1/17/2025
January 2025 Volunteer News |
Heads up! |
New Volunteer Database System—Coming Soon
In December, Tim Kenny of the State Leadership Team announced that the existing volunteer database was retired at the end of 2024 and all MGs will use Better Impact going forward. The transition is currently in progress and will go through March 2025. We’ll share more details once we have them so stay tuned!
During this time, volunteers will not be able to record their time online. While we all wait, please print and use this Temporary Hours Sheet PDF or you can download a copy and use this tabbed spreadsheet.
I forgot to enter my 2024 hours! Now what?
Life happens and we understand that. There is no way to back-date your hours and have them counted towards your volunteer efforts for 2024. You may also notice your current status for 2025 says “TI.” This is a temporary flag but one you need to pay attention to.
Requirement Change: 5 hours of Continuing Education
Starting this year, Ramsey County will align the Continuing Education requirement with all other MG programs. Returning volunteers must all complete a minimum of 5 hours of Continuing Education each year. You can read more about this change here.
Office Hours
Starting this year, Program Coordinator Darren Lochner will be hosting office hours every week, making himself available to volunteers for questions, pick-up, conversation, or help. You can find him at the Extension Office (2020 Whitebear Ave) on Wednesdays from 10 am-2 pm and online using Zoom Thursdays from 12 pm-1 pm. While not required, volunteers are encouraged to message Darren ahead of time when planning to visit during office hours.
Double-Check Your Contact Info
We are preparing for the 2025 Directory. You can review the information currently on file in the 2024 Directory. If you have changes to your email, phone number, home address or status for 2025, please fill in this form or contact Brianna Gohde.
2025 Background Checks Due
Expect an email about updating your information if you joined the Master Gardeners in 2022, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004, 2001, 1998, 1995, 1992 or 1989. You can also update your background check and Safety of Minors credentials yourself ahead of time. If these elapse, you won’t be able to enter your hours. Read more about background check updates.
Intern Roadmap |
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Advice to the Class of 2025
Goals for January
Complete the following Core Course modules by mid-Feb
Program Introduction
Inclusive Volunteering
Botany and General Horticulture
Soils, Composting, and Fertilizers
Plant Pathology
Review & complete the Onboarding steps on the RCMG website
Order a Course Guide
If you want a printed copy of the 2025 core course guide, you can order from online. You can also download the PDF version.
Up Next
Printed companion guide mailed to you (if purchased) – late-January
Volunteer t-shirts mailed to you – mid-February
Database access for entering hours – mid-March
Badge Pick-Up for 2024 Interns
Official name badges will be available to all 2023-2024 interns who completed their requirements in 2024 starting in February. They will be sent to the Extension Office (“Barn”) and we’ll let you know when you can pick them up. Congratulations on all of your hard work!
Non-Profit News |
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Happy 2025 to everyone in the Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program! I want to especially welcome all our new interns. You are beginning an adventure that I hope will enrich your life for years to come. And to our current Master Gardener volunteers, enjoy the slow time in January. TIme to sit back with a seed cataloIs and dream of May and digging in the dirt. Before too long you'll be seeing Sign Up Genius requests for the Plant Sale. I hope to see you all online at the meeting on January 21st!
Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on January 14, 2025. Updates from the committees include news on the RCMG website, the Intern Welcome event, and the January member meeting.
Funds for New Projects
Have you been dreaming about starting a new RCMG project but held back because of costs? The RCMG Nonprofit Corporation is pleased to announce that this year there may be additional funds to help you get started.
Volunteer Stories |
Resource Management Team
Starting last fall, RCMG volunteers Julie Reimer and Christine Strong have been working in the Resource Center to complete an inventory of materials available for volunteers to use. Joined recently by Niki Blue, they are planning to redesign the space this spring to make it easier for everyone to find what they need. Please help them out if they contact you to ask about how you use the space.
Congrats to Simba Blood
Simba Blood, RCMG volunteer, was presented with the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District’s Roger Lake Lifetime Achievement Award for her hard work in service to the environment. Please be sure to congratulate her on her excellent work!
Speakers Bureau Changes
The RCMG Speakers Bureau, which focuses on formal adult classroom events, is one of the strongest Master Gardener adult education programs in the state. Check out the results of another successful year and look ahead to the changes planned for 2025
Volunteer Activities |
Seeking Project Lead: Bee Lab Collaboration
RCMG has been contacted with the U of MN Bee Lab, who is looking to partner with Master Gardener to create a new volunteer activity. We are looking for someone who would be willing to be the primary contact for starting this new project and working with the Bee Lab staff. Contact Brianna Gohde for more information.
January Monthly Meeting—1/21
Help out at the next monthly meeting on Tue 1/21. This meeting will be online only. We need a Journalist and a Zoom Aide. 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.
Yard and Garden Phone Line—2/10-2/16
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.
Grow for the Plant Sale—5/17
As you plan your 2025 garden, consider contributing some plants to the RCMG plant sale. Sign up to grow Annual Flowers, Vegetables and Herbs, Native Plants and Houseplants. There will be more ways to get involved later this spring.
2025 Seed Trials
The 2025 statewide seed trial is getting underway! This year volunteers will be testing mini bok choy, parsnips, red beets, orange cauliflower, container-friendly slicing tomatoes, parsley, nasturtiums and rudbeckia. Register online before Feb 12.
Continuing Education Opportunities |
January Member Meeting—1/21
Join us for the first RCMG monthly meeting of 2024 on Tue 1/21. This month, we’ll hear from Natalie Hoidal, the Extension Educator for Local Foods and Vegetable Crops about Soil Preparation. This meeting is hosted online only. RSVP today!
Book Club: The Comfort of Crows—1/28
The next RCMG Book club discusses The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl on Tuesday 1/28. 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.
Climate-resilient Pollinator Habitats Across Minnesota Landscapes—1/27-1/30
Curious about how climate change is impacting pollinators? Join Extension educators for an engaging webinar series to learn how you can support pollinators in any space—big or small—and help build resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change. You must pre-register for this series at z.umn.edu/BeeSeries to receive the webinar links.
Plant Disease Talks: Top Ten Plant Diseases of 2024—1/22
On Wednesdays each month in 2025, the UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic sponsors an online presentation on a plant disease-related topic. Check out descriptions and register for the 2025 series. These are free to join.
Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series—2/17-2/21
University of Minnesota Extension educators are excited to bring back the sixth annual Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series. This year’s webinar series focuses on adaptation, with topics on embracing climate change, non-traditional lawns, replacement trees, food forests, and integrated pest management. These webinars are free but you will need to register. Registering gives access to all five sessions.
Garden Conferences
Spring is a great time to learn new garden information, practices, and skills. Many Master Gardener programs host annual educational conferences around the state. Check out some of these upcoming events!
Let's Get Growing – 3/01 (Dakota County)
Garden Day – 3/08 (Rice County)
Horticulture Day – 4/05 (Pine County)
Spring Days – 3/22 (Wright County)
Home Landscaping and Garden Fair – 4/12 (Anoka County)
Garden Fever – 4/12 (Carver-Scott County)
2024 Core Course Sign-up
All returning MG volunteers are able to register for access to the Core Course material each year for free. You can complete these modules for education credit. Register for 2025 access and download a free copy of the Companion Guide.
Calendar |
Office hours with Darren: In-person Weds (10 am-2 pm) and online Thurs (12 pm-1 pm)
1/01-1/10/25 – Online Pre-sale
1/09/25 – Intern-Mentor Welcome & Orientation
1/14/25 – Start of Core Course
1/14/25 – January Board Meeting (on Zoom only)
1/21/25 – January Monthly Meeting (on Zoom only)
1/28/25 – RCMG Book Club Discussion
2/10-2/16 – RCMG Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
2/11/25 – February Board Meeting (on Zoom only)
2/18/25 – February Monthly Meeting (on Zoom only)
3/09/25 – Awards and Recognition Event
5/17/25 – Plant Sale
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