November 2025 Volunteer News & Updates
- Nov 15
- 6 min read
Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program
11/15/2025
November Updates
RCMG Rebrand Updates
On October 27, 2025, a Name Change Update webinar was held via Zoom with presentations by Mike Schmitt, the Associate Dean of University of Minnesota Extension, Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran, and Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker. Visit the blog to read more about that meeting. Send questions and comments to rcname@umn.edu.
Changing Your Volunteer Involvement
If you are planning to change your involvement with RCMG either for this year 2025 or next year 2026, please review the steps in the Volunteer Manual for information about switching to another county, withdrawing from the program, or changing your status to Emeritus. Use the RCMG Volunteer Contact Info form to submit your change requests as soon as you can. Thank you for your cooperation
Applicant Interviews
Between 10/27 and 11/08, over 100 informational interviews for the incoming cohort of 2026 interns were completed. This wouldn’t have been possible without help from these volunteers. Many thanks to: Tiffa Foster, Susie Deshon, and Travis Sandland (New Member Team), and Cynthia Anderson, Nancy Berry, Simba Blood, Dawn Cameron, Trahern Crews, Sylvia Cuellar, Mary Englund, Heather Gardner, Judie Ginter, Donna Hall, Linda Hinderscheit, Kelly Jones Hicks, Mary McCarron, Mary Montagne, Jen Nelson, Shannon Nelson, Carla Olson, Gene Ranieri, Diana Rankin, Keni Vargas, Sarah Waterworth, and Kathryn Watson.
Background Checks
Reminder! If you last updated your Background Check and Safety of Minors training in 2022, you MUST update them this year! If they lapse, you won’t be able to enter your hours and will be removed from the volunteer database. If you are not sure if this affects you, contact Brianna Gohde or Darren Lochner ASAP.
RCMG Materials Check-In
We want to collect all of the RCMG equipment to conduct an inventory, update materials, and replace anything that is wearing out. If you have any handouts, bookmarks, tote boxes, props, displays, signs, tables, awnings, or anything else, please bring it to the Resource Center between now and December 15.
Skills & Interest Survey 2025
Please take a few minutes to complete the RCMG Skills & Interest Survey. We use this information to make decisions about how RCMG operates so every response is important! Volunteers can count time spent filling in the survey towards their 2025 volunteer hours.
Updating the Directory
We are preparing for the next RCMG Directory. If you have changes to email, phone number, status for 2026, or home address, please fill in this form or contact RCMG2@umn.edu.
Non-Profit News
The Ramsey County Master Gardeners is a 501c3 nonprofit that is separate from the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program and helps raise funds for volunteer activities.
2025 RCMG Board Election Results
Please congratulate the RCMG members who were elected to the 2026-2027 Board of Directors. Also, thank you to all the RCMG members that voted in the election so that we could meet the 30% quorum required to make the election results valid.
Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on November 11, 2025. Information was shared about the incoming interns, the volunteer database, preparation for the 2026 plant sale, and the Financial Aid policy were discussed. Check out the details on the website.
Project Grants are Available
Attention Project Leads! If your project needs extra funds for 2026 or you have questions about how to apply for a Project Grant, contact the RCMG Finance Committee Chair, Laura Savin.
Glove Sales at Monthly Meeting: 11/18
Stock up on the RCMG favorites for fall chores, holiday gifts, or in preparation for spring. Garden gloves will be sold at the November monthly meeting. Cash, checks, and cards will be accepted. $6/pair
Intern Roadmap
Core Course MUST be complete before 12/31
All core course modules MUST be completed before the end of 2025 to continue in the volunteer program. This affects both 1-year and 2-year interns. Failure to complete the coursework this year will result in removal from the Master Gardener Volunteer Program at the start of 2026, regardless of the number of hours entered.
Today’s Interns are Tomorrow’s Mentors
Being new to the Master Gardener program, current intern graduates are among the best people to become mentors for the incoming class. The knowledge and best-steps are fresh in your minds so you are well-equipped to help the newest volunteers avoid the same pitfalls. Please consider being a guide that the new interns need.
Volunteer Stories
Congratulations!
Please congratulate these Master Gardener volunteers on completing their internship requirements in the past month: Patty Hren-Rowan, Steve Pupp, Jenny DeLaundreau, Mary Englund, Heather Gardner, Danielle Miller, Shannon Nelson, Krista Ristinen and Joann Schonning.
Annual Bedding & Native Plants Sale: 1/01-1/10
It’s never too early to plan for buying plants for next year! Ramsey County Master Gardeners will offer annual bedding and native plants for sale to our members at wholesale prices. This is only available to RCMG volunteers. Plants are only sold in full flats. Ordering for the member pre-sale is tentatively scheduled from January 1 – 10, with orders available for pick up on Monday, May 11, at the Ramsey County Barn. Watch your email for more information as the order date nears.
Volunteer Activities
New volunteer activities are announced on Thursday mornings and Sunday nights. If you are not receiving SignUp Genius notices, please contact please contact Brianna Gohde.
Become a 2026 Mentor
It’s that time of year when we look to the 2026 intern class. And let's be blunt: interns, for all their enthusiasm, are walking into a maze. They don't need a horticulture instructor; they need a program guide. They need an Ariadne to hand them the ball of string so they can find their way out. Please grab your ball of string and be the guide our interns need.
Yard and Garden Phone Line: 12/13-12/19
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.
Member Meeting Volunteer Roles: 11/18
Help out at the next monthly meeting. Every month we need volunteers to make our meetings run smoothly. We are looking for people to help with: Set-Up, Welcome table (Greeter), Journalists, Zoom Aide, and Clean-up. Please sign up to help!
State Advisory Board: Apply by 12/15
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 December 15, 2025. If you have questions about the process or the requirements, please contact SAB Vice Chair, Janelle Rietz-Kamenar.
Mark Your Calendars now – 2026 Plant Sale: 5/16
The 2026 RCMG Plant Sale is scheduled for May 16. Volunteers are needed for set-up on May 14-15 for and for the sale day. Find out how you can get involved right away.
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.
Education Meeting Recaps
At the October monthly meeting, Cameran Bailey (Ramsey County), Chris Stevens (Frogtown Green) and Skyler Hawkins (Urban Roots) were part of a panel discussion about urban agriculture and community gardening. There are 126 identified community gardens and farms in Ramsey County.
If you missed a previous monthly meeting, don’t forget that you can find recordings and summaries on the RCMG website. This is a great way to accrue Continuing Education hours and brush-up on what’s happening inside RCMG.
November Member Meeting: 11/18
Join us for RCMG’s next monthly meeting on Tue 11/18. Ramsey County Master Gardeners will share their “Blooms, Thorns and Buds” experiences from this past gardening season and their plans for the future. This meeting is hosted both in-person at the Roseville Skating Oval (Rose Banquet room) and online. RSVP today.
Book Club: The Story of More: 11/25
The next selection for RCMG Book Club is The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here by Hope Jahren on Tuesday, November 25, 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.
Protect Existing Trees: RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project
Trees are essential for the health of our families, cities, forests and the planet. Let’s do what we can to protect our investment in existing trees. This is the next part from the RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project’s guide describing climate responsiveness actions. This series of articles to help volunteers explore some of the practical steps featured in the guide.
Calendar
Office hours with Darren: In-person Weds (10am-2pm) and online Thurs (12pm-1pm)
11/11 – Board Meeting (on Zoom only)
11/18 – Last Monthly Meeting of 2025 (hybrid format)
11/25 – November Book Club
12/31 – Last Chance to Enter 2025 Hours
1/08 – Intern-Mentor Welcome & Orientation
1/13 – Start of Core Course
