Biweekly Update - May 27, 2025

Brenda Bye
5 days ago
4 min read

President’s Message - From Paula Lupcho

🥕 A big thank you to Laura Horsey, BCMGA Vice President, for coordinating the screening of “Farming While Black” on May 15. It was very well attended with a great mixture of Master Gardeners from Benton and Linn Counties, community members, and students.

With summer just a few weeks away, it may seem like the pace of BCMGA slows down, but this really isn’t the case. There is still a lot going on.

Demo Garden continues to meet every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Fairgrounds. If you want to learn more about veggie gardening, this is a great place to do it. Contact David Mandel or Jon Kimerling for more information.

Plant propagation workshops are ongoing. This is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about various propagation techniques and learn about the plants themselves. We grow an amazingly diverse number of plants. Look for the SignUp Genius for the propagation workshops.

The Fairgrounds Entrance Beds Committee is also actively working on the educational landscape beds that greet fairgoers as they enter the annual County Fair. Each bed is themed and has a MG steward that oversees the plantings and care of that bed. Help is always welcome. Contact Kathy Clark for more information.

Summer tours start in June with a field trip to Leach Botanical garden. More information can be found in this newsletter.

There are also Farmers Market Clinic Tables and pop-up clinic tables throughout the summer. Elaina Bauer is chairing this activity.

Also, don’t forget to register for the OMGA Conference Joy of Gardening on July 11-12 at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the OSU campus. Classes count toward continuing education hours. There will also be other volunteer jobs to help make this event a success. More information and the registration form can be found at omga.org.

Happy gardening and enjoy all of the great weather.

In Memoriam

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Steve Naberhuis. Steve is from the class of 2008 and was an active member of BCMGA. In 2009, Steve was Membership Secretary. From 2010 to 2014, Steve served as the association Treasurer. Steve also chaired the Farmers Market Clinic Table in 2011, and then from 2016 to 2022. The association was pleased to recognize Steve’s service with the Master Gardener of the Year Award in 2012 and Lifetime Member Award in 2024.

BCMGA Membership News

🥕June Member Garden Tour - Join fellow BCMGA members at the Leach Botanical Garden in outer Southeast Portland. The garden features an aerial tree walk, a four-season pollinator garden, a variety of unique collections, including many plants native to the Pacific Northwest.

Where: Leach Botanical Garden 12323 SE Claybourne St., Portland

Logistics: Arrive by noon

Bring sack lunch and water bottle

Join BCMGA vanpool or create a carpool with other members

Contact Leach staff for accessibility information: 503-208-6030

Cost: $13 for admission and horticulture staff-led tour

Payable by cash, check or Venmo to Laura Horsey (advance or day of)

SignUp Genius: Must sign up via SignUp Genius by June 20

Information on Vanpool and carpools available there as well

🥕Gardener’s Pen Newsletter - OMGA has released the most recent edition of its quarterly newsletter. Learn more about the Master Gardener activities that are happening throughout the state. https://omga.org/category/gardeners-pen-newsletter/

🥕BCMGA Board of Directors Meeting - The next BOD meeting is on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Sunset Room at Extension. Meetings are open to BCMGA Members.

Volunteer Opportunities

These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours

🥕Fall and Winter Gardening Clinic - There are still two volunteer spots left in this popular CGET vegetable growing class on July 19, 2025. Check out the CGET Signup Genius.

🥕PopUp Veg Clinic at the Benton Library June 14th at 9AM – The Public Seed Library clinic table is a great way to provide public gardening education. There are still volunteer spots open for trainees to earn direct service hours. If you are interested in this event or other Public Seed Library activities please check out the Seed Library SignUpGenius.

🥕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!

Contact Elaina Bauer at elainambauer@gmail.com if you have any questions.

🥕Wednesday Work Parties at the Demonstration Garden at the Benton County Fairgrounds—rain, shine, or even snow! 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.

Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Location: Demo Garden, Benton County Fairgrounds

110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis, OR 97333

How to get there: To access the garden you will need to enter from the north past the Fairgrounds Office using Adams Way.

🥕Extension Plant Clinic is prepped for trainees and Master Gardeners who are looking to retrain at the desk. Questions really start to pick up as spring rolls into summer. This is some of the most important work that we do as Master Gardeners. Shifts are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Check the new 2025 Signup Genius to grab a spot!

Continuing Education Opportunities

Approved for CE by OSU Extension

🥕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.

🥕Lebanon Garden Tour - June 21, 2025 there will be a walking tour of the of 7 different gardens in Lebanon including rain gardens and food gardens. The cost is $20. For details please see the Extension website.