April 2025 Volunteer News & Updates
- Apr 12
- 7 min read
4/15/2025
Ramsey County Master Gardeners
April 2025 Volunteer News |
RCMG volunteers Ann W, Helen W, Patty H, Lee B, Vatsala M, and Karen S transplant young seedlings at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility (RCCF) in March
Message from the Coordinator |
Spring has sprung. As we ease into the spring season, take some time to prepare for the many volunteer opportunities that lie ahead. We strongly encourage you to volunteer with the RCMG Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17th. In addition to the day of the sale, there are many ways for you to get involved leading up to the event. As a reminder, the proceeds from the Plant Sale support our Master Gardener community and the education services we offer in Ramsey County.
April Updates |
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New 2025 Project Catalog
The new Project Catalog is posted! In this catalog you will find a list of the recurring activities and projects approved by the Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, listed from A to Z by name. With each project, you will see the Activity Type as well as corresponding Master Gardener Program Priority. The description includes information about the audience served and the public value of this project. You’ll also get a brief summary of what tasks you would do as a volunteer participating on each project.
Resource Center Updates
With more events coming, you might need to pick up materials from the Resource Center (previously Diagnostic Center). This includes picking up Education Kits, tables, signs, tents, library books, and other items. This space is undergoing a bit of a redesign this spring and we ask for your patience. We want this room to be easy to use and navigate. We are purchasing new storage structures to support that purpose and will need help setting up once they arrive. Stay tuned!
Alternate Badge Request
If you would like to use a name badge without the term "Master Gardener" this season, please complete this form. Temporary, sticker versions of the badge design will be available to volunteers serving on specific projects.
Badge & Star Pick-Up
Badges for new interns and graduated interns, and stars for 2024 award recipients will be available for pick-up at the April Monthly Meeting (4/15). You can also pick these up inside the Resource Center at your convenience.
Recording your hours
The new volunteer database is still not ready for prime time. While we all wait, please print and use this Temporary Hours Sheet PDF or you can download a copy and use this tabbed spreadsheet.
Intern Roadmap |
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Signing Up to VolunteerBoard Blurb
All interns should be receiving invitations to volunteering activities. (If you have not received any invites, contact Brianna Gohde right away.) Be sure to double-check your calendar before signing up to avoid having to find a replacement. Review the Sign-Up Etiquette and Best Practices
Ask-A-Master-Gardener (AAMG) Tables
AAMG Tables are common requests from community groups and are a regular volunteer activity all year-round. At these volunteer activities, you have an opportunity to personally connect and share garden knowledge with area residents. Here are some other best practices to keep in mind while volunteering at community events.
Goals for April
Complete the following Core Course modules by the end of April
Weeds
Indoor Plants & Propagation
Living with Wildlife
Plant Diagnostics
Community Engagement
Up Next
Attend the April meeting to pick up volunteer badges and certificates – (Tue) 4/15
Register for volunteer activities with your mentor or Team
Complete the Core Course (last Plant Talk Tuesday on May 6th)
Non-Profit News |
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Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on April 08, 2025 and discussed project funding from the Speakers Bureau and for the Arts Us project, and meetings with Extension and Ramsey County Leadership.
Looking for Used Pots
Susie DeShon on the RCMG Plant Sale is looking for gently-used and nice-looking pots in search of a new home. If you have spare pots that are clean and in good repair that you are no longer using, please bring them to the April Meeting at the Roseville Oval or contact Susie for alternative drop-off times.
Garden Gloves for Sale: 4/15
RCMG’s popular Atlas garden gloves will be available for sale at the April Monthly Meeting. The cost for RCMG volunteers is $6 per pair. Cash, check & credit card accepted. Sizes available: XS, S, M, L and XL.
Volunteer Stories |
State Fair Gardens 2024
We worked all summer to make the various Master Gardener gardens at the State Fair into something that people would enjoy. We are officially called Adopt-A-Garden. I chose the theme: Creative Containers as our theme. This was truly a group effort, many teams throughout the summer worked hard on cleaning up the gardens and offering up ideas and our synergy worked! My hope was that people would look at all of our containers and feel that they could go home and do the same thing.
Skills & Interest Survey Results
HUGE THANK YOU to the 200 volunteers who have shared their Skills and Interests with us so far this year! We are learning a lot from you and finding new ways to connect events and activities to those volunteers who would enjoy them the most. If you haven't already, please take a moment to fill in the survey.
Project Fair
Sign up to answer resident’s garden questions from home through the Arboretum’s Yard & Garden hotline. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.
Climate Responsiveness Project
Feeling overwhelmed by climate news? You’re not alone—but you’re also not powerless. The RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project is harnessing the power of collective action to respond to climate change through horticulture. A planning team is now moving forward on key initiatives, including expanding climate education, supporting pollinator corridors, and exploring a “Climate Responsive Landscape” certification. They’ll be checking in with other groups for input along the way. Contact Karen Randall with any comments or questions.
Book Club Review: Twelve Trees—4.6 Stars
Master Gardener volunteers who participated in the March book club discussion were awed by the author’s ability to paint images with his words and by the incredible way he connects each tree with others and with the social, political, economical, emotional, spiritual, and practical ways trees shape our worldviews and our interactions. Read the review and comments from RCMG readers.
Volunteer Activities |
April Monthly Meeting: 4/15
Help out at the next monthly meeting on Tue 4/15. This meeting will be both in-person and online. We need a volunteer to help as the meeting Journalist. If you are a Project Lead and want a few minutes to share an update about or recruit for your project(s), sign up for one of the “Project Updates” slots.
Host A Garden Gate Tour 2025
Open your garden to fellow RCMG volunteers and host a Garden Gate Tour this summer! This is a fun activity for everyone involved! You can get or give gardening advice from your peer Master Gardeners, or just showcase the garden and yard you care for. Tours are scheduled for Thursday evenings (6:30- 8:00 pm) OR on Sunday afternoons (4:30-6:00 pm); please express your preference and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Yard and Garden Phone Line: 5/05-5/11
Sign up to answer resident’s garden questions from home through the Arboretum’s Yard & Garden hotline. These are excellent opportunities to volunteer remotely and build your garden knowledge at your own pace.
Save the Dates: RCMG Plant Sale: 5/15-5/17
Mark your calendars! The sign-ups are coming but please reserve time to help on Thur-Sat (5/15-517). It’s going to take all of us to make the sale a success!
Help Get the Word Out! RCMG Plant Sale
New posters, designed by Jayme Neverton and the Marketing & Communications Committee are now available for volunteers to print and distribute. Please help post them at your favorite haunts around town. We will also have copies available at the April Monthly Meeting.
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.
March Education Meeting Recap
Our guest speaker, Marissa Schuh, Extension Educator of Horticulture Integrated Pest Management spoke about Integrated Pest Management,with a focus on how pesticides are regulated, what has to happen before a pesticide ends up being available for sale, things to think about with common vegetable specific pesticides that are available for sale, and home remedies. Read the recap.
April Member Meeting: 4/15
Join us for RCMG’s April monthly meeting on Tue 4/15. This month, we’ll hear from Justin Townsend, Ramsey County Environmental Resources Specialist and Weed Management Area Coordinator, talk about Emerging and Established Invasive Plants in the Landscape Trade. This meeting is hosted both in-person at the Roseville Skating Oval (Rose Banquet room) and online. RSVP today!
Audio/Visual (A/V) Training Session: 4/26
The RCMG audio/visual (A/V) volunteers support our events in a behind-the-scenes way by helping with the set up, maintenance and take down of the technical tools during hybrid and in-person meetings. We need more volunteers who can help with these tasks and are offering a training and demonstration event to build confidence. We hope you join us!
Garden Gate Tours: 5/03 and 5/04
Visit a garden grown by other RCMG members to get inspired, share gardening advice or just enjoy the view of the garden and yard they have developed. Read descriptions of the upcoming tours on SignUp Genius.
5/03 Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
5/04 Nilgun Tuna’s stinzen garden
Book Club: The Serviceberry: 5/29
The selection for May 2025 is The Serviceberry:Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. 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.
2025 State Master Gardener Conference: 6/27 & 6/28
EARLY REGISTRATION 15% DURING APRIL! This annual event will be filled with keynote presentations, indoor classes, outdoor guided walking tours, outdoor show-n-tell classes as well as networking and socializing opportunities. Enjoy “Early Bird” discounted registration fees (15% off) for all volunteers who registered before May. For all available information, visit this section of the Volunteer Google site.
Calendar |
Office hours with Darren: In-person Weds (10am-2pm) and online Thurs (12pm-1pm)
4/08 – April Board Meeting (on Zoom only)
4/15 – April Monthly Meeting (hybrid format)
5/05 -- 5/11 – RCMG Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
5/17 – Plant Sale
5/29 – RCMG Book Club Discussion
5/30 – Summer Train-the-Trainer
6/16 -- 6/22 – RCMG Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
6/27 & 6/28 – Master Gardener 2025 statewide conference
Quick Links |
RCMG Resources
Extension Resources
Report Your Hours – offline for Jan-Mar
Access the MN Arboretum for free with code MG2025
