Biweekly Update for August 25, 2026
- Brenda Bye
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
President’s Message from Jill Lodwig, BCMGA President
We’re in that transitional time of year—the light has been changing for a few weeks now, I’m noticing more leaves on the ground, 2027 enters my mind now and then, and I’ve got enough traction on 2026 to begin reflecting on the year.
The BCMGA Board is looking both forward and back at the moment, too. President Elect John Bertani has put a nominating committee in place to search for new board members for 2027. Some longstanding members like Deb Kern and Cindy Roler are retiring from board work; Shelby Schuppe will focus on leading OMGA in 2027; others are choosing to focus on leadership roles in other areas within the association or transitioning to other board positions, and some plan to travel a lot in the coming year. Of course we hope to lure all of them back again someday!
If you are interested in or would like to learn the ropes of board work, or you know someone else you think would be good at it, we are considering nominations for the following openings for 2027:
President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Member at Large
Contact John Bertani if you’re interested.
The association is also asking members to reflect on who comes to mind as outstanding Master Gardeners in Benton County. Membership Secretary Michelle Brown is seeking nominations for Benton County Master Gardener of the Year and Behind the Scenes awards (due September 15), as well as nominations for four statewide Master Gardener awards. See below for more information.
In whatever way you choose or have chosen to donate your time and skills to our organization – in past years, this year, and in 2027, we are grateful for your service!
BCMGA Membership News and Events
Join Your Fellow Master Gardeners at the Annual BCMGA Fall Potluck Picnic - Thanks to Merideth Payne and the hospitality committee for organizing this year’s picnic. Come and share food and stories as we celebrate another successful year in our gardens.
Where: Randy Kugler Community Hall and Gazebo
Philomath City Park, 299 S 23rd St
Philomath, OR 97370
When: September 18, 2026 @5-8 PM
What: Bring a dish to share with your fellow BCMGA members.
Families welcome, please leave pets at home.
Call for BCMGA Award Nominations - Each year two Benton MGs are chosen for awards to recognize their contribution to our organization. Nomination forms are included in the newsletter email attachment and on the Benton County Master Gardener’s website. Nominations should be sent to Michelle Brown 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.
Updated BCMGA Reimbursement Form is now available in the Members Area of the BCMGA website. The new form is a PDF fillable form and can also be saved on Adobe Reader.
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 is still one spot open to get your hands dirty in our propagation clinics this Friday and several Saturday propagation workshops in September that have openings also.
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, a veteran Adam’s School garden and 4H volunteer) 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. Anne has written an introduction to the garden here:
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. Interested in learning more?
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
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 - 1 Trainee spots still available
Consider Working at the Plant Desk - Thanks to all the dedicated plant desk trainers and regular volunteers who have been working to answer questions for our neighbors here in Benton County. We are always looking for more volunteers for this important work. It is a great fit for curious people, who enjoy solving a good mystery. Don’t worry if you are rusty or need more practice, this is a good time of year to partner with a plant desk trainer and brush up on your skills. Check out the 2026 Plant Desk Signup Genius
Continuing Education Opportunities
These activities are approved for CE by OSU Extension
Gardening with Wildlife - Thurs, Aug 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm in the Benton County Office Sunset Room. In-person attendance is encouraged, but it can also be attended via Zoom
The workshop will consist of a presentation on burrowing animals, followed by a short break and an open Q&A—please bring your wildlife (mammals and birds) questions! Contact Kiana (kiana.ringuette@gmail.com) for any questions.
Oak Creek Walk and Talk - Sean Fleming will be leading the Oak Creek Walk and Talk once again on September 3rd from 12 pm to 1:30 pm at the OSU Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture. The event is open to the public and Master Gardener volunteers. Come and learn about how gardeners can protect local watersheds.
Organic Vegetable Field Day - Join OSU Extension for an Organic Vegetable Field Day with the OSU Organic Agriculture Program and Vegetable Breeding Program in partnership with Oregon Tilth. This event is approved for 4 hours of Continuing Education Credit.
When: September 14th, 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Where: Lewis Brown Research Farm- 33329 Peoria Rd SW, Corvallis, OR 97333
Join us for an afternoon in the field learning about:
The Tomato Organic Management & Improvement Project (TOMI)
Managing Symphylans with Rotations and Biopesticides
Dry beans, cover crops, and other project updates
Stay for food prepared by Dream Deli PDX, as well as tastings of tomato, potato (and more)!
Registration is FREE, but due by September 9th!
Register Here: https://beav.es/iJh
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
Nominations for Statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Awards - These awards honor certified volunteers whose contributions demonstrate leadership, education, community engagement, and inclusive practices. Nomination can come from anyone in the Master Gardener community. Awards are administered by the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and are open to all certified volunteers. For more information, please see the Extension website:
Nominations are due October 31.
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.
OMGA News
OMGA Seeking the Next Treasurer for the OMGA Board of Directors
Job duties include overseeing our financial health and annual budget; Presenting financial updates at regular board meetings; Working alongside our team to guide sustainable growth; Assisting county chapters with their financial reporting.
If interested, please contact: Chris Rusch at crusch3837@gmail.com
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