Barbara Low

Member Services Working Group Survey

• A short survey will be sent to JCMGA current and past members November 1^st
• Please take the time to complete the online survey

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2023 (via Zoom)

• November 3^rd and 4^th

You can still register for Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2023

https://jacksoncountymga.org/winter-dreams-summer-gardens-symposium/

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2023 Satisfaction Survey

• Will be sent to those who registered, and the data will be used for planning the Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2024

JCMGA Membership Renewal for 2024 begins November 6^th.

• Remember to be included in the JCMGA Chapter Directory, you need to renew your membership by January 31, 2024.

JCMGA Chapter Directory Photo Contest

• We will again have a Photo Contest in January 2024. The photo chosen will be used for the front cover of the 2024 JCMGA Chapter Directory.

Ballots for the 2024 JCMGA Board have been sent out. Voting ends November 4^th. You should have received your ballot via email from info@jacksoncountymga.org on Oct. 23.

Unfortunately, no one has volunteered to run for President-Elect or Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors. These are two important positions. As the President, you would be at the center of what makes this organization work and have the satisfaction of helping the dedicated Jackson County Master Gardeners pursue our mission. As Assistant Treasurer, you will support and aid the Treasurer and serve on the Budget Committee.

The President-Elect position is a three-year commitment.  After serving the first year as President-Elect, the next year this person becomes President.  The following year, he or she becomes Past-President and works with the incoming President-elect. There are specific duties for each year – as listed in the JCMGA Bylaws on the Member Portal of the JCMGA website. There is a binder to go along with each position.  As the 2024 President, I would work closely with the 2024 President-Elect. The position is not overwhelming, and we are always here to help in any way. This position could also be done by 2 people – co-President-Elects.

The Assistant Treasurer position is also listed in the JCMGA Bylaws. That person will learn from and help the JCMGA Treasurer. This position has a one-year term.

To continue to be a viable organization we need to fill these positions. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me at barbaralow@msn.com.

Please seriously consider being a part of our JCMGA Board!

I am continuing this series of articles and hope that you find them helpful and inspiring. In November, there is quite a bit to do in the garden depending on what you want to grow.  Time to make sure that we are ready for winter. By caring for our gardens, we are also caring for ourselves – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association has a great resource for gardeners to use. It is the Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley – Year-Round & Month by Month.  This great reference book for gardeners is mainly about growing vegetables, berries, and melons.

November is the time to:

• Time to provide protection for the watering system. Make sure to drain the lines and protect the faucets and valves from freezing.
• Check drainage in case of heavy rains.
• Tie trailing cane berries to wires. Prune fall-bearing raspberries.  Good time to apply manure to berries.
• Still time to plant garlic and shallots – weather and soil conditions permitting.
• Remember to keep a cold frame producing with lettuce and other greens.

Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley – Year-Round & Month by Month. This book contains a wealth of gardening information. You can purchase it at our local Grange Co-op or at the OSU Extension office for $21.00. It can also be purchased on-line at https://jacksoncountymga.org/shop/.  Note that a shipping fee will be applied.

Happy Gardening

Garden For Life

Community Outreach Working Group

• Worked on the Budget Request for 2024
• Special Events:
  • The Builders Association welcomes JCMGA’s participation in their home shows in Josephine County in February and at Expo in May. There would be no charge for a booth, but they ask for our help in advertising the events. Ronnie Budge suggested the booth could be like the one JCMGA developed for Medford Open Streets in Hawthorne Park. When Colet Allen meets with the president of the Josephine Co. MGA, she will ask about their participation in the Jo. Co. home show in 2022, specifically if they presented “webinars” or other programming.
• Friends of the Gardens:
  • Colet reported that Grace Florjancic needs to finish some administrative details before the new Friends program can begin. The COWG may assist the Member Services WG with other planning.
• Speakers Bureau:
  • Colet is still working on training new speakers. Although the Jackson County Library wanted to have a winter series of gardening programs, no JCMGA members volunteered to present. However, there will be a spring gardening series. Topics: Butterflies; Beneficial Insects; Native Grasses.

Recent presenters were disappointed by the small attendance at both in-person and Zoom library programs. Colet will discuss this with library representative Spencer Ellis. It was recommended that if speakers have handouts to share (whether with in-person or Zoom audiences), they be distributed after the presentations and not before.

• School Grants:
  • John Kobal is trying to reach every school in Jackson County to let them know about the grants and the application deadline of November 3. Once applications are received, committee members will visit the schools in person to learn more about their proposals before awards are made.

FUNDRAISING WORKING GROUP

chair is Sandy Hammond

The JCMGA first Fall Festival was a success.

Garden Enhancement Working Group

Chair, Janine Salvatti

We are continuing to work in the gardens and are now getting them ready for the cooler temperatures.

Marketing and Technology Working Group

chair is Marcia Harris

Marcia is stepping down as chair.  We are looking for someone to take her place.

Member Services Working Group

chair is Barbara Low

The MG Class of 2023 Graduation Celebration is on November 4 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the SOREC Extension.

We are sending out a survey to our current and past members to find out what they like about JCMGA and what they would like to have improved.  This will be a very short survey.

Program Support Working Group

Chair is Grace Florjancic

We are entering the busy season for the Program Support Working Group. Much is happening with planning for the 2024 year. We are scheduling speakers for the community education classes, scheduling locations for Seed to Supper classes, and finalizing details for the 2024 MG Training class. Reach out to Grace Florjancic grace.florjancic@oregonstate.edu if you are interested in joining the Program Support Working Group. There is much to do to get the community education classes rolling!

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Working Group

chairs are Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, and Barbara Low

Registration is now open Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2023 Symposium.  This virtual event will be October 27, 28, November 3, and 4.

The links for the recordings will be sent out the week of November 5^th.

There will be a satisfaction survey sent out the week of November 5^th and the data collected will be used to plan for next year’s Winter Dreams Summer Gardens.