10/11/2024
October 2024 Volunteer New |
Memorial Planting for Emma and Troy planted by the Lilac Hill volunteer team. (Photo by Donna Andersen)
News to Know |
Satisfaction Survey 2024—10/30
The satisfaction survey is administered every 3 years to track the overall approval of components of the program by volunteers. The information collected is anonymous and used to determine how well RCMG is meeting the needs of its volunteers and identify where the Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program can improve. If you have not already, please complete this survey.
Now Accepting Nominations
Nominate someone for an RCMG annual award! RCMG wants to recognize volunteers who demonstrate exceptional performance and community service. We have added 3 new award categories for 2024. Can you think of someone who inspired you this year? Nominate them for an award! Nominations accepted until Sunday 11/10.
The Myth of At-Home Projects
Starting in 2020, volunteers were offered the chance to provide community service from their homes. Years later, rumors suggest that volunteers are all serving from home instead of going out into the community. This is not true and we have the numbers to prove it.
2024 RCMG Board Election—10/16
Elections for the 2025-2026 Board positions will be held from 10/16-10/30. Take a sneak peek at the candidates and watch your email for your ballot. (Note: ballots are sent to all certified and active-emeritus volunteers and graduated interns.)
Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on October 8, 2024 and covered updates from the Plant Sale Committee about the 2025 sale, speaker updates from the Education Committee, news about the 2025 applicants, and the status of the New Projects Grant Program Policy. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2024.
Give to the Max 2024—11/21
Give To The Max Day 2024 is Thursday, November 21st. Donations can be accepted online throughout the month of November. Please keep this online fundraiser in mind when planning your year-end donations. Our goal is to raise $350 - small donations can add up quickly to make a big impact! Money raised helps supplement the Ramsey County Master Gardeners general fund, which provides assistance for projects, financial aid, educational opportunities and so much more. Thank you!
Volunteer Stories |
Strategic Plan Update
Update on the RCMG nonprofit corporation strategic planning: in October, the board of directors voted on the action steps as they relate to our goal statements. We'll offer a member review and comment period in November to hear your feedback, along with a blog post to explain our decision-making process. We are on schedule and look forward to implementation on January 1, 2025. Thank you to the strategic planning committee for their work!
Please contact Board Chair Julie Bechtold (juliebechtold@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
Gardens for Good Update
Gardens for Good recently wrapped up its fourth year distributing fresh produce donated by RCMG home gardeners to residents at the Wilson Public Hi-Rise in St. Paul. This year saw over 1,700 pounds of vegetables, fruit, and herbs donated between July 11 and October 3, with almost 50 volunteers contributing to the effort.
Bee-Line Update from Frogtown
The Bee Line—which links several pollinator plantings along 2.5 miles of Pierce Butler Route from Snelling Avenue to Dale Street—has been blooming and beautiful this year. Hats off to additional RCMG volunteers who contributed their time, knowledge and effort towards fostering this pollinator sanctuary
Gopher Adventures Takes a Break
Nature Obscura (Book Review)
The RCMG Book Club read and discussed Nature Obscura: A City’s Hidden Natural World by Kelly Brenner in September. The author’s level of curiosity and dedication to thorough investigation are incredible! The group consensus is that we can utilize the author’s examples and encourage observation and discovery in our work with community members. You can borrow a copy for continuing education credits but please remember to return books to the RCMG Lending Library once you complete them.
RCMG Book Club Announcement
RCMG volunteers were invited to choose the next three books to be read and discussed by the RCMG Book Club. Sincere thanks to the people who took time to select books and offer additional ideas for future reading! The titles selected for the next three discussions are:
NOVEMBER 26, 2024 – Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America by Peter Wohlleben and Jane Billinghurst
JANUARY 28, 2025 – The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
MARCH 24, 2025 – Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future by Daniel Lewis
Volunteers can find these books at the Ramsey County Library and Libby, as well as two copies inside the RCMG Resource Center. Readers borrowing one of the books from the Resource Center are asked to follow the instructions on the Book Club shelf.
All Book Club discussions occur over Zoom from 7:00-8:00 p.m. RCMG volunteers will receive invitations to participate and questions to consider for the discussion via SignUp Genius. See Continuing Education below to sign-up for the November Discussion.
Loss of a Master Gardener: Ann Kulenkamp
Ann Kulenkamp joined RCMG in 2022. She volunteered on many RCMG community service projects like Habitat for Humanity homes, distributing food from community gardens and working to prepare our State Fair gardens. She was also a major supporting member of the Web Team and Communications Committee. You can read her obituary online.
If you hear of the loss of other volunteers, please contact Darren Lochner with details.
Volunteer Activities |
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New volunteer activities are announced on Thursday mornings and Sunday nights. If you are not receiving SignUp Genius notices, please contact Brianna Gohde.
New Volunteer Interviews—10/15-10/22
We need volunteers to help meet & greet the 2025 applicants. Interviews run from Tuesday 10/15 through Tuesday 10/22, with each informational interview taking an hour. These will be done online using Zoom. If you still need a few hours, sign up to help!
Yard and Garden Phone Line—10/07-10/13
Answer resident’s garden questions from home by signing up for a shift through the Arboretum’s Yard & Garden hotline. Shifts are reserved for RCMG volunteers from October 7--October 13. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.
October Member Meeting—10/15
We still need volunteers to help us run the October meeting at the Roseville Oval. If you are planning to attend anyway, consider signing up. Volunteers get 2 hours of education PLUS at least 2 hours of volunteer service.
Blooms, Thorns & Buds—11/19
As gardeners we have all experienced success, disappointment and promise in our gardens.
We are seeking pictures and a brief written description of your gardening high-(or low)-lights from 2024. We will share these stories at the November RCMG monthly meeting. Details about how to submit your story can be found on SignUp Genius.
State Advisory Board —1/03
Consider joining the Master Gardener State Advisory Board (SAB) to advise the state leadership team on ways that the Volunteer Program can best serve all Minnesotans. Applications (download as .doc or PDF) will be accepted now through January 3, 2025. If you have questions about the process or the requirements, please contact current SAB member, Brianna Gohde.
Continuing Education Opportunities |
Find approved opportunities to learn more on the RCMG website, the State MG Volunteer website, the MN Landscape Arboretum, or through Extension. Check with the program coordinator about other local events and learning opportunities.
September Meeting–recording
If you missed the presentation by Ryan Murphy, you can check out the recording and recap from the September Meeting on the RCMG website.
Updates to the RCMG Lending Library
Over the past six months, volunteers have been working on the RCMG Lending Library, which includes the RCMG Book Club. Here are some notes that volunteers need to know.
October Monthly Meeting—10/15
Join us for the October RCMG monthly meeting on Tue 10/15. This hybrid meeting will be both online and in-person at the Roseville Oval. Our guest speaker,Carissa Dillon, Food Security Manager for Ramsey County will share updates about Food Insecurity in our community.
Central Regional Gathering–Registration deadline 10/18
Register for the 2024 Central Region Gathering on 10/26! Extension Educator Julie Weisenhorn will present “Plant selection: Right plant, Right place, Right purpose” and Extension Educator Jennie Wagner will introduce a new Master Gardener Hot Topic: “Ecosystem-Supportive Plant Selection.” This event is hosted by the Master Gardener State Advisory Board.
RCMG Book Club: Forest Walking—11/26
The next RCMG Book club discusses Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America by Peter Wohlleben and Jane Billinghurst on Tuesday 11/26. There are copies of this book available through the RCMG Lending Library, and other copies available through the public library. Sign-up to join the discussion.
Calendar |
10/07–13/24 – RCMG Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
10/08/24 – October Board Meeting (online only)
10/15/24 – Start of RCMG New Volunteer Interviews
10/15/24 – October Monthly Meeting (hybrid; Roseville Oval)
10/16/24 – Open voting for 2025-2026 Board Candidates
10/30/24 – End of voting for 2025-2026 Board Candidates
11/03/24 – Satisfaction Survey Due
11/12/24 – November Board Meeting (online only)
11/19/24 – November Monthly Meeting (hybrid; Roseville Oval)
11/26/24 – November Book Club
Quick Links |
RCMG Resources
Extension Resources
Access the MN Arboretum for free with code MG2024