President’s Message
🎄 As the holiday season arrives, I want to take a moment to wish you all a warm and joyful end to the year. This is a season of gratitude, and I am so thankful for the support that I received during my year as President of BCMGA. The enthusiasm and dedication that our members bring to their projects, meetings and events have made my job more meaningful and I thank you. While I am handing the presidency to Paula Lupcho in January, I will be continuing my involvement as your newsletter editor in 2025.
A quick reminder: please remember to renew your BCMGA membership. Whether or not you plan to recertify through OSU Extension, we value your connection to this vibrant organization and hope you’ll continue to be part of our community.
For those involved in projects and committees, a friendly reminder to submit your end-of-year reports. These reports help us celebrate our successes and plan for even more growth in the year ahead.
Thank you all for a wonderful year. I wish you and your loved ones a season filled with peace, joy, and plenty of time to dream about next year’s gardens!
BCMGA Membership Activities
The BCMGA Calendar is on the website and has more information on these activities.
🎄 BCMGA Board Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2025 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am via Zoom
🎄 BCMGA Membership Meeting - Incoming Vice President Laura Horsey welcomes all BCMGA members to the next membership meeting for socialization and Continuing Education credits. Raffle prizes for in-person attendees.
Location: Extension Building, Sunset Room
Use East side entrance (other doors locked at night)
Format: Hybrid meeting (in-person and via Zoom)
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 13, 2025 - Bringing Native Plants into Your Home Garden
You may have heard the phrase “the right plant for the right place”, but how do native plants fit into this? Sara Roberts and Cierra Dawson of Benton Soil & Water Conservation District will discuss Oregon’s native plant habitats and how you can bring these into your own backyard. You’ll learn the best native plant species for different site conditions including dry shade, wet shade, dry sun, and wet sun.
BCMGA News
🎄 We need your input! As our membership meetings have shifted to a hybrid format, it seems our hospitality services—coffee, tea, and cookies—aren't being used as much. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey to help us decide whether to continue offering these refreshments at our meetings. Your feedback is appreciated!
🎄 Dahlia Digging Season has arrived. Please contact Chere Pereira if you have dahlias to donate and we can set up a time at Nellie’s to wash and dip them. Be sure to label them carefully and if you don’t know the name, mark the color (and size and a description such as ball type or cactus type if you can).
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
🎄 Insights into Gardening, February 8, 2025: Watch your email for an all-member notification with details on how to volunteer for BCMGA’s annual gardening conference! You can attend the conference and earn education hours for recertification. Both conference registration and the volunteer SignUp Genius will open online on January 2nd. This makes it simple to register and then pick a volunteer role, whether it’s helping during the event or baking cookies for our famous cookie spread. Questions about volunteering? Contact Susan Hoffman at shoff@peak.org.
🎄OMGA Seeking New Silent Auction Chair for 2025 - The Oregon Master Gardener Association seeks 1-2 volunteers to chair the Silent Auction at the 2025 Joy of Gardening Conference in July. Responsibilities include soliciting donations from Oregon’s 23 MG chapters, preparing bid sheets, and coordinating event volunteers. Since the event is held at OSU’s CH2M Hill Alumni Center, a local Master Gardener is preferred.
Paula Lupcho, who has chaired the auction for two years, can guide interested volunteers. Contact Paula at 541-929-3050 or plantdoc2746@gmail.com for more information.
🎄Plant Clinic has moved to Winter Hours - Check out this Signup Genius for openings on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the remainder of 2024.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Approved for CE by OSU Extension
🎄 Gearing Up for Gardening - Free Lecture Series A perennial favorite of Benton County residents and Master Gardeners returns for 2025. Lectures are held on Tuesdays during January and February at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Check out the website: https://www.bentonmg.org/gearing-up-for-gardening
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Kids in the Garden
Presented by a Master Gardener panel. Learn fun and engaging ways to introduce children to gardening. Foster a love for nature and hands on learning with age-appropriate activities
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Tool Sharpening and Care
Presented by Sharon Knight from Garland Nursery. Discover essential techniques to maintaining and sharpening your garden tools, ensuring their longevity and efficiency
🎄 Seed Library Lecture Series - Public Seed Library is a collaborative project of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library with educational support from BCMGA. In addition to the lectures, look for more volunteer opportunities with PSL in 2025.
Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM Growing Herbs from Seed
The Thyme Garden's co-owners and herb experts Emily Stimac and Bethany Glanville will share how to start and grow herbs successfully from seeds in containers or garden beds, herb companion plants, and when and how to harvest the herbs as leaves or seeds for use.
Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM Companion Planting of Flowers and Herbs
Come learn how to wisely plant companion flowers and herbs to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden that can help increase your harvest, reduce pests, add flavor, and provide beautiful blooms to enjoy! Presented by Darren Morgan, Shonnard's Nursery Manager and educator.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 Simple Worm Bin Farming
Come learn from Cynthia Dort of Dort Worm Farms how easy it is to successfully turn your vegetable and fruit scraps into worm castings that are wonderful compost for your garden! This presentation will cover how worm castings improve soil and garden growth, how to simply build a functional worm bin, how to feed your worms, and maintain your worm farm year round.
Extension News
🎄OSU Extension Online Calendar has a calendar of Extension events throughout the state. This often includes MG lectures from other counties.
🎄Solve Pest Problems: A new tool from OSU Extension to help manage pests around your home and garden with reduced risk to people, pets, and the environment. New entries are being added regularly on the SPP Website.
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