Biweekly Update - June 24, 2025
- Brenda Bye
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
President’s Message - From Paula Lupcho
☀️ It is officially summer and I hope everyone is enjoying their gardens. BCMGA continues to hum along with Farmers Market Clinic Tables, CGET activities, Demo Garden, summer tours, and the help desk at the office.
The help desk is open desk training and for veteran Master Gardeners to keep up with their public outreach hours. The SignUp Genius link is in this newsletter.
Also, our “special partner” the Benton County Fairgrounds has sent us their newsletter. It has a a nice writeup about our MG activities and the link can be found in the newsletter email. I hope you take the time to look it over.
BCMGA Membership News
☀️ In Memoriam: Lacey McNeely It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Master Gardener trainee Lacey McNeely. In her short time with the program, Lacey brought a bright spirit and genuine enthusiasm that touched those who had the pleasure of working with her. Whether at a Plant Problem Scenarios session or a propagation workshop, she approached each experience with warmth and curiosity.
Lacey is survived by her husband, Mike McNeely, and their children, Trystan and Braedyn. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. Condolences can be sent to Mike at mmcneel21@gmail.com. Extension has sent a card and flowers on behalf of the program.
☀️ Thank You to the dedicated MG volunteers who worked with the Public Seed Library this spring. Our presence in the Corvallis Benton Library expands our reach within our local community to help spread gardening knowledge and enthusiasm.
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
☀️Desk Training is Open - Desk trainers are now available for all trainees and veteran Master Gardeners who would like a refresher on desk procedures. 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.
☀️ July Propagation Workshops at PHS - Preparation for next year’s BCMGA Plant Sale is already underway. Join the fun at Philomath High School with morning work parties to avoid the summer heat. See the SignUp Genius for more details.
☀️ Volunteer Waterers Needed for Calvin Community Garden - The Calvin Community Garden provides fresh, homegrown produce for the local food bank—and we need your help to keep it thriving through the summer!
If you'd like to lend a hand or learn more about the garden, please contact Lynn Trimpe at trimpelynn@gmail.com. She’ll gladly answer your questions and can meet you at the garden to get you started. It’s a rewarding project—and a meaningful way to give back to our community!
☀️ Farmers Market Clinic Table - Join BCMGA on the go in your community! Sign ups are open for trainees and certified MGs to chat with the public at Farmer’s Markets and other community events in Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025, and this SignUpGenius will be updated as more opportunities become available. We hope to see you there!
If you have questions contact Elaina Bauer at elainambauer@gmail.com
☀️ Demonstration Garden at the Benton County Fairgrounds - All Master Gardeners, including trainees, are welcome. No need to sign up—just bring your gloves, dress for the weather, and come ready to dig in. We start at 9:30 and go until 11:30. Please use the north Entrance by the Fairgrounds Office.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
☀️ OMGA Joy Of Garden Regular Registration is still open - If you would like to attend this yearly favorite event, don’t delay. The event runs on July 11th and 12th and features classes on fungi, alliums, hydrangeas and so much more. Meet your fellow MGs from across the state. Two-day registration is $100. See Joy of Gardening webpage for details.
☀️BCMGA Summer Garden Tours are upon us! Please join other Master Gardeners to explore some of the diverse and interesting gardens in our area. More details will be emailed by our hard-working Vice President Laura Horsey as the tours approach.
Date | Tour / Event | Location | Time |
July 8 | Andrew Millison garden | Corvallis | Tues. 5:30 pm |
August 6 | Japanese Healing Garden | Lebanon | Wed. 6:30 pm |
Sept 17 | Annual BCMGA picnic | Corvallis / Avery Park | Wed. 5:00 – 7:00 pm |
☀️Growing Oregon Gardeners OSU Level Up Series - These free online webinars are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at noon. The series runs from April through September 2025. For details and registration are available on the Extension website.
Extension News
☀️ Master Food Preservers has posted their class schedule for Spring 2025.
☀️ Looking for Local Pollinator Gardens to Join Garden Ecology Study - Taylor Janecek is a new Ph.D. student in the Garden Ecology Lab, who is looking for pollinator gardens in Eugene, Corvallis, and Portland metro. Taylor will be identifying the plants in each garden, to get a better sense of what gardeners are planting, what pollinators these plants support, and the standing crop of forage resources in OR pollinator gardens. Please see the Garden Ecology Lab Blog to register.
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