Biweekly Update for Sept 23, 2025
- Brenda Bye
- Sep 23, 2025
- 6 min read
President’s Message
From Paula Lupcho
🌻 Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to watch the quality of the light change and see the lengthening shadows in the afternoon. It is also a time to take notice that there are only 39 days left in the Master Gardener year.
Volunteer hours need to be logged into the Volunteer Reporting System (VRS) by October 31, 2025. Even if you are not a certified Master Gardener, your hours count and are important to accurately reflect what we do. It is always best to log your hours well ahead of the deadline. There are about 2500 Master Gardeners in Oregon, and many of them wait until the last minute to complete their VRS log. It’s not surprising that this slows the system down and occasionally creates problems logging in.
If you have difficulty using the VRS, Otillia will have office hours to assist members who need help. (See office hours schedule below). I am also available to assist members with the VRS program. (Paula Lupcho: plantdoc2746@gmail.com or call at 541-929-3050)
About Recertification for 2026: Last year, there were new requirements for Master Gardeners who wanted to maintain their certified status, and it surprised many of us. This year, I want everyone to be well informed about what will be required for 2026. Along with the “usual” paperwork, a background check will be required. This is OSU policy for all volunteers and part of the University’s commitment to protect youth. There is no cost to the volunteer. Please see the attachment to this email for more information.
At this time, I have heard nothing about Child Safety Training being required. I have sent an inquiry to Leslie Madsen, OSU Master Gardener Program Manager. I will let you know as soon as I hear from her.
The Annual Recertification Requirements are:
20 hours of volunteering on approved Master Gardener projects.
10 hours of continuing education (1 hour of which should be focused on Growing and Belonging)
Complete all required paperwork
BCMGA Membership News
🌻 Call for 2026 Nominations - BCMGA is beginning the process of assembling its 2026 Board of Directors. Open positions include President Elect, Members-at-Large, and OMGA Representative. The Board plays a vital role in guiding our organization and supporting the high-quality training and community education that define our mission.
If you are interested in serving or would like to learn more, please contact Jill Lodwig. The Nominating Committee will also be reaching out to members starting this week.
🌻 BCMGA Membership Meetings Return - Vice President, Laura Horsey, welcomes all BCMGA members to the October membership meeting for BCMGA Board of Director Elections, socialization and Continuing Education credits.
Monday, October 20, 2025 - The Slow Flowers Movement: Growing Local, Sustainable Cut Flowers with Lisa Schuller, owner of Tranquility Blooms in Lebanon and Member of the Slow Flowers Society
Location: Extension Building, Sunset Room (Use East side entrance)
Format: Hybrid meeting (in-person and online via Zoom).
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program starts at 7:00 p.m.
🌻 CGET Seeking a Second Co-Chair - The Community Garden Education Team (CGET) is one of BCMGA’s most public-facing committees and a cornerstone of our garden education mission. Master Gardeners work best when the load is shared and they are looking for a co-chair to join the amazing Lauren McQuade.
If you love vegetable gardening and want to make a meaningful impact in the community, this is a rewarding opportunity. To learn more, contact CGET.BentonMG@gmail.com.
🌻 Mark Your Calendars: Linn and Benton Counties Master Gardener Graduation - Plan to come and celebrate our Trainee Class of 2025 with a potluck brunch and awards ceremony. More details to come.
When: Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Where: Central Electric Training Center in Tangent, Oregon
🌻Seeking Social Butterflies and Party Planners - Put your social skills to good work helping VP Laura Horsey with the fun social events on the Master Gardener calendar. Currently seeking helpers for the Winter Greens Party on Tuesday, December 2nd. Email Laura here.
Don’t Forget About Plant Desk!
Plant Desk continues to get questions and plant samples during fall. The desk is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm. For trainees, these count toward your 20 hours of public outreach. For veteran MGs, these hours count toward your volunteer service hours for recertification. Go to 2025 Signup Genius.
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🌻 Farmers Market Clinic Table Has 2 Trainee Openings THIS SATURDAY - Join the crew this Saturday, September 27th! Scroll down the SignUpGenius to find this volunteer opportunity. These spots usually go fast so don’t delay. We hope to see you there!
Contact Elaina Bauer at elainambauer@gmail.com if you have any questions.
🌻 TomatoFest 2025 - Saturday, Sept. 27, 10-2: This Linn County event has been approved for volunteer hours for Benton County. There are a variety of jobs with lots of opportunities to answer questions about growing tomatoes. Set up for the event begins at 8 a.m. For more information or to volunteer, contact Sheryl Casteen, casteen@aol.com.
🌻 Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School Garden is looking for Master Gardeners to help during Fall Garden Club! Volunteers will help children, ages 5-10, explore the school garden through a variety of activities. Fall Garden Club will run every Thursday from September 18 to October 23, 11:45am-1pm. Please contact Amanda at amanda.tucksen@corvallis.k12.or.us for more information.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
🌻 Special Training Offered for School Garden Educators - Training is offered by Umpqua Valley Farm to School and they will be sharing activities from their School Garden Tool Kit. The flyer is attached below or on their website. This training has been approved for 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits.
When: September 30, 2025 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Where: Virtual Meeting Zoom
Registration here for this free seminar.
🌻 Grow a Row Class Welcomes MG Learners - learn about the emergency food distribution system in Benton County, factors that influence food security, and how YOU can “Grow a Row” to help the community. For more information or accommodations please contact Otillia Schreuder at 541-730-3471 or Tina Dodge at 541-730-3541.
When: October 9, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Hybrid meeting both in person at the Sunset Room at OSU Extension or via Zoom (https://beav.es/xUE)
Cost: Free and open to the public, so pass the word around
🌻Benton County Master Gardeners YouTube Channel - If you still need more Continuing Education Credits consider catching up on past lectures from our Membership Meetings. They are available on our very own YouTube Channel:
🌻Marion Master Gardener Association is having their Pollinator Connection Conference on October 19, 2025 in Salem. The admission is free but registration is required. See the event website for details on speakers and location.
Extension News
🌻 Otillia is offering VRS Office Hours - Have any questions about anything related to the Master Gardener program? Come ask at office hours. You can also email Otillia Schreuder at otillia.schreuder@oregonstate.edu.
Linn County September Office Hours
Date: September 24, 2025
Time: 4:0 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Linn County Extension Small Conference room
33630 McFarland Rd, Tangent, OR 97389
Linn County October Office Hours
Date: October 15, 2025
Time: 4:0 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Linn County Extension Small Conference room
33630 McFarland Rd, Tangent, OR 97389
Benton County October Office Hours
Date: October 9, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Benton County Extension Small Conference room
4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333
🌻 VRS Raffle- Date Extended: Volunteered and haven’t put the hours in VRS? Win a $15 gift card for a nursery of your choice for entering volunteer hours into VRS by September 26 (vrs.osumg.org/sec_Login/).
Veteran Master Gardeners enter by entering 10 hours of volunteering and 5 hours of continuing education.
Trainees enter by entering 14 hours of volunteering and 6 hours of plant clinic.
Community News
These are items submitted by MGs. They are not approved for credit but are of interest to our membership.
🌻MG Veronica Hennessy shared this LBCC Community Eduucation Course that she thought other MGs might be interested in taking. They are currently looking for more students to offer this class.
Introduction to Herbalism LBCC Course #28782
Thursdays from 5:30PM to 8:20PM starting Oct 2 for 6 weeks at the Benton Center.
"Explore regional and universal herbs through scientific and cultural lenses. Learn about botany, plant chemistry, and preparing teas, tinctures, and oils, with a focus on health and healing. Enjoy hands-on learning, an herb walk, and create items to take home."
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