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Meet the Coordinator—Nicole Sanchez 

Nicole smiling outside in front of a tree, with a yellow flower in her hair.

Associate Professor of Practice in Horticulture serving Klamath, Harney, and Lake counties 

For the past 10 years, Nicole has served gardeners across Klamath, Harney, and Lake counties, providing research-based horticulture education for home gardeners, commercial growers, and Master Gardener volunteers. Her career in horticulture spans decades, from floral design and botanical gardens to Extension, where she continues to help gardeners adapt to the unique challenges of south-central Oregon. 

I spoke with Nicole about her journey into horticulture, what makes gardening in her areas unique, and why she enjoys working with Master Gardener volunteers. 

Quick Facts 

Position: Associate Professor of Practice in Horticulture 

Region: Klamath, Harney, and Lake counties 

Years with Extension: 10 

Favorite insect: Big-eyed bug (Geocoris punctipes) 

Beginner plant recommendation: Leafy greens for vegetable gardens; iris for perennial gardens 

Background 

Nicole’s interest in gardening began by following her grandfather through the vegetable garden, asking questions as he worked. 

“I just had a really special affinity for my grandfather… if he was doing it, I wanted to be doing it too.” 

She credits those early experiences with inspiring her career in horticulture and even dedicated her graduate thesis to him. 

Her path into horticulture wasn’t traditional. While in high school, she attended a vocational horticulture program, where she discovered a talent for floral design and began working in the industry at just 16 years old. By age 19, she was managing the floral department of a garden center. 

Rather than attending college immediately, Nicole spent years working in horticulture before earning her bachelor’s degree in horticulture and master’s degree in entomology from the University of Tennessee. 

Looking back, she says waiting to attend college was the right decision for her. 

“It’s different for everybody. We all have our own different paths.” 

Gardening in South-Central Oregon 

Gardening in Klamath, Harney, and Lake counties means learning to work with a challenging climate. 

According to Nicole, gardeners commonly face: 

  • Short growing seasons and late spring or early summer frosts 
  • Cool nighttime temperatures, even during the hottest part of summer 
  • Large swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures 
  • Low humidity and limited summer precipitation 

Many warm-season vegetables struggle under these conditions because cool nights repeatedly slow their growth, even when plants appear healthy. 

Nicole says this is where Master Gardener volunteers make an important difference by helping gardeners understand local growing conditions and sharing practical strategies, such as season extension techniques and watering in the morning. 

“There’s just so many pressures on being successful in some kinds of gardening, and actually, you know, that’s one of the important ways that Master Gardeners can help in my community, is by sharing that information.” explained Nicole. 

Because many new residents have gardened successfully elsewhere, she often helps people adjust their expectations for gardening in south-central Oregon. 

Favorite Garden Lesson 

Even experienced horticulturists learn by trial and error. Shortly after moving to Klamath Falls, Nicole filled her new garden with plants purchased at the local Master Gardener plant sale. While she was away at a meeting in Corvallis, a mid-June freeze killed the tender plants. Earwigs finished off many of the survivors. 

“$200 worth of my very first plants that I planted here.” 

The experience quickly showed her why gardening in the region has a reputation for being challenging. 

Supporting Volunteers 

For Nicole, one of the most rewarding parts of the Master Gardener program is seeing the different strengths each volunteer brings. She enjoys learning from volunteers’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives and says the educational experience goes both directions. 

“It’s not a one-way street with the trainings in the Master Gardener program. We all learn from each other.” 

She also values the long-term relationships that develop through volunteer service and says people who are passionate about gardening and willing to volunteer their time have become some of her favorite people to work with. 

Community Partnerships 

Nicole works with several community partners to expand gardening education throughout the region. This year the program began offering plant clinics at independently owned local garden centers, meeting gardeners where they’re already shopping for plants. 

She also highlighted long-standing partnerships with the local museum, which shares space for classes and research projects, and the local Native Plant Society. According to Nicole, collaboration with the Native Plant Society has strengthened both organizations.

Quick Questions 

Favorite insect 

Nicole’s favorite insect is the big-eyed bug (Geocoris punctipes), a generalist predator that was the focus of her graduate research. She studied whether the insects could be reared successfully on an artificial diet and compared their ability to control aphids with insects collected from the wild. 

“I call it the insect that put me through grad school.” 

Plant recommendation for beginners 

For beginning vegetable gardeners, Nicole recommends starting with leafy greens because they are generally more reliable than fruiting crops, which often drop their fruit when stressed. 

For ornamental gardens, she recommends iris, which she says performs consistently well despite the region’s unpredictable weather. 

When it comes to trees, her advice is less about species and more about care. Gardeners should plan to water newly planted trees thoroughly for their first three years, she says, because the region receives too little growing-season precipitation for trees to become established without consistent irrigation. 

Nicole has created some helpful resources which are available to gardeners for free online, including the YouTube series Pruning With The Pros. This video series walks the viewer through a variety of challenges common in mature landscapes and offers suggestions on how they might be remedied.

With it being the hottest part of the summer in Oregon right now, the OSU Extension catalog publication Heat wave in the garden: How to identify and prevent heat stress in plants is another notable resource from Nicole.

This is part of a series of stories we are featuring about the people of the OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program in celebration of our 50th anniversary. With +1,800 amazing volunteers and 30 faculty and staff we hope you are as inspired as we are by their dedication joy and impact that they make across the state. 

If you’d like to share your Master Gardener story, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your volunteer story here: https://beav.es/mgstory 

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Meet Amy Howes, Master Gardener volunteer 

One of the reasons Amy Howes joined the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Program was to become more connected to the Central Oregon community while learning more about horticulture. What Amy didn’t expect was how quickly those connections would grow. In just a few months, the program has opened doors to new friendships, mentors and opportunities to serve, reinforcing that being a Master Gardener volunteer is about much more than plants. It’s about building stronger communities through shared knowledge, relationships and a love of gardening. 

Finding community through gardening 

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the 2026 Deschutes County Master Gardener trainee cohort,” Amy said. “One of the reasons I joined the program was to become more connected to my community while deepening my horticultural knowledge, and I never imagined how quickly those connections would begin to grow.” 

In just a few short months, Amy has met educators, horticulturists, volunteers, nursery professionals and community leaders who all share a common goal of helping Central Oregon become a healthier, more resilient and more connected place. 

“What has been especially rewarding is seeing how willing people are to share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with others,” Amy said. 

That spirit of collaboration has already led to opportunities Amy never expected, including becoming involved with the High Desert Horticultural Center and learning more about its vision for expanding horticultural education and creating a future native botanic garden in Central Oregon. 

“The experience has reinforced something I suspected when I applied: that the Master Gardener Program is about much more than plants,” Amy said. “It’s about people, relationships and finding meaningful ways to contribute to the community.” 

Creating opportunities to connect 

Amy says the program has expanded the sense of what’s possible. 

“I joined hoping to learn more about gardening, but I have also found mentorship, inspiration and new opportunities to serve,” Amy said. “The connections I’ve made through the Master Gardener Program are already opening doors I never expected, and I’m excited to see where those relationships lead.” 

Why Master Gardener volunteers matter 

Amy believes the need for Master Gardener volunteers continues to grow because people are looking for meaningful ways to connect—with nature, their communities and one another. 

“We live in a world where so much of our time is spent indoors and online, yet some of the most meaningful learning still happens when people get outside, get their hands in the soil and share knowledge with others,” Amy said. 

Whether answering questions at a plant clinic, supporting a demonstration garden, teaching a class or simply talking with a neighbor, Master Gardener volunteers help make research-based horticultural knowledge more accessible while encouraging stewardship of the places people call home. 

“Small actions, multiplied across a community, can have a remarkable impact.” 

Share your story 

We’d also love to hear from you. 

Whether you are currently volunteering or were part of the Master Gardener Program in the past, your story matters. What has this program meant to you? What are you proud of? How has gardening, volunteering or being part of this community shaped your life? 

Share your Master Gardener story with us. beav.es/mgstory 

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Meet the coordinator—Amy Jo Detweiler

Horticulture Professor and Extension Horticulturist serving Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties 

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program, we’re featuring stories about coordinators and volunteers. Let’s get to know Amy Jo Detweiler and hear about her path to Extension, what makes gardening east of the Cascades unique and the volunteers who continue to inspire her. 

For more than 27 years, Amy Jo has helped gardeners across Central Oregon navigate some of Oregon’s more challenging growing environments. As the Extension horticulturist serving Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, she works with Master Gardener volunteers to answer gardening questions, maintain demonstration gardens and provide research-based education throughout the region. 

Quick facts 

Position: Horticulture Professor and Extension Horticulturist 

Region: Central Oregon—Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties 

Years with Extension: 27.5 years 

Favorite insect: Western swallowtail butterfly 

Beginner plant recommendation: Lettuce or carrots for vegetables penstemons for perennials and crabapples for ornamental trees.

Background 

Amy Jo didn’t originally plan on a career in horticulture. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology with a human health emphasis and initially considered a career in healthcare. That changed after spending a summer working as an outdoor adventure guide. 

“After being outside for a couple of months… I realized I really wanted to be working more in an outdoor environment with something related to nature and biology.” 

She returned to school to study landscape horticulture at Colorado State University, where she also worked in a nursery and gained firsthand experience helping home gardeners. When an Extension position opened in Central Oregon, the similarities between Colorado’s high desert climate and Central Oregon made it an ideal fit. 

Although she hadn’t previously managed volunteers, she was excited to combine horticulture education with community engagement. 

Gardening in Central Oregon 

Gardening in Central Oregon comes with unique challenges. The region sits in the rain shadow of the Cascade Range, receiving a very small amount of rainfall especially during the growing season. 

According to Amy Jo, gardeners contend with: 

  • Short growing seasons (as little as 90 days in some areas) 
  • Sandy, volcanic soils that drain quickly 
  • Irrigation needs throughout the summer 
  • Frost that can occur nearly any time of year 

“We can get frost any day of the year. There’s been snow on the Fourth of July.” 

These conditions make plant selection and water management especially important for local gardeners. 

Favorite garden lesson 

Even experienced horticulturists have garden failures. One of Amy Jo’s favorite trees, the Vanderwolf pine, refused to thrive after being planted in one of the demonstration gardens. Despite multiple attempts, the tree never established successfully. 

After the original tree failed to establish, another Vanderwolf pine was planted in a different location. This time, it thrived.“It’s all learning.” 

The experience reinforced one of gardening’s most important lessons: sometimes success depends as much on the site as it does the plant. 

Supporting volunteers 

After nearly three decades with Extension, Amy Jo says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching volunteers dedicate their time to helping others learn. Some Master Gardener volunteers in Central Oregon have served alongside her for more than 25 years. That is much longer than the average volunteer commitment. 

Just as meaningful are the friendships that develop through the program. 

“I didn’t anticipate the relationships that come out of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program.” 

Over the years, she’s watched volunteers become lifelong friends, creating connections that extend well beyond the garden. 

Community partnerships 

Amy Jo highlighted two long-standing partners with City of Bend Water Conservation Program and the Bend Park & Recreation District. According to Amy Jo, the partnerships have helped support the Water-Wise Gardening in Central Oregon  publication and provided land and infrastructure for demonstration and community gardens, including fencing and irrigation. 

Quick questions 

Favorite insect 

“The western swallowtail butterfly just really does bring me joy to see that in the garden fluttering around”

Amy Jo also enjoys observing the wide variety of native pollinators that visit demonstration gardens, from tiny native bees to flies and other beneficial insects. 

Plant recommendation for beginners 

For beginning vegetable gardeners, Amy Jo recommends starting with lettuce or carrots because they’re easy to grow from seed and give gardeners a good chance of harvesting something successfully. 

For gardeners interested in perennials, she recommends penstemons, noting that many native species perform well in Central Oregon and help attract native pollinators. 

For those looking to plant an ornamental tree, Amy Jo suggests crabapples, which she says establish well and perform reliably in the region. 

This is part of a series of stories we are featuring about the people of the OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program in celebration of our 50th anniversary. With +1,800 amazing volunteers and 30 faculty and staff we hope you are as inspired as we are by their dedication joy and impact that they make across the state. 

If you’d like to share your Master Gardener story, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your volunteer story here: https://beav.es/mgstory 

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Seed to Supper is growing knowledge, community and possibility: 2026 update

classroom setting with Seed to Supper participants

Across Oregon, something powerful is happening in gardens, classrooms and community spaces.

The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Seed to Supper program continues to grow — not just in numbers, but in depth, reach and impact. In 2026, the program is evolving in meaningful ways, while staying rooted in its purpose: helping people who are food insecure learn to grow and prepare their own food.

And this year, that work feels especially alive.

What’s new in 2026

This year marks an important step forward for Seed to Supper, with new tools and content designed to make learning more accessible, engaging and relevant.

A new activity library is now available to instructors statewide — something the program has never had before. Each session now includes multiple hands-on activities, contributed by facilitators and coordinators and informed by national resources. These activities are helping bring adult learning to life in new ways.

In response to participant feedback, a new container gardening component has also been introduced. This addition reflects a key reality: not everyone has access to land. Container gardening opens the door for more people to grow food in small spaces, making the program more inclusive and practical.

At the same time, a fully updated curriculum has been developed and is currently going through peer review — ensuring the program continues to be grounded in research-based, high-quality education.

And while these updates are being rolled out, classes across the state are already putting them into action.

group of happy students holding their graduation certificates
Umatilla County’s Siembra la cena class of 2026

Umatilla County: building connection through culture and community

In Umatilla County, Seed to Supper reached an important milestone this year: the first Spanish-language class offered in the region.

Facilitated by volunteer Rocio Arias Hansen, the class brought together 17 participants, with 15 completing the program. Participants ranged in age from 19 to over 70 and traveled from Hermiston, Umatilla and the Tri-Cities area.

“All participants were Hispanic,” Rocio shared. “And yes, this is the first time this course has been offered in Spanish through our Eastern region.”

The program was deeply rooted in partnership. The Migrant Education Program and the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides provided classroom space, helped recruit participants and contributed food and raffle prizes.

“I am very grateful for their unconditional support,” Rocio said.

“Our culture deeply values gathering and spending time together — this is about more than gardening.”

—Rocio Aria Hansen

The response from participants was clear: they wanted more.

“They would like more hours to cover the topics in greater depth, more hands-on classes, and additional trainings like this one,” she said. “There were also many messages of appreciation for the program and for the opportunity to learn.”

But what stood out most was what happened beyond the classroom.

“To maintain the group’s enthusiasm, I reached out to the community garden coordinator to request space where participants can continue meeting,” Rocio explained. “Starting after the second week of May, we will meet once a week to check on our plants.”

She added, “Our culture deeply values gathering and spending time together, and this will be a great opportunity to strengthen that sense of connection and foster unity within the group.”

For Rocio, the experience was transformative.

“I believe this is just the beginning of something very important for our Hispanic community. They clearly demonstrated both interest and need, which motivates me to continue this work.”

Jackson County: meeting people where they are

In Jackson County, the program is taking place in a very different setting — but with the same core purpose.

Classes are being held at Rogue Retreat sites, including The Crossings, serving people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and working toward stability.

Facilitator and Master Gardener Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic described the environment as one of support and rebuilding: “People are working to reconnect with family, find jobs and secure housing. This class becomes part of that journey.”

The program is designed with intention, adapting to the realities of participants’ lives.

For example, lessons include recipes that don’t require cooking — recognizing that not everyone has access to a kitchen.

“They’re really interested in things like microgreens and sprouts,” Grace said. “And we’re focusing on foods that are fresh, simple and accessible.”

“This class becomes part of people’s journey toward stability.”

—Grace Florjancic

Each session includes shared meals, often using Food Hero recipes, creating space for conversation and connection alongside learning.

The physical space also supports hands-on learning, with raised garden beds, classroom areas and even an outdoor kitchen.

“It’s nice that with the great structure of the program, it’s also customizable to what the class may be most interested in, or specific to their needs,” Grace said.

Participants are actively engaged — planting peas and spinach, exploring soil and composting, and building knowledge they can use right away.

“We’ve got an excited crew,” she said.

Josephine County: responding to need with creativity and scale

In Josephine County, demand for Seed to Supper exceeded expectations.

“We shot for a class of 18, but we got 31 — not counting the kids,” shared facilitator and Master Gardener volunteer Isaiah Davidson. “We have about 35 people total.”

Recruitment was intentional and direct.

“I got in my truck one day and brainstormed: housing services, food access points, women’s shelters, check cashing places — where do people go who need this?” he said.

The result was a diverse group of participants, many connected through social services or court-mandated programs.

And the response?

“Everybody loves it.”

The program has been supported by strong community partnerships, including donations from local businesses providing compost, materials and plant starts.

Participants who didn’t have space to garden were given access to raised beds, including newly renovated community garden plots.

“We took a community garden that needed help and created space for students to grow,” Isaiah explained.

“We asked: where do people go who need this? And we went there.”

–Isaiah Davidson

The impact doesn’t stop when the classes end.

“We’ll be there all summer,” he said. “Showing up once a week so people can ask questions and keep learning.”

For Isaiah, who completed Master Gardener training in 2023, the experience has been deeply personal.

“It’s been a learning experience — I’ve never done this before. But as the weeks go on, I get better.”

And the need is clear.

“We’re looking at running it twice a year, based on the demand.”

Columbia County: expanding access and growing participation

In Columbia County, a simple shift led to the biggest Seed to Supper turnout the program has ever seen.

Master Gardener coordinator Janhvi Pandey and her team have long focused on making the program accessible by offering classes in five locations — St. Helens, Scappoose, Vernonia, Rainier and Clatskanie — reducing the need for participants to travel long distances.

“The goal is simple: make the program easy to access by bringing it closer to where people live,” Janhvi shared.

This year, they made one key change. Instead of separate flyers and registrations for each site, Janhvi created a single, combined flyer with all class schedules and one registration link.

“I did it just to streamline everything,” she said. “But it turned out to be a big hit.”

The result was their highest participation ever — 79 registrations, far exceeding expectations.

Participants were also given flexibility to attend sessions at different locations if needed, making it easier to stay engaged throughout the course.

Strong partnerships continue to be at the heart of the program. This year, collaborations included local food banks in St. Helens and Rainier, the Scappoose Public Library, Clatskanie Farmer Collective, Community Action Team and local churches. These partnerships helped reach more people and provide additional support, including gardening supplies, plant sale coupons and a class from Certified Master Food Preservers on how to use and preserve what participants grow.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.

“They made it feel like I can do it,” one participant shared.

Others described the course as “easy to understand and follow along — even with literally no experience,” and appreciated the practical handouts and resources that made gardening feel achievable. Across evaluations, participants reported increased confidence and a strong intention to grow their own food.

“The class didn’t want it to end — so we extended it.”

—Janhvi Pandey

At each site, hands-on learning has been a highlight.

In St. Helens, participants have been germinating seeds and tending early crops — including a surprising success with strawberries.

“Strawberries can be difficult from seed, so I warned the class we might not see success,” the facilitator said. “But here we are.”

In Rainier, participants didn’t want the program to end after six weeks.

“The class didn’t want it to end,” the facilitator shared. “So we extended it by two additional weeks to spend more time in the garden.”

For Janhvi, these moments reflect what makes Seed to Supper so impactful: removing barriers, meeting people where they are, and building confidence through shared learning.

This year’s changes made the program more connected, more flexible and more accessible — and the response from the community shows just how much that matters.

Growing more than food

Across all of these stories, a few things stand out.

Seed to Supper is not just a gardening program.

It is:

• a bridge to community
• a response to real, immediate needs
• a space for learning, connection and dignity
• a way to share knowledge that can change daily life

It is also a program shaped by the people who lead it — volunteers, staff and partners who are deeply committed to meeting communities where they are.

And in 2026, with new tools, expanded content and growing partnerships, that impact is only increasing.

As Rocio said, “This is just the beginning.”

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10 ways chapters can support the Master Gardener program through the new merchandise store 

Master Gardener associations play an essential role in supporting the Master Gardener program—through time, energy and fundraising. That shared support is what allows the program to grow, reach more communities, and continue its impact across Oregon.

We’re excited about this simple way to do that: the official OSU Extension Master Gardener merchandise store.

This store was created in response to what volunteers have asked for—high-quality, garden-inspired items they can wear and use with pride. But it’s more than that. Every purchase directly supports the Master Gardener program—helping fund training, resources and statewide initiatives that make all of our local work possible.

It’s an easy way for both associations and individual volunteers to give back to the program we’re all part of—without organizing a fundraiser, managing inventory, or taking on extra work.

Whether it’s a hat for the garden, a tote for the market or a shirt that starts conversations, these items help build visibility, pride and connection—while supporting the future of the program.

Visit the store and shop here: beav.es/gardening 

10 ways chapters can support the program through the store

Looking for simple ways to share this with your volunteers and community? Here are a few ideas:

Include the store in your next newsletter
Add a short blurb and link encouraging volunteers to shop and support the program.

Share on social media
Post a favorite item and remind followers that purchases support the Master Gardener program.

Add a QR code at events
Display a sign at plant sales or workshops: “Support the Master Gardener program—shop here.”

Feature a “product of the month”
Highlight one item in your communications to keep the store top of mind.

Encourage volunteers to wear merch at events
Visibility builds interest—and often leads to more purchases.

Include in new members orientation
Let trainees know this is one way to support the program from the start.

Recognize volunteers with merch
Instead of (or alongside) traditional gifts, encourage purchases that support the program.

Pair with existing fundraising efforts
Promote the store as an additional way to give—especially for those who prefer a tangible item.

Share photos of volunteers wearing merch
Create a “Master Gardeners in the wild” moment and build excitement.

Mention it in meetings and announcements
A quick reminder goes a long way in building awareness and participation.

Supporting the Master Gardener program doesn’t always have to be complex. Sometimes, it can be as simple as what you wear, carry, or gift—while helping ensure the program continues to grow for years to come.

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Introducing the official Master Gardener merchandise store

For years, we’ve heard it from Master Gardener volunteers across Oregon:
We want something we can wear proudly. Something that represents what we do.

Today, we’re excited to share that it’s here.

We’ve officially launched the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener merchandise store—a place where volunteers and gardeners alike can find high-quality, garden-inspired items that reflect the pride, knowledge, and community of this program.

This has been nearly a year in the making. Because this is the first effort of its kind within OSU Extension, we took the time to build it thoughtfully—and to do it right. We partnered with Overture Promotions, an OSU-approved vendor authorized to produce items using OSU branding. (That matters, because products featuring the OSU name and Master Gardener identity must be created through approved channels.)

Just as importantly, we wanted these to be items you’d actually want to wear and use—not throwaway promotional pieces, but well-made products that hold up in the garden, in your daily life and out in the community.

And in this milestone year, it felt especially important to do it now.
As we celebrate 50 years of the Master Gardener Program, volunteers finally have the opportunity to wear and share the 50th anniversary mark with pride.

What you’ll find in the store

The current collection includes:

  • 50th anniversary t-shirts and sweatshirts
  • Official OSU Master Gardener fleece vest and jacket (including Columbia Sportswear options)
  • Three different hat styles
  • Tumblers, tote bags, and a denim apron

You’ll also find designs inspired by our work and values, including Garden Future and native plants.

Coming later this month:

  • 50th anniversary patches and magnets
  • Sticker packs

We’ll continue to introduce new items throughout the year, including seasonal designs and limited-edition t-shirts.

Why it matters

Every purchase supports the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program—helping sustain training, outreach and community education across Oregon.

These items are a way to:

  • Represent the program in your community
  • Start conversations about gardening
  • Celebrate your role as a volunteer
  • Share your passion with others

You might wear your gear alongside your volunteer badge at an event, or use it at home in your own garden. Either way, it’s a visible way to show what this program means to you.

Share it and shape it

The store is open to the public, so we encourage you to share it widely with your networks: beav.es/gardening

We also want this to reflect the creativity of this community.
If you have ideas for products or designs, we’d love to hear them:
mastergardener@oregonstate.edu

For Master Gardener Associations, this may also be an opportunity to support your members—consider purchasing items like stickers or magnets to share with your volunteers.

And if you’ve ever stood behind a table at an event, you already know: a good apron goes a long way. Having your own means you can use it both at home and while volunteering.

Thank you for being part of this program—and for helping grow it into what it is today.

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A message from statewide program leader, Leslie Madsen

Dear Master Gardener volunteers, 

Today is Dam Proud Day, and I’m asking you to make a gift of any amount to support the statewide OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. 

This year, we are one of only three Extension programs selected to be featured. In our 50th anniversary year, that is both an honor and a powerful opportunity to show how much this program matters across Oregon. 

Every gift helps fund the statewide work that strengthens county programs and supports volunteers like you — including the Master Gardener training course, Garden Future, Seed to Supper and the tools, resources and support that help coordinators and volunteers serve their communities. 

One great example is Seed to Supper. 

This year, we launched a new activity library with updated hands-on learning tools designed for adult learners, along with a new container gardening component in direct response to what participants asked for most. The full curriculum has also been revised and modernized and is now moving through OSU’s peer review process. 

Meanwhile, classes are going strong across Oregon. 

In Umatilla County, Rocio Arias Hansen volunteered to bring the first Spanish-language Seed to Supper class to her community and recently completed the region’s first Spanish-language course with 15 participants from Hermiston, Umatilla and the Tri-Cities area. 

She recently shared with us: 

“This is just the beginning of something very important for our Hispanic community. Participants asked for more hands-on classes, more time together and even a second course offering. They also asked if we could offer food preservation classes. They clearly demonstrated both interest and need, which motivates me to continue this work. 

To keep the group’s enthusiasm going, we are arranging space in a community garden where participants can continue meeting, practice what we learned and ask questions outside the formal program. In our culture, gathering and spending time together is deeply valued, and this will be a great opportunity to strengthen connection and foster unity within the group.” 

That is exactly what this program does best — it creates knowledge, confidence and community. 

Across Oregon, Master Gardener volunteers show up. You answer questions, teach neighbors, support local food systems, care for gardens and help communities become more resilient. 

Today is our chance to show the broader OSU community what we already know: this program matters. 

Dam Proud Day is about collective action. It is about many people giving what they can, all in one day, to support something they believe in. I hope you will join me today by making a gift and helping us continue this work for the next 50 years. Let’s show what Master Gardener volunteers can do when we grow together. 

Warmly, 

Leslie Madsen 
Statewide Program Manager  
OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program 

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Meet Pat Patterson: 50 year OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Pat tending to her cucumber plant
Pat Patterson was one of the original OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers when the program started in Oregon in 1976. Photos by Lynn Ketchum.

From chance to legacy: original Master Gardener marks 50 years

When the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener Program launched in 1976, Pat Patterson wasn’t the one in her family who planned to sign up.

Her husband, Robert, was.

“He was going to take the course,” Patterson said. “We were both graduate assistants at the University of Oregon and his classes conflicted, and so I just walked in and took his place. Talk about fate.”

That moment set Patterson on a path that has spanned five decades. Now 87, she remains the program’s longest-serving volunteer — still answering gardening questions from her home on a 10-acre farm near Noti.

The Master Gardener Program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. Operating in 27 counties, Oregon State University Extension Service trains thousands of volunteers who serve as educators, neighbors and on-the-ground researchers in their communities.

Master Gardener volunteers provide science-based, sustainable gardening information through plant clinics, workshops and community projects — helping Oregonians grow food, steward natural resources and make informed decisions in a changing environment.

The program began in 1976 in Lane County and the Portland metro area with just a few dozen participants. Today, it is a statewide network connecting university research with communities across Oregon.

From the start, Patterson said, the program was different than a garden club.

“A garden club is a social club basically made up of gardeners who swap their stories, do garden sales and so forth,” she said. “Ours requires constant retraining every year. We must recertify, because science changes. It was like going to college. So, it was a very, very deep learning curve, even though I had been gardening for most of my life. I had not been gardening scientifically.”

Early days: meeting a growing need

Patterson was part of a cohort of about 20 volunteers in Lane County. There were no fees, and much of the instruction came from university faculty as OSU Extension built the program from the ground up.

After training, volunteers didn’t staff formal clinics. Instead, they set up wherever they could.

“We would go to any venue that would give us a table,” Patterson said. “We’d sit there with our manuals, and people would come ask us questions. It was kind of scary at first.”

At the time, demand for reliable gardening information was high.

“There was a huge amount of information out there that was not good,” she said.

That need continues today, Patterson said, as gardeners navigate misinformation online, climate variability and evolving best practices.

Inside the Extension office, the program quickly formed strong connections across disciplines.

“It became a very close family,” Patterson said. “We were connected to forestry, to home economics and 4-H — everything.”

From generalists to specialists

As the program evolved, so did its approach to education.

“What we are now is a club of specialists,” Patterson said. “That wasn’t before. We were all generalists before; now we’re all specialists.”

Patterson’s own role expanded over time. After completing the program, she was hired as a horticulture assistant in Lane County, a position she held until 2006.

“I retired being in the office as a paid person,” she said, smiling.

Her volunteer work never stopped.

Through the online “Ask Extension” service, Patterson has answered more than 23,000 gardening questions — part of what she estimates are tens of thousands of volunteer hours.

That kind of service, replicated by volunteers across the state, represents a significant public value: extending university expertise into communities, often at no cost to residents.

“Pat is an amazing person and has always been a joy to work with,” said Erica Chernoh, OSU Extension horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for Lane County. “She has jumped into just about every volunteer role out there, from teaching classes to leading committees to hosting a radio show.

“She has a wealth of horticultural knowledge, and her commitment to teaching and community building has strengthened our program and built long-lasting partnerships that continue to this day,” Chernoh said.

Gardening for everyone

One of Patterson’s most lasting contributions has been her work in adaptive gardening.

A longtime member of the Lane County Master Gardener Association’s adaptive gardening committee, she has helped make gardening more accessible to people with a wide range of abilities — from physical limitations to time and space constraints.

“I felt it was really important to allow people to garden no matter what,” she said. “No matter what their physical abilities were, no matter what their mental abilities were, no matter what their time abilities were — there was a way to get around it.”

Her approach reflects broader changes in gardening science and practice, including a shift toward sustainability and working with natural systems instead of relying on chemicals.

“I’m happy to say that science has changed,” Patterson said.

Instead, she emphasizes practices that support soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience.

“Garden smarter, not harder,” she said.

A lifelong connection

Patterson’s knowledge of plants stretches back decades, shaped by a lifetime of gardening and learning. She has taught classes, contributed to plant clinics and remained active in the gardening community even in retirement.

“Gardening is so great,” she said. “There’s always something you don’t know.”

Of the original Lane County cohort, Patterson was one of three who remained active for decades. She and fellow volunteers Juanita Manley and Phoebe Staples referred to themselves as the “Three Musketeers.”

Today, Patterson is the last surviving member of that original group — and the Master Gardener with the most years of service in the program’s history.

Why it matters now

As the Master Gardener Program marks its 50th anniversary, its role continues to grow in importance.

Across Oregon, residents are turning to gardening for food security, environmental stewardship and personal well-being. At the same time, they face new challenges — from climate change to invasive pests — that require reliable, science-based information.

Master Gardener volunteers help meet that need, serving as a bridge between university research and everyday practice.

For Patterson, that mission has been deeply personal.

“This has been my life and my family,” she said.

“I’m amazed at how much Extension has changed over those 50 years,” she said. “It has grown in ways that we would never have guessed.”

Still, the core remains the same: helping people succeed, one garden at a time.

From her farm outside Noti, Patterson continues that work — answering questions, sharing knowledge and staying engaged.

“Use it or lose it,” she said. “The more you’re challenged, the better chance you have of staying engaged.”

Today is OSU’s day of giving: please support the OSU Extension Master Gardener program by making a donation of any size. You can give online until midnight April 29th.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. If you are or ever have been a Master Gardener volunteer, we’d love to hear from you. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory

This story was first published on the OSU Extension Service website. Photos by Lynn Ketchum.

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Meet Colleen Rockwell, Master Gardener volunteer 

Note: early giving is open for Dam Proud Day! Please help support the program today, but first, be inspired by Colleen’s story….

When Colleen of Milwaukie became a Master Gardener, she found more than a community of fellow plant lovers. She found a way to partner with her community — connecting with local groups, city leaders and neighbors around a shared purpose. What started with learning about native plants grew into something bigger: helping launch the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate.

“I would not have started the Pollinator Pathway and Bee City journey without the Master Gardener program.”
Photo by Kelby Whittington

“The best part of being a Master Gardener is the people I meet and the community I have come to know.

Starting the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for the city of Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate is something I am especially excited and proud of.

Through that work, I have connected with local gardening groups, neighborhood district associations, the Rotary Club of Milwaukie, City Council and city staff, as well as the city of Beaverton.

I became a Master Gardener in 2019, and 2020 became a time to delve more deeply into the resources available to us. I kept coming back to the benefits of native plants. It was also a time to get outdoors for the sake of my physical and mental health, both of which I greatly needed.

Our hikes strengthened our family bonds. They gave us a greater appreciation for the land around us and the trees and plants that grew there. Those hikes strengthened us, both physically and mentally.

Growing plants and food gives us a sense of accomplishment and ownership. It grounds us, so to speak. It is peaceful and satisfying to see something grow.

I would not have started the Pollinator Pathway and Bee City journey without first being introduced to the Master Gardener program. In that first year, we were encouraged to participate in different volunteer activities so we could learn what interested us. For me, that interest was native plants.”

P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program— and giving is now open for Dam Proud Day. If this program has shaped your life, your garden or your community, consider making a gift today to help support the next 50 years. We’re also collecting stories from current and past Master Gardener volunteers. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory

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Meet Noelia Jimenez (Noë), Master Gardener volunteer

For Noë in Salem, the OSU Extension Master Gardener program became part of her healing. After deep personal loss, gardening gave her a place to begin again — and the people, knowledge and community she found helped her grow stronger in body, mind and spirit.  

“When community comes together, you build great connections and get to spread your knowledge with others.” — Noë, Salem 

“The Master Gardener program has helped me in more ways than one. After my mother and partner passed away, I fell into a depression. Gardening became a therapeutic outlet that helped me move through that grief, along with all the great people and connections I have made through the program. 

One of the things I value most is the knowledge you learn from everyone in this great program. 

The connections I have made have helped me learn more about gardening and how to heal on a deeper level — not only mentally, but physically, too. 

Since growing my own food and learning about the benefits of herbs, fruits and vegetables, I have lost 70 pounds over the last two years. I am no longer diabetic and physically, I am able to do a lot more. Mentally, I have overcome the depression that came after losing two very important people in my life. 

I think Master Gardener volunteers are needed more than ever because when community comes together, you build great connections with people and learn so many things. Then, you get to spread your knowledge with others, just like others have helped you. 

I am only a couple years in, but this program has gained a lifetime member. “

….

P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program
— and early giving is now open for Dam Proud Day. If this program has shaped your life,
your garden or your community, consider making a gift today to help support the next 50
years. We’re also collecting stories from current and past Master Gardener volunteers.
Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory