Oregon Adopts National Extension Master Gardener Program Standards

The Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Home Horticulture Working Group includes any OSU faculty or staff member who has responsibilities to the Master Gardener program as part of their assigned position description.  Across Oregon, there are ~27 faculty and staff who are officially part of the working group.  For some folks, the Master Gardener program represents a significant portion of their job.  For others, the Master Gardener program is a relatively small part of their overall responsibilities.

On July 11, 2014, *17 faculty and staff representing 19 county Master Gardener programs met for an all day work session in Corvallis, Oregon.  While Master Gardener Volunteers were attending Leadership Day classes, we were meeting next door to discuss issues, brainstorm solutions, preview tools, share ideas and network.  It was an incredibly productive session, where key decisions were made that impact the Master Gardener Program and the volunteers that we train and serve.

A Brief History of Extension Master Gardener Programs in the United States

The Master Gardener program was launched by Washington State University in 1973. By 1996, the Master Gardener program had spread and established in all 50 states. Today, Master Gardener programs are active in 9 Canadian provinces, as well as in South Korea.

Even though the Extension Master Gardener Program was created in the 1970s, and firmly established by the 1990s, it was not until 2006 that the Extension Master Gardener Program National Committee (EMGNC) was formed. The EMGNC facilitates national cooperation, communication and collaboration among Extension Master Gardener programs.

The endurance and expansion of the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) model is a testament to the program’s impact and success. However, the independent adoption of the Master Gardener Program model by individual states, territories and regions has occurred in the absence of a unifying mission or set of program standards. Although there is great value in providing for flexible programming, many EMG Coordinators at the state and local level have called for greater guidance on program policies.
In 2012, a special task force was appointed by the EMGNC, in response to outcomes of the 2012 National EMG Coordinators’ Conference that was held in Spokane, WA. The task force was charged with developing resources and national standards for Extension Master Gardener Programs.

The task force worked throughout 2013 to draft a list of program standards, seeking input from Master Gardener faculty, staff and volunteers throughout the process. These standards were forwarded to the Extension Master Gardener National Committee in late 2013. The Committee approved the standards (with minor edits) in January 2014.

The national standards for Extension Master Gardener Programs in the United States are:

Our National Standards: Extension Master Gardener programs are networks of land-grant university-trained volunteers, distinguished by the standards listed below. To achieve greater consistency in program management and the volunteer experience across the Cooperative Extension system nationally, state Extension Master Gardener programs will strive to meet these standards and ensure they are reflected in the statewide program.

Program Structure and Expectation Standards

• has an established statewide organizational system
• establishes state program goals that align to achieve the EMG program mission
• engages in Extension-approved projects and programs designed to educate the public about horticulture and gardening
• is accountable to state Extension leadership and local stakeholders
• shows documented educational impact in local communities that demonstrates behavior change and public value
• follows the Equal Opportunity Guidelines for their state and/or university

Volunteer Management and Preparedness Standards

• uses recognized volunteer management practices
• incorporates a system for volunteer leadership and development
• uses an established state training curriculum (A suggested core curriculum includes Botany, Physiology, Soils, Basic Pathology, Entomology, Weeds, IPM, Vegetables, Fruits, Turf, Woody Ornamentals, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Composting, Diagnostics and Troubleshooting, Planting and Maintenance, Introduction to Extension Master Gardener Program, and Record Keeping and Reporting)
• requires a measurement of volunteer competency following completion of state training program
• requires volunteer service hours; 40-hour volunteer service minimum in the initial training year and 20-hour volunteer service minimum in subsequent years
• requires annual continuing education and professional development hours; 10 hours minimum annually in years following initial training
• uses an annual recertification criteria and process

National Extension Master Gardener Program Standards Adopted

A major focus of our July 11th working group agenda was to consider whether or not Oregon would adopt these new national standards.

Many of the national standards are things that we already do (or try to do) in Oregon.  The key parts of the standards that impact Oregon's Master Gardener Programs are:

• requires volunteer service hours; 40-hour volunteer service minimum in the initial training year and 20-hour volunteer service minimum in subsequent years, and
• requires annual continuing education and professional development hours; 10 hours minimum annually in years following initial training

There was some concern on the part of the representatives from the southern Oregon counties (Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry) that the re certification requirements might: cause them to lose volunteers, require them to 'debadge' volunteers, cause dismay with their local MG Association.

Others thought that adopting the standards would: provide much-needed structure and guidance on recertification at the local level, ensure the quality of volunteer education and of the program.

The national standards were eventually adopted, by consensus decision.

What Does This Mean for Current Volunteers and County Programs?

What does this mean? Does it mean that programs will be 'decertified' or that individuals will be kicked out of the Master Gardener Program if they have not met the minimum re certification standards (10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer service)? No! But it does mean that programs now have specific guidance on and guidelines for Master Gardener re certification.

Over the next 3-5 years, the Oregon Master Gardener Program (at state and county levels) will work to implement the new standards by:

1) informing Master Gardener volunteers that the national standards have been adopted in Oregon, as well as the reasons for the development of national standards, and the reasons that Oregon has moved to adopt these standards.  I've tried to provide information on the logic behind the development and adoption of the standards, above.

2) adjusting recertification requirements at the local level, as needed, setting a 3-5 year timeline as a goal to reach compliance with the standards.

3) training new Master Gardener volunteers (e.g. 'trainees') about the recertification requirements. Over time, as more volunteers are trained under the 'new' standards, it will increasingly become the norm.

4)  working to offer flexible options for recertification education hours (e.g. a take home test, online modules, etc.).  We currently have a few online options available for recertification hours, and will work to develop more in the coming years.  We will also work to develop assessment-based recertification options.

5) understand that life happens, and sometimes, a volunteer may need to put their MG status 'on hold'.  Be flexible, where needed.

Over the past 7 years that I've worked in the Master Gardener Program, I've realized that change rarely comes quickly or easily.  I'm excited about the adoption of the national standards and am hopeful that they will indeed provide much-needed structure and guidance on recertification at the local level and that they will help ensure the quality of volunteer education and of the program.  But, I recognize that there may be some 'growing pains' ~ particularly where recertification is concerned.  Our intention is to roll out the new standards in a way that is gradual (over 3-5 years) and well supported (e.g. offering more options for recertification credit hours) ~ in an effort to continue to offer high quality educational programs to our volunteers and advice that is reliable (science based), relevant (can be customized to anyone's gardening situation) and reachable (find us online, in the office, on the phone, in your community).

__________________________________________
*Faculty and Staff in Attendance
Benton, Linn, Lane Counties
Brooke Edmunds

Central Oregon
AmyJo Detweiler
Tony Stephan

Curry County
Scott Thiemann

Douglas
Steve Renquist

Hood River County
Steve Castagnioli
Rachel Suits

Jackson County
Bob Reynolds

Josephine County
Karen Pleasant

Lane County
Linda Renslow

Lincoln County
Liz Olsen

Marion / Polk Counties
Neil Bell

Portland Metro
Weston Miller
Jordis Yost
Margaret Bayne
Pukhraj Deol

Yamhill County
Heather Stoven

During this Season of Giving: Six Garden-Focused Organizations to Consider

In my job, I've been lucky enough to meet so many folks who are passionate . . . and I mean PASSIONATE in their belief that they can help build a better world through gardening.  Some work to feed their neighbors, some work to teach the young, and others work to make gardening accessible to those who don't know how to garden, or those who need help starting a garden.

If you're thinking about making a year-end donation to a garden-focused organization, here are six that could use your help.

I've worked with all of them, in some capacity or another.  Some, I know through grant programs that I've judged.  Others, I know because Master Gardener volunteers support their efforts.  I've sat on the board of one, and know most others from our mutual work on the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network.  One, I've made my life's work.  Most of them are too small to appear on CharityNavigator.org, but if a rating does exist, I've posted it next to the organization.

Growing Gardens:  This amazing organization works with volunteers to install raised-bed vegetable gardens in the yards of low-income households.  Those in apartments or with limited space receive container gardens.  Recipients are then supported for 3-years, via a comprehensive educational program (that teaches them how to maintain and use their garden), seeds and starts, and access to garden mentors.  This past fall, they just installed their 1000th garden!

Lettuce Grow:  The Lettuce Grow ('Let Us Grow') Garden Foundation works to install organic vegetable gardens in correctional facilities across Oregon.  In doing so, they help to keep the correctional facility food budget low, while providing healthy and fresh produce to inmates.  Lettuce Grow also facilitates educational opportunities to inmates who work in the garden, by working with the Oregon Food Bank to deliver the Seed to Supper curriculum and by working with OSU Extension to deliver the Master Gardener curriculum in correctional facilities.  Upon successful completion of the Master Gardener curriculum, students earn a Certificate of Home Horticulture ~ a valuable job credential that is of value upon their release.  However, perhaps the most important benefits of the garden programs are their therapeutic effect.  Working the land is healing ~ especially in the high stress environment of a correctional facility.  And, education has the power to create positive social change ~ perhaps more than any other program that I know.  To me, Lettuce Grow offers hope in a place that may often seem hopeless.

Oregon Food Bank:  The Oregon Food Bank partners with OSU Extension to deliver a 5-week, comprehensive gardening course called Seed to Supper.  This curriculum is taught to low income individuals and families ~ teaching them how to grow their own food and to use the harvest in freshly-prepared and healthy meals.  Oregon Food Bank has 3 out of 4 stars on Charity Navigator, with a 70 out of 70 for transparency and accountability, and with 94% of their budget being spent directly on programs.

Food Roots:  I first learned of Food Roots, when they applied for a grant that OSU was offering for school and community gardens.  I was impressed with their application, and even more impressed when I visited their community and school gardens throughout Tillamook County.  They work to support a vibrant food system across Tillamook County ~ via their support of community and school gardens, educational outreach, and micro-enterprise endeavors.  Right now, they're holding a drive to raise funds to build three high-tunnel hoop houses that will be used to hold training classes on how to grow a diversity of fruits and vegetables in the cool climate of the North-Central Coast.  Honestly, I'm amazed at what Shelly Bowe has done in a few short years.  She is a force of good!

School Garden Project of Lane County:  This organization teaches kids about gardening, through in-school lessons and after school gardening clubs.  They assist schools in putting in fruit orchards, or starting a cafeteria composting program.  They also also created a garden-based curriculum for use in elementary schools.

OSU Extension Master Gardener Program:  I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the organization where I work.  We work to train volunteers, who then go on to share what they learned about sustainable gardening with others.  We currently have over 4,000+ volunteers who field close to 200,000 gardening questions each year.  Surveys show that our volunteers and our programs make a difference and promote more sustainable gardening practices.  For example, after participating in our programs or using our services, our clients report that they will decrease or eliminate their pesticide use (68% of those surveyed), work to attract beneficial insects to their gardens (64%), or that they are more tolerant of insect pests (58%) or early flowering lawn weeds (60%).  Those with pest problems report that they intend to switch to more pest resistant cultivars (75%), further decreasing the need for pesticides.  Your dollars can be allocated to support the statewide Master Gardener Program, or to any of the county Extension offices in Oregon with active Master Gardener Programs.  Those few counties with online donation pages are listed, below ~ but you can also go into your local Extension office to make a donation to your local Extension Endowment Fund or Master Gardener Association Chapter.

• Clackamas County
• Lane County
• Marion County

What's in a Name?

Below is a reprint of the article I wrote for the September 2013 issue of The Gardeners Pen (the newsletter of the Oregon Master Gardener Association). 

What is a Master GardenerTM?

By Gail Langellotto

Statewide Coordinator, OSU Extension Master Gardener Program

When someone asks you ‘What is a Master Gardener?’, how do you respond?

Do you say that you’re a volunteer?  Do you say that it’s an Extension Program, or an Oregon State University Program?  Do you say that it’s an educational program?

The way we describe ourselves has a critical impact on how the public views our program.  And, quite honestly, the term ‘Master Gardener’ can be confusing. 

Take, for example, the March 1, 2013 GardenRant.com blog post entitled ‘So What Do We Think of “Master Gardeners”?’.

To paraphrase the post, the word ‘Master’ in ‘Master Gardener’ can lead to problems, such as:

• People thinking it’s similar to “Master Carpenter,” or “Master Electrician”.
• Some volunteers taking the title a little too seriously, and letting it go to their heads.
• People assuming that ‘Master Gardeners’ have received a higher level of training than folks with a university degree in horticulture.

Passionate opinions were expressed, from garden writers and other professionals who believe that Master Gardener volunteers are taking work from them, to folks who have had a bad experience with Master Gardener ‘cliques’ and generalize across all.  Of course, where humans gather, there is always going to be the potential for friction. However, I have found (and many of the commenters on the blog post agree) that Master Gardeners are by and large among the most generous, fun-loving, creative and welcoming folks I have met. 

Master Gardeners (and me) enjoying Mini-College, and annual educational event of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and the Oregon Master Gardener Association.

What can you say when someone asks you, ‘What is a Master Gardener?’  Luckily, ‘Building public understanding of the Master Gardener Program’ was identified as a high priority in the 2010 OMGA strategic planning process, and developing a common message was one specific recommendation made.  A communications committee, consisting of myself, Sherry S. (Clackamas County), Mary Jane B. (Lincoln County), Bonnie C. (Douglas County), Jan E. (Central Oregon) and advised by Eric B. (Central Gorge), Toni S. (Central Oregon), Lee Ann L. (Multnomah County), Carol O. (Jackson County) and Alan W. (Yamhill County) was tasked with developing this common message.

We came up with three messages, which can be found on page 5 of the OMGA Chapter Toolkit for Communications Toolkit. One of these messages now appears on the Master Gardener website.

“Master Gardeners are trained volunteers, educated through OSU Extension Service to offer the local community Reliable, Relevant and Reachable gardening information and education opportunities."

• We are reliable, because our gardening advice and education is science-based.
• We are relevant, because unlike information found online, our advice can be customized for each unique gardening situation.
• We are reachable, because you can call us on the phone, email us a question, or visit with us at markets or gardens in your community.

We hope that this phrase will be useful, when you’re telling friends, trainees, clients and others about the Master Gardener Program.  And remember, that their interaction with you will really influence what they think about the Program, in general.

An Open Letter to Scotts Miracle Gro

Dear Scotts,

I was completely dismayed to read the recent announcement by the EPA that you were sentenced to pay $4.5 million in criminal penalties for illegally applying insecticides to wild bird food products, falsifying pesticide registration documents, distributing pesticides with misleading and unapproved labels, and distributing unregistered pesticides.

In a separate civil suit, you agreed to pay $6.0 million in civil penalties and spend an additional $2.0 million on environmental projects to resolve additional violations that include distributing or selling unregistered, canceled, or misbranded pesticides ~ including products with inadequate warnings or cautions.

You see, Scotts ~ my job is to coordinate the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Program.  I know you are familiar with Master Gardener Programs around the United States.  Over the years, you have supported many Master Gardener programs ~ including my own ~ with donations of funds or products.  I believe it was in 2009, Scotts, that you gave the Oregon Master Gardener Association (a non-profit organization that is separate from, but works to support the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program) $1,000 for the purchase of coffee and snacks at our annual conference.  Even though the donation was to the Oregon Master Gardener Association, I personally took a lot of heat from Master Gardeners who felt that accepting a donation from Scott's went against our commitment to sustainable gardening practices.

In answer to those many people who asked me 'why is Scotts sponsoring our coffee hours?', I reminded these concerned Master Gardeners that it is our responsibility to remain objective.  In response to the many, many times I've had Master Gardeners and others ask why we don't exclusively teach organic gardening practices, or why we don't confine our advice and recommendations to only include organic options, I've reminded them that whatever our personal opinions and biases might be, it is our job to remain objective.  Our responsibility is to educate clients about all of the options that are available to them ~ and then let clients choose the option that will work best for their gardening situation.  When working as Master Gardeners, we don't selectively choose among all possible options, to include only those options that we personally favor.

Our job is to educate, and not legislate.  We're descriptive, and not prescriptive. 

I've used these lines, many times, Scotts ~ when Master Gardeners have asked me if they could ignore that your products exist, or even make recommendations against your products.  Our job is to teach ~ and not to make decisions for others.

Oh, but Scotts, I'm now at a cross roads.  You see, in addition to the taglines 'educate, not legislate', and 'descriptive, not prescriptive', another mantra that we repeatedly teach in the Master Gardener Program is 'the label is the law'.  We repeatedly emphasize that the label on a pesticide container is a legal document, that describes legal uses for a pesticide.  In Oregon, Master Gardeners must spend at least 3 and as many as 10+ hours a year taking classes where we bring in our magnifying glasses and carefully read the label on a pesticide.  We talk about potential hazards of the product.  We talk about precautions we can take to reduce hazards to people, pets and the environment.  We talk about how it is illegal to exceed application rates, or to use a product in a way in which it is not intended.  We talk about active ingredients ~ those ingredients that are intended to specifically kill, deter or repel a pest ~ and how those active ingredients must be listed on the label.

And now, after reading about your recent violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide (FIFRA) Act, and then doing some more reading to discover that these violations are not your first and that the violations extend to more than 100 of your products ~ my trust in your company and your products has been damaged.

When small, untested companies market products that are little more than 'snake oil' solutions, Master Gardeners are told that they can't include those products in the list of options that they give to clients.  Remember, 'research-based and reliable recommendations' is yet another Master Gardener tagline.

If your company has a history of:

• falsifying pesticide registration documents
• distributing pesticides with misleading and unapproved labels
• distributing unregistered pesticides.
• distributing or selling unregistered, canceled, or misbranded pesticides ~ including products with inadequate warnings or cautions.  

how can recommendations that may include one or more of your products be considered reliable?

I really want to know, Scotts.  How can we trust you after this egregious breech of the public's trust?  What should I tell the Master Gardeners that I teach?  What should I tell the clients who come to us for objective, reliable advice?

Until we can be sure that your products are reliable and legal, how can we in good conscience recommend them to our clients?

Sincerely,
Gail Langellotto
home gardener, and someone who works with many, many Master Gardeners and home gardeners

It's National Volunteer Week!

Dear Oregon Master Gardeners,

All this week, the National Extension Master Gardener Blog will be celebrating National Volunteer Week and the great work of Master Gardener volunteers.

Here in Oregon, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of the Master Gardeners who volunteer their time and talents to make our communities a better place to live.

The preliminary numbers for our impact in 2011 (I still need to double check all entries to ensure accuracy) are:

• There were 4,009 active Master Gardener volunteers in 2011.  Of these, 765 (19%) were new trainees, and 3,245 (81%) were veterans who had been active as a Master Gardener for one year or more.
• In Oregon, Master Gardeners donated over 181,000 hours of volunteer service to Oregon State University Extension, in support of sustainable home and community gardening programs.
• Together, we made over 200,000 contacts!  That's over 200,000 people who attended a Master-gardener led class, called into the Master Gardener plant clinic hotline, talked with us at a Farmer's Market, worked with us in a school garden, or otherwise benefited from the research-based advice of a Master Gardener volunteer.
• Master Gardeners were featured on the television 170 times, interviewed on the radio over 270 times, and featured in the newspaper 407 times.  This greatly extends the outreach and education provided by Master Gardeners, well beyond the 200,000 person to person contacts in 2011.
• Nearly 11,000 pounds of produce were donated from Master Gardener demonstration, community and private gardens to local food banks and food pantries.  This value includes only documented pounds of produce, and is thus likely an underestimate of what was actually donated. 

Oregon Master Gardeners are volunteering in schools, in prisons and in hospitals.  We deliver classes in community gardens, private home orchards, farmer's markets and classrooms.  We teach people to rely less on pesticides, and more on cultural, physical and biological pest control methods.  We bear witness to kids getting excited about their first gardening success.  We re-assure adults that we all have plants that die-off, vegetables that don't bear fruit, and pests that we just can't seem to keep at bay.



Master Gardener 10 Minute University-Edible, Beautiful Plants from Clackamas County on Vimeo.  10-Minute University is an award-winning program of the Oregon State University Master Gardeners in Clackamas County.

Thus, on this day, and every day - I hope that Oregon Master Gardeners know that you make a real and positive difference in this world - as well as in my world.

A Giant Has Fallen (to borrow a phrase from a Master Gardener)

I'm saddened that Gray Thompson, one of the founding fathers of the Oregon Master Gardener Program, passed away recently.

As you may know, the Oregon Master Gardener Program was started in 1976, through the efforts of Gray Thompson and Duane Hatch. At the time, Duane was an Extension Agent in Lane County, and Gray was an Extension Agent in Clackamas County. Thus, the first Master Gardener classes were taught in these two counties, by these two innovative and adventurous individuals.

Although he helped to start the Master Gardener Program in the 1970s, Gray began his career with OSU Extension in 1948, working in agriculture and 4-H. During his time with OSU, Gray worked in Lincoln, Umatilla and Multnomah Counties, before his time in Clackamas County.

Following Gray's retirement in 1983, he took the Master Gardener training course with his wife, Norrene. The two have been active Master Gardener volunteers, ever since.

Gray served as President of the Clackamas County Master Gardener Association. For many years, he taught training classes for the incoming Master Gardener classes. Jan and Ray McNeilan report that Gray is likely responsible for starting the popular pH soil tests at the Milwaukie Senior Center.

In 1996, Gray was honored as a Diamond Pioneer Award Winner, by OSU Extension. In 1997, Gray and Norrene were honored as 'Outstanding Cooperators' by the OSU Extension Association. In 2005, the couple was honored as Oregon Master Gardeners of the Year in 2005 by the Oregon Master Gardener Association and the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. In 2006, Gray was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame . More recently, Gray and Norrene served as MG Guides in the Metro Master Gardener Program, where they helped to insure that both interns and MG veterans provided consistent, accurate and reliable information to clients. All of this and more helped to build and strengthen the Master Gardener Program for the benefit of so many faculty, staff, volunteers and clients.

Those who have had the pleasure to chat with Gray will likely remember him as a true gentleman - ever excited about gardening and about community service through the Master Gardener Program. Jan and Ray McNeilan, who knew Gray very well (Ray had worked with him since 1978) passed on the following sentiments: "We will miss his never-ending enthusiasm, his pride in the MG program and his signature hello, 'Ahoy there.".

When I first started my work at OSU, Gray was generous with stories, jokes and smiles that made me even more excited to join the great tradition of those who came before me. I'm saddened beyond words to think that I will no longer see him at Master Gardener events, or at the annual Gardeners Mini-College.

The memorial service for Gray Thompson will take place at Moreland Presbyterian Church (1814 SE Bybee Blvd, Portland) on Saturday, January 15th, at 2 p.m.

Multnomah County Master Gardeners in the News

The Multnomah County Master Gardeners are back in full force, and are doing great things in their community.

Check out the two linked articles, in the sentence above, for more details.

Invasive Species Resources for Master Gardeners

If you haven't had the opportunity to listen to OSU Sea Grant Extension's Rob Emanuel talk about how Master Gardeners can help in the prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive species, you're in luck! Rob has graciously put together a list of resources that Master Gardener volunteers can refer to when working with clients.

His Power Point presentation, 'Invasive Species 101: A Primer for Master Gardeners' is posted online for all.

Here, you can view a list of species which have been classified as noxious weeds in Oregon (i.e. they are invasive). The savvy or long-time gardening may recognize that many of these beautiful plants were once popular among gardeners. These include Bachelor's Button, Spurge Laurel, and Old Man's Beard. Now, instead of being the propagators of invasive plants, gardeners are valued partners in the fight against invasive species.

Why should we be worried about invasive species?

** Invasive species often outcompete native plants and animals, which results in a loss of native biodiversity. If you've ever seen native riparian areas become overtaken by Japanese Knotweed, it is a loss of native beauty and biodiversity to mourn. Or, a drive up to Portland along I-5 provides a glimpse into how English Ivy can overtake forest fragments.

** Invasive species can be costly! For example, leafy spurge is abundant in the Oregon counties of Klamath, Grant and Cook. Where is it present, it can reduce the carrying capacity for cattle by 50-75%! Scotch Broom infestations in Western Oregon are estimated to result in an economic loss of $47 million dollars, due to a reduction or loss of timber production.

Educate yourself about invasive plants, and you are in a prime position to educate clients about the potentially negative impacts of invasive species on our environment and our economy.

When a client comes into the Plant Clinic, or calls the gardening hotline and asks 'What is this plant?' - you have an educational opportunity.

First - inform the client that the plant is designated as a noxious weed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Second - give the client who can't part with the beautiful Butterfly Bush (or another attractive invasive) options for control. Deadhead invasive ornamentals faithfully before they go to seed. Use root barriers to contain an invasive in your yard. Dispose of invasive plant materials (clippings, pulled plants, flowers, ANYTHING) by bagging them in a sealed plastic bag and placing them in the trash. Where municipalities allow, invasive plant materials may be burned.

Third - become familiar with the latest control options for a particular plant. Because Japanese Knotweed is able to grow from even the tiniest of stem fragments - mechanical cutting and removal is not an effective means to control this plant. Leave a small stem fragment (about the size of your thumb) on the ground, and the plant may come back in force. Instead, herbicide applications are much more effective. Of course, whenever using any type of pesticide, including herbicides, follow all label directions and check the PNW Weed book to make sure that a particular herbicide is registered for use by homeowners.

Finally - don't propagate the spread of invasive plants. Don't share a plant with your friends unless you know it is non-invasive. Plant native plants and non-invasive plants in your garden. Check for potential 'hitchhikers' on plants you purchase from a local nursery or at a plant sale. Become educated about the primary invasive plant species in your area - as well as species that are a potential threat to your area, but have yet to be found (hello, garlic mustard!). If you find an invasive plant that is new to your area, report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline.

Gardeners Mini-College (2009) Registration is Open

The 26th annual Gardeners Mini-College will be held from August 5-8, 2009 at the CH2M Alumni Center on the OSU campus in Corvallis, Oregon. Mini-College is an educational event put on by the OSU Master Gardener Program and the Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA).

The theme for this year's Mini-College is “Backyard Food Solutions: Local. Sustainable. Secure.” Choose from over 30 talks, tours and workshops, on a variety of topics, including:

cover cropping your vegetable garden, home winemaking, backyard chickens, organic vegetable gardening, heavy metals in garden soils, home orchards, backyard wine and table grapes, composting, season extenders, making teas from garden herbs, dealing with deer and other mammals in the home garden, an in-depth look at garden fertilizers, etc.

You do NOT have to be a current OSU Master Gardener in order to attend Mini-College. This conference is open to all! This event is the Statewide Master Gardener Conference for Oregon gardeners. Please join us!

Online registration is open until July 15, 2009. Early bird registration discount ends on June 26, 3009.

Welcome to the OSU Master Gardener Blog

The OSU Extension Master Gardener Program provides training for volunteers, who in turn assist in providing community horticulture services to the public. Under the auspices of Oregon State University Extension, individuals with an active interest in horticulture enroll in an intensive training program in horticulture and related fields. When the trainees complete their coursework, pass all assessments, and complete their volunteer practicum, they become an OSU Extension Master Gardener.

A primary mission of the OSU Master Gardener Program is to provide sustainable gardening advice to the public, using unbiased and research based materials. It is this reliance on research-based materials that ensures that the advice given by an OSU Master Gardener volunteer is of the highest possible quality.

In order to support OSU Master Gardener volunteers in their endeavor to provide the unbiased, research-based advice to gardeners seeking answers to plant problems, I thought that I would begin a blog. I am not yet sure how often I will be able to update the blog, but I intend to write at least one short article per week, and will try to focus on contemporary research that may be of interest to Master Gardeners.

When I can not find a journal article that strikes my fancy, I will report on events or other information that is likely to appeal to Master Gardener volunteers and other friends of the Program.

Please feel free to comment on posts, or to suggest a journal article that you would like to see featured.