9/18/2024
September 2024 Volunteer News |
Gardens for Good donations. From left to right: Katie Robinson, Beth Fritcher, Judie Ritchie, Liz Colwell, and Laurel Watt (Photo by Brianna Gohde)
News to Know |
Enter your Summer Hours
Over 30% of RCMG volunteers have zero hours entered for this year. Please take a few minutes to record your time from spring and summer.
Glove Sales at Monthly Meeting—9/17
Stock up on the RCMG favorites for fall chores, holiday gifts, or in preparation for spring. Garden gloves will be sold at the September monthly meeting. Cash, checks, and cards will be accepted. $6/pair
2025 MG Enrollment Ends Oct. 1
Last call! Enrollment for new Master Gardeners ends on 10/01. If you know someone with a passion for gardening and community service, please invite them to apply!
2024 RCMG Project Reporting Form
Attention project leads and co-leads! One person from each Project, Activity or Event needs to complete the 2024 RCMG Project Reporting Form. These are due before 11/03/2024. Please fill this in as soon as your project closes for the season, or sooner if you can.
2024 RCMG Board Election
Elections for the 2025-2026 Board positions will be held from 10/16-10/30. Take a sneak peek at the candidates.
Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on September 10, 2024. They covered updates to the Fidelity Fund Grant Process, decisions for the Emma & Troy Memorial, the 2025 application process, new marketing materials to promote MG work in Ramsey County, and details about the new 2025-2026 Board candidates.
Volunteer Stories |
Loss of two Master Gardeners
Please join us in celebrating the lives and passions of Emma Porter and Troy Sabean on October 6 from 1-2 pm at the Roseville Muriel Sahlin Arboretum. Contact Dawn Cameronwith questions or to help with the planning.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Susan Cathey shares a story about how Master Gardeners are inspiring the next generation of leaders and providing them with the tools and a network to help the community.
Intern & Mentor Celebration—9/29
As the summer gardening season comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the hard work and dedication you've put towards the 2024 internships. To celebrate your efforts, we're hosting a RCMG Intern & Mentor Celebration! RSVP to join us at the Celebration!
RCMG Fix-It Clinic
RCMG made a good impression at the Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic in August and have been invited back as “fixers” starting in April 2025.
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.
Photography–Volunteers In Action
Before the season ends, please take a few pictures of you and your peer
Master Gardeners in action at the many gardens, festivals, and events around
Ramsey County. These pictures help us remember the year and the many
things that were done. Send photos (including any from earlier this year) to
Brianna Gohde with a note about who and what is in the scene.
September Member Meeting—9/17
We still need volunteers to help us run the September 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.
Gardens for Good Donations
Help us meet our goal of providing garden-fresh produce to Wilson High Rise community members! As our tomato plants start to slow down and fewer tomatoes are ripening, it is the perfect time to harvest those large unripe slicing tomatoes and donate them to G4G! They are a huge hit each week, and are a perfect way to get the most out of your tomato plant. If you haven't had an opportunity to donate or volunteer with G4G yet this season, don't miss out on your chance to join in on the fun!
Yard and Garden Phone Line—10/7-10/13
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 from July 15 through July 21. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.
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.
August Meeting–recording
If you missed the presentation and event at the Como Conservatory, you’re in luck! Check out the recording and recap from the combined Ramsey-Washington MG Meeting in August.
September Monthly Meeting—9/17
Join us for the September RCMG monthly meeting on Tue 9/17. This hybrid meeting will be both online and in-person at the Roseville Oval. Our guest speaker, Ryan Murphy from the Urban Forestry Outreach and Research will share an update on existing & emerging tree pests, and tree care tips.
RCMG Book Club: Nature Obscura—9/24
The next RCMG Book club discusses Nature Obscura by Kelly Brenner on Tuesday 9/24. 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.
Central Regional Gathering–10/26
Register for the 2024 Central Region Gathering! 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.
Calendar |
9/17/24 – September Monthly Meeting (hybrid; Roseville Oval)
9/24/24 – September Book Club Discussion
10/01/24 – End of New MG Enrollment
10/06/24 – Memorial for Emma and Troy
10/07–13/24 – RCMG Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
10/08/24 – October Board Meeting (online only)
10/15/24 –Start of RCMG New Member Interviews
10/15/24 – October Monthly Meeting (hybrid; Roseville Oval)
10/16/24 – Open voting for 2025-2026 Candidates
10/30/24 – End of voting for 2025-2026 Candidatesent
Quick Links |
RCMG Resources
Extension Resources
Extension Yard and Garden NewsExtension Yard and Garden News
Access the MN Arboretum for free with code MG2024