Biweekly Update for August 11, 2026
- Brenda Bye
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
Update About Adams School Garden
Nellie Oehler has recently sent an update to the BCMGA Board about the progress at the Adams School Garden. The garden has undergone many changes and expansion since the school was remodeled. Here is a snapshot of what she shared:
We are so excited to report that phase 3 of the Adams School Garden is coming along. This week Shonnard's was there in the heat and in a couple days they cleared all the weeds, leveled the soil and put in a beautiful path into our sensory garden project. We are also contracting with the instructor at CV who runs and designed the art garden to build us an arbor to connect the two gardens. He was a teacher at Adams years ago and started the original garden.
The garden is looking great and our MG team plus community volunteers are working on Tuesday mornings in the garden. We will have a lot of fun harvesting and cooking with the kids come September. The garden club is the most popular after school program and they have to limit the number of kids to 30.
I want to thank the MGs for our special allocation funding to help us with our incredible garden at Adams School. We are looking forward to getting more classrooms involved this coming year. Last spring the ESL program took over one bed as a family activity. They will be surprised how well it has done when school resumes in the fall.
I am also working with Anne Schroeder, the new garden coordinator for the Philomath Elementary School to rebuild their garden. She will be teaching first and second graders about gardening on Friday mornings and starting an after school garden club similar to what we are doing at Adams on Friday afternoon. Would love to have some MGs help her with this project.
With more and more school gardens taking shape it is a perfect project for MG volunteers to get involved. This is something young volunteers with children or MGs with grandchildren in local schools could be targeted. Several of us are working on the idea of getting coordinators together and touring the gardens to see what is out there and how we can help. Each school is different and has a different vision but often no direction. Sharing ideas is amazing and a great way to make this work.
BCMGA Membership News and Events
🍅 August Garden Tour Cancelled - Due to a scheduling conflict the August Tour at Francie O’Shea’s Farmlet on August 27th was cancelled.
Luckily TOMORROW The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will be touring this same garden as part of their 2026 Edible Garden Tour. This free, self-guided tour will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 5-8 PM. The address is 2910 NW Hayes Ave. This half-acre organic garden is a real showcase. For more details about this garden and others this summer please see their website.
🍅 Call for BCMGA Award Nominations - Each year two Benton MGs are chosen for awards to recognize their contribution to our organization. Nomination forms were included in the newsletter email attachment and on the Benton County Master Gardener’s website. Nominations should be sent to Michelle Brown, membership secretary by September 15, 2026 and will be reviewed by the board at the October meeting.
Master Gardener of the Year - This award recognizes the outstanding dedication and service of an active Benton County Master Gardener volunteer. This person is a leader in our organization, serving on the Board or leading committees. They breathe life into old or new projects.
Behind the Scenes - who works quietly and unselfishly behind the scenes to further the Master Gardener program of Benton County. This is not a person who is out in front working on projects where everyone knows their contributions. It is likely that this person is not a committee chair or on the BCMGA Board. Rather this is a person of whom few may know the level of their contributions.
🍅 Benton County Fair - Thanks to all the volunteers who made the Benton County Fair a success. There were many visitors to the demonstration gardens. Our volunteers gave tours and answered questions, and shared their passion for gardening. Additional thanks to Extension Intern, Emily Braibish for the many hours she spent at the fair in the garden.
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🍅 Volunteer at the Philomath Greenhouse with the Plant Sale Committee - Our smaller plants have grown like weeds and now need to be moved to bigger pots. There are still several spots open to get your hands dirty in our propagation clinics this August and several weekend opportunities in September for MGs and Trainees who work during the week.
🍅 Philomath Elementary School Garden Volunteers Wanted - Philomath Elementary School Garden is a new BCMGA project, and we’d love to have Master Gardeners join us!
Anne Schroeder is the garden’s new coordinator, and the school garden team is looking to BCMGA for gardening expertise, ideas, and volunteer support for both classroom garden activities and the school’s Garden Club. New raised beds are in place, crops are getting established, and activities are now being developed. Plans include eating from the garden, garden-inspired crafts, native plants, and more.
Introductory Meeting
Friday, August 28, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Philomath Elementary School
239 S. 16th St., Philomath
Come meet Anne, see the garden, hear what’s being planned, and explore ways you might like to help. No commitment is necessary to attend the introductory.
🍅 Plant Question Tables is one of BCMGAs most rewarding and popular outreach opportunities. We need both Certified MGs and trainees to make these tabling events a success. Questions? Reach out to Signe Danler at Signe.danler@gmail.com.
Philomath Farmers Market has one final date this summer.. This is a good opportunity to spread our service into other areas of Benton County. See the Philomath Farmers Market Signup Genius
September 13, 2026 - 2 Trainee spots still available
🍅 Helpers Needed at Garfield School Garden - Each week from June through September, we invite both trainees and veteran MGs to "adopt" the school garden. You can go any days that work best for you. Volunteers are asked to visit the garden twice during their week. Duties include watering, harvesting and donating produce. We’ll provide instructions, tools, and contact info for support!
If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to veronica.hennessey@gmail.com
🍅 Plant Desk - Shifts are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in both the mornings and afternoons. Answering questions at the Plant Desk is at the heart of our work as Master Gardeners and an invaluable resource for our community. Both trainees and veteran MGs wishing to retrain are welcome to volunteer. Check out the 2026 Plant Desk Signup Genius
Continuing Education Opportunities
These activities are approved for CE by OSU Extension
🍅 Gardening with Wildlife - Presentation has been organized for the end of August. More details are in the emailed version of the newsletter.
🍅 Growing Oregon Gardeners OSU Level Up Series - These free online webinars are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at noon. The series runs from June through September 2026. Details and registration are available on the Extension website.
Extension News
🍅 OSU Master Gardener Extension has Merchandise! If you are looking for OSU Master Gardener apparel, hats or accessories you can find it on the new online store. New items will be added throughout the year.
Comments