The January monthly meeting was held via ZOOM from 6:15-8:15pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Watching the recording of this meeting can be counted as 2 hours of Continuing Education. (Find the recording in the Archives of the Monthly Meeting page.)
RCMG Board Announcements
Kay Wimer, Chair, gave an overview of Ramsey County Master Gardeners as a 501(c)3 corporation incorporated in 1995. Its purpose is to "assist the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Ramsey County in education and disseminating research-based horticulture information." She also reviewed how this is done, according to the Bylaws, and what that means for Master Gardeners in the county.
Kay introduced the 2025 Board and shared Board News.
o All proceeds from the Speakers Bureau will go to Extension, not to the non-profit.
o All proceeds from the glove sales will to to the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Program of Ramsey
County's Foundation account and will be used for intern financial aid.
Darren Lochner's Coordinator Updates
The State Master Gardener Program Conference is June 27-28.
The core course is available to all Master Gardeners. Refer to the January newsletter for introductions on access.
The Master Gardener volunteer discount code for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is MG2025.
The database for recording hours is being updated to the Better Impact program. It will be available to use in March 2025.
Remember to update the Directory and complete the Skills and Interests Survey (February). Results from the Volunteer Survey will be shared soon.
Contact information:
o To contact RCMG, use rcmg@umn.edu
o To contact the State Master Gardener Program, use mgweb@umn.edu
o Darren's office hours are on Wednesday, 10:00am-2:00pm (in person) and Thursday, Noon-1:00pm (virtual).
Following is link information for his virtual office hours: Zoom Meeting ID: 941 0499 0179, Passcode: q6jW#4,
The February meeting will be online only, and the March meeting will be in-person and online. Awards will be completed by March 2 and the Volunteer Activities Fair will be March 27.
Darren encouraged volunteers to read both the Ramsey County and state program newsletters.
Project Updates
Plant Sale - Beth Fritcher, Grow Team Lead, encouraged people to sign up to grow tomatoes, other vegetables and herbs at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044CAEA62DAA8-52938626-grow#/.
Youth Projects - Sue Mason asked people to sign up to work with youth in seed stratifying with Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044CAEA62DAA8-53740261-youth#/.
Resources/Inventory Team – Niki Blue reported that everything in the Diagnostic Center will be inventoried and labeled. This will now be known as the Resource Center. Project leads received a survey to help identify supplies we have, what is needed, and where to store them.
Speakers Bureau - Anyone interested in teaching or helping with the Speakers Bureau should email Brianna.
Program - Natalie Hoidal, Urban Soils
Gene Ranieri introduced Natalie Hoidel, Extension Educator. Her presentation focused on the question of what makes an urban soil "healthy." Her slides will be shared.
The goals for her presentation were to:
Provide an overview of urban soil trends.
Prepare MGs to answer basic questions about urban soil management.
(Hopefully) recruit a cohort of MGs who want to develop more soil health expertise to meet community needs for more 1:1 support.
The following links were shared in the chat:
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/compost-and-soil-organic-matter-more-merrier.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335194147 Excess phosphorus from compost applications in urban gardens creates potential pollution hotspots.
Following her presentation, Natalie responded to questions.
Urban soils are tested for lead. This includes Ramsey County. We talk about "risk" vs. "safe." Washing veggies helps to reduce risk but is not a substitute for lead testing.
Excessive use of compost has resulted in high salt levels. Ramsey County will not deliver compost that has high salt levels. Less than 2 ppm of salt in compost is ideal. When you buy compost, avoid composted manure because it has high phosphorus levels.
Cover crops are an underutilized way to increase soil fertility. Sources for cover crop seed include Eggplant Urban Farm Supply, Sow True Seed, and Mother Earth Gardens.
Tillage has good short-term benefits, but it breaks soil into smaller and smaller pieces, leading to compaction. Compacted soils with high organic matter can be loosened with cover crops that have deep roots, using a broadfork, or using raised beds. A meter to test soil compactions is available.
Natalie is considering advanced training to help volunteers do field days on soil health. She is teaching the vegetables module in the Core Course on March 4.
Recap provided by Diana Rankin
RCMG Volunteer