2018 Here we go!

We are looking forward to a stellar New Year, thanks to your commitment and generosity as garden educators.  So get your day-planners ready for some great training and outreach opportunities.  Here are a few to start your New Year…

2018 Training
Our 2018 Training kicks off in February.  As previously mentioned, we have a strong line-up of instructors and subjects for our 2018 MG Training classes.  The schedule offers some exciting new changes.  In support of the goals of the state Master Gardener program, instructors of our in-person classes are adding more interactive and hands-on activities to their presentations.

Join us to hear perennial favorite instructors as well as some new instructors and subjects.  Also, take the time to welcome and introduce yourselves to members of the new class of trainees.

All of the 2018 Training classes will qualify for 2018 MG continuing garden education/recertification credit.

For the detailed 2018 Training schedule, please see the link below.

2018 Metro Master Gardener Training Schedule

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Class Coordinators Meeting for MG Training
MG training could not take place without the fantastic team of MGs who assist with coordinating the classes.

We are grateful to have our three amazing Class Coordinators, Cindy Manselle (Oregon City), Beven Peters (Portland), and Trina Studebaker (Beaverton) returning to lead the charge offering a well-organized and welcoming training environment.

Those of you who are interested in assisting Cindy, Beven or Trina at one of the three training locations, please join us for a Class Coordinators meeting on Tuesday, January 23^rd, from 10am to 2pm at the Clackamas Extension office (200 Warner-Milne Road, Oregon City).  We will meet to discuss the upcoming training and will assemble Sustainable Gardening Handbooks for the new trainees.

If you wish to attend the meeting or have questions, please email Jordis Yost, Jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu

If you are interested in assisting with class coordination but can’t attend the January 23^rd meeting, please let Jordis know your interest.

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Being an ‘Active and Certified’ OSU Master Gardener

We have updated Master Gardener’s status in CERVIS for the 2018 season based on the completion of the following:

• Volunteer hours (20 hrs. for vets) and
• Recertification credit (10 hrs. for everyone).
• Conditions of Volunteer Service form for 2018 on file. (signed Conditions of Volunteer Service forms need to be submitted EACH year. Download
  the 2018 form here)

When these 3 requirements are met, we list you as “Current” in the CERVIS system and you will be able to sign-up for volunteer shifts.
Note: some MGs reported less than 20 hours of volunteer time and/or less than 10 hours of recertification credit. We realize that these requirements have not been rigidly adhered to in the past. However, current statewide guidelines require us to hold back on recertifying MGs until these minimums are met.

If you find that you are no longer able to use CERVIS, contact Jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu or marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

Also contact Jordis or Marcia if you need guidance in how to reach your minimum requirements to renew your “active and current” status as an MG.

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Winter in the Phone Clinic
Winter is a great time to volunteer at the metro-area phone clinics.  We get a surprising number of questions from gardeners itching to get out in their gardens. The pace of questions is slower in the winter so it is a good time to come in, be acquainted with the resource library, and maybe even do some detective work regarding your own garden quandaries. Shifts are available on CERVIS or you can email the following coordinators to help you sign-up.

• Clackamas County, Janet Hohman (Clackamas Co. staff) janet.hohman@oregonstate.edu
• Multnomah County, Susan Marcus susanmultphones@gmail.com
• Washington County, David Butt dandubutt@gmail.com

We are opening shifts to the new 2018 trainees starting in late March so this is an ideal time for Veterans and Guides to get their names on the schedules. Having veteran MGs working alongside trainees, offering guidance and assurance is critical for the trainee’s success.

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Garden Bridges: Growing Cross Cultural Connection In the Garden

Would you like to garden with immigrants and refugees? Oregon State University is partnering with People-Places-Things LLC.  to build relationships between English language learners and Master Gardeners.  Master Gardeners will develop their intercultural communication skills, helping immigrants and refugees learn English and gardening skills.

The general commitment is two hours a week in a classroom setting developing relationships with language learners. Then when the weather gets a little better, we’ll welcome Newcomer gardeners and show them around, practicing English and tending your plots together. All experiences will be very practical and hands-on. You’ll make some new friends, learn about the amazing people in your neighborhood, and share your expertise.

Interested in becoming a cross cultural educator as part of this pilot partnership with People-Places-Things?

We will have an info session on Thursday, January 11 from 6:30pm to 7:30 pm at Kelly School Center 9015 SE Rural St in Portland.

Please RSVP to weston.miller@oregonstate.edu if you intend to come or have interest in this opportunity but cannot make this event.

Metro Master Gardeners Annual Report

Dear Master Gardener volunteers,

Welcome to 2018!

The Master Gardener program team (Weston, Jordis, Marcia) and our supervisors at OSU appreciate your participation in our outreach and engagement efforts in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.

Your volunteerism makes a difference, helping to spread sustainable gardening information in the community.

Thank you for your contribution of time and expertise!

Volunteer statistics- Wow! and thank you!

In 2017, we conducted the Master Gardener training for 144 students (with volunteer requirement) plus an additional 15 students enrolled in our certificate option (no volunteer requirement). Of this group, 105 students submitted volunteer hours.

We coordinated an additional 440 volunteers (545 total volunteers for 2017), who provided 38,422 hours of service.

Based on the Independent Sector (https://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time) value of volunteer time in Oregon of $24.15 for 2017, the in-kind value of this contribution is $927,891 toward this public service of OSU Extension Service.  Woo-wee!  Master Gardeners are remarkable!

About 18,000 of these hours were applied toward OSU sponsored outreach activities including helplines, plant clinics, and gardening presentations. This volunteer effort produced 48,460 unique educational contacts with adults and 394 pesticide free zone pledges.

Master Gardeners make gardening presentations to the community via our Speakers Guild and 10-Minute University.  In 2017, MGs conducted 69 seminar events with 3,927 educational contacts.

As a learning community, Master Gardeners reported 7,753 hours of continuing education credit through recertification classes, webinars, and pest curation groups.

In addition to the activities described above, Master Gardener chapters in the metro area manage multiple demonstration gardens, conduct plant sales, and orchestrate chapter activities.

These program statistics paint a picture of an incredible learning community focused on community service.  We are in awe!

Thank you to MG program/chapter liaisons!

The MG program team would like to extend a special thank you to a group of MG volunteers that provided us with timely and sage advice during the course of the year through our on-going MG liaison group.  With the goal of improving communications between and MG program and chapters (and individual volunteers) and among the chapters, the Liaison group met eight times in 2017.

Thank you to you:

• Rich Becker, Multnomah Co.
• Kimberly Culbertson, Washington Co.
• Jack Lazereck, Multnomah Co.
• Cindy Manselle, Clackamas Co.
• Janet Weber, Clackamas Co.

We had a great meeting in December with this group and Liaison representatives for 2018.  We are looking forward to continued and improved collaboration.

Strategic plan 2014-2019- Update

To guide the MG program into the future, we are working toward the following goals:

1. Improving the effectiveness of the MG training and volunteer program.
2. Streamlining branding and communications.
3. Optimizing resources (financial, human, and organizational).
4. Expanding our outreach to under-served audiences to promote diversity and equity.
5. Growing the next generation of gardeners (youth and adults).

Here is an update on these efforts:

1. Improving the effectiveness of the MG training and volunteer program

In 2015, we modified the format of the MG program from 11 weeks of in-person classes to a hybrid learning format including seven weeks of in-person training, online content, online final exam in addition to seminars, and hands-on workshops.  This format has provided more flexibility and multiple pathways of learning sustainable gardening content for our students.  This format has also provided more flexibility for the MG program team to provide the MG curriculum.

New for 2018, we have asked our instructors to include active-learning opportunities for in-person classes, which have been mostly lecture-based.  Inclusion of new, hands/minds-on activities is part of a state-wide effort to provide a richer learning experience for our students.

We encourage you to come on out the the 2018 classes to experience this new focus, aimed at supporting adult learning.

2. Streamlining branding and communications

In 2015, the MG program and our area chapters adapted new logos and made efforts to improve MG program and chapter websites and to give them a more universal look and feel.  Additionally, we initiated the MG program/chapter liaison group as an important means of getting advice from you, our volunteer network.

We also know that there is much room for improvement in our communications with our volunteers and community partners.  Here are steps that we are taking in 2018:

• More efficient communications with our Liaison group to make it easier for them to share information from the MG program with chapters and vice versa.
• New and improved online newsletter format including email, blogs, and PDF documents.
• This annual report that you are reading now.
• An annual open meeting for all MGs (coming June 2018).

3. Optimizing resources (financial, human, and organizational).

We continue to benefit from the generous financial support of Clackamas County Extension and Metro.  Both organizations provide critical base funding to make our regional effort possible.  Thank your to Mike Bondi and Carl Grimm for their support.

Unfortunately, we still need to charge program fees to cover our costs of production.  In 2017, program fees provided $64,000 of income needed to conduct the program including materials, transport, and staff time.

We also greatly appreciate nearly $15,000 in donations (over three years) from MG chapters and individuals to support reduced-fee slots for the MG training.  These resources have made it possible for us to offer 61 reduced fee slots to community members (over three years).  Thank you for your generous support!

4. Expanding our outreach to under-served audiences to promote diversity and equity.

In addition to offering reduced-fee opportunities to train Master Gardeners, we are making efforts to engage with diverse audiences.  Here are some recent successes in this realm:

• Master Gardeners instruct basic food gardening classes to the community through our partnership with Oregon Food Bank’s Seed to Supper programs.
• Conduct focus groups and questionnaires in Spanish-language and with immigrants/newcomers to get feedback about pests and pest control as part of SolvePestProblems.edu, a planned website project to provide comprehensive IPM resources for non-agricultural audiences in Oregon and beyond.  We have over 100 points of contact with diverse stakeholders including: Latino, Tongan, Russian, Vietnamese, and immigrant/newcomer communities.
• SolvePestProblems.edu is planned to be a state-wide resource with at least 750 content pages available in both English and Spanish.  Check out the project website for this planned resource.

For 2018, we are planning a pilot outreach program to reach diverse audiences:

Garden Bridges: Growing Cross Cultural Connection in the Garden

Would you like to garden with immigrants and refugees? Oregon State University is partnering with People-Places-Things LLC.  to build relationships between English language learners and Master Gardeners.  Master Gardeners will develop their intercultural communication skills, helping immigrants and refugees learn English and gardening skills.

The general commitment is two hours a week in a classroom setting developing relationships with language learners. Then when the weather gets a little better, we’ll welcome Newcomer gardeners and show them around, practicing English and tending your plots together. All experiences will be very practical and hands-on. You’ll make some new friends, learn about the amazing people in your neighborhood, and share your expertise.

Interested in becoming a cross cultural educator as part of this pilot partnership with People-Places-Things?  See details about an upcoming info session in the January newsletter.

 

5. Growing the next generation of gardeners (youth and adults)

We want to train the next generation of gardeners by providing research-based information.

At the Oregon Zoo backyard habitat exhibit, MGs interacted with nearly 5,000 kids in 2017!

A handful of individual Master Gardeners connect with kids in school gardens through regular programming and consulting services.  Thank you to Frank Willie, Kris Lamar, and Jeanine Rychlik for reporting these important efforts in 2017!

Also, in addition to training the next generation of Master Gardeners, the OSU Master Gardener team is working hard to provide gardening information to the general public through public media contacts including our new partnership with The Oregonian.

 

Monthly “What to do in the garden” video series

We’ve had an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with the Oregonian to produce practical, how-to video series with monthly gardening tips.  Thank you to Monica Maggio and Ruban Lawrence for your contribution to these videos.  And thank you to 2017 trainee Michelle Nicolosi for fostering this partnership.

Check them out!

• September- What to do in the garden
• October- What to do in the garden
• November- What to do in the garden
• December- What to do in the garden

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Winter Greetings!

The Metro Master Gardener Team wants to extend warm winter greetings to you all!  As the year ends, we reflect on the amazing generosity of YOU!  We are grateful for all the hours you have dedicated to educating and inspiring the community to practice successful and sustainable gardening!  Thank you for making such a tremendous difference to our OSU Extension Service Master Gardener community and the communities in which we live.

We hope you enjoy all the wonders of the winter season!

Weston, Jordis, and Marcia

 

 

 

 

 

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Spread the Word!  MG Training Registration is OPEN!

One of the most common ways people learn about Master Gardener training is through word of mouth from other Master Gardeners.  Now is your chance to let others know about the great opportunities available for serving as a Master Gardener volunteer educator.  Registration is now open for 2018 Master Gardener Training!  Share the word with your friends, family and fellow community members.  Direct those interested to our Metro-area Master Gardener website for easy online registration.

 

 

 

 

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2018 Training Line-up!
We have a strong line-up of instructors and subjects for our 2018 MG Training classes.  The schedule offers some exciting new changes.  In support of the goals of the state Master Gardener program, instructors of our in-person classes are adding more interactive and hands-on activities to their presentations.

Additions to this year’s schedule are Berries, taught by fellow MG Jane Collier and Plant ID, taught by Jen Gorski, from the Clackamas Extension Forestry Department.  We look forward to both Jane’s and Jen’s presentations, which will incorporate active learning.

We are grateful to have our perennial favorite instructors joining us for 2018.  Jen Aron, Chip Bubl, Claudia Groth, Monica Maggio, Jean Natter, and Weston Miller.

All of the 2018 Training classes will qualify for 2018 MG continuing garden education/recertification credit.

For the detailed 2018 Training schedule, please see the link below.

2018 Metro Master Gardener Training Schedule

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Class Coordinators Meeting for MG Training – Save the Date!
MG training could not take place without the fantastic team of MGs who assist with coordinating the classes.

We are grateful to have our three amazing Class Coordinators, Cindy Manselle (Oregon City), Beven Peters (Portland), and Trina Studebaker (Beaverton) returning to lead the charge offering a well-organized and welcoming training environment.

Those of you who are interested in assisting Cindy, Beven or Trina at one of the three training locations, please join us for a Class Coordinators meeting on Tuesday, January 23^rd, from 10am to 2pm at the Clackamas Extension office (200 Warner-Milne Road, Oregon City).  We will meet to discuss the upcoming training and will assemble Sustainable Gardening Handbooks for the new trainees.

If you can attend the meeting or have questions, please email Jordis Yost jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu  If you are interested in assisting with class coordination but can’t attend the January 23^rd meeting, please let Jordis know your interest.

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Seeking Plant Gatherers
Thank you to those who kindly volunteered to assist Jen Gorski, our Plant ID instructor, in collecting plant samples to provide for the class attendees.  We still need a couple more volunteers.  As mentioned before, this will require some major specimen gathering, and we are seeking a few dedicated MGs to serve as Plant Gatherers to assist with the project.

Jen will coach and educate the team on what plant samples are needed and how she would like the specimens gathered.   Volunteers must commit to meeting with Jen in January prior to collecting and to collect the specimens, per Jen’s specifications, the week of February 19^th, come rain, sun, snow or sleet.  This will be a great learning opportunity to work with Jen and a lot of fun plant gathering with other plant enthusiasts.  If interested, contact Marcia McIntyre marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

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Changes afoot at the Clackamas County Extension Office!

Many changes are afoot at the Clackamas County Extension office.  Although most of you do not have contact with the office staff.  Their contributions and effect on the Master Gardener Program are invaluable – so we want to share the news and our wishes.

Congratulations and Our Utmost Gratitude!

The Metro-area Master Gardener team joins in sending our sincere congratulation to long-time Clackamas County Extension Office Manager, Roxie Applebee who is retiring.  Roxie has been managing and guiding the office staff for nearly 45 years!  We are truly grateful to Roxie for her incredible, dedicated support of the Master Gardener Program.  Thank you Roxie for your amazing attention to detail, watching out for the MG program and staff, your kindness, and making the Clackamas office such a welcoming and professional environment!  Our utmost thanks!

 

 

Photo courtesy of Trisha White

 

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Welcome Lynn!

We want to extend a warm welcome to Lynn Squire the new office manager for Clackamas County Extension.  Lynn and his family are moving from Utah for a new adventure in Oregon. We have alerted Lynn to the grey days and rain – but also the many rewards of living in Oregon.  We are very much looking forward to working with Lynn and sharing the world of the Master Gardener program with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Lynn Squire

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Thank you Jean!

Many of you who drop-by or call the Clackamas Extension office have had the pleasure of meeting Jean Bremer, our front office support staff, for the Master Gardener Program the past 7 years.   Jean’s responsibilities are changing.  She now is support for Extension Forestry in the Clackamas office.  We will miss her presence working with the MG program, but are happy we will still be seeing Jean at the office daily.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jean for her stellar support of the MG program.  Jean we are sincerely grateful to you for all your hard work, diligence, and ever-welcoming, kind and patient presence!

 

 

 

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Welcome Janet!

We are pleased to welcome and introduce Janet Hohman, who joined the Clackamas Extension team this past October.  Janet is serving as front office support for the Master Gardener Program, and we are looking forward to working with her.  Janet has jumped right in, learning the nitty-gritty of our expansive MG program.  She has not skipped a beat – and maintains a smile and eager effort with all that has been sent her way.   A few fun facts about Janet…she has confessed to LOVING dirt (hey, we are fans too!), has a keen interest in composting, and plays the banjo!  If you come to the Clackamas office to volunteer – be sure to join us in giving Janet a warm welcome.  We are thrilled to have her working as part of the MG team!

 

 

Photo courtesy of Janet Hohman

 

 

 

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Keeping the public in-the-know with great garden tips for fall!

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Master Gardeners Invited to Join Portugal Garden Tour

Master Gardener, Jane Miller, is organizing a group of MGs for a journey through the gardens of Portugal, April 10 – 21, 2018.  If you are interested in joining fellow Master Gardeners for this private tour of inspiring gardens, please follow this link: Portugal Garden Tour, April 10-21, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metro-area Master Gardeners Shine! 

The volunteer log sheets were rolling in during the month of September and some impressive stats are surfacing.   Weston shared these remarkable numbers at our Saturday, October 28^th, Recertification Training.  Over 500 Master Gardeners reported volunteering a total of 38,422 hours of community service in the metro-area! Master Gardeners donated an impressive 14,500 pounds of produce from MG demonstration, personal and community gardens to local food banks. Thank you for your dedication and generosity!

You dug deep, generously sharing your knowledge and time at our MG Farmers’ Market and phone clinics, area parks and gardens, school and community gardens and special events throughout the tri-county area.

Those figures are just a preview of the overall stats for metro-area MGs.  Look to be wowed by more volunteer service statistics in Weston’s annual program report in the coming months.

In the meantime, know the significant contributions and difference you make to our community.  You are fantastic community-focused garden-educator stars.  Thank you for making the metro-area MG program shine so bright!

 

 

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Hearty Congrats Class of 2017 Master Gardeners! 

Hearty congratulations to the 2017 class of Master Gardener trainees who have successfully completed their core training requirements and earned their Veteran Master Gardener badges!  Woo-hoo!  Combined, the 2017 trainees averaged over 67 hours of volunteer service in a little over six months.

Class of 2017 Master Gardeners, we hope you have been enriched by your training and service as a community garden-educator.  We know the Master Gardener program has been enhanced and inspired by your energy and passion.  Thank you for your volunteer service and welcome to the Master Gardener family!   We look forward to having you as part of our garden-educator team!

Completing Core MG Training Requirements

For those of you who are still working towards your requirements, please keep us updated by filling out a Volunteer Log Sheet with your volunteer service (to date) and a signed 2017_2018 Conditions of Volunteer Service.  We want to support you as you complete your journey to earning your Veteran Master Gardener badge.  Please let us know if you have any questions or need our assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

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Stylin’ Blue 2018 MG Sticker For those who have fulfilled the requirements to maintain their status as a “current” Master Gardener, you will have received (at Recertification Training) or will receive (via the mail) a blue 2018 Recertification sticker to proudly display on your MG badge.  The sticker is a designation that you are current and up-to-date, having completed all required volunteer service hours, continuing education opportunities, and completed forms.  For MGs still needing information about how to remain current, please refer to the Volunteer Portal’s ‘Nuts and Bolts for maintaining Volunteer Status’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Take Part!  4 Question Master Gardener Training Survey
Please refer to the letter below from our State Master Gardener coordinator Gail Langellotto and share your insight and impressions of our annual Master Gardener training by taking part in the survey link provided below.

 

 

 

Dear Master Gardeners,

For the 2017-2018 Master Gardener year (November 1, 2017 – October 31, 2018), the Community Horticulture Advisory Panel has been asked to work on ‘re-envisioning Master Gardener training’ with the goal of making trainings (1) more accessible, (2) more interactive, and (3) more fun.

You can learn more about our work at http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/mgcoordinators/chap/http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/mgcoordinators/chap/

We would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to fill out this very short, 4-question survey about your impressions of annual Master Gardener trainings. Your responses will greatly help to inform our process.

You may access the survey at: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GM4fJ1ffbovX9j

Take care,
Gail Langellotto

Associate Professor, Horticulture
Statewide Coordinator, Extension Master Gardener Program
4017 ALS Building, Corvallis OR 97331
Oregon State University 
Tel.: 541-737-5175, Fax: 541-737-3479
gail.langellotto@oregonstate.edu

 

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Spread the Word!  2018 MG Training Registration Open!

One of the most common ways people learn about the Master Gardener training is through word of mouth from other Master Gardeners.  Now is your chance to let others know about the great opportunities available for serving as a Master Gardener volunteer.  Registration is now open for the 2018 Master Gardener Training!  Share the word with your friends, family and fellow community members.  Direct those interested to our Metro-area Master Gardener website for easy online registration.

Note: this year there are two reduced-priced application options.  A limited number of fellowship and scholarships will be offered to selected, qualified applicants.  If you know someone who would be interested in serving the community as a garden-educator and would qualify for a reduced-price option, please direct them to our MG Training registration page for an application and qualifications.  The MG Training Fellowship and Scholarships are being offered thanks to the generosity and guidance of the metro-area Chapters.

 

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Exciting New Additions to 2018 MG Training

Our Master Gardener training continues to evolve through the years.  We have had much success with our hybrid-training model, but we continue to strive to improve.  This year we have some exciting new changes to our in-class presentations.  In support of the goals of the state Master Gardener program, our instructors will be adding more interactive and hands-on activities to their presentations.

In addition to more interactive presentations, we are also adding two training subjects back to our in-class schedule.  We are pleased to have fellow MG Jane Collier, offering her expertise in the care and growing of Berries, and we look forward to welcoming Jen Gorski, from the Clackamas Extension Forestry Department, who will be teaching Plant ID.  So be sure to check out all the classes in our 2018 Training.

 

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Seeking Plant Gatherers

As mentioned above, we are excited to have Jen Gorski, Clackamas County Extension Service, present Plant ID during the 2018 MG Training.  Keeping with the goal of having hands-on learning opportunities, Jen would like to provide plant samples for all class attendees.  This will require some major specimen gathering, and we are seeking a few dedicated MGs to serve as Plant Gatherers to assist with the project.

Jen will coach and educate the team on what plant samples are needed and how she would like the specimens gathered.   Ideally, we would like to have teams of two or three MGs collect plant samples for each of the three training classes.  Volunteers must commit to meeting with Jen in January prior to collecting and to collect the specimens, per Jen’s specifications, the week of February 19^th, come rain, sun, snow or sleet.  This will be a great learning opportunity to work with Jen and a lot of fun plant gathering with other plant enthusiasts.  If interested, contact Marcia McIntyre marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

 

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Special Shout-out of Appreciation!

Our Recertification Training, October 28^th was an opportunity to give a special thanks to the following Master Gardeners for their generous and significant contributions to the metro-area Master Gardeners.  We are grateful to all of them.  Thank you!

David Butt – Washington County phone coordinator

Rob Kappa – Clackamas County Phone Clinic volunteer (375 hours in 2017), Co-coordinates the Milwaukie Farmers Market, and the Oregon Zoo Education Center.

Kris LaMar – Coordinator Speakers Bureau Clackamas County, Phone Clinic and Ask an Expert volunteer

Cindy Manselle – Master Gardener Training Coordinator – Oregon City

Susan Marcus – Multnomah County Phone Clinic Coordinator

Beven Peters – Master Gardener Training Coordinator – Portland

Trina Studebaker – Master Gardener Training Coordinator – Beaverton

Shawn Van Doren – Dedicated Clackamas County Phone Clinic Volunteer (over 140 hours this past year), Coordinator Oregon Zoo Education Center, Coordinator Blue Lake Park Discovery Garden, Coordinator Oregon City Farmers Market

Janet Weber – Previous long-time coordinator for the Oregon City Farmer’s Market MG Clinic, dedicated MG Liaison member.

Frank Wille – Dedicated Hopkins Demonstration Forest, school garden and Oregon City Farmers Market volunteer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We Keep the Public In-the-Know with Great Garden Tips for the Fall

Weston and Monica Maggio with timely fall garden tips:

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ENTHUSIASTIC CONGRATS TO THE 2017 CLASS OF OSU METRO-AREA MASTER GARDENERS!

Photos courtesy of Eddie Rosen.  Thanks Eddie!

 

 

 

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Happy OSU Master Gardener New Year!

Yes, the Master Gardener program year runs from October 1^st through September 30^th of the following calendar year, so we are starting a new year full of fresh opportunities to educate and support our community in successful and sustainable gardening practices!

With the start of a new year we reflect on the past year and send out a big shout of thanks to all of you for your dedicated service to the OSU MG Program!

Thank you Master Gardener volunteers for your contribution to our public service mission!

 

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Thanks for the Logs!
Many thanks to all of you who sent in your volunteer log sheets!  We have been marveling at your dedicated service and the good seeds and deeds you have been sowing throughout the three counties!  Thank you for sharing your passion for gardening and education!

There is still time to submit your Volunteer Log!

For those of you, who have not submitted your volunteer log sheets, please send in your hours by Friday, October 6th.

We need all logs by that date to allow time to order new Master Gardener badges for those finishing their MG training and have enough 2018 stickers for Veterans and trainees alike. Plus, we want to include your generous service contributions in the report sent to the state MG Program, which in turn is submitted to Oregon State University!   Help us to really make our metro-area MG Program shine.

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Signed, Sealed and Delivered!
Remember every October a Conditions of Volunteer Service form needs to be signed, sealed and delivered in order to remain an active OSU Master Gardener.  You can mail your signed form via snail mail to 200 Warner-Milne Road, Oregon City, OR 97045 or email them to marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

Get all the details on how to Maintain your ‘active Master Gardener status (both Veterans and 2017 trainees) and the forms you need to keep ‘Current’ standing in the Volunteer Portal.

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Expand your Garden Education at the Fall MG Recertification Training

Fall MG Recertification Training

Saturday, October 28, 8:00am to 3:30pm, at

Clackamas Community College, Gregory Forum Building.

19600 South Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045

This annual event is a day-long continuing education opportunity.

Earn 6 hours of continuing education/recertification credit for 2018 by attending.  Veteran MGs and “new” Veterans who trained in 2017 need 10 hours of recertification training annually to retain status as an ‘Active’ OSU Master Gardener.  Fall Recertification is a great way to earn 6 hours of credit for 2018.

We have a stellar line-up of speakers.  This year’s presenters all bring their wealth of experience from their work with OSU Extension Service.

• Water to Sustain our Oregon Lifestyle with Sam Chan
• A Vital Partnership: OSU MG Program and OMGA Chapters with Joy Jones
• Integrated Pest Management for Vegetables with Weston Miller
• Diagnostics and Answering Questions as a Master Gardener with Brooke Edwards Ph.D.

Fall MG Recertification is also when we take the time to congratulate and cheer-on the new 2017 Class of Master Gardeners who have successfully completed their training requirements.  Weston will present the new class to their fellow Veteran Master Gardeners between 11:25am and 12noon.

The event is free to all Master Gardeners both Veterans and those finishing their 2017 training year.

Bring a snack to share on the community table and your own sack lunch.

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More Continuing Education Opportunities

Webinar: Who’s Eating the Leaves?
Penn State Extension Community Forestry Management Monthly Webinar Series
Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 12 PM – 1 PM (Eastern Time)

This presentation will teach you to use signs and symptoms of tree damage to identify plant pests.   We will also talk about strategies to prevent or manage these pests.

Presented by: Ruth Benner, Penn State Extension
Where: Webinar at https://meeting.psu.edu/pacommunityforestry
Cost:  Free
1 Hour credit for Recertification/Continuing Education Credit.
Also counts as One Continuing Education Credit for Landscape Architects; Society of American Foresters (CFEs); and PLNA  Certified Horticulturalist (PCH) will be offered to attendees. One CEU for International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists will be awarded with 80% or higher score on webinar quiz. Certificates of attendance will be provided after the program.

Use the link above to access the webinar room starting 15 minutes prior to the webinar start time. Enter the webinar as a guest by typing your name in the name box and click the “Enter Room” button.

For more information contact Scott Sjolander at 814-350-7749 or sas305@psu.edu

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OSU Advance MG Webinar Recordings

Each of the following Webinars count for 1 hour Recertification Credit

• *NEW* ‘Japanese Beetles in Oregon’ by Rachel Suits & Heather Stoven https://learn.extension.org/events/3138
• *NEW* “Status of Boxwood Blight” by Jay Pscheidt & Cassie Bouska  https://learn.extension.org/events/3137
• ‘Never doubt how a small, thoughtful and committed pollinator habitat (in your garden) can change the world’
  by Dr. Andony Melathopoulos:  https://learn.extension.org/events/3139
• ‘Managing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug with Biological Control’ by Dr. David Lowenstein: https://learn.extension.org/events/3140
• ‘Organic Pesticides in Home Gardens’ presented by Kaci Buhl: https://learn.extension.org/events/3141

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2018 OSU Master Gardener Training –  Spread the Word!

Some of you have said you have found your tribe, have nurtured a long-time passion or have expanded your garden knowledge through the Master Gardener training.  Help spread the word about the MG training program and let your interested friends, family and colleagues know that registration for the 2018 Master Gardener training will open in early November.

Please direct interested individuals to our Metro Master Gardener Website to sign-up to receive a notification when registration opens.

Once again, training classes will be held in Washington (Tuesdays), Clackamas (Thursdays), and Multnomah (Fridays) counties.  Training will start the first full week in February (February 6, 8, and 9).  We have a terrific slate of presenters with a few new subjects added to the in-class training (Berries and Plant ID).  Instructors will also be incorporating some great interactive components into their presentations.  So be sure to catch a few of the classes.  Remember MG Training Classes count for Veteran Recertification credit.  3 hours credit for each AM or PM session attended.

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We Keep the Public In-the-Know with Great Garden Tips for the Fall

Weston and Monica Maggio with timely fall garden tips:

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Master Gardeners Growing Their Communities!

 

 

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Stock your Library and pick-up some MG Garden Apparel!

Fall MG Recertification (Saturday, October 28th) is also an opportunity to stock up on gardening books for the winter (all at a discounted price from Timber Press), purchase a stylish canvas, garden tote, a Master Gardener t-shirt, row cover for your garden or any of the other great items that metro-area Chapters will have available for sale at our Fall Recertification training.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Oregon Master Gardeners Association – Read the latest news!

Did you know all metro-area Chapters (Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties) are under the umbrella of the Oregon Master Gardeners Association?

The Oregon Master Gardener™ Association is a statewide, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to enhance and support the OSU Master Gardener™ program. The county Master Gardener chapters together make up the state association.

The OMGA governing body is comprised of representatives of each of the 23 county chapters, as well as state officers. As of 2016, the OMGA was serving over 3500 members throughout the state. Quarterly OMGA meetings are held at various locations around the state.

For the latest news from the OMGA check out the Gardener’s Pen newsletter.  The September issue is available now!

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

September greetings!

It’s harvest time in the garden and time for OSU MGs to “harvest”, compile and submit their volunteer hours! As Volunteer log sheets start rolling in, the Metro MG Team would like to express a hearty thanks for the generous, wide-ranging efforts to Metro-area MGs. Thank YOU for sharing your passion and knowledge, while guiding and educating home gardeners!  You are making a difference and sowing so many seeds!  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MG News in a Brand New Format!

 

Welcome to the inaugural issue of our new Metro Master Gardeners newsletter.  This new format offers:

• Easy streamlined view
• Print option for those who prefer a printed newsletter
• Ability to save in PDF form for those who prefer to save issues on their computer
• Capacity to track and report on newsletter use by our volunteers

With this “blog” format styled, past issues are easily accessed.  We have assembled the blog with these main sections:

• MG Program Monthly Newsletter
• Natter’s Notes with MG Jean R. Natter
• Horticulture Updates from MG Margaret Bayne
• Study Group Diagnostics and Show-and-Tell from MG Elizabeth Price
• Clackamas Chapter News
• Multnomah Chapter News
• Washington Chapter News

As before, you will receive email notification when the latest newsletter is posted. The email will contain a snippet of news features and easy “Read more” button links to the newsletter sections.

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How to Print, email or save a PDF of your MG News
For those of you who prefer to save the newsletters in a PDF on your computer or to print the newsletter, the steps to do both are easy.  You can even easily share the newsletter via email.
Once you click on the newsletter issue of your choice.  Find and click the green “Print Friendly” button above the newsletter.  A pop-up will then appear with the issue of the newsletter you selected.  On the top left of the pop-up box you will see buttons for a “Print”, “PDF”, or “Email”.  Click on your desired option.  It is that easy!

Big Shout Out of Thanks!
As we move to this new format, we want to extend a big shout-out of thanks to OSU Extension staff member, Jean Bremer, who has skillfully assembled and polished our Metro MG Newsletter over the past several years.  We are truly grateful to Jean for her time, energy, skills, patience and kindness.  Thank you Jean!

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Harvest of Volunteer Hours Begins!

‘Tis the season to gather your volunteer hours and submit your volunteer log sheet, prior to the October 1st deadline.

 

Metro-area Master Gardeners, you are stellar in your contributions education and supporting the gardening public, and we want to share that fantastic fact!

The October 1st deadline allows the metro MG program office enough time to compile and share the great news of your tremendous contributions with the state Master Gardener program and OSU Extension Service.

Help us get those statistics to the state level by recording and submitting your hours this month!  We will share the grand totals at our Fall Recertification.

 

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How to Report Your Volunteer Hours?

You can report volunteer hours on one of two volunteer hour log sheets provided in the Volunteer Portal, choose from a PDF or Excel spreadsheet. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/forms

Please email or snail mail your completed log sheet to marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu or MG Hours, 200 Warner-Milne Road, Oregon City, OR 97045

Note:  Please do not submit your hours via the OSU MG online volunteer submission option, CERVIS or CANVAS.  We only process hours sent on the provided OSU Metro Master Gardener log sheets.

A special thank you to those who have already submitted your hours!  Great going early birds!

For those of you who are still seeking Recertification/continuing education or volunteer opportunities look for some great opportunities below

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MG Nuts and Bolts
Need a refresher on how to maintain your Master Gardener certification?  All the nuts and bolts can be found here!  Whether you are a 2017 trainee or a Veteran MG, to continue to serve as a “current” OSU Master Gardener you must submit an annual, signed Conditions of Volunteer Service form.  A 2018 certification sticker will be given to all MGs who meet the criteria and submit their signed forms.

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New Advanced Training Webinar Series for Master Gardeners

Check out the new webinar series which was specifically developed for OSU Extension Master Gardeners seeking recertification.  This year, the series provides advanced training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).  Each session is approved for one hour of continuing education/recertification credit.

• September 5, 1PM: Never doubt how a small, thoughtful and committed pollinator habitat (in your garden) can change the world.  Presented by: Andony Melathopoulos, OSU Department of Horticulture
• September 19, 1PM: Japanese Beetles in Oregon.   Presented by Rachel Suits and Heather Stoven, OSU Extension
• October 3, 1PM: Status of Boxwood Blight in Oregon. Presented by Cassie Bouska, OSU Extension and Jay Pscheidt, OSU Department of Botany & Plant Pathology

 

 

You must pre-register to participate in the webinar.  For details and a registration link go to: http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/ediblegardens/2017/07/05/2017-osu-extension-master-gardener-advanced-training-webinars/

Do not despair!  If you missed the first two webinars, they are now available for online viewing!  See individual links below:

• ‘Managing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug with Biological Control’ presented by Dr. David Lowenstein: https://learn.extension.org/events/3140
• ‘Organic Pesticides in Home Gardens’ presented by Kaci Buhl: https://learn.extension.org/events/3141

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Fun fall volunteer opportunities, sign-up on CERVIS!       

• Fall Home and Garden Show – one of the most popular garden shows and MG volunteer opportunities!  October 12 – 15^th, various shifts.
• Portland Nursery Apple Tasting – festive fun celebrating the apple!  October 14, 15, 21, 22, various shifts.
• Farmers Markets – opportunities to volunteer at a Farmers Market remain for Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsdale, Lake Oswego, Lents, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.  Grab an open slot on CERVIS

 

 

 

 

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Guide home gardeners through the fall and winter season!   As the days shorten and the temperatures cool, a new host of gardening conundrums perplex the home gardener. You can assist and expand your own knowledge, collaborating with other MGs as you research and advise gardeners.  Sign-up on CERVIS or contact a phone coordinator.

• Clackamas County Phones, Jean Bremer, 503-655-8631 bremer@oregonstate.edu
• Multnomah County Phones, Susan Marcus, 503-703-4937 susanmultphones@gmail.com
• Washington County Phones, David Butt, 503-645-5769 dandubutt@gmail.com

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GREAT FALL RECERTIFICATION LINE UP! Saturday, October 28th
Our annual Master Gardener Fall Recertification Training is scheduled for Saturday, October 28^th, 8:00am to 3:30pm, at Clackamas Community College.  This annual event is a daylong continuing education opportunity.  Earn 6 hours of continuing education/recertification credit by attending.

We have a great line-up.  This year’s presenters all bring their wealth of experience from their work with OSU Extension Service.

• Water to Sustain our Oregon Lifestyle with Sam Chan
• Plant Diagnostics for MGs with Brooke Edwards
• A Vital Partnership: OSU MG Program and OMGA Chapters with Joy Jones
• Vegetable IPM with Weston Miller

The Fall Recertification day also gives us the opportunity to congratulate the new class of trainees as they step up to Veteran status after completing their volunteer requirements.  We will present trainees who have successfully completed MG training with their OSU Extension Service Master Gardener badges and a big cheer for successfully completing the program and joining the ranks!

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Seeking Master Gardener Speakers

Are you interested in making presentation on gardening to community groups?  The Metro MG program receives dozens of requests every year for garden presentations.  We have a small but mighty group of MGs who answer the call and present throughout the 3 counties – but requests greatly exceed what these dedicated MGs can handle.  Thus, we are looking for even more MGs to share their research-based gardening know-how.  We will supply support materials and those interested can shadow experienced presenters.  Have fun making a few presentations a year!

Presentations are needed on a variety of subjects:

• Beginning gardening
• Vegetable gardening
• Fruit trees
• Pruning
• Composting
• Container Gardening
• IPM for the Home Gardener
• Small Fruits
• Perennials
• Planting
• Soil
• Beneficial insects
• Pollinator gardens
• Tomatoes
• Small space gardening
• Native plants
• Seed starting
• Propagation
• What’s your garden passion that you are willing to share?

Would you like to be part of this vital community outreach?  If so, contact Marcia McIntyre, marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

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Where but in a garden do summer hours pass so quickly?  – Anonymous

 

Summer greetings!  We hope your gardens are flourishing in these high summer months.  July and August are good months to sit back, enjoy your garden, and of course spend some time wearing your volunteer hat as an OSU Master Gardener!

 

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Phones are ringing!  Questions are flying into the Master Gardener phone clinics via email, phone calls, and visitors to our offices.  This is a great time to expand your knowledge, collaborating with other MGs as you research and advise gardeners regarding their gardening conundrums.  Sign-up on CERVIS or contact a phone coordinator.

Clackamas County Phones, Jean Bremer, 503-655-8631 jean.bremer@oregonstate.edu
Multnomah County Phones, Susan Marcus, 503-703-4937 susanmultphones@gmail.com
Washington County Phones, David Butt, 503-645-5769 dandubutt@gmail.com

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Farmer’s Markets are busy and vibrant with a bounty of summer vegetables and fruits, plus lots of inquiring minds seeking answers to their garden questions.  Each market has its own special qualities.  Discover those unique traits by volunteering at a few farmers markets new to you.  Grab an open slot on CERVIS  Don’t despair if market schedules appear full.  Check back often as schedules change and openings arise throughout the summer.  Let a clinic coordinator know you if you are willing to serve as a substitute for last minute cancellations at your favorite market.

Summer Farmer’s Markets:  Beaverton – Gresham – Hillsdale – King – Lake Oswego – Lents – Milwaukie – Oregon City – Sherwood – Tigard

 

 

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Oregon and County Fair FUN!

If you want a big dose of summer fun, sign-up for an MG Clinic table at one of the county fairs or the Oregon State Fair.  Give sage (OSU proven), garden advice to fair visitors and take a bit of time, before and after your shift, to grab some shaved ice and check out the fair competitions whether it is honey products, the biggest homegrown fruits and veggies, or the best home brew or chocolate layer cake!  Sign-up on CERVIS to grab a shift now!  Admission passes and instructions provided to all fair volunteers.

Clackamas County Fair, August 15 – 19 (Tuesday – Saturday). MGs are in a prime location at the Clackamas County Fair with our clinic table right by the entertainment stage, lovely display garden and plant sale. Join-in!   Sign-up on CERVIS or contact coordinator Jane Collier: carushill@web-ster.com, 503-266-1191.

Washington County Fair, July 27 – 30 (Thursday – Sunday). Nestled right next to the demonstration gardens is the perfect location for the MG clinic. This area of the fairgrounds owes its planning and attractive appearance to the Washington County Master Gardeners and is a popular stop for fairgoers.  Yes, MGs have bragging rights for this beautiful feature of the fair grounds.  Come see it!  Sign up on CERVIS or contact Margery Brunello: mbrunello11@hotmail.com or 973-699-2304

Oregon State Fair, September 1-2. For the ultimate fair experience, take a quick jaunt to Salem for the Oregon State Fair.  Master Gardeners from around the state host the OSU Extension Master Gardener Clinic.  Our Metro MG program does the honors on Friday and Saturday, September 1^st and 2^nd. Don’t miss this festive state celebration! Sign-up on CERVIS or email Jordis Yost, jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu and ask for a morning, afternoon, or evening shift on Friday, or Saturday.

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Get Volunteering! CERVIS will get you there!

All of the OSU metro MG Program volunteer activities are available for sign-up on CERVIS, our online volunteer registration system (for Partner activities contact coordinators). Go to the “Volunteer Portal” link found on the right side of our main website page.  Then find the “CERVIS volunteer event registration” link.

When logging into CERVIS for the first time, enter your email and click on “Don’t Know password/ Reset password” to get a temporary password.

Please only sign up for events that you know that you can attend. If you need to cancel an event, please contact the clinic coordinator for a list of other volunteers interested in serving as substitutes. It is your responsibility to find a backup.

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Moving Forward…
Master Gardeners Advise Program

An engaged and thoughtful group of 40 Master Gardeners convened on Tuesday, June 6^th for a Metro Master Gardener Advisory meeting.  Using the 2014-2019 Metro Master Gardener Strategic Plan as a prompt, participants broke into three groups for a brainstorming session, offering suggestions and recommendations for the program moving toward the future.  Lively discussion ensued, with the compilation of many thoughtful and insightful suggestions.  Program staff greatly value the input and creative ideas.  These suggestions will be further explored via upcoming Master Gardener Liaison Meetings.

Master Gardener Liaison Meetings are open to all Metro Master Gardener volunteers.  Upcoming meetings:

• Tuesday, August 8 10am to 12noon, Washington Co. (location TBA)
• Tuesday, October 10 10am to 12noon, Clackamas Co. (location TBA)
• Tuesday, December 12 10am to 12noon, Multnomah Co. (location TBA)

There will also be a special meeting to explore the use of technology in the Master Gardener Program following the August 8^th Liaison Meeting. The technology meeting will be from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Look for an email invitation to the Liaison Meetings in the next couple of weeks (RSVPs required for all meetings), with details on specific locations which will rotate among the three counties.

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Hands-on in Demonstration Gardens
Summer is a glorious time for hands-on learning in any of our ‘Partner’ demonstration gardens.  Each garden offers unique active, relevant, learning opportunities.  Contact a coordinator and dig in!

Hopkins Demonstration Forest
Frank Wille 503-342-6699 franklyna@comcast.net‘

Grow-An-Extra-Row and Learning Garden’ at Clackamas Community College
Nancy Muir 503-789-697 ccmgextrarow@gmail.com  

End of the Oregon Trail Pioneer Garden
Kathy Turner 503-630-5794 turnerkathy@yahoo.com

Community Demonstration Garden – SE Portland
Heidi Nichols at heidinichols@comcast.net
Nancy Fine at mcmgdemogarden@gmail.com

Washington County Fairplex Garden
Bob Campbell 503-691-6708 rac223@hotmail.com

Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate
Sandy Japely 503-531-8482 sjapely@gmail.com

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Beautiful, historic gardens.
Consider spending time this summer in a beautiful, garden – dispensing reliable gardening information.

It is a very special year at Washington Park International Rose Test Garden.  Sign-up for a shift as the garden celebrates its Centennial year!

The Pittock Mansion is another lovely and historic setting in which to share your garden knowledge.

Sign-up for a shift via CERVIS or contact the clinic coordinators.

 

 

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Log Your Hours
Thank you for your passion, energy and volunteer service educating the gardening public.  We want to be sure to have a record of all your efforts.  Here is the link you need for the forms to log your volunteer hours.  Choose from a PDF or Excel form.  All hours due by October 1, 2017.  http://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/forms

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MG Nuts and Bolts
Need a refresher on how to maintain your Master Gardener certification?  All the nuts and bolts can be found here!

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Save the Date!  Saturday, October 28^th FALL RECERTIFICATION!

Our annual Master Gardener Fall Recertification Training is scheduled for Saturday, October 28^th, 8:00am to 3:30pm, at Clackamas Community College.  This annual event is a daylong continuing education opportunity.  Earn 6 hours of continuing education/recertification credit by attending.

A great line-up of speakers is forming.  This year’s presenters all bring their wealth of experience from their work with OSU Extension Service.  They will offer a wide range of topics to enrich the knowledge base of Master Gardeners.  They are Joy Jones, Sam Chan, Brooke Edwards and our very own Weston Miller.

The Fall Recertification day also gives us the opportunity to congratulate the new class of trainees as they step up to Veteran status after completing their volunteer requirements.  We will present trainees with their OSU Extension Service Master Gardener badges and a big shout out for successfully completing the program.