October 2025 Volunteer News & Updates
- Oct 10
- 8 min read
Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteer Program
10/18/2025
October Updates
RCMG Rebrand Updates
Since mid-September, the work group has been providing input on the alternative names and developing an implementation plan for the name change. The work group submitted their input on the names that Extension provided and the feedback is now with the Extension Dean for consideration and approval. Next the work group is compiling a list of items that will need to be re-branded with the new name once it is determined. Read more.
Rebranding the Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Ramsey County
The University of Minnesota Extension and Ramsey County have agreed to rename the volunteer program in Ramsey County. Extension is managing an FAQ sheet about this change and they are collecting questions and comments from the email address rcname@umn.edu.
In August, a survey about the upcoming rebrand got responses from 80% of RCMG volunteers. THANK YOU to everyone who shared feedback. A small workgroup of RCMG volunteers, Extension program leaders, and Ramsey County staff are collaborating to select a new name and plan the rollout of the change The information from the survey and YOUR FEEDBACK will be used by the workgroup.
2025 RCMG Project Reporting Form
Attention project leads and co-leads! One person from each Project, Activity or Event needs to complete the 2024 RCMG Project Reporting Form. These are due before 11/09/2025. Please fill this in as soon as your project closes for the season, or sooner if you can.
Nominate a MG
Can you think of someone who inspired you this year? Nominate them for an RCMG annual award! RCMG wants to recognize volunteers who demonstrate exceptional performance and community service. We have 5 award categories for 2025. Nominations accepted until Sunday 11/23.
Skills & Interest Survey 2025
If you missed your chance this spring, 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.
Check out the RCMG Lending Library
If you are looking for some winter reading and inspiration, visit the RCMG Lending Library and check out the selection of Book Club titles approved for continuing education credit. Here are some notes that volunteers need to know.
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 Opens 10/21
Elections for the 2025-2026 Board positions will be held from 10/21-10/31. Take a sneak peek at the candidates and watch your email for your ballot. (Note: ballots are sent to all active and active-emeritus volunteers and graduated interns.) Final results will be announced in November.
Board Blurb
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on September 9, 2025. New signage, the New/Continuing Project Grant Fund, the 2025 intern/mentor celebration, and the upcoming RCMG Name Change were discussed. The next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. All volunteers are welcome to attend.
Glove Sales at Monthly Meeting: 10/21
Stock up on the RCMG favorites for fall chores, holiday gifts, or in preparation for spring. Garden gloves will be sold at the October monthly meeting. Cash, checks, and cards will be accepted. $6/pair
Plant Sale Leadership Teams
The annual plant sale is RCMG’s primary fundraiser. There are a variety of teams which lead the various activities to plan, prepare and hold the plant sale. Current openings that we are looking to fill for 2026 are listed here and you can sign-up to learn more on SUG. If you have an interest in any of these positions, please contact Molly O’Rourke at mollyfo.rourke@outlook.com or 651-491-9850.
Intern Roadmap
Changing Your Internship
If you will be able to complete the required 50 hours of volunteer service this year (2025) please email RCMGInterns@umn.edu (and cc RCMG2@umn.edu) to request a change to the 2-year. You can review the expectations for the 2-year program requirements HERE.
If you no longer wish to continue your internship, please email the same folks above to let us know.
Volunteer Stories
Loss of a Friend: Lynette Thompson
RCMG volunteer, Lynette Thompson passed away on September 25, 2025. Lynette joined RCMG in 2010 and was a co-lead for the Children’s Hospital Horticulture Therapy/Little Green Friends program. Her contributions to our community will be greatly missed.
Congratulations!
Please congratulate these Master Gardener volunteers on completing their internship requirements: Linda Gondringer, Abbie Hanson, Nancy Kasseth, Lynda Anderson, Brenda McCollough, Scott Mertz, Trish Neumann and Rebecca Zerlin in the past month.
Apple Orchard Update
It’s been a whole year in the orchard now since RCMG took over management of the orchard at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility (RCCF) last summer. We had some big plans and followed through on a lot of them but we still are on a steep learning curve. Here are some of the things we have learned.
Pilgrim Community Garden Awarded Farm Family of the Year
The U of MN Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the Pilgrim Baptist Community Garden and Mini-Forest-Green Screen.
Speakers Bureau Returns to the Classroom
Attendance for online classes has been lagging in recent months. At the request of our community partners, the RCMG Speakers Bureau has started offering to teach adult education classes in-person again. We haven’t done this in large numbers since March 2020! If you want to get involved and help out, email rcmgsPEAKERS@umn.edu.
Hollyhock Team Tours Maxfield Community Schoolyard Project
The Hollyhock Intern team toured the inspiring Maxfield Community Schoolyard Project in the Rondo neighborhood, hosted by landscape architect and RCMG intern Ben Waldo. The Hollyhock group enjoyed learning about this year's water runoff collection tank installation, large pollinator and butterfly plantings plus plans to plant a microforest next year.
The Light-Eaters (Book Review)
The RCMG Book Club read and discussed The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoë Schlanger in September. When we look closer, observe more, and take note of the curious ways plants display intelligence, we can be amazed by their abilities. You can borrow a copy for continuing education credits but please remember to return books to the RCMG Lending Library once you complete them.
Thank you from Gardens for Good
We had a stellar year at Gardens for Good, all thanks to the generous donations and hours from RCMG volunteers. Volunteers donated 2,620 pounds of produce, jam, and flowers at both Wilson and Central High Rise. This is a 50% increase over 2024!
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.
My Little Green Friends Volunteer Opening
There is currently an opening for one additional volunteer to join the My Little Green
Friends team at Children’s Minnesota (St. Paul Children’s Hospital). If you are interested, check the requirements for this volunteer position and contact Ed Shinbach at smadeline@comcast.net to join.
Plant Species Guide Survey
Contribute your experience to this survey, part of a research study at the University of Minnesota's College of Design to test a new design for an invasive plant identification guide. The brief survey is designed to help us understand the audience that we are designing this guide for: people in MN who aren't experts in invasive plant species and have some interest in identifying plants.
Yard and Garden Phone Line: 10/20-10/26
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: 10/21
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!
Tell us about your Blooms, Buds & Thorns: Submissions due 10/24
As gardeners, we have all experienced promise, success, struggle, and disappointment in our gardens. If you have a story from your garden, please take pictures and write a summary of your gardening high-(or low)-lights from 2025 to share with the Education Committee for the November Monthly Meeting. Submission must be received before 10/24/2025.
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.
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
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.
October Member Meeting: 10/21
Join us for RCMG’s next monthly meeting on Tue 10/21. Volunteers will join a panel discussion about urban agriculture with Cameran Bailey (Ramsey County), Chris Stevens (Frogtown Green) and Skyler Hawkins (Urban Roots). This meeting is hosted both in-person at the Roseville Skating Oval (Rose Banquet room) and online. RSVP today!
Name Change Update Presentation: 10/27
An online webinar is being scheduled for Monday Oct. 27, 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with representatives from Ramsey County, Extension, and the Master Gardener Volunteer Program Leadership Team. The webinar will provide additional context about the impending name change, as well as an update from the workgroup about its progress. A separate email will be sent with the link to the webinar.
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.
Rethink Lawns: RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project
As autumn leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold, they’ll soon be blanketing the ground. Encouraging gardeners to use climate-friendly ways to manage them is part of rethinking lawn practices.
Calendar
Office hours with Darren: In-person Weds (10am-2pm) and online Thurs (12pm-1pm)
10/14 – Board Meeting (on Zoom only)
10/20-10/26 – Yard & Garden Hotline shifts
10/21 – Monthly Meeting (hybrid format)
10/22-10/31 – Board Elections (online ballot)
10/24 – Blooms, Buds & Thorns Submissions Due
10/25 – Central Regional Gathering
10/27 – Name Change Update Presentation
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
