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Jane Moyer

Jan 31

Practicum Is Back!

By Beet 2023 02 February

March 13, 2020! The last day Practicum was able to practice in all its glory! A day many of us will never

forget! The day SOREC was closed due to COVID.

The greenhouses sat mostly unused for almost three years. Weeds crept in under the walls. Spiders spun their webs with abandon. Dust accumulated. Many Practicum mentors decided it was time to move on to other pursuits. And the Creepy Old House, where the Practicum “classroom” was in the garage, was condemned because of asbestos. Many wondered if this all meant the end of Practicum.

But NO! PRACTICUM IS COMING BACK! The remaining mentors and newly recruited mentors have spent many a Tuesday morning scrubbing, cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, installing new lights in the Prop House, creating a new teaching space in Greenhouse #1 and reorganizing Greenhouse #2. New mentor manuals have been created for the mentors who needed them. Handouts for the entire program have been run and organized. New mentors were trained and returning mentors were refreshed during an all-day training on January 31.  Students signed up on February 1 for their Practicum days. And the first day of Practicum will be February 9.

PRACTICUM IS BACK!

 

                          

Jan 31

Easy Fundraising for JCMGA

By Beet 2023 02 February

Over the years, my 1992 pickup had progressed from daily use to being used only occasionally for hauling loads of landscaping material, then to being towed to the mechanic every time I wanted to use it, to an ugly yard ornament. I had been thinking for a long time about donating it to a local nonprofit for a tax write-off so was overjoyed when the Jackson County Master Gardener Association entered a partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides and Services). This organization accepts cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, trailers, and airplanes to fix up for resale or to sell as parts — with a large portion of the profits going to a nonprofit of the donor’s choice. I decided to give it a try.

Arrangements can be made by either filling out a form on the CARS website at careasy.org or by calling 1-855-500-RIDE (7433). Have the title available when contacting them. They will ask for information from it. If doing it online, when prompted to choose a nonprofit to receive the proceeds, click on the Education and Research category to find JCMGA.

A date will be set for your donation to be picked up that depends on availability of a tow truck. My date was December 31. New Year’s Eve turned out to be a very busy day for tow trucks so my date had to be moved to the following week.

That’s all there is to it. CARS does the rest. They arrange and pay for repairs to make the donation sellable, if possible. If this isn’t possible, they part it out and sell the parts. Their goal is to ensure the chosen nonprofit makes the maximum amount of money. Within 30 days of the sale, they send a thank you letter that can be used as a tax receipt. If the donated vehicle sells for more than $500, they will also send an IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes, if your tax ID number (usually your Social Security number) has been provided.

Easy peasy! No more ugly yard ornament! A tax deduction in hand! A nice donation to JCMGA! And a feel-good moment as you wave goodbye.

Dec 31

Jim Scannell

By Beet 2023 01 January

by Linda Holder and Jane Moyer

Jim Scannell may not be remembered by many current Jackson County Master Gardeners, but we can all thank him and his wife, Ellen, for many aspects of JCMGA.  He took the class in 1997, was an at large board member in 1998-99, 2006, 2007, and 2008; treasurer in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, and 2010; president in 2001; recording secretary in 2002; audit chair in 2006 and 2007; historian (pre-archivist) in 2008 and 2009; and OMGA Alternate Representative in 2011 and 2012.  Recognizing how valuable Jim was to JCMGA, he was awarded Life Membership in 2005.

Jim looked after the JCMGA treasury with eagle eyes and can largely be credited, in our opinion, to the fact that we have a healthy bank account to this day. Jim always told us that we needed to plan for a rainy day and during his years as our treasurer, he made sure we had a plentiful cushion to get us through hard times.

Jim was an advocate for the creation of the Demonstration Gardens and worked tirelessly on the pathways.  When Ellen was granted permission to start the Lavender Garden in 2002, Jim put in countless hours of hard labor creating the paths in it. However, after scouring the archives, not much could be found in the way of documentation of his involvement. That’s because Jim worked quietly behind the scenes and was never one to toot his own horn! Here’s the extent of what could be found in past copies of The Garden Beet:

In December 2002, Ellen wrote, “Jim and I started clearing the area for the new Lavender Garden of gourds, vines and debris.” She also said, “Jim will order several loads of granite for pathways which are his forte.”

In Winter 2003, Ellen wrote, “Jim laid down granite paths.” Note, this was done in winter! What is not stated is there was a lot of snow that winter that led to plentiful and deep mud. The lavender plants, donated by Jim and Dottie Becker of Goodwin Creek Gardens, were planted in snow and mud that hardened around them. The paths were created under the same conditions.

Jim Scannell was one of our most favorite people in the whole world, a “Mr. Rogers type” of guy! He was quiet, thoughtful, studious, hard-working, diligent, unassuming, a gentleman through and through, and possessed an often unseen, very wry sense of humor. He donated hours and hours of physical labor to JCMGA as well as being a loyal part of the administration. No job was too small nor too large for Jim!

Jim passed away on November 15, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rest in peace, Jim! Your efforts live on in JCMGA!

Dec 31

Easy Fundraising for JCMGA

By Beet 2023 01 January

This is the third in a series of articles on how JCMGA can be financially supported with little or no personal expense. This month, we are going to concentrate on returning redeemable bottles and cans through

Bottle Drop.

Bottle Drop Give is the bottle and can drive that never ends for Oregon nonprofits like JCMGA. Supporters (that’s YOU!) fill blue plastic bags with their empty deposit containers and drop them off at 1179 Stowe Ave, Medford, OR 97501, just off N. Ross Lane.  Bottle Drop is open 8am – 6pm daily if you want to take them inside the building. Much more convenient, though, is the small door on the side of the building. The label on the bag can be waved in front of the scanner next to the door to make it open. Drop your full bag inside and JCMGA will receive 10¢ for each container returned. To date, JCMGA has been earning about $200/month with this fundraiser.

The required blue bags are available on the table in the lobby of the OSU Extension. The printed label on the

front of each bag identifies it as creditable to JCMGA. Please fill the bags as full as possible because JCMGA

has to pay for each bag whether it is full or not.

Water bottles. Soda cans. Beer bottles. Sports drink bottles. Fruit juice bottles. These are just a few of the containers accepted by Bottle Drop. Most beverages have an Oregon refund value. There are too many

beverages on the market to list them all individually.

Rule of Thumb: Generally, if you can pour it and drink it, it’s covered unless it’s one of the specifically excluded beverages (distilled spirits, wine, dairy milk, plant‐based milk, infant formula, and liquid meal replacements) or if it’s in a carton, foil pouch, drink box, or metal container that requires a tool to be opened.

Included, but only if they are glass, metal, or plastic bottles or cans in the following sizes:

Beverages in sizes 3 liters or less:

  • Soda (carbonated/sparkling beverages) * Beer and other malt beverages
  • Water * Kombucha

Beverages in sizes from 4 ounces up to and including 1.5 liters:

  • Hard Seltzer
  • Coffee/tea (even if they contain milk)
  • Energy and sports drinks
  • Fruit and vegetable juice (does not have to be 100%)
  • Smoothies and shakes
  • Aloe vera juice
  • Coconut water
  • Non‐alcohol wine
  • Drinking vinegar
  • Hard cider if 8.5% ABV or less
  • Marijuana beverages
  • Muscle Milk
  • Protein shakes (unless marketed as a liquid meal replacement)
  • Ready‐to‐drink cocktail mixers, like margarita mix or bloody Mary mix
  • Thank you for your contribution!   
Nov 29

SOREC One Hundred Eleventh Celebration

By Beet 2022 12 December

Who’s ever heard of a 111th celebration? Usually, celebrations are held on dates that are more celebratory, like the 100th or 110th. However, COVID-19 has created some interesting titles for celebrations!

 

SOREC (Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center) was scheduled to have a 110th Celebration in 2021 but it was postponed due to COVID-19. Therefore, this year we had the 111th Celebration of OSU Extension in Jackson County, held on October 17, 2022, in the OSU Extension Auditorium.

 

The many past and future facets of OSU in Jackson County were celebrated. Two hundred fifty people were invited from the many SOREC programs, along with local political figures, OSU agricultural administrators, and the general public.

 

The Food Preservers Association of Jackson County prepared a delicious dinner highlighting the Paragon pears that are only grown on the SOREC campus and at one other Rogue Valley location. The fruit was also used as part of the table decor.

 

Every SOREC program was told to invite eight to twelve members. The room was filled. Members who represented the Jackson County Master Gardener Association included the Board of Directors officers and Working Group chairs associated with the gardens.

 

Rachel Werling, Coordinator of the Land Stewards Program, presented a slide show highlighting the growth of the Land Steward Program from Jackson County to a nationally recognized program.  OSU Viticulturist, Alec Levin, presented a PowerPoint on the SOREC program that is teaching local vineyard owners how to grow wine grapes.

 

The highlight of the evening was a presentation by SOREC Director, Rich Roseberg, on the vision for SOREC grounds improvement. An upgraded entrance, housing for OSU students studying horticulture, and a three-season teaching pergola are all included in the plan Rich will pass to his successor when he leaves at the end of this year.

 

At the conclusion of the evening, every attendee was invited to pick up a gift bag on their way out the door. It contained a bottle of wine made with grapes grown on the SOREC property and a wine “sippy cup” with the OSU/SOREC logos. It was indeed a magical evening.

 

Nov 29

Easy Fundraising for JCMGA

By Beet 2022 12 December

This is the second in a series of articles on how JCMGA can be financially supported with little or no personal expense. This month, we are going to concentrate on purchases at the Grange     Co-op.

Are you a member of the Grange?  If you are, you may not know that you need to spend over $500 in a year to receive any rewards.

However, if we group our rewards, JCMGA can save a lot of money.  When you buy something at the Grange, tell the cashier you would like to credit your purchase to the Jackson Co. Master Gardeners.

The words in bold are vitally important! The cashier needs to know you are asking for a credit, not a charge.  And, because there are Master Gardener chapters and Granges in Josephine Co., Klamath Co., and Curry Co. as well as Jackson Co., asking to have your purchase credited to “Master Gardeners,” rather than Jackson Co. Master Gardeners, may give the rewards to another chapter.

They may also ask for a name to go with the credit.  Names on our account are Marcie Katz, Doug Kirby, and Jane Moyer.

Following these simple steps can contribute hundreds of dollars to JCMGA per year with no expense to any of us.

Oct 30

2022 JCMGA Graduation

By Beet 2022 11 November

Beautiful decorations, delicious dinner, great company, badges and certificates, and fun, FUN, FUN!

The 2022 JCMGA Graduation was all the above and more!

President-elect Marcie Katz, assisted by Sandy Hammond, Barbara Low and Lucy Pyllki, decorated the OSU Auditorium with a fall theme and provided a delicious dinner of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and ice cream sundaes.

Out of the 25 students who started the Master Gardener Program in January 2022, 15 persevered through COVID restrictions, loss of MG Coordinator Erika Szonntag at the end of March with no replacement through the rest of their year, almost everything done online, no Practicum – and the list could go on. CONGRATULATIONS to those 15! Additionally, four students who were unable to finish this year will be continuing in the program and graduating in 2023.

The new graduates who received their bright orange, Oregon-shaped badges and Master Gardener certificates are Cindy Bottasso, Tucker Campagna, Frances Cano, Mary Mason, Gail Ropel, Daniel Devries, Trina Stout, Glenda Capsey, Tom Capsey, Cheryl Martin, Thomas Kvigne, Janet Langley, Tenasi Rama Lazar, Meg Quam, and Leif Quam.

We hope you all will be long-term Master Gardeners who return over and over to work in the gardens, greenhouses, or on a committee. Every time you participate is an opportunity to make new friends, learn something new about gardening, give back to the Rogue Valley community, and have even more fun, FUN, FUN!

 

                                                                           

 

 

Oct 30

ATTENTION PERENNIAL (i.e. VETERAN) MASTER GARDENERS

By Beet 2022 11 November

Do you think it’s not important to report your volunteer hours once you have graduated? Nothing could be further from the truth! Here’s the scoop on why—

Extension funding comes from the federal government, the state government, Jackson County, and OSU. These governmental bodies want to see that the money spent on all the Extension programs is being increased in value by volunteer hours. (Remember, the Master Gardener Program is the largest of the programs.)

Every December, reports must be turned in showing what has been accomplished by each program during the year, including the number of volunteer hours donated. The amount of funding can be reduced if the powers that be decide the return on the funding is not sufficient. Right now, for example, the Oregon Legislature is contemplating reducing the funding to Extension programs.

So PLEASE take the time to go back through your 2022 calendar and figure out how many hours you have volunteered and, as close as possible, what you did. Enter that information into the Volunteer Recording System, https://mgvrs.extension.oregonstate.edu. If you are unfamiliar with the VRS, read the information on the homepage. (Even though, at first glance, the page is enough to make your eyes roll back in your head, take it in small pieces because it is well explained.)  Call or email Jane Moyer if you need help. (541-890-8561 or janemoyer@connpoint.net)

Volunteer Hours are to be recorded from November 1 through October 31 each year.

                   

Oct 30

Easy Fundraising for JCMGA

By Beet 2022 11 November

In the past, Spring Garden Fair has been the main fundraiser for the Jackson County Master Gardener Association.  Not being able to have a SGF since 2019 has put a major crimp in our ability to raise funds to support our many community efforts.  There have been several smaller ongoing fundraising efforts developed over the years, though, that may have been forgotten.  A series of articles are going to be written, one each month, to highlight these easy-to-do ways to raise funds for JCMGA.

Are you on Facebook?  You can celebrate your big day by creating a fundraiser for

your friends.  Start about 2 weeks ahead by following these directions:

Create a nonprofit fundraiser

  1. On your computer, login to Facebook.
  2. On the left, click Fundraisers.
    • Tip:If you don’t see Fundraisers on the left, then click See more.
  3. On the left, click Raise money.
  4. Click Nonprofit
  5. You can either:
    • Scroll to find the nonprofit you want to raise money for
    • Type into the search bar to find the nonprofit you want to raise money for
  6. Select the nonprofit.
  7. On the left, enter:
    • The goal amount of money you want to raise
    • The currency you want the funds to be in
  8. Click Create.

You’ll see a screen pop up where you can invite your friends to donate to your fundraiser, share your fundraiser in your feed, or donate to the fundraiser yourself.

 

Oct 30

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Recertification (and Probably More)

By Beet 2022 11 November

Due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, all Master Gardeners were automatically recertified for the following year.  Now that more people are protected from COVID-19, recertification is again being required for some Master Gardeners for 2023.  And things have changed so please read this article carefully.

 

What is required to recertify?

To recertify, Master Gardeners must attend 10 or more hours of continuing education and contribute 20 or more hours of volunteer time. (See the changes below.)

 

Does every Master Gardener have to recertify?

Students who graduated in the preceding year are certified for the next year.

Perennial (veteran) Master Gardeners who MUST recertify are those who are teaching (Speakers Bureau speakers, Practicum mentors, Garden Education Mentors known as GEM’S, MG presenters at any class, etc.), those who give gardening advice to the public (Plant Clinic mentors).

 

How can I meet the requirement of 10 hours of continuing education?

Continuing Education requirements can be earned by attending gardening classes (Winter Dreams Summer Gardens, Level Up webinars that can be found at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/growing-oregon-gardeners-level-series-2022), reading gardening books or articles, listening to gardening radio programs,

doing research, etc.

 

What has changed?

This is the BIGGIE!  There are now two types of volunteer hours, Direct and Indirect.  Direct volunteer hours involve giving direct education (Plant Clinic, teaching, mentoring in the gardens, writing an educational gardening article, or presenting in other instructional settings approved by the MG Coordinator).   Ten or more direct hours are required for recertification.

Indirect volunteer hours involve activities that facilitate or support the efforts of those who are teaching (event planning, mentoring students in MG practices rather than gardening, maintaining the demonstration gardens, serving on the Board of Directors, or anything approved in advance by the MG Coordinator). Ten or more indirect hours are required for recertification.

See https://mgvrs.extension.oregonstate.edu/pdf/New_Categories_2016.pdf for a complete explanation.

 

What is the deadline for earning these hours?

To be recertified for 2023, these requirements must be met and reported by the end of 2022.

 

How do I show I’ve completed the requirements for recertification?

Enter your hours in the VRS (Volunteer Reporting System) at https://mgvrs.extension.oregonstate.edu by the end of 2022 to be recertified for 2023.

In January get a recertification sticker from the MG Coordinator and put it on your MG badge.

 

Submitted by Jane Moyer

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