Tag Archives: Plant sale

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.

Jan 3 -Feb 28
Gearing Up For Gardening
12:00 pm – 12:00 pm Corvallis, OR
  • Shout outs
    • Via Elizabeth Records: “I have a new nickname – Elza. I am still fine with Elizabeth, too, but wanted to share a more informal option. I have never had a nickname that I like, but now I do!”
    • 12/16 Plant propagation @10am-12pm – Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate Street. We will seed perennials inside the greenhouse and also repot 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. 
    • The Extension office will be closed 12/24/2022 – 1/2/2023.
    • You are invited to meet 2023 applicants and share your experiences with being a Master Gardener! Please RSVP to Elza 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
    • Seeking project leaders – MLK Day of Service at Lupe’s Garden in Philomath. Collaborate with garden volunteers to construct a 3-bin compost system similar to this one and/or apply wood chips to paths. This type of service project is typically outside the MG wheelhouse but for MLK day we have the go-ahead to support a community organization with a hands-on task. Interested? Please contact Elza.
    • Help kids learn cultural connection and conservation at dual immersion schools in Corvallis! The Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership needs Master Gardener expertise for planning bird/pollinator and food gardens, and leading school volunteers and students in successfully installing the gardens. To learn more please contact Elza.
  • Extension News
    • Did you watch one or several of the webinars that were part of the Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series in 2021 or 2022?  If so, we would love to learn from you to get a better understanding of how you have used the information from the webinars.  Please complete this short survey, which should take no more than 5-10 minutes, and please submit your survey response by Monday, December 19th. Follow this link to the Survey: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40X575BBx513j3o Your responses will help us plan programs that fit the needs of gardeners across Oregon. Thank you!
    • Coffee chats are back for 2023! If you are a board member, committee chair, or engaged volunteer, this is a chance to visit informally with program staff (Elza). Learn more and sign up HERE.
  • BCMGA News
    • Membership Meeting: The first membership meeting of the new year will be held on Monday, January 30 in the Sunset Room of the Sunset Building. It will also be available via Zoom. Please enter by the east side door rather than the front entrance if you attend in person. The speaker will be Stephanie Hazen who will discuss Monarch Butterflies and plants that support them beyond Milkweed. Doors open at 6:30, the program begins at 7:00.
    • OMGA would like to invite you to join in to help with the planning of our Joy of Gardening Conference 2023. Our first meeting is set for Friday, December 16 at 3 PM. Check the email newsletter for a link to join.
    • 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
      • 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!
      • Plant Problem Scenarios 2023- Calling all certified Master Gardeners! Join the fun! Meet and get to know the 2023 Master Gardeners Trainees and help prepare them for the help desk and clinic tables. Are you a  recent graduate? Participating as a facilitator in Plant Problem Scenarios will be an excellent way to get acquainted with experienced facilitators.  And our introduction/refresher sessions for facilitating the scenarios will not only sharpen up your skills but also be a fantastic time for new and experienced MGs to socialize.
        • We will be holding the group leader training sessions on Wed Jan 11, 2023, at the Benton County Extension office conference room (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm).  Sign-ups coming soon! 
        • For the 2023 trainees, we will be conducting four scenario sessions in February (Feb 2, 9, 16, 23) from (10:30  to 11:45  ) in the Benton County Extension Sunset room.  Each session will end with a presentation by 2-3 committee chairs and a brown bag meet and greet.  The facilitators will work in teams of 2.  Don’t worry if you are new to PPS, we will pair you up with someone who is experienced. Note: You do not have to attend all four sessions! (Although we would love it if you did!) 
        • Contact Deb Kern (NewfandCardi@gmail.com) or Ann Brodie (annbrodie143@comcast.net) for more details. 
      • 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.)
    • 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.
    • Jan 14 Community Seed Swap – Albany Library 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Albany, OR

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.

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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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 MGV eNews

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Plant sale
Proceeds benefit gardening education.
Benton County Fairgrounds – 110 SW 53rd St Corvallis, OR 97389 Solar Barn & Floral Courtyard May 7, 2022 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • The 2022 Plant Sale is on! 
    • We are planning a debrief meeting after the Plant Sale so we can continue to make it better. If you have comments to share after the sale, you can attend the meeting on Tuesday, May 10, at 1:00 in the Extension Conference Room. Or send your thoughts to Kathy Clark at bobandkathyclark@gmail.com. Thanks, Kathy
  • Correction: Debbie Lauer’s email address had an error in eNews. The correct email for Debbie is DSL2017@peak.org
  • Shoutouts
    • Volunteer opportunity: Trainees and other Volunteers Welcome at the Fairgrounds Demonstration Garden. The BCMGA maintains a demonstration garden at the Benton County Fairgrounds to demonstrate planting possibilities, practices and techniques for home vegetable gardens.  It is supported by a small but lively group of volunteers who have a lot of fun working in the garden and learning from each other.  We would love to have new volunteers – no experience is necessary.  We are currently meeting on Wednesdays 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
    • Clinic Table Volunteers Needed! We will be holding three clinic tables at special events this spring. Both certified Master Gardeners and Trainees are needed. This is a great opportunity for mentors and trainees to work together! SIGN UP HERE.
      • –May 21 is the Poultry Swap and Homesteading Fair, 10:00 to 4:00 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Volunteers will work shifts of 2-4 hours depending on the number of volunteers.
      •  –May 28 is the NAACP Great Tomato Giveaway, 10:00-12:00 at the Southtown Co-op. This event is in partnership with the Linn Benton chapter of the NAACP and Crescent Valley High School Students for Environmental Change.
      • –June 18 is Quilts in the Garden. Details on hours and locations are still being worked out.
  • BCMGA news
    • Next Board Meeting is Monday, May 10, 3:00 – 5:00. Please see Board President’s newsletter for directions on how to participate.
  • Volunteers needed
    • Online Plant Clinic – check for messages on evenings and weekends. Volunteer from anywhere with an internet connection. Enroll HERE.
    • 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. If you’re a trainee, please wait to connect with a mentor, before enrolling.
    • Farmer’s Market Clinic Table! It’s time for the outdoor farmer’s market in downtown Corvallis. 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.
  • Continuing education opportunities:  
  • 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.)
    • Dry Farming Institute Spring Fundraiser. Do you want to experiment with dry farming or minimal irrigation? These top-performing drought tolerant crop varieties are a good place to start! Thank you for supporting the Dry Farming Institute. The deadline for pre-ordering plants has passed. We will be selling plants at the Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group plant sale at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene on May 7th, from 9am to 2pm.
    • 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  

Benton 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.
  • Correction: Debbie Lauer’s email address had an error in eNews. The correcte email for Debbie is DSL2017@peak.org
  • Shoutouts
    • Returning volunteers – need a replacement badge? Order them HERE.
  • BCMGA news
    • Please spread the word about the upcoming Plant Sale on May 7! If you’re on Facebook please like and share. Check out the Board President’s newsletter for more sharing opportunities.
    • Next Board Meeting is Monday, May 10, 3:00 – 5:00
  • Volunteers needed
    • Online Plant Clinic – check for messages on evenings and weekends. Volunteer from anywhere with an internet connection. Enroll HERE.
    • 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. If you’re a trainee, please wait to connect with a mentor, before enrolling.
    • Farmer’s Market Clinic Table! It’s time for the outdoor farmer’s market in downtown Corvallis. 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.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. Ready to sign up?? Click HERE to find exact shifts, times and job descriptions.
  • Continuing education opportunities:  
  • 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
    • 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:
      • Jana Lee, Research Entomologist  jana.lee@usda.gov
      • Paul Ryan ryanp@oregonstate.edu

Benton MGV eNews

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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.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Benton Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education opportunities:  
  • OSU Extension MGV Program news
    • 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/

Benton MGV eNews

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Save the date! In-person plant sale is back for 2022! See Volunteer opportunities for a chance to help grow plants for this fundraiser!
  • Program Updates

Via OSU Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, here is the latest on OSU’s public health measures. OSU’s policy of vaccine carding for certain events is going away, and most indoor settings will become mask-optional. Understanding that our community has a wide range of needs around these issues, the local Master Gardener program will continue to offer a selection of activities including inside, outside and online.

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.
    • Find ongoing and anytime opportunities on the Benton Volunteer Opportunities Page.
  • Continuing education opportunities:
    • 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.