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Biweekly Update for April 28, 2026

President’s Message

Last Tuesday evening in the Sunset Room, the Benton County Master Gardener Program held its first Committee Fair and Social for 2026. Among other activities, program trainees had an opportunity to learn about BCMGA volunteer opportunities via a “speed dating” exercise in which they rotated every few minutes to a new committee table. It was a lot of fun. It also was wonderful to meet some of this year’s program trainees—they seem like a dynamic group. The next and last 2026 Committee Fair and Social takes place in early June.


It’s always nice when BCMGA members receive recognition for their hard work. Last week the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District mentioned the Mountain View School Garden project on the BSWCD website, as part of an article about BSWCD’s backyard habitat program. The story featured a beautiful photo of the Pollinator Garden, just one of several themed gardens at Mountain View School tended by BCMGA volunteers. 


The 2026 BCMGA Plant Sale is just days away, and we are ready to go! This fundraiser event does such an excellent job of bringing together community. Grocery stores are donating food; Boy Scouts are helping out, Girl Scouts are donating boxes, area high school and OSU students are volunteering to help on the day of the sale, as are 4H kids. And the Plant Sale committee was able to donate trees from the bare root sale last week to some of our local school gardens. See you at the big event! 

Jill Lodwig

BCMGA President


Editor's Note: Beginning April 2026, there are newsletter items, volunteer opportunities and continuing education classes that appear in the emailed newsletter that will not appear on this public forum.


BCMGA Plant Sale - May 2, 2026

It is Plant Sale Week!! We made it! After a year of hard work and dedication, this is our big opportunity to connect with our community, share what we love, and help local gardeners find plants they'll truly enjoy. Don’t forget to dress warmly and wear your badge. 


  • If you are unsure of your volunteer role or tasks please contact Leslie Hauser, Plant Sale Volunteer Coordinator, at lesliehauser107@gmail.com. You can also check your email inbox from April 16. 

  • On the day of the plant sale, onsite parking will be limited. Please remember to bike, or be dropped off. If you are a part of the pre-arranged MG shuttle from Bessie Coleman you should have gotten an email on April 25. 

BCMGA Association News

🫜Successful Weekend Classes at Chintimini - CGET held their Seed to Supper in the Garden Workshops this month over back to back weekends. They braved the rain during the first weekend and were rewarded with beautiful sunshine on the second weekend! They had some great discussions with the community members who came out to Chintimini to learn about growing their own food!


🫜BCMGA Hats Still Available - If you haven’t bought a BCMGA hat yet, it’s not too late. They will be for sale this weekend during the plant sale. Just $20, what a bargain!


🫜Plant Desk is Missing Books from the Library - Our book collection is used to answer questions that come in to the desk. The books are an important part of our reference collection and not available for loans. If you happen to have any of the BCMGA Plant Desk books please return them to the desk at the Extension office. Thanks.


🫜May BCMGA Board of Directors Meeting - Meetings are held monthly and are open to membership. 

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

Location: Benton Community Foundation 

340 NW 5th St., Corvallis, OR

Enter through the South door. Which will lock after the meeting begins. 

Continuing Education

These are approved by OSU Extension for CE Credit. 

🫜The Food Garden 2026 - There is one final lecture of this free lecture series at the Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent Street in Lebanon. It is organized by our friends at Linn County Master Gardeners. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Sheryl Casteen casteen@aol.com


May 2nd – Pests and Predators in your Garden – an insect pictorial from egg to adult – Sheryl Casteen, MG, Anna Sassalos, MG

Volunteer Opportunities 

These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours

🫜Join CGET (Community Garden Education Team) in 2026 -  CGET provides handson garden education in our community and is a great place to share your passion about growing edible plants. There are spots for both trainees and certified MGs. Check out the CGET Signup Genius page for all of the opportunities available.  


🫜Public Seed Library Volunteer Opportunities are now posted. In addition to the lectures mentioned above the seed library also hosts vegetable clinic table sessions and seed sharing events. They also need help keeping their inventory stocked. 



🫜2026 Plant Desk Sign Up Is Picking Up With the Warmer Weather- Shifts at the plant desk are now available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Answering questions at the Plant Desk is at the heart of our work as Master Gardeners and an invaluable resource for our community. Please sign up when you can! 2026 Signup Genius


🫜Demonstration Garden Committee is at Work Again - MGs and trainees are welcome at the Demonstration Garden. Work parties are happening every Wednesday morning, rain or shine, from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. You can drive through the north entrance by the gatehouse and park near the Floral Pavillion. Bring gloves and outerwear appropriate to the weather. 

OMGA News 

Joy of Gardening Silent Auction Items Needed - The Joy of Gardening Conference has a silent auction each year to support grants and scholarships. Our OMGA Representative, Catherine Whiting is collecting items from now until June 22nd. She can pick up items from members and deliver them to the conference. Items that did well at past conferences include: practical books and garden journals; garden art; garden supplies and books; handmade items such as quilts, towels, or planters; food baskets; and adventure or themed baskets

Extension News 

Thanks to all the committee chairs and volunteers who came to the committee fair this month. They did a great job introducing our trainees to all the interesting volunteer opportunities in BCMGA. 

Community Events and News 

These activities are not sponsored by BCMGA but are of possible interest to members

Are Any BCMGA Members Affiliated with Growing Ancestral Roots? Several of our members are interested in learning more about this organization and if there are any possibilities for partnerships with BCMGA. If you have any information please contact cheryl.stratton@comcast.net


2026 Vancouver Pollinator Festival - Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is a FREE event and no registration is required. At the Pollinator Festival you will discover the fascinating lives of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and learn how to create habitats that help them thrive. Learn more at the website: https://pollinatorfestival.org/


Nature Neighbors Program - Benton County Soil and Water District in conjunction with the Greenbelt Land Trust is launching this new certification to empower Benton County residents to create vibrant, sustainable wildlife habitats right in their own backyards. Information session on


Wed, April 29th  6-7:30pm  |  Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 645 NW Monroe


 
 
 

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© 2025 by the Benton County Master Gardener Association

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