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Jane Moyer

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

Sep 29

Looking For a New Master Gardener Program Coordinator

By Beet 2022 10 October

Jackson County Master Gardener Association (JCMGA) has been without a coordinator since March 31 when Erika Szonntag left for Colorado. Have you started wondering if there will ever

again be a replacement? Well, hope springs eternal!

A Search Committee was formed in July with the following members:

  • Didgette McCracken, Grant County Open Campus Coordinator, Search Chair
  • Kayla Sheets, Local Liaison Between County Clients, Government, and OSU, Search Advocate
  • Danielle Knueppel, Josephine Co. Small Farms and MG Program Coordinator, Horticulture Faculty Representative
  • Gordon Jones, Assistant Professor, Crop and Soil Science, SOREC Representative
  • Jane Moyer, Jackson County Master Gardener, Community Stakeholder

The hiring timeline established by the Search Committee is:

  • August 26, Job posting and flyer published
  • September 13, Review interview questions
  • September 25, Closing of application period
  • October 4, Committee reviews applications
  • October 10 or Oct 20, Zoom interviews with Committee
  • October 25, Check references
  • November 1-3, In-person interviews
  • November 4, Make recommendation to Regional Director and Associate Dean of Extension
  • November 10, Start HR processes

All dates are subject to change.

The in-person interviews will include a tour of SOREC and community meetings where finalists will make presentations and community members will have a chance to make recommendations to the Search Committee. Details will be sent out in advance. Watch your email for the Mailchimp.

Contact Jane Moyer if you have questions or comments (janemoyer@connpoint.net).

Mar 02

What Happened in the February Board Meeting?

By Beet 2022 03 March

How much do you know about what’s going on in JCMGA? See if you can answer these:

Want to earn educational hours from home? Remember pre-pandemic when perennial (veteran) Master Gardeners could sit in on the Master Gardener classes with the students to earn hours? Those classes are now recorded and online. Find the way to access them in the February board meeting minutes.

Want to attend some of the working group and/or committee meetings but don’t know when they are? Check out the February board meeting minutes to learn where information on meeting schedules is found.

Want to know if there will be a 2022 Spring Garden Fair? The February board meeting minutes tell what the deciding factor will be.

The wells at SOREC (Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center) have been dry since September 2021. Wondering how water will be provided for the Practicum plants? Continuing, exciting news about this situation can be found in the February board meeting minutes.

To find the February board meeting minutes,

1. Go to the JCMGA Website (jacksoncountymga.org).

2. Click on “Member Portal” in the green stripe at the top of the page.

3. Log in.

4. At the right side of the page, click on “Board of Directors.”

5. Click on “Board Reports and Minutes.”

6. Click on “2022 JCMGA Board Reports.”

7. The board minutes for 2022 are in the file “00 Board Minutes 2022” at the top of the page.  

8. Once you have opened the file, click on the month for which you’d like to read the board minutes. (Example: “01 January 2022”)

Remember all board meetings are open to all JCMGA members and students. Meetings are 9:30 to approximately 11:30 a.m. on the second Friday of each month. Contact President Regula Pepi to get on the Zoom list.

Jan 31

Want to Know What’s Going On in the Board Meetings?

By Beet 2022 02 February

Question:  Where are the board meeting minutes?  I can’t find them in The Garden Beet anymore.

 

Answer:  Now that The Garden Beet is being made available to the general public on the JCMGA website, the board minutes have been moved to the Members Only side.  Here’s how to find them:

  1. Go to the JCMGA Website: jacksoncountymga.org/
  2. Click on “Member Portal” in the green stripe at the top of the page.
  3. Log in.
  4. At the right side of the page, click on “Board of Directors.”
  5. Click on “Board Reports and Minutes.”
  6. Click on “2022 JCMGA Board Reports.”
  7. The board minutes for 2022 are kept in the file “00 Board Minutes 2022” at the top of

the page.

  1. Once you have opened the file, click on the month for which you’d like to read the

board minutes. (Example: “01 January 2022”)

 

Problems or questions: Contact Jane Moyer (janemoyer@connpoint.net).

 

Remember ALL board meetings, both those that are virtual as well as the in-person meetings, are open to JCMGA members.  Feel free to join us!

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