Biweekly Update from the Benton County Master Gardeners Association. February 25, 2025
- Brenda Bye
- Feb 25
- 5 min read
~~~~~~~~~President’s Message - From Paula Lupcho~~~~~~~~
🌧️ January and February have certainly given us some interesting weather, below freezing temperatures at night, snow, rain, no rain, then rain again, plus wind. These are all weather patterns that can have consequences for the home gardener and could be questions we get at the desk and clinic tables later this spring. We might need to review the signs and symptoms of cold damage in order to be prepared.
It may seem like there is a lull in MG activities after Insights is over, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Plant Problem Scenario will begin working with trainees, and plant sale is prepping plants, planting veggies, and generally getting organized for the big event. Demo Garden is in planning mode. Look for sign-ups for these and other activities in March, April and May.
Although I haven’t heard anything official from OMGA or OSU Extension Services, be aware that this is a legislative year when the budget is determined for 2025-2026. In 2023, during the last budget year, Master Gardeners throughout the state participated in an extremely effective and successful campaign to let our state legislators know that we wanted full funding for the Statewide Extension Service. As a result, extension positions that had been vacant were filled. Our own Master Gardener programs in Benton and Linn Counties benefitted. We received funding for a program coordinator and a program assistant position that was recently filled by Annie O’Shea. We may be called upon again, and I will let you know when I get information on this.
~~~~~~~~BCMGA News~~~~~~~~
🌧️ Plant Sale – Mark Your Calendars!
Set-up Day: Friday, May 2
Sale Day: Saturday, May 3
We’ll need all Master Gardeners, Associates, and trainees to make this event a success. Stay tuned for more details—let’s make this spring amazing!
🌧️Lead the Way in Garden Education! The Community Garden Education Team (CGET) is looking for new co-chairs! After three years of dedicated leadership, Kandi Maestri, Wendi Gale, and Cheryl Stratton are ready to mentor the next team. This is a rewarding opportunity to share your passion for vegetable gardening while making a real impact in the community. If you're interested in stepping into this role, email CGET.BentonMG@gmail.com for more details!
🌧️Help Needed at Plant Clinic - Plant Clinic is open year round, and our regular volunteers—like John Bertani and Kris Kaul—would love some extra hands! Whether you're a seasoned MG or new graduate, this is a great way to sharpen your diagnostic skills and support the community. Sign up solo or bring a friend—shifts are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Check the new 2025 Signup Genius to grab a spot!
~~~~~~~~BCMGA Membership Activities~~~~~~~~
🌧️BCMGA Membership Meetings - Dr. James Myers' lecture Popping Beans, Heatless Habaneros and the Tomato Blues: Breeding Vegetables for Sustainable Production at OSU from the February meeting has been posted to the BCMGA YouTube Channel.
The March Member Meeting is Monday, March 17th at 7:00 in the Sunset Building
Speaker: Marisha Auerbach, Permaculture Educator and Designer; Steward, Permaculture Rising Farm and Nursery in Olympia, Washington
Topic: “Food Forests: A Fun Way to Enhance Habitat and Yield”
~~~~~~~~Volunteer Opportunities~~~~~~~~
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🌧️Public Seed Library – First Pop-Up Veg Clinic This Saturday! Spring is just around the corner, and gardeners in our community are eager to get started! The first Public Seed Library Pop-Up Plant Clinic of the year is this Saturday morning March 1, and we still need volunteers.
These early-season clinics are well attended, with lots of questions from community members about starting peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and spring crops. It's a fun, informal way to earn direct service hours in the comfort of the library, while helping others plan their gardens. Plus, you might even discover a new variety to grow!
To sign up for this date or any other dates this spring see the Seed Library SignUpGenius
🌧️Plant Sale Vegetable Propagation – A Few Spots Left! It’s time to start seeding veggies and herbs for the plant sale! Whether indoors or out, dress in layers and bring rain gear just in case. Tools are provided—just bring your enthusiasm!
Spots fill quickly, so please sign up for one or two slots only (mentors, feel free to bring your mentee!). We especially need Session Leaders—experienced volunteers who can assist with instruction and quality control. Session Leaders arrive 15 minutes early to help with setup.
Join us and help grow this year’s success! Sign up via Signup Genius today!
🌧️ Plant Problem Scenarios – Certified Master Gardener Volunteers Needed
Join us for Plant Problem Scenarios and help train the 2025 Master Gardener class! These interactive sessions prepare trainees for the Help Desk, Farmers Market, and other clinic tables.
Dates: Thursdays – March 13, April 3, 10, & 24
Location: Central Electric Training Center, Tangent, OR
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to earn direct service hours while meeting new trainees. Recent graduates—this is an excellent way to gain experience alongside seasoned facilitators! A practice session will be held to review all scenarios.
Sign up here: Signup Genius
Questions? Contact Deb Kern at NewfAndCardi@gmail.com.
🌧️Plant Propagation has Openings for Trainees - Spring is just around the corner, and it's time to start gearing up for BCMGA’s biggest event of the year – the Plant Sale! We’ve added new dates for plant playtime in the greenhouse and outdoors, plus inventory prep for the big event.
We’re also welcoming the Class of 2025 to the team—what a great chance to meet our newest Master Gardeners! Please pick just two dates for now so everyone has a chance to help. Separate sign-up spots are available for both MGs and trainees.
Sign up here: BCMGA 2025 Propagation SignUpGenius
🌧️Volunteer Opportunity at Grace Center - BCMGA is looking for volunteers to help bring gardening activities to the Grace Center for Adult Day Services in Corvallis. They have raised beds, a sensory garden, and fruit trees—including a pear tree that could use some TLC. Volunteers will work with Chase Knight, Activities Program Coordinator, to plan and develop engaging garden projects for their clients. This is a great opportunity to share your gardening knowledge and make a meaningful impact in the community!
If you're interested, contact Chase Knight at 541-754-8417 or visit the Grace Center at 980 NW Spruce Ave., Corvallis.
~~~~~~~~Continuing Education Opportunities~~~~~~~~
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
🌧️ CGET Offers a Hands-on Fruit Tree Trimming Workshop - Join us Philomath Community Garden and bring any pruning tools that you have. You can learn or help the instructors Jennifer Klammer and Alan Taylor.
Thursday, March 6th, 2025 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Philomath Community Garden formerly Lupe’s Garden
360 S 9th St, Philomath Oregon 97330
🌧️BEEvent 2025 - Linn County Master Gardeners are hosting their 11th Annual Pollinator Conference on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Registration is still open and is $35. In person and live streaming options are available. You can register on their website.
🌧️ Seed Library Lecture Series - PSLis a collaborative project of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and the Benton County Public Library with educational support from BCMGA.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 Simple Worm Bin Farming
Come learn from Cynthia Dort of Dort Worm Farms how easy it is to successfully turn your vegetable and fruit scraps into worm castings that are wonderful compost for your garden!
🌧️Spring into Gardening 2025 presented by Yamhill Master Gardeners on March 29, 2025 at Linfield University. The cost is $45 with classes on flowers, gardens and climate.
🌧️Clackamas County 10-Minute University Lecture Series for 2025 - Live webinars are presented every Wednesday from noon to one and count for 1 hour of CE. Register ahead to attend the free lecture. Lectures will also be available in video format afterwards. Go to their website to learn more. https://clackamascountymastergardeners.org/2025-webinars/
Extension News
🌧️OSU Extension Online Calendar has a calendar of Extension events throughout the state. This often includes MG lectures from other counties.
Comentarios