Biweekly Update – November 11

New Announcements:

1.    After much deliberation over the past few months, we have made the difficult decision that the 2021 International Master Gardener Conference will be a virtual event. To learn more about our decision, read Kathleen’s letter here.

a.    To learn more about virtual IMGC 20210: https://www.internationalmastergardener.com/about/

b.    Registration will open April 5, 2021

c.     To sign up for the IMGC email list: https://t.send.vt.edu/lp/EXT-International-Master-Gardener-College

2.    November State Office webinar

a.    November 19 | State Office updates Q&A 10:00 am

                                              i.     Join us to hear State Office updates from Dave Close (Program Director) and Kathleen Reed (State Master Gardener Coordinator), There will also be time for Dave and Kathleen to answer any questions you might have about the program. Send us your questions in advance (reedka@vt.edu) or type them into the chat box during the webinar!

  ii.     Register: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqcu2sqzstH9ASNx8CUN62VrgXFUCT5IiN

3.    Send us your COVID photos! If you have photos of EMG volunteer projects during COVID, such as masked volunteers working in a garden, please send them to us! Email them to Devon, dvj@vt.edu

4.    Call for presentations: Have you created a presentation you’re proud of & would like to share with us? We are creating a presentation repository and need your presentations!

·      Repository will be available for EMGs and Agents/Coordinators to draw from for speaking requests, training, etc. Master gardeners and agents may submit. Presentations will undergo editing and formatting before being posted. Email presentations to Devon dvj@vt.edu

Old Announcements

5.    We’re working on a comprehensive webinar page – The State Office is working on compiling local unit YouTube videos and webinars on our YouTube page. If you have YouTube videos, please email Devon dvj@vt.edu. If you have videos somewhere other than YouTube but would like to get them on YouTube, please also email Devon! Videos will be organized into playlists here: https://www.youtube.com/c/VirginiaCooperativeExtensionMasterGardener/playlists  (Check the “Hanover Home Gardening” playlist as an example)

6.    “My Trees Count” app launched by VDOF – In order to keep track of trees planted in communities across the state, the Department of Forestry has launched a tree planting tracking application called “My Trees Count”. This will provide VDOF with valuable data about water quality in the state, as well as help track tree plantings as communities work towards their WIP Goals. Finally, it will allow us to recognize tree planting efforts. When submitted through the Trees Count Survey, we may share planting stories on the Community Tree Map or social media with #MyTreeCounts. The application can be found here: https://arcg.is/WryDG

7.    IMGC 2021 Tee Shirt Design Contest Results! Our winners are:

·      Linda Williams – Carroll/Grayson – “Dogwood”

·      Pat Machowsky – Greenspring – “Buttonbush”

·      Ruby Gardner – Gloucester – “Cardinal and Bee Balm

8.    Virginia Tech Plant Clinic’s Plant Problem Image Gallery has been resurrected! This useful image gallery contains images of common Virginia plant diseases, provided by the VT Plant Disease clinic. Available at: https://apps.cals.vt.edu/ppig/

9.    Plant sale guidance availableExtension Leadership has released guidelines for Extension Master Gardener Plant Sales in light of the current steps toward reopening. You can find that information on the VCE COVID-19 page (https://ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates.html) under “Administrative Documents and Updates.” It’s at the bottom of that list under “EMG Plant Sale Guidance.

10. EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok

11. VMGA speaker’s bureau list now available, contact Erica Jones 540 544 7359

·      More info: https://vmga.net/wordpress/vmga-speakers-bureau/

Old November Announcements:

12. Garden Basics Workshop: “Water-Wise Gardening” – The Piedmont Master Gardeners will offer “Water-Wise Gardening,” a free Garden Basics workshop, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, via Zoom. Participants will learn how to manage water in the landscape efficiently; how to control erosion and runoff; and how to help plants survive in wet, dry and hot conditions. To receive an invitation to the virtual session, register by November 16 at https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/   |   More info here

13. Soil management and soil health webinar series – Soil Management and Soil Health webinar series from VSU The Zoom webinar series will take place on November 2, 5, 9, 16 and 23, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. More info here.

Old January Announcements:

14. 5th Annual Seed Swap, Central Rappahannock, January 23, 2021 – Save the Date and your Seeds for the Central Rappahannock Area Master Gardeners 5th Annual Seed Swap on January 23, 2021 from 10AM to 1PM in King George. The event is FREE and open to all. More info here.

 

Other Announcements:

1.    Send us your announcements! Have you converted educational programs to an online format? You can still submit those announcements for the biweekly email! Submit an item for the biweekly update here.

2.    Follow the State Office on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

3.    Subscribe to In Season, our quarterly newsletter

4.    View our most recent webinar

a.    View a recording of our most recent state office webinar – Jamie King on urban forestry

                                               i.     https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/

  1.  Resources for fertilization of lawns and for those involved with Healthy Virginia Lawns programming  
  2. Do you have questions coming in to your Extension Master Gardener program and need to find some answers? Extension Search Resources for EMG Questions
  3. Every Kid in a Park Program
  4. Basil Downy Mildew: Occurrence Monitoring and Info Website for Gardeners
    1. A new website, created by Margaret McGrath and the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, on monitoring occurrence of downy mildew on basil in the US and Canada:

                                               i.     It maps occurrences and replaces them into a GoogleDocs spreadsheet since 2009. There is information about BDM at the website that is geared for gardeners. Gardeners have been the primary and most important reporters in helping with monitoring this disease.

    1. A handout for gardeners about reporting occurrences of BDM and 2 other important diseases: late blight and cucurbit downy mildew.
close up branches affected by boxwood blight show leaf yellowing

In Chesterfield, plant disease diagnosis goes virtual amid coronavirus

By: John McBride

In Chesterfield, plant disease diagnosis goes virtual amid coronavirus

Last summer, a local first-time vegetable gardener called the Chesterfield County Master Gardener Help Desk with a big problem: all his tomato plants seemed to be dying. Peg Tipple, Chesterfield County Master Gardener volunteer, jumped into action. After dissecting plant samples brought to the lab, she identified the problem. The gardener had planted his tomatoes in containers that were too small.

Continue reading

Biweekly Update – October 29, 2020

New Announcements:

1.    “My Trees Count” app launched by VDOF – In order to keep track of trees planted in communities across the state, the Department of Forestry has launched a tree planting tracking application called “My Trees Count”. This will provide VDOF with valuable data about water quality in the state, as well as help track tree plantings as communities work towards their WIP Goals. Finally, it will allow us to recognize tree planting efforts. When submitted through the Trees Count Survey, we may share planting stories on the Community Tree Map or social media with #MyTreeCounts. The application can be found here: https://arcg.is/WryDG

2.    5th Annual Seed Swap, Central Rappahannock, January 23, 2021 – Save the Date and your Seeds for the Central Rappahannock Area Master Gardeners 5th Annual Seed Swap on January 23, 2021 from 10AM to 1PM in King George. The event is FREE and open to all. More info here.

3.    We're working on a comprehensive webinar page – The State Office is working on compiling local unit YouTube videos and webinars on our YouTube page. If you have YouTube videos, please email Devon dvj@vt.edu. If you have videos somewhere other than YouTube but would like to get them on YouTube, please also email Devon! Videos will be organized into playlists here: https://www.youtube.com/c/VirginiaCooperativeExtensionMasterGardener/playlists  (Check the “Hanover Home Gardening” playlist as an example)

4.    Soil management and soil health webinar series – Soil Management and Soil Health webinar series from VSU The Zoom webinar series will take place on November 2, 5, 9, 16 and 23, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. More info here.

5.    Garden Basics Workshop: “Water-Wise Gardening” – The Piedmont Master Gardeners will offer “Water-Wise Gardening,” a free Garden Basics workshop, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, via Zoom. Participants will learn how to manage water in the landscape efficiently; how to control erosion and runoff; and how to help plants survive in wet, dry and hot conditions. To receive an invitation to the virtual session, register by November 16 at https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/   |   More info here

 

Old Announcements

6.    Send us your COVID photos! If you have photos of EMG volunteer projects during COVID, such as masked volunteers working in a garden, please send them to us! Email them to Devon, dvj@vt.edu

7.    Call for presentations: Have you created a presentation you're proud of & would like to share with us? We are creating a presentation repository and need your presentations!

·      Repository will be available for EMGs and Agents/Coordinators to draw from for speaking requests, training, etc. Master gardeners and agents may submit. Presentations will undergo editing and formatting before being posted.

·      Email presentations to Kathleen reedka@vt.edu

8.    IMGC 2021 Tee Shirt Design Contest Results! Our winners are:

·      Linda Williams – Carroll/Grayson – “Dogwood”

·      Pat Machowsky – Greenspring – “Buttonbush”

·      Ruby Gardner – Gloucester – “Cardinal and Bee Balm

9.    Virginia Tech Plant Clinic's Plant Problem Image Gallery has been resurrected! This useful image gallery contains images of common Virginia plant diseases, provided by the VT Plant Disease clinic. Available at: https://apps.cals.vt.edu/ppig/

10. Plant sale guidance availableExtension Leadership has released guidelines for Extension Master Gardener Plant Sales in light of the current steps toward reopening. You can find that information on the VCE COVID-19 page (https://ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates.html) under “Administrative Documents and Updates.” It’s at the bottom of that list under “EMG Plant Sale Guidance.

11. Master Composter online course from Vermont – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course

12. EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok

13. VMGA speaker’s bureau list now available, contact Erica Jones 540 544 7359

·      More info: http://vmga.net/vmgaspeakersbureau.php

Old November Announcements:

14. Accessible Communications Considerations:This workshop will present participants with tangible ideas to make communication, particularly in marketing, more accessible, how to avoid common accessibility mistakes, and more. The session will cover topics such as using accessibility features on social media, describing different types of images, language to use when describing disability, and more.”

·      Opportunity offered by VTEngage: Tuesday, November 10, 12 – 1:15 (Sign up at https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/event/6384364)

Other Announcements:

1.    Send us your announcements! Have you converted educational programs to an online format? You can still submit those announcements for the biweekly email! Submit an item for the biweekly update here.

2.    Updated Facebook event guidance – When scheduling Facebook events for your unit symposiums, seminars, talks, etc, please add the state office page as a co-host! More info here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/communications-resources/

3.    Follow the State Office on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

4.    Subscribe to In Season, our quarterly newsletter

5.    View our most recent webinar

a.    View a recording of our most recent state office webinar – Jamie King on urban forestry

                                               i.     https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/

  1.  Resources for fertilization of lawns and for those involved with Healthy Virginia Lawns programming  
  2. Do you have questions coming in to your Extension Master Gardener program and need to find some answers? Extension Search Resources for EMG Questions
  3. Every Kid in a Park Program
  4. Basil Downy Mildew: Occurrence Monitoring and Info Website for Gardeners
    1. A new website, created by Margaret McGrath and the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, on monitoring occurrence of downy mildew on basil in the US and Canada:

                                               i.     It maps occurrences and replaces them into a GoogleDocs spreadsheet since 2009. There is information about BDM at the website that is geared for gardeners. Gardeners have been the primary and most important reporters in helping with monitoring this disease.

    1. A handout for gardeners about reporting occurrences of BDM and 2 other important diseases: late blight and cucurbit downy mildew.

Biweekly Update – October 14, 2020

New Announcements:

1.    October 15, 2020, 1:00 pm – Leadership development training – Still time to register!

·      Programming Pivots: New Program Development during the Pandemic-Join us to hear about three different programs throughout the state that were developed in the midst of the pandemic and our need for virtual programming. Panelists will share about their programs and lessons they learned along the way. After a Q&A session with our panelists, we invite session participants to share new and innovative programming that their unit took on in the past months (no more than 5 minutes).”

·      Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lcO2rqD0iHtCrvGoyCaiLPpl1YptA2eV3 (Registration link will remain active until the beginning of the session, however please register in advance so we have an accurate headcount)

·      Learn more about all of our leadership trainings here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/leadership/

2.    October state office webinar:

·      October 15, 10:00 am | Urban AgricultureJoin Dr. Leonard Githinji from Virginia State University as he talks about urban agriculture, why it’s important, and where it intersects with volunteerism. Register: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/331193942

3.    Call for presentations: Have you created a presentation you’re proud of & would like to share with us? We are creating a presentation repository and need your presentations!

·      Repository will be available for EMGs and Agents/Coordinators to draw from for speaking requests, training, etc. Extension Master Gardeners and Agents may submit presentations. Presentations will undergo editing and formatting before being posted for EMG use.

·      Email presentations to Kathleen, reedka@vt.edu

4.    IMGC 2021 Tee Shirt Design Contest Results! Our winners are:

·      Linda Williams – Carroll/Grayson – “Dogwood”

·      Pat Machowsky – Greenspring – “Buttonbush”

·      Ruby Gardner – Gloucester – “Cardinal and Bee Balm”

5.    Send us your COVID photos! If you have photos of EMG volunteer projects during COVID, such as masked volunteers working in a garden, please send them to us! Email them to Devon, dvj@vt.edu

6.    Virginia Tech Plant Clinic’s Plant Problem Image Gallery has been resurrected! This useful image gallery contains images of common Virginia plant diseases, provided by the VT Plant Disease clinic. Available at: https://apps.cals.vt.edu/ppig/

7.    October is Urban Ag month!

·      “Urban Agriculture Month will shine a spotlight on the significant role urban agriculture plays in our regional and local food system. The events will also highlight our local urban agriculture response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Join MGNV and their partners for a variety of different events throughout the month!

·      https://mgnv.org/2020/10/01/urban-agriculture-month/

Old October Announcements

8.    Registration Now Open for the 2020 Virtual Chesapeake Watershed Forum! https://www.allianceforthebay.org/our-work/key-program-focuses/networking-education/chesapeake-watershed-forum/

Old November Announcements:

9.    Accessible Communications Considerations:This workshop will present participants with tangible ideas to make communication, particularly in marketing, more accessible, how to avoid common accessibility mistakes, and more. The session will cover topics such as using accessibility features on social media, describing different types of images, language to use when describing disability, and more.”

·      Opportunity offered by VTEngage: Tuesday, November 10, 12 – 1:15 (Sign up at https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/event/6384364)

Old Announcements:

10. Plant sale guidance availableExtension Leadership has released guidelines for Extension Master Gardener Plant Sales in light of the current steps toward reopening. You can find that information on the VCE COVID-19 page (https://ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates.html) under “Administrative Documents and Updates.” It’s at the bottom of that list under “EMG Plant Sale Guidance.

11. Master Composter online course from Vermont – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course

12. EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok

13. VMGA speaker’s bureau list now available, contact Erica Jones 540 544 7359

·      More info: http://vmga.net/vmgaspeakersbureau.php

Other Announcements:

1.    Send us your announcements! Have you converted educational programs to an online format? You can still submit those announcements for the biweekly email! Submit an item for the biweekly update here.

2.    Updated Facebook event guidance – When scheduling Facebook events for your unit symposiums, seminars, talks, etc, please add the state office page as a co-host! More info here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/communications-resources/

3.    Follow the State Office on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

4.    Subscribe to In Season, our quarterly newsletter

5.    View our most recent webinar

a.    View a recording of our most recent state office webinar – Jamie King on urban forestry

                                               i.     https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/

  1.  Resources for fertilization of lawns and for those involved with Healthy Virginia Lawns programming  
  2. Do you have questions coming in to your Extension Master Gardener program and need to find some answers? Extension Search Resources for EMG Questions
  3. Every Kid in a Park Program
  4. Basil Downy Mildew: Occurrence Monitoring and Info Website for Gardeners
    1. A new website, created by Margaret McGrath and the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, on monitoring occurrence of downy mildew on basil in the US and Canada:

                                               i.     It maps occurrences and replaces them into a GoogleDocs spreadsheet since 2009. There is information about BDM at the website that is geared for gardeners. Gardeners have been the primary and most important reporters in helping with monitoring this disease.

    1. A handout for gardeners about reporting occurrences of BDM and 2 other important diseases: late blight and cucurbit downy mildew.

Biweekly Update – September 30, 2020

New Announcements:

1.    October 1, 2020, 1:00 pm – Leadership development training: Volunteer Engagement in a Virtual World – Still time to register!

·      Volunteer Engagement in a Virtual World “As trainings and meetings are moved to a virtual platform, how can volunteers build and sustain meaningful relationships within their unit and the greater community? The State EMG Office will facilitate a discussion focused around how units throughout the state are staying engaged in a virtual world. There will be small group breakout rooms for more in depth discussions and brainstorming between participants.”

·      Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lcO2rqD0iHtCrvGoyCaiLPpl1YptA2eV3 (Registration link will remain active until the beginning of the session, however please register in advance so we have an accurate headcount)

·      Learn more about all of our leadership trainings here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/leadership/

2.    October state office webinar:

·      October 10 | Urban AgricultureJoin Dr. Leonard Githinji from Virginia State University as he talks about urban agriculture, why it's important, and where it intersects with volunteerism. Register: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/331193942

3.    VMGA speaker’s bureau list now available, contact Erica Jones 540 544 7359

·      More info: http://vmga.net/vmgaspeakersbureau.php

4.    Accepting applications for PMG Coordinator:  The Charlottesville-Albemarle VCE office is officially seeking applicants for a new Master Gardener Coordinator.

·      The details are all provided at this site: http://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/514256/master-gardener-coordinator-albemarle-county

·      Please share this job listing with anyone you think might be interested! The application will close on October 15th.

5.    IMGC 2021 Tee Shirt Design Contest voting open! Vote here: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4UbixoUhRNG6Rxj

6.    Accessible Communications Considerations:This workshop will present participants with tangible ideas to make communication, particularly in marketing, more accessible, how to avoid common accessibility mistakes, and more. The session will cover topics such as using accessibility features on social media, describing different types of images, language to use when describing disability, and more.”

·      Opportunity offered by VTEngage: Tuesday, November 10, 12 – 1:15 (Sign up at https://gobblerconnect.vt.edu/event/6384364)

Old October Announcements

7.    Registration Now Open for the 2020 Virtual Chesapeake Watershed Forum! https://www.allianceforthebay.org/our-work/key-program-focuses/networking-education/chesapeake-watershed-forum/

Old Announcements:

8.    Plant sale guidance availableExtension Leadership has released guidelines for Extension Master Gardener Plant Sales in light of the current steps toward reopening. You can find that information on the VCE COVID-19 page (https://ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates.html) under “Administrative Documents and Updates.” It’s at the bottom of that list under “EMG Plant Sale Guidance.

9.    Master Composter online course from Vermont – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course

10. EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok

 

Other Announcements:

1.    Send us your announcements! Have you converted educational programs to an online format? You can still submit those announcements for the biweekly email! Submit an item for the biweekly update here.

2.    Updated Facebook event guidance – When scheduling Facebook events for your unit symposiums, seminars, talks, etc, please add the state office page as a co-host! More info here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/communications-resources/

3.    Follow the State Office on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

4.    Subscribe to In Season, our quarterly newsletter

5.    View our most recent webinar

a.    View a recording of our most recent state office webinar – Jamie King on urban forestry

                                               i.     https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/

  1.  Resources for fertilization of lawns and for those involved with Healthy Virginia Lawns programming  
  2. Do you have questions coming in to your Extension Master Gardener program and need to find some answers? Extension Search Resources for EMG Questions
  3. Every Kid in a Park Program
  4. Basil Downy Mildew: Occurrence Monitoring and Info Website for Gardeners
    1. A new website, created by Margaret McGrath and the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, on monitoring occurrence of downy mildew on basil in the US and Canada:

                                               i.     It maps occurrences and replaces them into a GoogleDocs spreadsheet since 2009. There is information about BDM at the website that is geared for gardeners. Gardeners have been the primary and most important reporters in helping with monitoring this disease.

A handout for gardeners about reporting occurrences of BDM and 2 other important diseases: late blight and cucurbit downy 

Biweekly Update – September 16, 2020

New Announcements:

1.    August state office webinars:

·      September 17 | 10 am – Tree risk assessment – Joel Koci of VSU provides an introduction to tree risk assessment. – Register in advance: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/91920717871 

·      October 15 | 10 am – Urban Agriculture – Join Dr. Leonard Githinji from Virginia State University as he talks about urban agriculture, why it's important, and where it intersects with volunteerism. Pre-registration: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpcsduCrpz8oATVOvOhaatpGl7kTqVIpQA

2.    Turf and Landscape plan writing school (part of nutrient management certification, learn more):

·      From DCR If you have an interest in becoming a certified as a turf & landscape nutrient management planner, you can sign up for this course now, and take the Soil Science, Soil Fertility, and Turf Production School when it is offered again as a webinar or in person sometime in the near future. With the uncertainty of being able to hold face-to-face events in the near future, we may not be able to offer another Plan Writing School before the next exam which will be held Friday, February 5, 2021.”

·      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ut5mgySBwZBD8EqNtI8Gu_9if7i6nwjv/view?usp=sharing

3.    Social media training webinars provided by VT College of Ag and Life Sciences (CALS) and VSU:

·      Sept. 23, 2020, 3 p.m.
ZOOM LINK: General Best Practices for Social Media
Deanna Sumners & Erica Shambley

·      Sept. 30, 2020, 3 p.m.
ZOOM LINK: VCE social media policy
Deanna Sumners & Erica Shambley

 

Old September Announcements

4.    Waynesboro tree workshop webinar series – Every Wednesday in the month of September there will be an hour-long webinar on various topics including tree ring analysis and urban canopy cover. Provided jointly by VDOF and VCE

·      Info and registration links here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Register-Today—2020-Waynesboro-Tree-Webinar-Series-.html?soid=1129998786860&aid=GI79-Lqov14

Old October Announcements

5.    Registration Now Open for the 2020 Virtual Chesapeake Watershed Forum! https://www.allianceforthebay.org/our-work/key-program-focuses/networking-education/chesapeake-watershed-forum/

Old Announcements:

6.    Facebook Live “Get Gardening” Series – Thursdays through the summer

·      Thursday September 17: Kathleen Reed, Succulent Propagation and Care

·      Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/226756471734154/

7.    Plant sale guidance available – Extension Leadership has released guidelines for Extension Master Gardener Plant Sales in light of the current steps toward reopening. You can find that information on the VCE COVID-19 page (https://ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates.html) under “Administrative Documents and Updates.” It’s at the bottom of that list under “EMG Plant Sale Guidance.

8.    Master Composter online course from Vermont – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course

9.    EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok

 

Other Announcements:

1.    Send us your announcements! Have you converted educational programs to an online format? You can still submit those announcements for the biweekly email! Submit an item for the biweekly update here.

2.    Updated Facebook event guidance – When scheduling Facebook events for your unit symposiums, seminars, talks, etc, please add the state office page as a co-host! More info here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/communications-resources/

3.    Follow the State Office on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

4.    Subscribe to In Season, our quarterly newsletter

5.    View our most recent webinar

a.    View a recording of our most recent state office webinar – Jamie King on urban forestry

                                               i.     https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/

  1.  Resources for fertilization of lawns and for those involved with Healthy Virginia Lawns programming  
  2. Do you have questions coming in to your Extension Master Gardener program and need to find some answers? Extension Search Resources for EMG Questions
  3. Every Kid in a Park Program
  4. Basil Downy Mildew: Occurrence Monitoring and Info Website for Gardeners
    1. A new website, created by Margaret McGrath and the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, on monitoring occurrence of downy mildew on basil in the US and Canada:

                                               i.     It maps occurrences and replaces them into a GoogleDocs spreadsheet since 2009. There is information about BDM at the website that is geared for gardeners. Gardeners have been the primary and most important reporters in helping with monitoring this disease.

    1. A handout for gardeners about reporting occurrences of BDM and 2 other important diseases: late blight and cucurbit downy mildew.