Brianna Gohde
- Aug 9, 2023
- 3 min read

Coordinator Corner – August 2023

8/08/2023

One of our best recruitment methods is word of mouth

Message from the Coordinator

We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Master Gardener Program! One of the best recruitment methods for the Master Gardener volunteer program is word of mouth.

We know you are out in the community, talking to residents and trading tips with other experienced gardeners in Ramsey County. You've met hundreds of people and you have a good sense of what it means to be a Master Gardener volunteer. We want to know: Does anyone you've met have what it takes to be a Master Gardener?

Think about individuals you met at Master Gardener community projects, Farmers Markets, demonstration gardens, during classes and while at special events. Remember members of the groups that you frequently work with – like the school project, watershed collaborations, public housing classes, community gardens. Consider reaching out to neighbors and friends who you think would be interested and a good fit for the Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

Below is a map of all current volunteers in RCMG. We'd love to fill in this map and help connect residents from all over the county with RCMG. If you live or volunteer in areas where we have fewer volunteers – like Shoreview, Mounds View, Vadnais Heights, Little Canada, Maplewood, South St Paul – please consider extending an invitation.

a map a Ramsey county and where RCMG volunteers come from — 2023 RCMG Volunteer Map

Become a Master Gardener

Applications are due October 1st

Project Stories

You may have noticed more stories about the kinds of things RCMG volunteers are doing in the community on our website. These are fantastic and we would love to see more!

We started using a Google form to make it easy to tell us about your project. You can even attach up to 3 pictures with your story.

Share what happened during the project
Tell us why this project excites you
Explain how the project is making an impact in the community
Invite others to get involved

Share your volunteer stories with us. We promise it's easy.

State Fair Shifts

Don't miss your chance to volunteer at the Great MN Get-Together! There are still a handful of volunteer shifts open at the MN State Fair. All volunteers will receive a FREE ticket for admission into the fairgrounds for the day you are volunteering. Tickets and booth information will be mailed to you about 2 weeks before the fair.

Regional Gathering - Register Now!

The Regional Gathering is a day-long educational conference hosted by the State Advisory Board (SAB). These annual conferences offer you a chance to connect with MGs from other counties, share your thoughts about the MG program overall, and enjoy a University-level learning opportunity.

This year, Extension Educator John Trappe shares a fresh look at how we can and should be using turf, including discussion on the benefits and costs of maintaining turf areas. The Master Gardener program gets more questions about turf than any other topic during the growing season and we hope volunteers take this chance to brush up on the best science available.

Regional Gatherings are held across the state. Each event follows the same agenda so you can choose the date (and travel distance!) that works best for you. Here are the dates and locations of the 2023 Regional Gatherings: