omga.org€¦ · web viewin june, we reported an expanded effort to recruit new master...

Oregon Master Gardener Association Fourth Quarter Chapter Reports

2015Benton County submitted by Jana Tindall

SUCCESSES

In June, we reported an expanded effort to recruit new Master Gardeners--what we called "The Last Word". As of the first of October we have had over 100 people sign up to receive more information. Our application period runs from October 15 to December 1. Applications will be reviewed, and selected applicants, interviewed by the Home Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Program Assistant. Classes will begin in January and will be held on Thursdays. Class size is limited to about 50 so even though we know not everyone will apply, we are very likely to fill the class.

Over the summer we have been reviewing our policies and procedures for needed updates. The process is complete with only a few minor wording changes. We have a policy review schedule with specific board positions assigned responsibility for the review. This spreads the workload and ensures a regular review.

We have successfully recruited and filled all board positions for 2016. Job descriptions are reviewed for any needed changes. The board will be taking action on this item at our November meeting. Current and new board members will meet in December to transition duties. Out-going members are expected to continue to be mentors for the new members.

We have completed work on establishing an Associate Member category. They must complete an application and sign a Code of Conduct agreement. They will be able to take part most activities but will not be able to give gardening advice to clients or work at clinics.

CHALLENGES

Our winner of the International Award for Excellence in Innovative Projects attended the international meeting in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He reported back that many of the concerns that we are facing are the same across the nation. Among these are recruiting and retaining certified Master Gardeners. He has proposed some ideas for both based on his attendance at the meeting and applying some of what others are doing. Stay tuned for more information in future reports.

OMGA Q2, 2015 Chapter Reports of 18

Central Gorge Chapter submitted by Eric Bosler

Summer is, as with all Master Gardener chapters, a very busy time and for those of us in the central Columbia River Gorge that was certainly the case. Two items come to the fore-front.

Plant Clinic both in the office and at the various other venues about our communities have resulted in some unique learning opportunities for both Master Gardeners and the clients we served. In addition to the “run of the mill” questions we see in Plant Clinic, our gardening community worked its way through a growing cycle which was significantly altered by an unusual weather event. In November 2014 before many of the plants in our area had gone into complete dormancy, we experienced a period of unseasonably warm weather followed by a hard freeze. It has been very interesting and educational to see how the gardens, orchards, and native areas in our region have worked through this event.

The Central Gorge Master Gardener Association has had a very successful year. Our projects and programs have thrived and grown. The efforts of all those involved in our program have proved both beneficial to the community we serve and to our association. We remain a strong chapter. One result of that effort will manifest itself as we will again this year be able to contribute significant funds to our Foundation accounts which are dedicated to supporting the OSU Master Gardener Program of the Central Gorge.

Central Oregon Chapter submitted by Diana Hardin Fall is upon us and freezing night time temperatures have already made an appearance. Our two community gardens have had their closings and cleanup for winter. With our wonderful frost free summer they were able to donate over 2,000 pounds of produce to our local Neighbor Impact Food Bank. Changes are in store for next year as the Northwest Crossing Gardens will be moving to a new location and new leadership is taking over at Hollingshead Community Garden. The Bi-Lingual Head Start Class planted beans and potatoes at the NW Crossing Garden in May and came back to harvest in September. What an exciting discovery they found picking and digging!!

KPOV the local radio station continues to broadcast Master Gardener segments weekly. Topics this last month covered everything from Birds to Bats to Dogs in the Garden.


Our annual recognition night was held October 29th. We are happy to report a greater than 70% of our trainees competed their obligation of community service and answering the plant clinic phones. They were thrilled to receive their official Master Gardener Badges.

Following the Leadership forum at Mini College on retention our chapter board held a separate board meeting on this topic. Many ideas were presented and some are going to be incorporated over the next year. Chief of these is to provide advanced training opportunities at our Quarterly Membership Meetings to increase attendance and to restructure the format of our board meetings. Reinstituting a 10 minute university topic at the end of the monthly board meeting is also in the works.

The Budget has been passed and new Officers elected. Of interest in the budget is a committed fund to provide tuition assistance for members wishing to attend the international MG Conference to be held in Portland in 2017.

Clackamas County submitted by

Clatsop County submitted by

Columbia County submitted by Chuck Peterson

The four Community Gardens Columbia County Master Gardeners support have put their gardens to bed for the winter. Our Demo Garden had 931 pounds grown and donated. The St Helens Garden had 3505 pounds and the Scappoose Garden donated 2909 pounds. It has been a very good year for the gardens and the Food Bank.

The Columbia County Master Gardeners Bug Crew will be doing presentations at the St Helens Children’s Fair on October 31 from 10:00AM to 4:00 PM to acquaint the kids to the bug world around them and what the bugs look like, do, eat and how they live focusing on those in Columbia County.

There will be a Bee Wash on November 7 at the Scappoose Senior Center. How to clean and care for Mason Bee cocoons to minimize the mites that invariably attach themselves. We will be washing bees for clients as well as teaching them how to perform it themselves. We will have washing supplies available to purchase for those who wish to try it out for themselves.


Our September Master Gardeners Meeting on September 24 had a presentation by Romona Wulzen on Hummingbirds. How to spot, recognize, feed and care for the birds was presented.

Our October 24, 2015 membership meeting will feature speaker Rod Hill from KGW’s weather team. He will be speaking to how weather affects plants and where he thinks the weather will be going in the near and farther out feature.

Last week some of our Master Gardeners did some landscaping for a Habitat for Humanity House. We used plants and shrubs donated by Means and Skyline Nurseries, local nurseries in the Scappoose area.

Coos County submitted by June Miller

Days are shorter and somewhat cooler thus for the most part our fantastic growing season has come to an end. We are grateful for abundant crops and look forward to continued participation and involvement in our organization.

Coos Bay Farmers Market and MGA Booth has wrapped down as well as the Plant Clinic. These we be resumed in Spring of 2016

The 2015 MG Trainee Graduation Potluck will be held 12/8. It has been decided that the 2016 Event will be held in the Spring to promote greater involvement in county wide MG Events.

Flyer are out for MG Training January 7th to March 10, Thursday’s from 9-4 @ OSU ext. Office and ESD office Coos Bay

The 2016 CCMGA Officers positions are filled except for President’s position. Recruitment is ongoing till the position is filled.

Our four community gardens Bandon-no report, Coos Bay-Winter projects will be replacing tall beds and paint shed. 297 pounds of produce distributed. Coquille- Three station composting almost complete, refencing completed and vandal caught. Myrtle Point-Squash and pumpkin giveaway to children in the community, wooden garden feature completed. Lakeside-Prisoners from Houser are doing ground maintenance-great work. Most beds are slowing down for the winter after a busyand productive year with contributions to local food banks. These gardens are a positive asset to their communities. Keep on growing.


Myrtle Point OSU Ext. has an open position for OMGA Rep. Other staff has been most helpful. Many thanks!

Our Soil Testing and Scholarship Committees are working to maintain quality and high standards.

We are wrapping up duties for 2014-2015 officers and welcome our new officers as they begin the new year.

Curry County submitted by Bobbie Gross

November finds us looking back on a very successful year of CCMGA activities, and looking ahead with enthusiasm to the year to come. Here are highlights of our fall activities.

Rejuvenation of Azaleas at Azalea Park in Brookings

Many old wild azaleas were given a new life by MG volunteers, others, and City of Brookings staff during three, four-hour work days in September. Azaleas were pruned and weeds growing among the plants were removed. This was the beginning of a huge community project to rejuvenate the old wild azaleas in Azalea Park to bring the “beautiful” back to these plants. CCMGA collaborated with the City of Brookings Parks & Recreation Department to begin this project. MG Dennis, who is a commissioner on the Parks and Recreation Board, is heading up the MG efforts at Azalea Park. We're anxious to see renewed growth and vitality in the azaleas, as the result of our efforts. More workdays are planned for the future.

Riley Creek School Garden in Gold Beach

“The Fall Festival was fantastic!” according to MG Mary who is Curry County Master Gardener of the Year. Riley Creek School Garden has thrived under her leadership. About 200 kids and parents attended the Fall Festival in the garden, enjoying a scavenger hunt; pumpkin weight guessing; apple picking/coring/peeling/slicing; sampling pumpkin and zucchini bread, pumpkin cupcakes, sundried tomatoes, and MG Debianne's lettuce wraps. MG Saloma's four goats were a big hit! All this was made possible with the help of many MG volunteers.

Riley Creek is open to the public on Tuesday's from 1 – 4 PM and Saturday's from 1 – 3 PM. Produce from the garden is being contributed to the school lunch program.

Little Bear Patch School Garden in Brookings

The Youth In Transition (YTP) Program from Brookings-Harbor High School is making good use of the garden. It's a hands on class run by Michelle Prudden.


Students are actively involved in maintenance and weeding of the raised beds; picking vegetables; selling some at the Farmer's Market, proceeds going to garden maintenance; giving vegetables to local community kitchens. They're learning to can vegetables in their culinary class. MG's have been helping.

A work party to get the garden ready for winter is planned for November 14.

“ Gardening and Community” Series at the Chetco Community Public Library in Brookings

This very successful series of gardening related topics, sponsored by OSU Extension/Master Gardeners, ended on October 17, and was well received by the public. The talks, organized by MG Program Assistant Scott Thiemann, were given from 10 – 11 AM the first and third Saturdays of the month starting in March. Some MG's participated as presenters. MG's are encouraged to be presenters next year as well.

“Go Garden and Go Green”

A celebration of fall and healthy gardens and healthy eating, “Go Garden and Go Green”, was open to the public and held on Saturday, October 17 from 9 AM – 2:30 PM. It was put on by MG volunteers organized by OSU MG Assistant Scott Thiemann, and Stephanie Polizzi, OSU faculty and registered dietitian. It was well attended. Many folks toured the organic garden in Harbor in the morning, even in the rain. A full room of folks at Southwest Oregon Community College in Brookings enjoyed a delicious healthy lunch put on by Stephanie, and listened to her presentation on how greens fight chronic disease.

Plant Propagation

There are lots of opportunities this fall and winter for MG's to learn about plant propagation by doing it. Every Wednesday at the Gold Beach High School greenhouse, starting around 12:30 PM, propagating and transplanting happen in preparation for the May plant sale. According to MG Saloma, they always have a good time!

Informing Members

CCMGA has a Facebook page thanks to MG's Mary Anne and Saloma. Check it out at:

www.facebook.com/OSUExtCurryMG

Our CCMGA newsletter The Brambles, is put together monthly by MG Cathe Barter. Any member can contribute articles.


http://www.facebook.com/OSUExtCurryMG

Douglas County submitted by Anne BaconDiscovery GardenThe Butterfly Garden has qualified as a Monarch waystation. A sign will soon be installed noting such. We have had an increase in our butterfly sightings in the garden this year, and are excited by sightings of a Monarch caterpillars. This is part of an international organization’s (Monarch Watch) efforts to increase the availability of the Monarch’s natural habitats throughout the butterfly’s migration paths worldwide. Our Butterfly Garden is the right size, exposure, drainage and soil type, shelter, milkweed plants, nectar plants and management (DCMGs) to qualify.

2016 DCMG Board MembersDCMG’s new Executive Board was installed at the August meeting. We welcomed three new members; Patrice Sipos as Treasurer, Anne Bacon as the new OMGA Representative and Nancy Fuller as the OMGA Alternate. Returning to the Board are Fred Alley, Vice-President, Barbara Robinson, Secretary, Denise Fennell, Membership Director, Larry Sutton, Past President, and Chris Rusch will continue to serve as President.

Winter Training 2016

As of this report 24 new students have signed up and paid for the 2016 class with several additional students expected to do so at orientation on November 4th. We forecast the class to have about 30 trainees. The students will be assisted in their lessons by 20 mentors, 7 of which are from the DCMG class of 2015.

Plant Clinic Our Plant Clinic training team has been Leo Grass, Larry Sutton, Anne Bacon, Bonnie Courter, and Chris Rusch. A BIG thank you to all of those who regularly work at the Plant Clinic!

Statistics showed 480 visitors had consulted the clinic as of the end of June. We had over 120 visitors in July. August and September, we had over 120 and 90 visitors respectively, and over 75 visitors in October.

Questions ran the gamut from problems with the dreaded spotted wing drosophila, cucumber beetles, and aphids, blossom end rot, sun scorch, powdery mildew on vegetables and grapes; to water management and soil testing. We heard about all kinds of lawn problems from crane fly to weeds. The hot summer was tough on lawns. In addition, we heard about quite a bit of drought damage to trees and shrubs showing up after our long, hot summer.

Mini‐College ReportPresident Chris Rusch had the pleasure to attend Mini College this month.


“It was fun to meet other Master Gardeners from across the state and share organization strategies. Our first day was a workshop on membership retention. It seems our Douglas County Chapter really excels in this. We have so much to offer our membership from the Discovery Garden, Victory Garden and greenhouses to the Plant Clinic. We are definitely lucky to be us. I also attended classes on Orchids of the Andes, berry production; Ask An Expert training and a tour of a local olive orchard and olive oil mill. It was great.”

I elaborated on my experience at Mini‐College. My favorite class was on creating a broken‐pot spiral. I also attended classes on vines and on composting.

Chris Rusch also attended a class on defensible space for fire protection, and contributed an article to the News‐Review on this topic.

Awards Banquet Our annual Awards Banquet was a wonderful chance to acknowledge the many achievements of our Master Gardener volunteers.

Sharon Hopkins is the 2015 Douglas County Master Gardener of the Year.

There are two “Behind the Scenes” Master Gardeners of the Year for 2015: Gale Robinson and John Denny. This award is for someone who works quietly and unselfishly behind the scenes, often going unnoticed, but is always there when work needs to be done. The criteria for this award is that the person is involved in multiple activities, has been a member at least five years, and held no major leadership positions.

From our new class, two enthusiastic ladies were selected as 2015 Outstanding New Apprentices. They are Nancy Fuller and Ann Severson.

Another special award presented during the evening was the Horticulture Agent’s Award. It was presented to Bonnie Courter, by Horticulture Agent Steve Renquist. It is for volunteers who, by helping the agent achieve his goals, positively impacts the Master Gardener Program.

In ClosingEveryone is heartbroken about the events of October 1st at Umpqua Community College. Thank you to Charity Hays who led us in remembrance for the victims at our Banquet. One of our own Master Gardeners, Kim Dietz, was killed in this horrible tragedy. She was known for her love of her family, her garden and her dogs. Let’s remember her family in our thoughts and prayers. We are all very lucky to live in such a caring and resilient community. We are all “UCC Strong”.

Jackson County submitted by Barbara DavidsonOne of our social highlights of the year is a Fall Picnic, and this year we had approximately 180 in attendance. Fare was organic hamburgers and/or brats, lots of garden veggies, and potluck dessert. Special feature was a taste-off contest where


several MGs entered their produce as well as the oddities that sometimes occur in the garden.

This year MGs honored 62 graduates for 2015 by hosting a dinner and awards event. Many of this year’s class had put in considerable hours over the minimum as they worked and learned in our 23 demonstration gardens.

New this year is guided tours and required recordkeeping by the Head Gardeners for our 23 gardens. Also, the composting area has been expanded and improved, and they are now providing more of the compost needed for our grounds.

Our greenhouses have been joined, patched, and made to work over several years as our need increased to the point that this year was to be a turning point. We have torn down some, moved others, renovated a new propagation house, and planning for a new greenhouse (400 Sf) subject to approval by the County, but we are in the approval process and hope to have a new greenhouse for use this Spring.

Elections have been held but results will not be announced until next week.

Josephine County submitted by

Klamath County submitted by

Lane County submitted by Robbin Spraitz1. Regional Administrator John Punches and representatives from Lane

Extension Service programs including Master Gardeners met with Lane County Commissioners to explore the possibility of funding for Extension. Lane County is one of two counties in the state without local funding. OSU Extension is asking the Commissioners to refer a measure to the May 2016 ballot to provide a local option tax funding at a proposed rate of 1.5 cents per $1000 of assessed property value(about $3/yr. for property assessed at $200,000).The request for tax funding will stabilize existing programs, reduce enrollment fees in 4-H, and restore forestry and agricultural services.

2. The MG at night training program started in September. The trainees are assigned to three different mentor groups, each having two veteran MG mentors to guide them. Since many of the mentors are new to this job, two other veteran MGS with experience as mentors serve as “mentor to the mentors”


3. Trainees in the MG training program are now required to develop a project on a topic related to home horticulture that will be used as displays ( in a browsing room like an adult science fair) at future Fall festivals and other MG community events. Veteran MGs will serve as resource people for the trainees. The goal is to get new MGs involved early on in working as a team, educating the public( getting their feet wet so to speak in a non-threatening way), and making connections with veteran MGs and all our specialist committees. All projects will be portable, have a visual or interactive component, and have some kind of customer takeaway like resources and websites. Each mentor group will agree on a topic to develop.

4. Our Fall festival held September 26th was a success with classes presented by MGs, book/magazine sale, handmade MG products sale, tomato tasting, displays of homegrown produce, apple cider pressing, and a bake sale.

5. The date for our Spring Plant Sale has been set for the last Saturday in April. The site has been moved to the Lane County Fairgrounds and will be indoors. The indoor space means we don’t have to worry about unpredictable spring weather.

6. A Badging ceremony will be held Nov. 19 for all 2015 MG trainees who have completed their 66 payback hours. They will receive their actual badge instead of their current trainee badge.

7. Work on our demonstration gardens continues this fall involving: additional plantings in the low maintenance four seasons entrance garden, a Native Plants garden, the restoration of historic Lloyd Bond raised brick beds which will include a storm water mitigation garden in partnership with the Long Tom Watershed Council, the addition of an adaptive potting bench for the Adaptive Garden, and a Memorial Rose Garden. Our team continues to assess the health and appropriateness of location of mature plants already on the property. Plans are underway to add a “dye demonstration garden” with plants suitable for use in dying yarn and fabrics. A design for the demonstration gardens information kiosk, using the Extension Educators grant awarded by OMGA, is in the works as well. Open onsite garden demonstrations for the community occurred monthly throughout the growing season. This summer our informal pollinator strip included some 16ft sunflowers strong enough for squirrels to climb to the top to eat seeds. Quite a sight!

8. Community education and outreach continues. Compost specialists are sponsoring two-hour demonstrations through November as well as making presentations at local schools. Sustainable Landscape specialists presented a two day workshop for members of the community. This workshop is presented quarterly. Plant diagnostic specialists continue working with new and veteran MGs to improve plant diagnostic skills. They also present plant diagnostic training exercises in


the MG training program. MGs continue to staff booths at community events and home shows. Our office based Plant Clinic is staffed with MGs four day/week six hours each day and year round

Lincoln County submitted by Jeffry OlsonThis summer our board voted to add to our existing 4 demo gardens in Lincoln City, Newport, Yachats and at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse by pledging support for an adaptive demo garden at the Oceanview Senior Living Facility in Newport. Wheelchair and walker accessible beds have been built and the ground leveled and packed so they can easily get in. The beds and various planters have been filled by MG’s and happy residents. In addition to becoming an important activity for the many residents who are free to tend the garden when they like, it has grown central to the community’s social life hosting, among other things, their weekly Friday happy hour. A glass of wine in the garden!

By proclamation of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners the week immediately following Mini College was declared to be Master Gardener Week here. From August 9 through the 16 LCMGA hosted events at our 4 gardens and also at the Lincoln County Fair in Newport. MG’s pulled together to help make the fair a success. It was run for the first time under complete control of our local Extension office. Activities included a public taste off of numerous tomato varieties (the winner was Lucky Tiger), a cloche building presentation, veggie growing demo and discussion, worm bin composting and various others targeted specifically at seniors, youth and families.

Tomorrow, on October 16, MG’s will meet up with a class of second graders from Sam Case Elementary for the annual harvest at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Garden. This is the garden’s 20th consecutive year operating in collaboration with the school and Oregon State Parks. When all the food is in, the children will be driven to our local food bank to donate the harvest. Earlier this summer LCMGA and State Parks hosted a free BBQ feast at the garden drawing a crowd of locals and visitors to our area.

Fall is also when we begin preparations for our second biggest fundraiser. For the sixth year we will be hosting a booth at the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival to be held February 25 through 28, 2016. Besides making money to further our programs this event provides a great opportunity for LCMGA members new and old to have a great time working together in a fun venue. Perhaps we will see some of you there.

This fall our highly attended gardening roundtable series resumed with topics including:food preservation, food fermentation, growing garlic and alliums, composting and mushroom collecting. The roundtables continue to be a wonderful method of


outreach to our community as well as a great way to increase awareness of, interest in and sign ups for our MG Program.

November 16 we will hold our annual graduation celebration. Although this year’s class was small, 12 of the 16 apprentices will get their badges. The meeting will also include a potluck and announcement of our various service awards to members.

The 2016 MG Program schedule has been finalized and publicity is underway setting us on the garden path to another successful year. Time now to put our gardens to bed and get ready for the new year.

Linn County by Randy Peckman

LCMG, Rich Little held two Mason Bee Cocoon cleaning workshops in October at the Linn County Extension Office.

The Pacific Northwest Brown Bag Series talks were held at the Albany Library Sept 30-Oct 21st. The talks will be repeated at the Lebanon LBCC Center Oct 29-Nov 19th. Susan Morton presented “The Inner Lives of Plants” (how plants can tell time, form alliances, sense gravity and more). Rich Little presented “ How to Grow Healthy Living Soil”, Don Lauer presented “Year End Gardening Tasks” and Glenn Harms of Homestead Dahlias presented “Dahlias, Dahlias, Dahlias!” .

Planning for the 2016 Pollinator Conference is moving forward. Most of the speakers have been secured by Rich Little. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 12th at the Albany Holiday Inn.

The Linn County MG Demo Garden had two potluck cookouts to show off the major upgrades and to encourage members to get to know each other. The October membership meeting’s topic was “Worm Bins” presented by LCMG Larry Steele. The November meeting will be our graduation celebration. Finally the December membership meeting will be a holiday social.

Using the OMGA Karl Carlson Grant the LCMGA Demo Garden team purchased a laminator, added a lot of education signage and purchased some new signage to make the Demo Garden more visible from the Linn County Expo Center/Fairgrounds.

Our association continued to support the Lebanon, Sweet Home, Brownsville, and Albany Farmer’s Markets. We are working to having a topic to discuss each time at our Farmer’s Market plant clinics. Examples- we had tomatoes with blossom end rot at the table to facilitate education about the causes, we had Crimson Flag starts to give away showing a plant that will give you fall color, etc.


After a very poor campaign to recruit new trainees in 2014, we are happy to report that we had about 100 people express a possible interest in becoming 2015 and 2016 master gardeners trainees. We accomplished this by having sign-up sheets at the Farmer’s Markets, at the Demo Garden and at all events where we invited those who might be interested in becoming master gardeners to give us their name, e-mail and phone number. Although some decide later that they can’t do the training, this effort has given us 25-30 who have a real interested in the program and the training.

Linn County MGA hosted the November 7, 2015 OMGA meeting at the Linn County Extension Office.

M arion County submitted by Peter Dane

On August 25, our annual "Bring and Brag" picnic was at the "Marion Demonstration Garden," on Center St., in Salem. Persons showed off plants and vegetables from their summer gardens.

The "Suggestion Box" at our Demonstration Garden was replaced with an email address, where persons can send in constructive comments.

September 3, at the150th anniversary of the Oregon State Fair, in Salem, there was a presentation to 45 persons, on "Native Plants," by our own, Maynard Hammer.

September 10, four of our lady Master Gardeners, gave the annual, "Home School Day" presentation to 676 adults and kids, on wildlife, plants, insects, wetland, birds and clean water..

September 12, two of our Master Gardeners volunteered, for four hours, at Al's Nursery, in Woodburn, identifying local bugs from customers' gardens. The nursery business in the Northwest, first started in Woodburn, in the 19th Century..

September 12, the Master Gardener's "Food Preservation" group had a information table at the "Disaster Preparedness Day," on the front steps of the Oregon Capitol building.

September 19 and October 17, from 10:00 until noon, we sponsored "Open Houses" at our Marion Demonstration Garden, for the local community. There were a few “garden clinics," and some free plants were given away.

September 28, at our monthly Association's public meeting, at the Salem Library, there was an entertaining presentation on "Recycling and Composting in the Garden," by Alan Pennington, "Marion County Recycling and Waste Reduction Coordinator. The October 17 meeting featured Bob Denham, who spoke about "Ergonomics in the Garden."

October 5, a committee was formed to look into replacing the Garden Chairperson, with a "Garden Guidelines Committee," of 5 persons, to spread out the work on our 2 acre garden. It would make it easier to find new volunteers.

October 24, there was a 3 hour, "Orchard Mason Bee Workshop and Bee Wash."


October 28, "Mentors" were trained, for the new Master Gardener, Class of 2016. November 1, MCMGA is switching to" VRS," on the Internet, to record volunteer hours.A few of our Master Gardeners participate in a weekly garden radio program, for

20 minutes, each Thursday, at 8:40 AM, on KBZY, 1490 am.MCMGA is in the process of revising and updating their "By Laws." Our "Garden Gate" monthly newsletter was 18 pages in October. A note of

publicity was given to our "Facebook" page, "Marion County Master Gardeners." There were small announcements, for the meetings of three local garden clubs.

The new Marion County "Ag Extension and 4-H District," approved in the May election, has been reorganized, and is providing better service to local, agricultural related interests.

Multnomah County submitted by

Polk County submitted by Judy Nathe

Polk County Master Gardeners have maintained a busy schedule this fall. The annual August chapter social was very well attended. The Gathering Place at the Inspiration Garden offered reprieve from the hot sun while diners enjoyed the potluck dinner. The evening was an opportunity for many to appreciate the development at the Inspiration Garden project.

Busy workers are preparing the new greenhouse and outdoor area in readiness for propagation activities. Locating the benches, tables, preparing potting areas, addressing parking concerns and more keep this crew on the move.

The annual Fall Fling educational outreach was held in early September at the new armory in Dallas. Many, many hours of planning and attention to details resulted in another successful event.

The Chapter continues to address administrative matters such as revision of Bylaws, Standing Rules and job descriptions. A committee structure will help offset the responsibilities of some offices. The job of second vice-president has been removed.

Tillamook County submitted by Barb CasteelThis quarter in Tillamook has been all about reporting results. We are so thankful for our members who step up and get things done. Carla regularly writes a gardening column for the local paper and frequently highlights TCMGA projects. Celeste helps


with native plants and has improved both the Head Start landscaping and attracting beneficial insects to the OYA garden. Linda reports that we have donated literally hundreds of pounds of food to a local food bank—it’s a group effort, but she keeps us all on task.

I have said it before, but I will say it again, we are SO thankful for our agent, Joy Jones. She is so supportive yet confident in our abilities so that she can let us get on with business while she is preoccupied with summer 4-H and fair activities. This is particularly true in the office. This year’s class, with the help of the hardy perennials, has developed into a crack “CSI team” solving all manner of gardening issues.

Tillamook is a long, skinny county. To make it convenient for everyone, we have three Farmer’s markets. All told, we had about 200 contacts. You might be surprised at the questions tourists bring us! We get to hear all kinds of gardening stories and one notable client took information on cloches. She said it would be useful as the climate in her home— Ireland—was similar. Of course, there were the usual questions on bugs, slugs, weeds and other plants. Farmer’s markets are great exposure.

On the upcoming events front we are happy to report groundbreaking on a new home for our extension office. The community college is building a “partners” addition, which will house Extension, OSU and other partners. It may even be ready for the November 2016 OMGA meeting. The Wade and Spade Garden Tour will return in 2016 and feature some small farms. We are hoping for more experiments in the Learning Garden. This year’s experiment, grafted tomatoes/potatoes, might have yielded one serving of fries with ample tomato sauce. We will also do some things in the hoop house a little differently. House of Grace, a transitional home for women is asking for gardening and cooking classes. A Seed to Supper class might be appropriate.

Finally, we have a new office assistant—one of this year’s apprentices. We think she will do a really good job.

P.S.: We still have lots of OSU Master Gardeners decals suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Let us know if you want any!

Umatilla County Submitted by Sue Stefancik

August saw us at a booth at the Umatilla County Fair where we answered questions to the public. Hot weather but a good week for contact with the public. Our September meeting had a good crowd as our speaker, Matthew Campbell, spoke on Native Lepidopteras and Their Host Plants.Matthew brought samples and plenty of butterflies, moths, either cocoons or newly hatched. We plan on having some outings with Matthew this summer.


September saw us at the Pendleton Farmers Market and the Milton-Freewater Market. At Pendleton's we have the test kitchen and we spent time during the week preparing green tomato relish, chutney and hot dog relish. We passed out around 250 samples to the last Farmer's Market of the year. We'll definitely keep doing the test kitchen once a month. We like the interaction with the public and the time goes fast, even when it's 100 outside. The Milton-Freewater Farmers Market is weekly and they are an information booth. They had plenty of volunteers to fill the booth every week.

At our October meeting we have Johana Schuh and daughters give a power point presentation on "The Power of Worms". Johana brought a worm bin and went through all the steps on how to set one up. We were all impressed on how both this presenter and September's presenter are obsessed with their hobbies!

We have three gardens total around the county and are in the mist of cleaning and closing the gardens for the year. Food items were distributed mainly to CAPECO and other groups like the Salvation Army kitchen and Senior Centers.

We will have a booth at the Altrusa Holiday Bazaar on November 21st and we'll sell items but also promote our upcoming 2016 Master Gardener Class. We have November and December left on the calendar and our elections are in November with graduation and installation of Officers in December.

Happy Fall to you all.

Wasco County submitted by Jens Frederickson

Putting the Demonstration Garden to Bed

The Wasco Chapter of Master Gardeners met for our last garden work-party to clean up our garden for the winter season. In some ways it seems sad that another growing season has come to a close. All the time and effort we expended has come down to this: a few more pounds of tomatoes, but a large sack of sweet potatoes for the food bank, virtually everything else run through the chipper/grinder and piled into the compost bins. I guess every season needs to come to fruition in its own time and its own way. From seed and soil to germination, growth and fruiting, harvest and then the composting bin. Ah the cycle of life, my parents are no longer able to enjoy it, but we leave organic matter for our children and grandchildren. As a small child I can remember my grandmother telling me we are living better than the kings did when she was a child. So this should be a time of rejoicing. I get to cooperate with some of the best: encouraging, knowledgeable, and friendly people on a warm calm morning reviewing what worked and maybe what we should have done to improve the chances experimental gardening successes. We need to remember to laugh at our mistakes own our mistakes and most of all learn from our mistakes. Each gardener studies to build a blending of plants growing well together in an area called “our garden”. When we know to


some degree, then we enjoy sharing our experiences. Sometimes we can help others, but more often there will be someone to explain what we should have done to have a better outcome. That after all is the purpose of work parties right?

We also discuss the garden activities that were provided this past year. The day camps where first through fifth graders could volunteer to participate. We try hard to help the students have a greater appreciation for plant life. I have not forgotten how when I was that age I was interested in animal life, but I thought plants were boring. I didn’t understand the way plants help us to live: by freeing up oxygen for us to breath, by being basic the source of all food, by providing lumber and timber for building and construction, by humidifying the dry hot summer air, as well as being a multiple source of many medicines. My goal is to help these students to think about and understand these plant benefits. I’ve found by waving my arms and being animated I have been able to hold their attention longer but their attention span varies and generally is short. But even after carefully describing how many seeds need to be planted per inch and the wind and the envelope of seeds gets dumped into one small area you just cheerfully explain that’s what thinning was invented for. Volunteer gardening activities should always be happy times.

We have a petal garden in the shape of the Master Gardener trade mark emblem. Each of the six petals is divided into a fairy tale story. During the late spring through early fall good weather days a copy of each corresponding fairy tale is kept at the stem of each pedal. Our demo garden is located along a paved path following the Columbia River. Strollers along this path have often been observed to stop and read the stories then appreciate the corresponding garden. Sometimes the attempt of a garden fitting the story book tale doesn’t grow and develop quite like was planned. But by working together, sometimes transplanting nursery plants and encouraging the imagination, the theme of the garden “Where children learn to grow” is brought to realization.

The other main feature of THE DIG –The Dalles Imagination Garden- is the Coffee at The Dig. Here Master Gardeners take turns presenting a twenty minute to half hour lesson on garden subjects. Coffee and a pastry are provided for physical refreshment along with the refreshing gardening lesson. There is a sign at the garden visible from the river trail identifying the upcoming subject, the date and the time. Passersby often stop in, and seem to enjoy this time with us. Often we have repeat visitors and have successfully used these lessons to recruit future Master Gardeners. We have a good time participating in all our activities, and seem to attract likeminded recruits.

Washington County submitted by


.

Yamhill County submitted by Al HanksMaster Gardener AwardsCongratulations to the Yamhill County master gardeners who received awards for 2015.

-Marcia Sherry, Oregon Master Gardener of the Year

-Alan Wenner, Oregon Master Gardener “Behind the Scenes” Award

-Oregon State Diamond Pioneer Awards=Sue Nesbitt-Gene Nesbitt-Gail Price

-Linda Mason, Yamhill County Master Gardener of the Year

2015 Graduating ClassThe 2015 new class graduated 22 individuals; an 85% completion rate. Eight individuals (36%) achieved over 100 volunteer hours during their internship period. Emphasis on an upgraded and energized mentoring program is a major factor in the success of the new class. Our graduation and awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November, will also recognize over 60 recertified members. A 10% increase year over year.

Education Outreach CommitteeA modest re-adjustment of committee and YCMGA board member duties has resulted in added emphasis on the “Education Outreach” committee. Certain functions and activities that were previously assigned to the President Elect have received new emphasis and focus in the “Outreach” and “Tours” committees. The board believes this better aligns our organization with our public service mission.


omga.org€¦ · web viewin june, we reported an expanded effort to recruit new master...

Documents