New Announcements

1. Save the date! Master Gardener College (EMGC) 2024 will be held virtually June 5-9. This will be a 5-day conference with one day of regional, in-person tours, 4 days virtual with one keynote and one concurrent each day. Sessions will be recorded and available to registrations after the conference as well.
1. Join a planning committee for EMGC! Help us plan by joining our speakers, in-person tours, or marketing committee. Requires agent approval: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSer3jNH7OfGU2LTfnLvOSF9gjpC8UGHms8Wp34CZlUUlvXLUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
2. Submit a topic idea for EMGC: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefttFX0IGrKODU3JD6Gtt_XCqznAL4Q2EfBNmHHoOEYFwn_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
2. EMG Webinar Series 2023: The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please register for each webinar:
1. Wednesday! October 18 at 11:00 am – Virginia Native Trees – Adam Downing, Northern District Forestry agent, joins us to celebrate Virginia Native Trees! Register for October webinar here
2. November 17 at 1:00 pm – Landscaping for Birds – Dr. Robin Puffenbarger – Register for November webinar here
3. Fermentation webinar series from Master Food Volunteers – October 26 at 10 am – Learn about fermented dairy foods. Please register for that webinar using this link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsc-6qrzIqHNxtQz2ardhFYsoT2Xg7X2Ue#/registration 
1. The purpose of this webinar is to cover aspects of fermented dairy foods. Specifically, the webinar will address: 1) The science supporting dairy fermentation 2) Methods of preparing some fermented dairy foods 3) Considerations when preparing fermented dairy foods for retail sale Additionally, a portion of this webinar will be dedicated to open discussion to identify if/how fermented dairy foods can be incorporated into home food preservation programming.

Old Announcements:

October events:

1. Bats! 10/16/2023 – Zoom – VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: BATS!
1. Presented by Leslie Sturges, President, Bat Conservation & Rescue of Virginia. Often the stuff of myths, legends, and spooky stories, bats are actually a crucial part of our natural ecosystems. This talk discusses bat habitat, how our gardens can support them and the pest control benefits bats provide. Gardening Talks is presented via Zoom and is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No registration is required. Gardening Talks are one hour. Go to VBMG.org and click on the Zoom link! Check out upcoming Gardening Talks for 2023 as you explore our website!

November events:

2. Lunch & Learn series – Prince Edward County – Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA – Bring your questions and lunch! Questions – email: erins96@vt.edu.
1. Holiday Decorating 11/2/2023 – Join the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners for Holiday Decorating ideas! Our very own Barbara Wheeler and Glenda Harris will be sharing their years of experience with you.

Other old announcements:

3. Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

1. Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.
2. Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all our editors, authors, and contributors! 
3. Link to order print handbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957213426  When you get it, turn to page 20 and add “+ 6O2” to the end of the photosynthesis equation. We’re addressing this in the next edition, and it is being fixed online now.