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Barbara Low

Jan 01

Announcing the Annual Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association  Photo Contest

By Beet 2026 01 January

 

The Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Member Services Working Group (MSWG) announces its annual photo contest.

 

✦The 2026 JCMGA Photo Contest is open to all current Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association members.

✦Photos may be submitted from January 1st  until January 31st, 2026.  We can accept two (2) photos from each member, although there will be only one winning photo per person.

✦Photographs are limited to those taken in gardens of the Rogue Valley and the focus must be on a plant or flower, garden animals or insects – no people (for privacy issues).

✦Please submit your photograph in portrait format, rather than landscape format to barbaralow@msn.com .

✦All photographs must be at least 1500 x 1575 pixels (5”x5-1/2” at 300 dpi) and all submitted photos become the property of JCMGA.

In addition, since the photograph on the cover of the directory is longer from top-to-bottom than from side-to-side, photos submitted must be in portrait format rather than landscape.

Please submit your picture to barbaralow@msn.com and include your name, phone number, email address and a short description of the flora pictured. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Low, barbaralow@msn.com.    All identifying information will be removed and the contest will be judged by members of the Member Services Working Group.

The winning photograph will appear on the cover of the 2026 JCMGA Chapter Directory, and four runners-up will have their photographs featured in the Garden Beet. Winners will be announced in the April Garden Beet.

Whether your garden consists of several acres or a single plant in a hanging basket, we would love the opportunity to honor the beauty you have created and nurtured.

  • All submitted photos become the property of JCMGA.

 

Jan 01

JCMGA Announcements January 2026

By Beet 2026 01 January

 

January

  • January 9th – JCMGA January Board Meeting in the SOREC Auditorium from 9-11:30 a.m.
  • January 31st – JCMGA Photo Contest for the cover of the JCMGA 2026 Membership Directory.
  • Renew your JCMGA Membership by January 31st to be in the Membership Directory.

February

  • February 13th – JCMGA February Board Meeting in the SOREC Auditorium from 9-11:30 a.m.
  • February 21st – “Getting Wild – Seven Steps to Restoring Biodiversity in Your Yard” 2:30-3:45 p.m. in the small classroom at SOREC.  Presenter will be Lynn Kunstman.   https://jacksoncountymga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Getting-Wild-Flyer-3.pdf
Jan 01

JCMGA Working Groups Update

By Beet 2026 01 January

 

Community Outreach Working Group

Planning on having a table at the following gardening events in 2026: Jackson County Home Builders Show in March; Blue Heron Park Event in April; JCMGA Spring Garden Fair in May; JCMGA Fall Festival in September; and the Pollinator Project Event in October.  We are also getting ready for our School Grants, Community Garden Grants, and the Speakers Bureau.

Fundraising Working Group

This group has been working hard on updating the JCMGA Garden Guides.  They also work on having JCMGA and Friends of the Garden clothing available for purchase.  This group also creates gardening theme items to sell at our table events.

Gardens Working Group

They are planning and preparing for the upcoming growing season in our Demonstration Gardens.  This year we will be adding a new garden – the “Sensory Garden”.  We will provide more details later.

Marketing & Technology Working Group

This group works with the other working groups to help provided needed technology and support provided for their projects.

Member Services Working Group

We update the JCMGA Membership (Chapter) Directory each year.  We also coordinate the following events: OSU Master Gardener Class First Day Lunch in January; the JCMGA Annual Picnic/Award Ceremony in June; and the OSU Master Gardener Class Graduation Dinner in November.

Program Support Working Group

Planning is well underway for an eventful 2026! We will be partnering with the Master Food Preservers at the Growers Markets, continuing to table with Rogue Food Unites, holding Seed to Supper classes with Rogue Retreat, and holding many educational classes for the community.

Spring Garden Fair Working Group

This group has already started meeting monthly in preparing for  the 2026 Spring Garden Fair which will again be the Jackson County Expo.

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group

This group has already started meeting monthly to plan the 2026 Winter Dreams Summer Gardens virtual educational event – which will be October 16, 17, 23, and 24.  Thank you to those of you who completed the WDSG 2025 survey.  We used this data to plan on possible topics and presenters for the 2026 WDSG.

 

Nov 29

JCMGA Announcements – December 2025

By Beet 2025 12 December

 

 

December

  • December 5th – JCMGA 2026 Board Orientation from 9-11:30 a.m. in the SOREC Auditorium.
  • December 12th – JCMGA December Board Meeting from 9-11:30 a.m. in the SOREC Auditorium.

January

  • January 31st – JCMGA Photo Contest for the cover of the JCMGA 2026 Membership Directory.
  • Renew your JCMGA Membership by January 31st to be in the Membership Directory.
Nov 29

JCMGA Annual Photo Contest

By Beet 2025 12 December

 

Announcing the Annual Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association

 Photo Contest

 

The Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association Member Services Working Group (MSWG) announces its annual photo contest.

✦The 2026 JCMGA Photo Contest is open to all current Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association members.

✦Photos may be submitted from January 1st  until January 31st, 2026.  We can accept two (2) photos from each member, although there will be only one winning photo per person.

✦Photographs are limited to those taken in gardens of the Rogue Valley and the focus must be on a plant or flower, garden animals or insects – no people (for privacy issues).

✦Please submit your photograph in portrait format, rather than landscape format to barbaralow@msn.com .

✦All photographs must be at least 1500 x 1575 pixels (5”x5-1/2” at 300 dpi) and all submitted photos become the property of JCMGA.

In addition, since the photograph on the cover of the directory is longer from top-to-bottom than from side-to-side, photos submitted must be in portrait format rather than landscape.

Please submit your picture to barbaralow@msn.com and include your name, phone number, email address and a short description of the flora pictured. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Low, barbaralow@msn.com.    All identifying information will be removed and the contest will be judged by members of the Member Services Working Group.

The winning photograph will appear on the cover of the 2026 JCMGA Chapter Directory, and four runners-up will have their photographs featured in the Garden Beet. Winners will be announced in the April Garden Beet.

Whether your garden consists of several acres or a single plant in a hanging basket, we would love the opportunity to honor the beauty you have created and nurtured.

  • All submitted photos become the property of JCMGA.

 

Nov 29

President’s Column

By Beet 2025 12 December

 

 

Tis the season!  During the holidays, we can take time to be thankful for friends and family and to reflect on what has happened over the year. The winter holidays are also  a time for us to think of the future and set goals.

During the past year, JCMGA has become more involved with our community. We were able to accomplish this due to the impressive efforts of our working groups. Our working groups provide great volunteer opportunities.

Working group activities include:

  • Community Outreach Working Group – Works with community gardens, gives out Community Garden Grants and school grants, works with Friends of the Gardens, makes scholarships available, and maintains a Speakers Bureau.
  • Fundraising Working Group – Participants solicit and administer incoming grants and organize fundraising events.
  • Garden Working Group – Supports and collaborates with the Garden Education Mentors, the Water Committee, Garden Enhancements Committee, Demonstration Gardens, and Practicum.
  • Marketing & Technology Working Group – Enhances our communication strategy by working on the JCMGA Garden Beet newsletter and working on marketing and publicity.
  • Member Services Working Group. Provides services to our members, such as member involvement activities and producing the membership directory.
  • Program Support. Works with Grace Florjancic on community education classes, Master Gardener classes, Plant Clinic, and Practicum.
  • Spring Garden Fair Working Group. Plans and implements all aspects of the annual Spring Garden Fair.
  • Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group. Plans and implements all aspects of our annual educational event in October.

I encourage you to become involved with one or more of these working groups. Many hands make light work. We have a great time working with each other and sharing ideas.

On another note, I want to thank all of you for your support during the past year. I have been fortunate to be the JCMGA president and work with a talented, hard working group of people on the JCMGA Board.  We are very fortunate to have people willing to work in a leadership role to help our organization move forward in our mission of providing horticultural education to our community.

We are currently looking for one or more people to fill the President-Elect office. This is a two-year commitment. It can be done by one person or by two people working together. You will be provided support during the year. If you are interested, please contact me. barbaralow@msn.com

 

 

Nov 29

OSU Class of 2025 Graduation Celebration

By Beet 2025 12 December

On Saturday, November 1st, twenty-three students graduated from the OSU Class of 2025 Master Gardeners program.  Congratulations students! Your many hours of training and practicum have culminated in success!

Grace Florjancic did a wonderful job leading the Master Gardener classes from January through April.  She provided essential gardening information and invited knowledgeable guest speakers to present on various topics.

For the graduation celebration, the Member Services Working Group did a wonderful job of decorating the auditorium in a Hawaiian theme.  Great food was catered mostly by Blue Fish.

We had a wonderful time!

Class of 2025 Graduates

Diann Abbott Galbraith               Karen Friend                    Erin Galbraith

Jan Gnas                                   Deirdre Hammack            Emma Holt

Maggi Laurel                              Chris Massahos               Lindsey McNab

Nicole Morgan                           Scott Nelson                    Jenn Nichols

Richard Oldham                         Gordon Olson                  Elizabeth Peard

Mark Potts Sands                       Christopher Rob               Kimberly Sands

Anita Seda                                 Nicole Shatola                 Eve Thornton

Katrina van der Linden                Cherisa Wooley

 

Volunteering Superstars

Over 60 Volunteer Hours!                     Over 90 Volunteer Hours!

Janice Gnas                                          Erin Galbraith

Nicole Morgan                                       Deirdre Hammack

Katrina van der Linden                           Lindsey McNab

 

I encourage all our graduates to continue your involvement in the JCMGA .  Whether it’s with the Demonstration Gardens, working groups, special events, etc. there is a place for you. We welcome you with open arms!

Nov 29

JCMGA Educational Classes for 2026

By Beet 2025 12 December

In response to last year’s JCMGA Member Survey, members asked for in-person educational classes. To meet this request, the Member Services Working Group has planned three educational classes during 2026. They are as follows, with corresponding informational links:

 

 

 

 

Snacks and drinks will be provided at each of these classes. These are free events, and provide such valuable information. We hope to see you there!

Please contact Barbara Low barbaralow@msn.com if you have any questions.

Nov 29

2025 JCMGA Member Survey

By Beet 2025 12 December

 

The Member Services Working Group plans a variety of member events during the year such as:

  • The First Day Lunch for the students of the OSU Master Gardener Class
  • The Annual Member Picnic and Awards Recognition
  • The OSU Master Gardener Class Graduation Celebration
  • The JCMGA Membership Directory
  • Member involvement activities

For the past couple of years, we have used a survey to help us with the planning of events for the coming year. We have updated the survey, and we will be emailing it to our members on December 15th. Please check your email for it – including your Spam/Junk folder. We want to have all the surveys returned by December 31st. Your responses to this survey will help us to make our plans for 2026.

 

We want to thank you ahead of time for taking the time to complete the survey.