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Coordinator’s Column

Grace Florjancic
Latest posts by Grace Florjancic (see all)

Hello Gardeners,

Fall is the time when we do a lot of planning for the future. We plan out our veggie gardens, prepare for many upcoming holidays, schedule trips to see family and friends, and reflect on the past.  I have started planning volunteer opportunities for the Master Gardeners to increase our community involvement.

We share resources and answer questions at tabling events around the valley. This past summer we partnered with Rogue Food Unites at their mobile farmers markets in Eagle Point, Medford, and Talent. Many people took fliers about native plants, veggie gardening, and the plant clinic. The microgreens activity was a big hit and a great way for people who have limited gardening space, or gardening novices to dip their toes into growing food. I am looking forward to continuing this outreach opportunity next year.

My contact in ACCESS heard what we were doing with Rogue Food Unites and reached out to get us tabling at some of the ACCESS pantries. I was able to make it out to the Central Point food pantry once this late summer and had a great experience. Next year, I hope to schedule dates at various ACCESS pantries in more locations to help get gardening information out to more Jackson County residents.

In the past, Master Gardeners held plant clinic events at the Medford Farmers Market to answer gardening questions. It was a daunting task to transport all the books from the office to the markets.  But many of our resources are now online. In the future, Master Gardeners will partner with the Master Food Preserver volunteers to feature both organizations at the Medford market so we can provide resources; from sprouting seedlings to canning vegetables. I am working with the Master Food Preserver Coordinator, Daniela Garcia, to plan out this partnership. Daniela and I hope to have our programs present in the Medford Farmers Market once a month to share resources, information, and have a fun food-themed activity.

Would you like to volunteer at any of the above tabling opportunities? Reach out to Grace Florjancic at grace.florjancic@oregonstate.edu to get notice of the 2026 food pantry and farmers market schedules.  Happy fall planning!