Biweekly Update - April 22, 2025
- Brenda Bye
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
President’s Message
From Paula Lupcho
🌷 I hope that many of you were able to enjoy Dan Blanchard’s excellent talk last night at the BCMGA Membership Meeting. Dan is so enthusiastic about his subject and is such a fun speaker. And this leads me to a great segue to the Joy of Gardening Conference in July.
This is the annual educational conference put on by the Oregon Master Gardener Association. It is a two-day affair and will be on Friday and Saturday, July 11-12. Registration is now open (https://omga.org/joy-of-gardening-2025/ ). Attendees may select a one-day or two-day registration. Dan Blanchard will be conducting his arboretum walk on both days, but attendees must register for it.
Every year, BCMGA holds a raffle for continuing Master Gardeners and trainees to win one of 6 scholarships to attend Joy of Gardening. The scholarship covers the registration but it does not include lunch. Members can only enter once. The raffle tub will be on the MG Desk in the office beginning April 22. Entries must be submitted by May 9. Winners will be notified by May 12. Winners should register before June 15 to take advantage of the early-bird discount.
2025 BCMGA Plant Sale
Sale Day Saturday May 3 with Set-up Day May 2
🌷The excitement is really amping up because the BCMGA Annual Plant Sale is next week! Thank you to all of our wonderful members who have reached out for special roles. All the volunteer jobs have been filled!
If you need to change or cancel your volunteer shift please contact Leslie Hauser, Plant Sale Volunteer Coordinator, immediately at (702) 340-6513. Otherwise watch your email for updates and all the information that you need for the big day.
🌷 Shout Out to Christina Clark who went above and beyond for the pop-up tree sale on April 12th. The team sold 90% of the trees and made $3,500 in profits selling. Extra trees were donated to local school gardens and potted up for the big sale. Thank you Christina!
BCMGA Membership News
🌷 The next BCMGA Board Meeting is on May 12, 2025 at 9:00AM via Zoom. If you would like to attend please contact Paula Lupcho for an invite.
🌷Leach Botanical Garden Tour – Mark your calendar for this special tour in Portland on Wednesday, June 25! This stunning garden features areas with native plantings, historic plant collections and a four-season pollinator garden. Watch for more details from Vice President Laura Horsey in your email.
Tentative departure: 10:00 AM
Tour & admission: Approx. $10
Bring: A bagged lunch to enjoy on the patio
Optional stop: Rogerson Clematis Garden in West Linn on the way home (free admission)
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🌷PopUp Veg Clinic at the Benton Library This Saturday – The Public Seed Library is getting busier as we approach the growing season. Folks are eager to grow their own food. If you are interested in this fun public event or other Public Seed Library activities please check out the Seed Library SignUpGenius.
🌷Letitia Carson School Garden -BCMGA volunteers have started work alongside garden caretaker Rebecca Johnson at Letitia Carson School Garden at 2701 NW Satinwood St in Corvallis (formerly Wilson School)! MGs provide advice and garden education to volunteers (school staff, parents, community members) and students.
Garden sessions are on Tuesdays at 2:30-3:30 and continue through the week of May 22nd. Are you interested in joining or maybe you have a 30-minute workshop you’d like to lead for the Garden Club? Sign up with Jennifer Klammer Jennifer.klammer@comcast.net, 541-602-0431
🌷Wednesday Work Parties at the Demonstration Garden at the Benton County Fairgrounds—rain, shine, or even snow! All Master Gardeners, including trainees, are welcome. No need to sign up—just bring your gloves, dress for the weather, and come ready to dig in.
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Demo Garden, Benton County Fairgrounds 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis
How to get there: To access the garden you will need to enter from the north past the Fairgrounds Office using Adams Way. You will see other volunteers’ cars parked near the Demo Garden.
🌷Join the Community Garden Education Team and teach the community how to grow its own groceries! CGET has announced an exciting list of activities for 2025. These hands-on gardening workshops are some of our most popular every year. Trainees are encouraged to join in the fun too. Check out the CGET Signup Genius before the spots are all gone.
🌷Help Needed at Plant Clinic - Plant Clinic is open year round, and questions will start increasing as the weather warms. Shifts are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Check the new 2025 Signup Genius to grab a spot!
Continuing Education Opportunities
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
🌷Final 2025 MG General Knowledge Class available for CE Credit - Master Gardeners are invited to attend this trainee class for 1 hour of CE horticulture credit. Trainees will have additional activities following these lectures.
Date: 4/24/2025 Weed Science with Alec Kowalewski
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Central Electrical Training Center (33309 OR-99E, Tangent, OR 97389)
🌷Screening of Farming While Black Documentary - This award winning documentary screening is being co-sponsored by OSU Extension and is available for Growing and Belonging Continuing Education. There will be a 75 minute film screening followed by a 30 minute moderated panel.
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: OSU Campus LINC 210 (free parking nearby)
Extension News
🌷Master Food Preservers is has posted their class schedule for Spring 2025.
🌷Extension staff are planning on hosting a series of optional workshops in both Linn and Benton County over the summer that will count towards education hours for trainees and continuing education hours for certified Master Gardeners. We are hoping you will take this two-question survey so we can best cater these to your availability and interest. Please complete this survey by Wednesday, 4/30
Comments