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Jackson County Master Gardeners

Feb 28

President’s Corner

By Beet 2025 03 March

This is the time of year when gardeners are busy planning their next gardens: evaluating what went well last year, buying and planting seeds, as well as pruning and fertilizing.

As a gardener, I am constantly monitoring what works well and making changes as needed. In wanting to improve my gardening skills, I read books, ask an expert whom I trust, and attend classes (either online or in person.) We are very fortunate to have access to many great gardening books and educational classes on gardening.

Have you heard of the “10-Minute University” online videos?  They are created by the Clackamas Master Gardeners Association. These are great, research-based educational videos on a variety of gardening topics. You can access them at  https://clackamascountymastergardeners.org/10-minute-university/ . These are free to view. Some of the videos available are:

Another great resource for getting information is the OSU Level Up Series  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/growing-oregon-gardeners-level-series. This site contains a variety of gardening topics from the past four years, all free!

Grace Florjancic, our Master Gardener Coordinator, schedules some wonderful speakers during the year for Community Education. I encourage you to investigate them.

While you are planning your garden for this year, please consider planting an extra row of produce for our Plant a Row project. The donated produce which we collect from late July through September is given to the Medford Access to help those families who are struggling with obtaining nutritional food. Last year, JCMGA donated a whopping 1,000 pounds of produce from our JCMGA Vegetable Demonstration Garden and members’ home gardens! Thank you to those of you who donated.

Enjoy Your Gardening!

Feb 27

Annual Awards Nomination Time

By Beet 2025 03 March

 

It’s nomination time!

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association offers three annual awards:  the Master Gardener of the Year, the Behind-the-Scenes Master Gardener of the Year, and the Growing and Belonging Master Gardener of the Year.

I encourage each one of you to take time to think about our volunteers and how they have made a positive difference in JCMGA; then nominate volunteer(s) you feel are deserving of special recognition. Nominations are due by April 15. 

The Master Gardener of the Year award recognizes outstanding dedication and service in support of sustainable gardening to benefit all of Jackson County and/or the entire Master Gardener program.  For this award, you will describe your nominee’s contributions in education and outreach, such as working in the Plant Clinic, teaching classes, serving as a mentor, planning and organizing a major project, or similar activities.  Include any leadership roles they have held. If their work has had an impact beyond the borders of Jackson County, e.g., if other county Master Gardener programs have adopted projects that started in Jackson County, be sure to mention that.

The Behind-the-Scenes Master Gardener award recognizes individuals who take on supporting roles in ways that might not be noticed by everyone, such as preparing and serving refreshments, keeping accurate notes or records, maintaining and repairing the physical plant, or seeing projects through to completion.

2025 marks the second year of JCMGA offering the Growing and Belonging Master Gardener of the Year award.  This honor is to recognize and celebrate the volunteers who have significantly contributed to advancing diversity, inclusion, access, and/or equity among Master Gardener volunteers and the communities with which we work.

Submitting a nomination for any of these three prestigious awards is as simple as writing, in 200 words or less, your nominee’s activities with specific examples. Please e-mail your nominations to Linda Millus: lmillus@outlook.com by April 15th.

Feb 27

Tree Planting and FREE Lunch

By Beet 2025 03 March

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”  Well, mark your calendars for April 22nd (Arbor Day,) because there is going to be a FREE LUNCH!

The Fundraising Working Group and the Ad Hoc Practicum Design Committee have started working with Andrew Norwood from the OSU Foundation to raise funds for building a new tool shed, a Practicum classroom, and a lathe house to replace the buildings that were demolished with the Creepy Old House.  Because of its old age, wood rot, termites, and the need for constant repairs, Greenhouse #1 is also scheduled to be replaced in a subsequent building phase.

In an effort to become better acquainted with JCMGA, Andrew has invited all its members to an Arbor Day celebration.  He will be donating a tree to be planted on the SOREC grounds, followed by a lunch also provided by him.  A speaker will give a short presentation on the purposes of the OSU Foundation.  (Side note: JCMGA uses the foundation for our endowment fund and the scholarship we give annually to help a student majoring in a horticulture-related field.)

Watch next month’s Garden Beet and your email in April for a Mail Chimp with more details about the Arbor Day event.  Reservations will be required for lunch.  I hope to see you there.

Feb 27

REMEMBER 15333

By Beet 2025 03 March

We’re starting to head into the gardening season. My Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley, Year ‘Round & Month by Month, Vegetables Berries Melons tells me this is the time to direct sow onions, peas, spinach, radishes, carrots, chives, cilantro, kale, Swiss chard, parsley, and turnips.  It’s also time to transplant asparagus roots, perennial herbs, horseradish, head lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and strawberries

So where do you buy your gardening supplies and equipment?  If you shop at the Grange Co-Op, when you check out they always ask, “Are you a Grange member?”  If you say, “No,” consider adding, “…but would you please credit this to the Jackson County Master Gardeners?  The account number is 15333.” Grange members can also choose to do this because their rewards usually don’t amount to a lot. It’s when we put our rewards together that they become significant.

They’ll probably ask for your name.  Remind the cashier that anyone can credit an account.  They only need a name that matches one of the three on the account if you are trying to buy something with the credits.

This enables the rewards for your purchase to go to JCMGA instead of being wasted.  Last year, JCMGA bought over $500 worth of gardening supplies for the Practicum, the Demonstration Gardens, and irrigation needs with the rewards accumulated by JCMGA members and friends. More than you realize, remembering “15333” helps us support our efforts to give back to the community.

Editor’s Note:  Not remembering 15333, the last time I checked out at the Grange I just asked to have JCMGA credited and they obliged. -sch

 

Jan 31

President’s Corner

By Beet 2025 02 February

The new year brings opportunities and new beginnings for all of us. I hope that you had a relaxing time with family and friends over the holidays.  It is always good to take time to rejuvenate and enjoy the company of loved ones.

JCMGA has had a successful 2024! In the December Garden Beet, I highlighted some of our accomplishments during the past year.  Below are more of JCMGA’s 2024 accomplishments:

  • The Fundraising Working Group has been busy with many projects, including selling our Garden Guides at community events.

  • As a way of getting JCMGA and gardening topics out to the public, we participated in many community events. We had an information table/booth with several of our volunteers who answered questions and provided gardening information.  These events included: Josephine County Home Builder Show; Blue Heron Park Event; JCMGA Spring Garden Fair; Medford Open Streets Project; Fall Festival; and One Sanctuary Event.

  • The Community Outreach Working Group has worked actively on getting more community gardens involved with JCMGA. They also provide school grants for gardening projects.  What a great resource!

  • We started a new project – the Friends of the Gardens. Its members are interested in working in our gardens and learning more about gardening without becoming a Master Gardener.

  • The Class of 2024 Clothing Committee developed a gardening shirt logo – created by Adrienne Cheng.

  • The JCMGA Native Plant Nursery is booming! A big “thank you” to Lynn Kunstman and all the volunteers for their hard work in making it a success. Cody Maple, a Class of 2024 student, created the new Native Plant Nursery logo and Nicole Smith created a new Native Plant page on our website.

  • The Marketing & Technology Working Group continued to create publicity for JCMGA, while keeping our technology up-to-date.

  • The Member Services Working Group designed and distributed the JCMGA Chapter (Membership) 2024 Directory to our members. They also planned and implemented the following events: Class of 2024 Master Gardener First Day Lunch; JCMGA Annual Picnic; and Class of 2024 Master Gardener Graduation Celebration.

  • The Board has been developing the JCMGA vision and determining what is needed make our new tool shed, lathe house, and practicum classroom.

Our working groups are made up of wonderful people committed to working together to accomplish their goals.  I encourage you to join us.  Contact the chair of a working group that you are interested in to find out more about what they accomplish.

Our working groups and their chairs are:

Community Outreach                           Michael Hornbeek

Fundraising                                              Jane Moyer

Gardens                                                     Janine Slavatti

Marketing & Technology                    Keltie Nelson and Lucy Pylkki

Member Services                                   Barbara Low

Program Support                                   Grace Florjancic

Spring Garden Fair                                Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki

Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens         Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, and Barbara Low

We are a very active organization which provides gardening expertise – whether hands-on or via classes – to our members and community.  It takes all of us working together to accomplish our goals. Thank you to all those who have helped with our 2024 projects. We should be proud of what we have accomplished! We look forward to moving forward in 2025.

 

 

 

Jan 31

Master Gardeners Class of 2025 Practicum Begins!

By Beet 2025 02 February

We will be starting our 2025 Practicum on February 5th.  Soon we will be starting to plant the seeds and transplanting the plants for the JCMGA 2025 Spring Garden Fair.

If you would be interested in helping with the planting of seeds and/or transplanting the young plants for Spring Garden Fair, please contact Barbara Low (barbaralow@msn.com)

I will let you know when we need volunteers and schedule a time for you to help.

Jan 31

JCMGA December 2024 Board Minutes

By Beet 2025 02 February

Board Members Present:

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

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

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

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

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large & Co-Chair, Spring Garden Fair WG

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Pam Hillers, Archivist

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Ronnie Budge, Chair, Community Outreach WG

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

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

Guests:

Linda Millus, 2025 President-Elect

Teresa Jarrett, 2025 Co-Archivist

Mary Schrouder, 2025 Member-at-Large

Joanne Daane, 2025 Member-at-Large

Jory Kaplan, 2025 Member-at-Large

Linda Holder

Sherri Morgan

Taurie Rubaloff, SOREC Administrative Office Manager

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:04am.

Additions to the Agenda:  Members requested the following items be added to the agenda: Winter Dreams Summer Gardens update, proposed Governing Documents Committee for 2025, the introduction of Taurie Rubaloff, the new SOREC Administrative Office Manager and archives/Dropbox announcement from Linda Holder.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to add additional items to the agenda.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   All filed, written reports under the Consent Agenda were reviewed with the exception of Gardens Working Group report and the Spring Garden Fair report which were not available.

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

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Approval of the Board Meeting Minutes from November 8, 2024:  President Low offered a correction on page four.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the November 8, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as amended.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  President Low presented the financial statements for November 2024 and the proposed 2025 annual budget which will be voted on at the January 10, 2025 Board meeting for approval.  President Low reminded members that all reimbursement checks need to be cashed by the end of this month otherwise they will come out of the 2025 budget.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the financial statements for November 2024.  Motion passed.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic provided overall year end data for the Board’s information.  In 2024 there were 9,300 volunteer hours, 1,010 continuing education hours, 1082 pounds of food produced and donated to Access, and 39 graduates of the Master Gardener training program.

OMGA Representative Update:  Colet Allen, OMGA Representative reported on the completion of 2024 OMGA goals and the development of organizational goals for 2025.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low shared the following information with the Board:

  1. President Low held the monthly meeting with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic. It was noted that the open area where the Creepy Old House stood is being cleared of vegetation with posts being installed to prevent traffic entering the property.  The yard carts, wheelbarrows, and the potting area will be relocated in January.

  2. President Low reviewed the proposed Board meeting dates for 2025. She asked the Board to move the July 11, 2025 Board meeting to July 10th so Board Members can attend the annual Joy of Gardening education event in Corvallis on July 11-12, 2024.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to move the July 2025 Board meeting to July 10, 2025.  Motion passed.

Membership Secretary Report:   Membership Secretary Ann Ackles reported that two membership renewal reminders went out in both the Garden Beet and via MailChimp’s.  As of this date, 45 members have renewed with 8 renewals still to be processed.

Discussion & Business:

  1. Pam Hillers, Archivist, and Linda Holder, past Archivist, presented the legal and historical rationale regarding archiving for JCMGA and the importance of adherence to standards of archiving. Moving forward, it was discussed that the record retention policy for JCMGA will need to be reviewed and updated.

  2. President Low facilitated a discussion of potential agenda items for the Board’s winter retreat scheduled for January 24, 2025. Potential items included Dropbox access, review of our vision to build a classroom and greenhouse, the 2025 organizational goals, and review of the strategic plan.

  3. Ronnie Budge, Chair for the Community Outreach Working Group presented a proposed policy for providing community garden grants for Board discussion and approval.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed policy for community garden grants.  Motion passed.

  1. Member-at-Large, Sandy Hammond presented a request for a price discount for the purchase of 31 garden guides from the Kiwanis Club in Grants Pass that would then be donated in the community.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to sell 31 garden guides to the Grants pass Kiwanis Club at $9.00 each.  Motion passed.

  1. Grace Florjancic, Program Coordinator introduced Taurie Rubaloff, who is the new SOREC Administrative Office Manager. The Board welcomed Taurie to her new position.

  2. President Low announced that Keltie Nelson and Lucy Pylkki will be Co-Chairs for the Marketing & Technology Working Group in 2025.

  3. President Low asked the Board to consider volunteering for a governing documents committee to review a potential revision to the bylaws and review of the records retention policy. The committee would be convened in 2025.

  4. Colet Allen, Co-Chair for Winter Dreams Summer Gardens (WDSG) Working Group announced that 30 landscapers attended the event, 21 landscapers received continuing education credit including five who utilized the recorded sessions. In total, 115 people attended the 2024 WDSG including presenters.  Colet thanked everyone who helped with this event.

     5.Linda Holder, Sandy Hammond, Pam Hillers, and Ronnie Budge, esteemed       leaders who will be leaving the Board at the end of 2024, all expressed their           appreciation and gratitude to the organization. The Board in turn expressed         their gratitude for their many contributions and leadership on behalf of             JCMGA.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:35am.

Next Meeting:

  1. The new Board meeting will be held January 10, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

  2. The JCMGA Board Winter Retreat will be held January 24, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Jan 31

JCMGA New Board Orientation Meeting Minutes – December 6, 2025

By Beet 2025 02 February

Current Board Members Present:

Barbara Low, President

Marcie Katz, Past President

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

2025 Board Members Present:

Linda Millus, President-Elect

Teresa Jarrett, Co-Archivist

Mary Schrouder, Member-at-Large

2024 & 2025 Board Members Absent:

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

Carrie Holmes-Staton, Co-Archivist

Joanne Daane, Member-at-Large

Jory Kaplan, Member-at-Large

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the orientation meeting to order at 9:10am and opened the meeting with a welcome to new Board Members and individual member introductions.

Per JCMGA Policy 2.3 Board Orientation, President Low led a review and discussion on the following topics:

  1. JCMGA Organizational Chart with Working Groups

  2. Venn Diagram describing the working relationship between JCMGA and OSU.

  3. A description of Working Groups, how they function and their role on the Board of Directors.

  4. A description of committees.

  5. A review of JCMGA governing documents including the Articles of Association, Bylaws, Policy & Procedure manual.

  6. A review of duties and expectations of Board Members.

  7. Kathy Apple provided a review of the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of nonprofit Board Members.

  8. A review of the 2025 Board calendar.

  9. An overview of Board meeting procedures, meeting reports, minutes, and archives.

  10. A review of Dropbox and its function and purpose for the organization.

  11. A review of Robert’s Rules of Order.

  12. A review of Oregon Master Gardener Association.

  13. A review of the 2024 Strategic Plan and draft 3-year and 5-year organizational goals currently under discussion.

A review of the 2025 budget, reimbursement procedures and reading financial reports was tabled until a later date.

President Low reviewed the annual conflict of interest statement and OSU liability form which each Board Member signed.

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

Next Meeting:

The next Board meeting will be held December 13, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Dec 31

President’s Corner

By Beet 2025 01 January

It is a new year with many opportunities and new beginnings for all of us.  I hope that you had a relaxing time with family and friends over the holidays.  It is always good to take time to rejuvenate and enjoy the company of loved ones.

JCMGA has had a successful 2024! In the December Garden Beet I talked about some of our accomplishments during this past year.  Below are a few more JCMGA accomplishments:

  • The Fundraising Working Group was busy with many projects including selling our Garden Guides at community events.

  • As a way of getting JCMGA and gardening topics out to the public, we were part of many community events this year. At these events we had an information table/booth with several of volunteers to answer questions and provide gardening information.  These events included: Josephine County Home Builder Show; Blue Heron Park Event; JCMGA Spring Garden Fair; Medford Open Streets Project; Fall Festival; and One Sanctuary Event.

  • The Community Outreach Working Group has also been actively working on getting more community gardens involved with JCMGA. They also provide school grants for gardening projects.  What a great resource!

  • We started a new project – the Friends of the Gardens. “Friends” are interested in working in our gardens and learning more about gardening without becoming Master Gardeners.

  • The Class of 2024 Clothing Committee developed a gardening shirt logo – created by Adrienne Cheng.

  • The JCMGA Native Plant Nursery is booming! A big thank you to Lynn Kunstman and all the volunteers for their hard work in making it a success. Cody Maple, a Class of 2024 student, created the new Native Plant Nursery logo and Nicole Smith created a new Native Plant page on our website.

  • The Marketing & Technology Working Group worked on publicity for JCMGA and kept our technology up to date.

  • The Member Services Working Group distributed the JCMGA Chapter (Membership) 2024 Directory to our members. They also planned and implemented the following events: Class of 2024 Master Gardener First Day Lunch; JCMGA Annual Picnic; and Class of 2024 Master Gardener Graduation Celebration.

  • Plans are being developed for the 2025 JCMGA vision and what we want for our new tool shed, lathe house, and practicum classroom.

People in our working groups are committed to working together to accomplish their goals.  I encourage you to join us.  Contact the chair of a working group that you are interested in to find out more about what they accomplish.

Our working groups and their chairs are:

Community Outreach                            Michael Hornbeek

Fundraising                                               Jane Moyer

Gardens                                                      Janine Slavatti

Marketing & Technology                     Keltie Nelson and Lucy Pylkki

Member Services                                    Barbara Low and Linda Millus

Program Support                                   Grace Florjancic

Spring Garden Fair                                Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki

Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens     Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, and Barbara Low

This year is full of new beginnings and continuing what we started in 2024!  We are a very active organization which provides gardening expertise – whether hands-on or via classes – to our members and community.

It takes all of us working together to accomplish our goals. Thank you to all those who have helped with our projects in 2024.  Everyone should be proud of what we have accomplished as we move forward in 2025.

 

 

 

 

Dec 31

JCMGA Membership Renewal for 2025

By Beet 2025 01 January

It’s that time of year when we open our Membership Renewal process.  We are asking each renewing member to complete the 2025 Membership form.  This can be done online or via paper form.

This form serves two vital purposes.  First, it assures the Membership Secretary has your most current information regarding your address, phone number, email and year you completed your education.  The second purpose is for you to identify where you want to share your knowledge, skills and abilities in 2025.  There are so many opportunities for you to assist the organization with projects and/or committees.  A project leader will know to contact you when your area of interest is meeting or working on a project.

We have added a box that allows you to limit how much of your contact information is listed in the directory, but we do need some contact information – preferably emails. If you choose not to have your street address listed you will have to pick up your directory at the Extension office because it will not be mailed out.

The yearly renewal fee is still $25.00 and a real bargain.  We ask that all renewal forms be returned by January 31st to be included in the directory which will come out in the Spring of 2025.  Thank you for supporting the process and we look forward to seeing you renew your membership.

You can renew your membership at https://jacksoncountymga.org/membership-renewal/