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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

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Meet Joe Hodge, Master Gardener volunteer

For Joe Hodge, the best thing about being a Master Gardener volunteer is “I feel like I’m giving back to my community. I’m not super involved with leadership or charitable organizations in my hometown, but with Master Gardeners, I feel like I’m a part of so many people learning. I know that I’m a valuable person who can help others live their lives better.”

Coaching and cheering on new volunteers is what Joe is most proud of: “I remember Master Gardener training as being a bit stressful with the huge amount of information coming our way (like drinking out of a firehose). So when our local chapter does Master Gardener training for new volunteers each year, I make sure to join our weekly Question and Answer Zoom meetings, hoping I can get across to the trainees that they really are special.

The friends who I have who are also Master Gardeners are the kinds of friends who you stay friends with.

I’m lucky enough to garden in a community garden, and when you see the others gardening alongside you, it always brightens up your day. The physical benefits of gardening are fairly obvious, but we sometimes forget about how talking to others about how your garden is growing, or about your plans for next year’s garden, can be so beneficial for your mental state.

It feels like the world is more divisive than ever, and Master Gardener volunteers do the opposite of that – we bring people together, people from all different backgrounds become closer once they start gardening.

Being a Master Gardener has not only allowed me to help others, but it has sharpened my own gardening skills.

A fun part of gardening is giving your excess away. I will list them into categories, starting with FAMILY. My nearest family member is 180 miles away, and you would think that might make it extra challenging, but not so in this day of efficient coolers.

Next, NEIGHBORS. I live in a good sized apartment complex, and it’s very rewarding and easy to give away vegetables to my neighbors so that they do not go to waste.

Also, FRIENDS. At my age, I go to a lot more meetings than parties, so during harvest season I hope to bring some produce to a meeting to give away – very easy.

Lastly, and for me this category is not so common to give away but just as rewarding as any, is BUSINESSES. The employees at the businesses are just as appreciative and smile just as much as anybody. It’s become a habit for me to drop extra tomatoes to the office workers of my property manager’s office. When a certain employee there sees me in late summer or early fall, she is always smiling when I walk in because she knows I am bringing in tomatoes, and she absolutely loves tomatoes. Only one time has she not shared with the rest of the office, because that year my tomatoes were absolutely gorgeous.

My garden is next to the hospital, and when I have zinnias I like to take them next door. The receptionists in the ER department have a stressful job and I think the flowers make their day better.

I know the library employees well, and I like to bring them kale and other yummy, healthy vegetables.

Going to our local food bank to make a drop-off is important, and I leave feeling good every single time.

It might sound like I’m trying to make giving things from my garden away my only focus each year, and I while that would be great, it’s not quite true. It just happens to work out that every year, when you plant your garden, you don’t realize that a certain vegetable or flower is going to produce way more than you thought it would. The very last thing in the world that I want to do is let something go to waste. Giving it away becomes incredibly easy to do, and really quite rewarding. It’s a part of gardening that I never could have envisioned when I first started. And now, it’s become an integral part of each season. Being a Master Gardener has made all of this possible – thank you, OSU Extension, for improving the lives of so many!”

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 

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Meet Jean Dion, Master Gardener volunteer

For Jean in Salem, being a Master Gardener volunteer has opened up conversations about food, climate and what it means to feel more secure in your own garden. She thought she might be helping people with lawns and roses. Instead, she’s found herself talking with families who are trying to grow food and adapt to a changing world.

Jean in the garden holding a giant bouquet of mixed red/white roses

“I’ve learned a lot about how to be successful in my own garden, and that’s been very rewarding. No one likes dying plants! But the best part has been helping people in the community learn how to grow their own vegetables.

I thought the Master Gardener program would be largely about helping people grow green lawns or keep roses alive. Instead, many of my conversations have been with families who are worried about food prices. Helping them feel more secure is quite a gift.

I’m very proud of some of the programming we’ve shared with the community, including the Garden Future series. Being able to discuss climate change with a large group of folks at the state fair, without having any arguments or hurt feelings, was just an amazing thing.

“Helping people feel more secure is quite a gift.”

I’ve met several people who have talked with me at two or more tabling events here in Salem, and they’ve told me about how an idea or two I shared helped them in their gardens. Those have been pretty great conversations!

I think it’s easy to keep our heads down in times of stress and strife. Connecting with people always helps, and I find that gardening is one of those universal conversation points. Talking about gardening has been really good for me over the last year.

Climate change is shifting what people can grow successfully, so some of the lessons people learned as kids are no longer applicable. Master Gardener volunteers have access to science-based information that can be useful as people reimagine what they can grow, including food.

I’m grateful I was selected as a trainee last year. I look forward to participating for many years to come.”

P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, and these stories remind us what we’re celebrating. On Wednesday, April 29, Dam Proud Day gives us one day to show up for the statewide program that supports Master Gardener volunteers across Oregon. In fact, you can join in early giving and actually give now! And if you are a Master Gardener volunteer — or ever have been — we’d still love to hear your story at Beav.es/mgstory. 

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Save the date: Dam Proud Day is April 29

On Wednesday, April 29, Oregon State University will celebrate Dam Proud Day, a 24-hour giving day that brings the OSU community together to support programs making a difference across Oregon and beyond.

This year, the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program has been selected as one of only three Extension programs featured for Dam Proud Day.

That is something to be proud of.

For 50 years, Master Gardener volunteers have helped grow gardening knowledge, partnerships and community across Oregon. Volunteers answer questions, teach classes, support demonstration gardens, grow food for their communities, mentor new gardeners and connect people with research-based information they can trust.

Dam Proud Day is a chance to support the statewide program behind that work.

Gifts made on April 29 will support the statewide Master Gardener Program and the work we do to support county programs, coordinators and volunteers across Oregon. That includes statewide efforts such as the Master Gardener training course, Seed to Supper, Garden Future and other programs that help us serve gardeners and communities statewide.

What is Dam Proud Day?

Dam Proud Day is OSU’s annual 24-hour day of giving. For one day only, alumni, volunteers, friends and supporters are invited to make a gift online to the OSU programs they care about.

For the Master Gardener Program, this is a special opportunity to show broad support for the work we do together across the state.

The goal is not just large gifts. Participation matters. Every gift, of any size, helps show that people believe in the Master Gardener Program and want to see it continue to grow.

What can you do?

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 29. On that day, plan to visit our giving page.

On Dam Proud Day, you can:

  • Make a gift online to support the statewide Master Gardener Program
  • Share the giving link with friends, family and fellow volunteers
  • Help spread the word about why the Master Gardener Program matters
  • Watch for and share stories from volunteers across Oregon

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing stories here from Master Gardener volunteers about what this program has meant to them and how they see their work making a difference in their communities. These stories are inspiring, heartfelt and representative of the incredible impact this program — and the people of this program — make across Oregon.

They remind us that the Master Gardener Program is more than a training course. It is a statewide community of people sharing knowledge, growing connections and helping others garden with more confidence.

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

Thank you for being part of this program and this community. We hope you’ll mark your calendar for April 29 and join us for Dam Proud Day.