6/15/2023
Tools, Tip & Reminders as we plunge into summer
Message from the Assistant Coordinator
Wow! Can you believe this heat! Again?! Does anyone else miss spring?
We are well into the summer volunteering swing. Be sure to stay involved during the heat of the summer. The Farmers Markets, demonstration gardens (like the Barn and Aldrich rain gardens), and Arboretum Yard & Garden Line all need help from Master Gardener volunteers during the summer. We can't do it without you!
Also please take a few minutes to record your spring hours. Based on reports from the last couple of years, there are still a LOT of hours not-yet entered into the database. (48%) Don't fall behind! It takes a lot longer to enter hours months after the fact than it does to enter them as you complete them.
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Plant Sale Feedback
Congratulations to everyone who helped organize the plant sale! That'a huge team project and this year was our most successful sale to date. You all did amazing jobs! Thank you!
And thank you as well to everyone who volunteered on the days before and the day of the sale. We heard from countless shoppers about how well organized the sale was and how helpful all of the Master Gardeners working on the sale were at answering garden questions. You all made a big impact!
Please consider sharing your thoughts about the 2023 Plant Sale. We use this information to improve the sale each year and volunteer feedback has been critical to finding ways to make our sale one of the best in the area!
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Name Badges
Last year, RCMG got permission to provide badges that remove the term "Master Gardener" to better serve our communities. To request a plastic generic "Volunteer" badge to use when serving in the community, please complete this form.
Temporary, sticker versions of the badge design will be available to volunteers serving on specific projects.
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Extension Apparel
If you are looking to purchase new or additional branded shirts, hats, or other items, check out the Extension Shop for the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. You help increase awareness for the Master Gardener program and potentially recruit others to join in our mission by wearing approved promotional apparel to all volunteer activities.
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Research Study: Japanese Beetle Eradication
Dr. Vera Krishik and her team of UMN entomologists are looking for help from volunteers in the Twin Cities Metro Area. This summer, they’ll be looking to collect Japanese beetle grubs in May and June, then again in August through October. Collecting the grubs is part of a larger research effort to eradicate JB from Minnesota eventually.
Read the State Team's June 2023 Volunteer Newsletter for more information.
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Check out the Let’s Talk Plants update
The latest plant-related intel in brochures and handouts is readily available for you to download and print on a color copier or printer and use whenever and wherever you meet-and-greet the public.
Note: The two most popular conversation starters are the handouts on Japanese beetles and tomato diseases.
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Regional Gatherings - Save the Date
The State Advisory Board (SAB) is planning and coordinating all-day, in-person regional gatherings across Minnesota to connect with program members, to seek feedback about the program, and to create networking and learning opportunities.
This year’s agenda includes the educational presentation, "The Utility of Turfgrass," which offers a fresh look at how we can and should be using turf, including discussion on the benefits and costs of maintaining turf areas, presented by John Trappe, Ph.D., Turfgrass Extension Educator.
Here are the dates and locations of the 2023 Regional SAB Gatherings:
NW Region: Saturday, September 9 in Becker County
SW Region: Thursday, September 14 in Kandiyohi County
SE Region: Saturday, September 23 in Steele County
Central Region: Saturday, September 30 in Hennepin County
NE Region: Thursday, October 19 in Itasca County
Additional information will be shared with all volunteers via the monthly newsletters.
Look forward to seeing you at the plant sale!
Darren Lochner
RCMG Program Coordinator
Brianna Gohde
RCMG Assistant Program Coordinator
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