Biweekly Update for February 24, 2026
- Brenda Bye
- Feb 24
- 7 min read
President’s Message
Spring seems to be coming on fast (and then retreating a little). It’s always such a relief to see the crocus buds peeking out, despite it seeming like spring for much of the winter this year.
I thought it might be nice to occasionally spotlight some of our newer association members in these letters, so that you can get to know them a little better. For instance, we have several board members who are both new to the board and relatively new Master Gardeners.
This month I’m thinking about Lauren McQuade, who became a certified Master Gardener last year and is serving this year on the board as a member at large, in addition to serving as committee chair for the Community Gardening Education Team (CGET) and a communication liaison between a number of committees and the board.
That’s quite a bit to take on in the first year of being a Master Gardener, but Lauren seems to take it all in stride. “I love gardening, and I love to talk about gardening—vegetable gardening in particular,” she says. “I was going to volunteer anyway, so I figured I might as well be the person who organizes some of it.”
She moved here from New Jersey in 2012 to attend graduate school. Fast-forward over a decade later, and she’s now a trained chemist who leads a group of research scientists for a semiconductor startup called Inpria.
Lauren hadn’t done any gardening growing up in New Jersey, but at her first rental here in Corvallis she found a raised garden bed in the backyard. She bought some starts, plopped them in the bed and quickly got hooked. “Each year I expanded,” she says. “The best part was the research—I went down a lot of rabbit holes learning about the different plants I was growing.” Years later she’s growing veggies in a beautiful, fenced garden with raised concrete beds that her husband built for her.
When she’s not working and gardening, Lauren spends some of her free time running. Not because she likes it, she says. “I run because I want to collect data from my Garmin—that’s the aspect of it I enjoy.” If there’s one thing you can say with certainty, it’s that Lauren is a researcher at heart!
Jill Lodwig, BCMGA President
BCMGA Association News
BCMGA Membership Meeting - Co-Vice Presidents, Laura Horsey and Christine Welsch welcome all BCMGA members to the next membership meeting. Our speaker will be joining us remotely, so stay at home and join us via Zoom.
Monday, March 16, 2026 at 7PM Woodland Gardens with Jeff Cope
Format: Hybrid meeting, both in person and on Zoom. Link will be given via email and on the BCMGA website.
Mark Your Calendar for the 2026 Plant Sale - This year’s plant sale will be all hands on deck! Master Gardeners, Associates, and trainees are all essential in making this day a success.
Setup Day Friday, May 1, 2026
Sale Day Saturday, May 2, 2026
Special Allocations 2026—BCMGA Committees At the board’s February meeting it was decided that BCMGA would renew the Special Allocation process this spring. Special Allocations are for specific one-time projects, not on-going operational costs, and should be in accordance with the purposes established in the Articles of Association. A special Ad hoc Committee chaired by Jana Tindall will review the applications and make recommendations to the board at the April meeting.
Applications must be submitted by March 31 to Jana at jl.tindall@comcast.net. Please review the Policy and Procedures in 2.8 and submit applications using the form in Appendix B. BCMGA committees receiving funding may spend the funds in the current year or funds may be carried over to the following year in order to complete the project. A final report to the board is due upon project completion. Questions about the process may be directed to Jana Tindall at the email address above. (Policies and Procedures can be found at bentonmg.org in the “Members” tab.)
Thank you to Cheryl Stratton and the Master Gardener volunteers and lecturers who were part of making Gearing up for Gardening a success this year.
Continuing Education
These are approved by OSU Extension for CE Credit.
Grow a Row! (or more) Master Gardeners can make a difference in the lives of community members experiencing food insecurity. You are invited to learn more at community educational meetings.
Thursday, March 5, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Corvallis -Benton County Public Library
645 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis
zoom: beav.es/growarowBenton
Wednesday, March 11, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Albany Public Library
2450 14th Ave SE, Albany
Become a Plant Desk Pro with Bonus Microscope Training with Rich Little - Are you hesitant to join the plant desk because of your insect identification and microscope skills? Or do you just want to brush up with an expert at your side? The plant desk crew is offering special small group session microscope training with entomologist and Linn County Master Gardener, Rich Little.
March 11, 2026 at the Sunset Room
Spots at this session are almost gone.
March 18, 2026 at the Extension Conference Room
4 sessions available and space is limited
If you are interested please reach out to Sue Rickey, suerickey77@gmail.com or 509-832-1463
Join the Trainees at General Knowledge Classes - Preapproved for 1.5 hours CE
Date | Location | Time | Topic | Presenter |
Thurs 2/26/26 | Online | 5:30-7:00 pm | Soils | Meg Mobley |
Thurs 3/12/26 | Online | 5:30-7:00 pm | Diagnosing Plant Problems | Neil Bell |
Thurs 3/19/26 | Online | 5:30-7:00 pm | Entomology | Paola Sotelo Cardona |
See email newsletter for Zoom link
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
Farmers Market Clinic Table: BCMGA is looking for 2 people to lead this important committee. If you are interested reach out to BCMGA President Jill Lodwig Or BCMGA Board Member, Shelby Schuppe
Duties: Create a schedule of tabling events
Communicate with the Philomath and Corvallis Farmers Markets
Manage the Signup Genius for the events
Stock the clinic box with brochures as needed
You are NOT required to be at all events
Timeline: Most events take place during the spring and summer months. Additional events could be arranged at your discretion.
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop. MGs are invited to participate in this workshop for learning experience or to lead breakout groups with hands on pruning.
When: Wednesday, February 25, 1:00-3:00 pm
Where: Lupe's Community Garden 360 S. 9th Street, Philomath
Info: Contact Jennifer Klammer if you're interested in helping.
jennifer.klammer@comcast.net 541-602-0431
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.
Pop-Up Veg Garden Clinic - Sign up here
Seed Sharing Table - Sign up here
Seed Rack Stocking - Sign up here
2026 Plant Desk Sign Up Has Been Posted - Shifts at the Extension Office help desk are open, morning and afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The slower winter season makes an excellent time to read in our library, practice working with the microscope, or getting refresher training on aspects you’d like to know better. Please sign up when you can! 2026 Signup Genius
OMGA News
Celebrating 50 Years with OSU Extension - This year marks a big milestone for the OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program — our 50th anniversary! Mark your calendars for the OMGA Joy of Gardening On July 10-11, 2026. Early bird registration will begin in April.
OMGA Requests Support for OSU Extension Funding (HB 2408)HB 2408 addresses critical funding for OSU Extension programs statewide. In previous budget cycles, this funding allowed OSU Extension to fill vacant Master Gardener faculty and staff positions, helping restore services and maintain the quality and reach of Extension programs that support our communities.
Without continued service level funding, Master Gardener and other Extension programs could again face staffing and service shortages. Please consider taking a moment to contact your state legislators and urge a YES vote on HB 2408 to support continued Extension services. A form letter is available here:
OMGA Seeks Committee Members - Both trainee members and veteran Master Gardeners are welcomed to bring their skills and experience to these statewide committees. If you are interested please reach out to our OMGA Rep Catherine Whiting at catherinewhiting@gmail.com
Send a Friend - This committee manages the funds that provide financial assistance for Master Gardeners to attend the Joy of Gardening Conference. Led by Eric Bosler (Central Gorge)
Karl Carlson Memorial Fund - Assists new or struggling OSU Master Gardener chapters to become better established. Implement new programs or projects related to home horticulture.
Extension Educator Grant - Oversees the submission of grants from OSU Extension Administration regarding educational programs in home horticulture. Led by Chris Rusch (Douglas County).
Marje Luce Search for Excellence - Identifies a superior project created by a local chapter worthy of submission to the International Master Gardener Conference. Led by Marcia Sherry (Yamhill County).
Silent Auction - Help with the organization and running of the silent auction at the annual Joy of Garden Conference. Led by Shelby Schuppe (Benton County).
Longevity Recognitions - Honors Master Gardeners for their years of service. Led by Marcia Sherry (Yamhill County).
Advocacy Committee Chair - Open position
Seed to Supper - Statewide committee for Seed to Supper program. Led by Lindsey McNab.
Growing and Belonging - This committee works to attract a diverse membership of Oregon gardeners from all backgrounds and experiences, promoting diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility within the organization. Led by Shelby Shuppe (Benton County).
Winter 2026 Gardener’s Pen is available on the OMGA website. Learn more about statewide advocacy and continuing education opportunities statewide.
Extension News
Extended Trainees: Know someone who didn’t finish the training but would like to, please reach out to Otillia Schreuder to get put on the extended trainee interest list. If you know
someone with additional questions, please reach out to Otillia Schreuder at
Community Events and News
These activities are not sponsored by BCMGA but are of possible interest to members
Evening Gardening Club Grant Applications is open from February 15th to March 13th. Grants support gardening projects from non-profit organizations that encourage horticultural study, conservation, beautification or improvement in local gardening activities. See their the Evening Gardening Club website for more details.
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