Jackson County Master Gardeners

 

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 1^st  until January 31^st, 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.

 

                      

Greetings from your new president!  I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and were able to spend time with family and friends.

I am going to be honest with you, my fellow Master Gardeners. I am a bit apprehensive about taking on the role of JCMGA president. I will do my best to take the reins from Barbara, who has set a very strong example (but is also very supportive) as I venture into this new realm.

JCMGA has a few challenges to face in the next few years, as we adjust to the proposed budget cuts in funding for OSU Extension. I am asking all of you to help during this time.

One of those ways you can help is to volunteer in a working group or committee. This helps JCMGA propel forward with new and exciting ideas.

There are many working groups to choose from, including:

• Marketing & Technology – Keltie Nelson & Lucy Pylkki, Co-Chairs
• Community Outreach – Michael Hornbeek, Chair
• Fundraising – Jane Moyer, Chair
• Demonstration Gardens – Janine Salvatti, Chair
• Member Services – Barbara Low & Linda Millus, Co-Chairs
• Spring Garden Fair – Marcie Katz & Lucy Pyllki, Co-Chairs
• Winter Dreams Summer Gardens – Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, & Barbara Low Co-Chairs

The JCMGA Working Groups Organizational Chart is listed in your Directory. If you have an interest in any of the groups, contact the chair of that group to get more information. Their contact information is included in the Directory.

I have taken on various roles on committees and working groups, so I would not ask you to do anything I am not willing to do myself. Even when a role was outside of my comfort zone, I received great support and grace from all my fellow Master Gardeners. My motto is to learn something new every day. With JCMGA, that is easy and fun to do.

Both Master Gardeners and 2026 students alike are encouraged to be involved in volunteering – and it goes toward your volunteer hours. There are many future projects, including planning a new greenhouse, lathe house, tool shed, and lots more. Wouldn’t it be fun to be part of the process and help make a vision come to fruition? I encourage you to take the step to volunteer. I am looking forward to working with you. Many opportunities are available – big and small. We would love to have you join us.

Barbara Low has completed her term as our JCMGA president.  She has demonstrated outstanding dedication to our organization!  Here are a few of the ways she showed her dedication over the years.  Thank you, Barbara, for all you have done!

D	Diligent Leader
E	Education was her focus
D	Did the right thing always
I	Imagined a stronger organization
C	Communicated clearly
A	Actionable efforts
T	Talked to and encouraged members and our community
I	Initiated strong relationships
O	Open to new ideas
N	Nice and friendly to all

 

The JCMGA Board of Directors is excited to welcome Linda Millus as our president in 2026.  This is what we pledge to you:

S	Spirited help
U	Unique results
P	Passion for gardening
P	Photos of our successes
O	Organizational growth over the year
R	Respect for your decisions
T	Teamwork always

 

 

 

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.

 

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board Meeting Minutes

November 14, 2025

Board Members Present:

Barbara Low, President, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair, Member Services WG Co-Chair

Linda Millus, President-Elect, Member Services WG Co-Chair

Marcie Katz, Past President, Co-Chair Spring Garden Fair WG

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer, Co-Chair Marketing & Technology WG

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair

Joanne Daane, Member-at-Large

Mary Schrouder, Member-at-Large

Jane Moyer, Fundraising WG Chair

Janine Salvatti, Gardens WG Chair

Teresa Jarratt, Co-Archivist

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Linsey McNab, Co-Student Representative

Michael Hornbeek, Community Outreach WG Chair

Lucy Pylkki, Spring Garden Fair WG Co-Chair & Marketing & Technology Co-Chair

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Jory Kaplan, Member-at-Large

Erin Galbraith, Co-Student Representative

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Carrie Holmes-Stanton, Co-Archivist

Guests:

Dr. Alec Levin, SOREC Director

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:00am.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   It was noted that the next meeting of the Fundraising Committee will be November 21, 2025 and in the Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee report, ODOT has approved widening the entrance of the driveway.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Additions to the Agenda:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson requested the Board discuss prepayment of the next edition of the Garden Guides.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to add prepayment of the Garden Guides to the agenda.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Agenda:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Board Meeting Minutes from October 10, 2025:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the October 10, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2025:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the October 21, 2025 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson presented the financial statements for October 2025 and responded to questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the financial statements for October 2025.  Motion passed.

Treasurer Nelson noted that the revised Garden Guide will be completed shortly after the first of the year.  In order to make the 2026 budget balance, she suggested a prepayment be made in 2025.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve a Garden Guide publication prepay of $15,000 in 2025 and the remaining balance of $10,682 in 2026.  Motion passed.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic reported that publicizing strategies have been implemented for the 2026 Master Gardener training class.  So far 35 potential students have signed up.  Grace introduced a new Volunteer HUB developed by OSU to obtain all the required volunteer forms for the year.

Dr. Alec Levin joined Grace in reviewing the first draft of a memorandum of understanding between OSU and JCMGA regarding expectations and responsibilities of both parties.  Dr. Levin and Grace responded to clarifying questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to go into executive session to discuss next steps.  Motion passed.

President Low appointed an ad hoc committee to review the draft MOU for possible revision and consult with an attorney for review as well.  The committee will include Barbara Low, Lindsey McNab, Linda Millus, Colet Allen, and Kathy Apple.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to come out of executive session.  Motion passed.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low reported improved communication with the monthly meetings with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic and Farm Manager Jake Hoyman and recommends their continuation.  The Working Group Chairs met and will continue to meet once a month to explore how to support one another and share information.  The SOREC room reservations process has changed.  After exploration, President Low was able to negotiate a more streamlined room reservation process.  President Low attended a meeting with various OSU Faculty, administrative staff, and Rogue Valley community leaders to share information about all programs of SOREC and the extension center.

Membership Secretary Report:   President Low reported in lieu of Membership Ann Ackles.  The membership renewal process has been implemented.

Discussion & Business:

1. Jane Moyer reported on the review of the Garden Guide.
2. Spring Garden Co-Chairs Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki reported that their first meeting was held with 13 volunteers. All team positions were filled.  Feedback from the 2025 fair was reviewed with several changes proposed for 2026.
3. Gardens Working Group Chair Janine Salvatti reported that Siskiyou Pump Service will begin installation of the frost-free faucets on November 17, 2025.
4. OMGA representative Colet Allen reported that the OMGA Advocacy Committee is looking for new leadership. Colet has proposed a retired attorney for the position.  Advocacy for support of the statewide Master Gardener program will be important for next year’s legislative session.
5. President Elect Linda Millus reported the 2026 Tellers Report. A total of 61 votes were cast.  Each candidate received the required number of votes for elected office.  Newly elected members include:

President-Elect                                  Vacant

Recording Secretary                        Emma Holt

Membership Secretary                     Ann Ackles                 

Assistant Membership Secretary    Lindsey Mc Nab

Treasurer                                           Keltie Nelson

Assistant Treasurer                          Annette Carter

OMGA Representative                     Colet Allen

Co-Archivist                                      Teresa Jarratt & Carrie Stanton-Holmes

Members at Large                             Erin Galbraith

Joanne Daane

Sandy Hammond

Kaleen Reilly

Connie Lyssand

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the 2026 Tellers Report.   Motion passed.

1. Bylaws Committee Chair Kathy Apple reported on the second reading of the proposed changes to the bylaws which eliminates the past president position, allows for co-presidents, and adds an assistant membership secretary to the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed changes to the JCMGA Bylaws as presented.  Motion passed.

1. President Low presented a proposal for a new “Sensory” demonstration garden and responded to questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve a new Sensory demonstration garden.  Motion passed.

Announcements:

1. There will be a monthly meeting of Working Group chairs following the monthly Board of Directors meeting.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:25am.

Next Meeting:

1. The new Board orientation meeting will be held on December 5, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am. All new and current Board members are to attend.
2. The next regular Board meeting will be held December 12, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary