct
  • Volunteers needed
    • Pop-Up Plant Clinics need people to “talk plants” with our communities. Sign up HERE. Report service as Plant Clinic: Direct
    • Trainees welcome – Demo Garden: Join us for work parties at the Linn Demo Garden on Wednesdays and/or Fridays from 10:00am-12:00pm. Report service as Educational Garden (Maintenance): Indirect.
  • Continuing education opportunities:    
    • Drop-in classes In the Demo Garden (free). Master Gardeners are teaming up to discuss gardening. Each session features a short talk, demonstrations and valuable information to take home. Planting your Garden—How and when to prepare the soil, plant, and transplant vegetables and ornamentals.
      • Plant a Fall Garden —It is not too late to plant a garden to enjoy in fall through winter. August 11th Thursday 6 pm
      • Growing & Using Herbs—Learn to start, grow and care for perennial and annual herbs. August 27th Saturday 10 am
      • Harvesting Fruits & Vegetables—How to determine the peak flavor and ripeness of fruits and vegetables. Sept 8th Thursday 10 am and 6 pm
    • Diagnostics desk sessions/Office plant clinic. Thursdays 1-3 – learn how to identify and solve insect and plant issues with longtime MGVs Rich and Susan. These two are retired scientists and coordinates of the BEEvent pollinator conference. Sign up and make sure to bring a sample to work on if there’s not one from a client.
    • Growing Oregon Gardeners – Level Up 2022:
  • 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.)
    • BNC (Basic Needs Center) Food Pantry Welcomes Produce from Home Gardens: The OSU BNC Food Pantry would love any extra produce from your gardens. Our community relishes fresh produce. If you have a surplus, contact the BNC (541-737-3747 / bnc@oregonstate.edu) for best time to drop off.

Linn MGV eNews

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  • Interested? Email elizabeth.records@oregonstate.edu
  • Work with staff, intern and a small-medium group of volunteers to create blogs and social media, based on OSU Garden Calendar and Master Gardener Program Priorities.
  • Work with staff and intern to review posts for copyediting, quality sources and consistency with OSU style guide.
  • Work with Extension staff and intern to publish posts to program blog
  • Create social media posts from blog highlights, using Canva templates provided.
  • Bonus activities: identify volunteer activities that tie into garden calendar items and enhance posts with video or photos from events.
  • Shoutouts
    • NEW! Trainees and returning volunteers! – Through the Garden Gate Tour needs volunteers. Train on 6/11, then volunteer on 6/18. Learn more and sign up HERE.
    • 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.
      • Sign up HERE.
      • 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
  • Volunteers needed
    • Trainees welcome – 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.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Linn Volunteer Opportunities Page
  • Continuing education opportunities:  Growing Oregon Gardeners – Level Up 2022:May 10: Growing Great Roses!
  • 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.)
    • Save the date for the 21st Annual Through the Garden Gate tour! Saturday June 18th, 202210:00 to 4:00, Six unique & artful Albany gardens. Tickets on sale June 1 at linnmastergardeners.com  
    • El laboratorio de abejas melíferas de la OSU y el OSBA presentan el programa de apicultor maestro de Oregón en español. Aprenda la biología de las abejas melíferas, el manejo de colonias estacionales, la producción de miel y más. No se necesita experiencia y no es necesario tener su propia colmena. ¡Y es GRATIS! Nuestros días de campo le presentarán el fascinante mundo de las abejas melíferas. Le prestaremos un velo y analizaremos las colmenas de abejas vivas. Aprenderá cómo manejar adecuadamente sus colonias con un enfoque en la salud, la nutrición, y la hibernación. Asista a los 3 días de campo (21 de mayo, 9 de julio y 10 de septiembre), reciba clases en línea y lleve registros. Responda una prueba al final del año y recibirá la primera certificación en el Programa de apicultor maestro de Oregón. Los días de campo se llevarán a cabo en el Apiario educativo de Oak Creek de la OSU en Corvallis. Le enviaremos detalles al registrarse. El espacio está limitado a 25 participantes. ¡Inscríbase hoy mismo! Los participantes deben ser mayores de 18 años.¿Está interesado? Inscríbase AQUÍ ¿Preguntas? Contacte a Carolyn Breece a carolyn.breece@oregonstate.edu

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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Volunteering outside? Be aware of the potential for heat related injuries. If you are planning an outdoor event (or in a greenhouse), please review this information on symptoms of heat injuries, and how to respond, HERE. Please discuss these topics with other volunteers. Time spent reviewing this may be counted as continuing education. Please also check heat index ahead of events, and consider postponing work if heat index is above “moderate”. 
  • Program updates: 
  • Shout outs
    • Volunteers needed – Visit the Benton County Volunteer opportunities page to sign up.
    • In-person plant clinic is back! Now – even more shifts available.
  • Continuing education (free to MGVs)
  • BCMGA updates
    • Board meeting information is now found in the President’s mailings.
  • Extension updates.
    • Featured plant clinic question: yellowing leaves on raised bed tomato. Can they replant tomatoes in the same bed each year?
    • Adult Learning and You. This is from a partner organization and comes highly recommended. It’s for people who teach farmers but the take-aways would apply well to MGVs and Extension staff teaching gardeners. You may report up to one hour of continuing education for reading this and writing about what you learned when reporting in VRS.
    • Elizabeth Records (program staff) now has a bookable calendar. Schedule a zoom, call or visit with me to plan volunteer activities, or just check in.
  • 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.)
    • Produce donations needed: Growing Ancestral Roots serves our community by working together to produce food in our backyards. They also grow at a local small farm focused on favorite veggies of international communities. To donate produce, please contact: sandie.cheung (at) gmail.com

Linn MGV eNews

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Demo garden harvest 2019. Got any new photos? Please share for future newsletters.
  • This is your eNews! Share your thoughts about the new format in this 3-minute survey.
  • Program updates: Big news – OSU’s is lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. County or local precautions may still apply to some activities – please contact Elizabeth Records for details as you plan to resume your programming. We’ll seek to offer a range of activities outside, inside and online, to serve volunteers and the public. Thanks as always for your collaboration and support. Get the latest information. 
  • Shout outs
    • Ranee Webb created a lovely blog entry about the history of BEEvent. A super special THANK YOU to those who worked around the clock to make this conference a reality in 2020.
    • Thank you Diane White and Bobbye Rainey for answering a record number of questions in plant clinic. This week: “what type of apple tree is this?”
    • Thank you Ann Capps and Erin Steinke for being on call to handle samples of soil and insects/plants.
  • Volunteers needed.
    • Interview partner organizations for the Oregon MGV Program Needs Assessment. We still need folks to interview tribes, Casa Latinos Unidos and the local school district, non-profit or government entity of your choice! Please sign up now so Linn County organizations are fully represented!
    • Demo garden
    • Visit the Linn County Volunteer opportunities page to sign up for these opportunities, and more.
  • Continuing education (free to MGVs unless noted with “$”)
  • LCMGA updates
    • Board meeting info: see this week’s eNews email.
    • BeeNotes: did you know LCMGA members publish this just-in-time advice for mason bee enthusiasts? Check it out HERE and subscribe.
  • Extension updates
    • From Elizabeth Records: Thanks committee chairs for reaching out about planning new activities for reopening. At this point what I know is what I have shared out, but I have it from office managers that there may be some office or county-level guidelines we need to take into account. Once I have the details, I’ll share them out and we can plan next steps. Thank you always for your commitment to offering amazing programming.
  • 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.)
    • Seaders Tree Care has free wood chips. Call 541-360-2777 or email addiewenger@gmail.com
    • Know anyone who remembers the original Victory Gardens? An author would like to talk with them. Please contact: maggie@maggiestuckey.com