By: Devon Johnson
Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners (HOVMGA) have worked with WFLO, a local AM radio station to produce a quarterly radio spot on gardening. Jackie Fairbarns, “the voice” of HOVMGA shared how they manage the spot and tips for other units interested in establishing radio projects.
Continue reading1. “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 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.
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
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/
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.
This webinar was presented as part of our 2020 Leadership Development Training series.
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 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. 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/
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)
10. 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.
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
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/
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. 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 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. 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)
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/
8. 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.
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
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/
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
Learn the basics of tree risk assessment with Joel Koci of VSU.
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
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/
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
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/
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. 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. IMGC 2021 Tee Shirt design contest – Draw a plant & submit it for our IMGC 2021 tee shirt design! Info here DEADLINE SEPTERMBER 7: https://www.internationalmastergardener.com/2020/05/18/design-contest/
3. EMG Coordinator webinar: CE opportunity! Food Safety and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, before and after COVID-19 webinar recording: https://youtu.be/aK6g8NvpAok
4. Registration Now Open for the 2020 Virtual Chesapeake Watershed Forum! https://www.allianceforthebay.org/our-work/key-program-focuses/networking-education/chesapeake-watershed-forum/
5. FULL Piedmont Master Gardeners: Garden Basics Workshop
· Master Gardeners will offer practical advice on spring-planted bulbs for summer and fall drama, fall-planted bulbs for spectacular spring color, and bulbs for winter forcing. Registration by September 14 is required. Email your name to info@piedmontmastergardeners.org. An invitation to the Zoom session will follow.
· Year-Round Beauty with Bulbs 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 19
· Bring in the Birds!” 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17
· Water-Wise Gardening 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21
6. Greensville/Emporia Master Gardeners: Native Tree ID Walk
· During this walk, Bob Glennon, forester and consultant with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will lead the group in identifying native trees. A copy of the Common Native of Virginia- Tree Identification Guide is included in the class fee of $12.00. Payment is due at the time of registration. Register and pay with a credit card here: https://register.ext.vt.edu , select programs, then click agriculture and scroll to select this course; C-02-0033. Or, register and pay with cash or check at the Greensville/Emporia extension office no later than September 7, 2020. Direct link to destiny one registration page: https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?
7. Newport News Master Gardeners: Go Green EXPO: “A 20/20 Vision for Our Community”
· Go Green Expo serves the citizens of Hampton Roads and beyond with a free, family-friendly event that informs on green and sustainable practices for the whole family.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic our Go Green Expo 2020 scheduled for September 12th will all be online this year. We will include videos of vermiculture and rain barrel workshops along with a wide variety of other horticulture and natural resource-related topics. By popular demand, there will be a couple of videos that will show you how to assemble your vermiculture and rain barrels kits which are still for sale through Newport News Master Gardeners Association. All of this year’s Go Green activities will be shown on our Facebook page as well as on a dedicated YouTube channel. Visit this site, https://www.nngogreenexpo.org/, and our main website, https:nnmastergardener.org/, for updates. These are trying times for all of us, but we will try to make Go Green Expo 2020 a meaningful event using a course of action that will be beneficial for us all. With your continued support, we can make Go Green Expo 2021 better than ever! The Peninsula Master Gardeners again thank you for your help and wish you, your families and friends good health!
Old September Announcements
1. 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
1. Facebook Live “Get Gardening” Series – Thursdays through the summer
· Thursday September 10: Chris Mullins, Season Extenders
· Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/226756471734154/
2. 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.
3. Master Composter online course from Vermont – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course
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/
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.
Josh Kardos, Virginia Tech, discusses hydrangea science and troubleshooting.