Biweekly Update for Sept 8, 2026
Upcoming Dates
As September rolls into action there are a number of important housekeeping items and fun events to mark on your calendar.
September 15th is the last day to turn in BCMGA Award Nominations
September 18th marks the BCMGA annual potluck picnic. Be amazed by the many dishes made with fresh garden produce that appear each year.
October Membership Meeting with election of new board members. This is a great time to pay your yearly dues.
October 31st - Volunteer and Continuing Education hours are due on VRS. Start now and get them finished early!
November 14th - Master Gardener Graduation and Awards in Tangent
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.
There is an updated BCMGA Reimbursement Form 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
New Volunteer Dates at the Philomath Greenhouse - Fall is an important season for the Plant Sale Committee. The greenhouses are maintained and organized, plants are propagated, and seeds are stratified. Multiple new dates have been scheduled for September and October. Come and join in the fun.
There is a special workday on October 9, 2026 putting a new cover on the west greenhouse. It’s a hands-on physical day and needs 6-8 strong, able-bodied volunteers including lifting and some ladder work.
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
Plant Question Tables
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
Firewise Landscaping at the Corvallis Fire Department
Please consider tabling at the Corvallis Fire Department Open House Event on Saturday, October 3rd! The event will be from 11am-2pm at Station 1, which is located at 400 NW Harrison Blvd. Plan to arrive 15 minutes beforehand to set up and allow 15 minutes to pack up.
Because this tabling event includes a specialized topic (Firewise Landscaping), please review the resources linked in the sign-up genius. While we encourage you to watch the webinar (preapproved for 1 hour of CE), we do ask that you read through the handouts at minimum. You do not need to be an expert in the subject; please direct visitors to resources as needed. There will be a tabling kit for pick up along with the PQT box, and the fire house will provide tables and chairs. Contact Signe at signe.danler@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Sign up for the event here: BCMG: PQT Firewise Landscaping Tabling
School Garden Committee from Jennifer Klammer
It’s Fall! School Gardens are in full swing! Volunteers needed!
It’s the season for school gardens to ramp up. BCMGA has projects at several schools in Corvallis and Philomath. If you are interested in volunteering, you’ll need to submit a Volunteer Application and get background checks through the school district AND through BCMGA.
For more information contact:
Adams School, 1615 SW 35th St, Corvallis
BCMGA Coordinator: Nellie Oehler
Mountainview Elementary School, 340 NE Granger Ave, Corvallis
BCMGA Coordinators: Susan Hoffman and Nancy Tovar
Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School, 1825 NW 27th St, Corvallis
Monday-Thursday 1:10-1:45 Kindergarten garden activities
Coming soon: Garden club and work party plans
School Garden Coordinator:
Amanda Tuckson, amanda.tucksen@corvallis.k12.or.us
BCMGA Advisors: Jennifer Klammer
Philomath Elementary School
Friday morning second and third grade Garden Workshops
Friday noon Garden Club for fourth and fifth graders
School Garden Coordinator: Anne Schroeder
Volunteer registration and background check:
BCMGA Advisor: Jennifer Klammer
BCMGA Youth Program Background check:
Laurie Gibson, laurie.gibson@oregonstate.edu
Continuing Education Opportunities
These activities are approved for CE by OSU Extension
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
Firescaping Class at Home Grown Gardens
Home Grown Gardens is conducting a 2-hour class on Firescaping based on the book by Douglas Kent as well as information from OSU and the National Fire Protection Association. It will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10 AM-12 PM. The class is free but requires an RSVP; call 541 758-2137 to reserve your spot. The event is preapproved for 2 hours of CE.
Wildfire risk in the Pacific Northwest isn’t just increasing—it’s changing in character. We’re seeing longer seasons, more extreme conditions, and fire showing up in places that historically didn’t burn often. This class will demonstrate how to make your home more fire resistant. Jeff Cope will teach the class, drawing on his experience managing lands in the wildland-urban interface and working with the local fire marshal and Fire Safe Council in Santa Barbara. Jeff will focus on proper plant choices, arrangements and maintenance. Paul Catino will also be present. Paul has a degree in Forestry at OSU, and works as a wildland firefighter and fuel reduction planner. Paul is a graduate student at OSU and a certified burn manager trainee, and he also owns a contracting business specializing in ecological restoration and wildfire risk reduction. Paul will cover fire behavior and hardening your home against wildland fire.
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 from Representative Catherine Whiting
Remember that any and all produce you donate from MG gardeners and from your own garden to food banks, schools, etc. should be tallied in the Master Gardener Program Volunteer Reporting System. The state's goal is 50 tons for 2026.
Your yearly BCMGA dues includes $5.00 membership dues toward OMGA; you are an OMGA member! Visit the website for the quarterly OMGA newsletter, gardening resources, and county chapter information. https://omga.org/
OMGA Advocacy group will sponsor a webinar in mid-November on the legislative process and key points to bring up with your local legislators to keep Master Gardeners funded. I will let you know the exact date when I hear.
New Seed to Supper books are currently being updated with new artwork, layout, and information. There will be a Spanish and English version. Digital versions will be ready by mid-November.
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
Linn County MG Event
🍅TomatoFest is Back for 2026 - Join in the free fun at this year’s TomatoFest. There is a whole parade of fresh heirloom tomatoes to taste. There will also be local vendors with flowers, baked goods, salsas and more.
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Where: Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St, Lebanon
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