Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Columbia County Master Gardener Association
Many volunteers become members of the Columbia County Master GardenerTM Association which holds monthly meetings to enhance knowledge, plan activities, and socialize.
The Columbia County Master GardenerTM Association is part of the non-profit Oregon Master GardenerTMAssociation. Anyone who has completed the Master GardenerTM training program and who wishes to join is welcome.
CCMGA DIRECTORY:
Membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are mostly held at the Columbia County Extension office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 2018 CCMGA Directory
The purpose of the Association is to:
- Enhance and supplement the Oregon State University Home Horticulture Program (Master Gardener Program);
- Educate Chapter Members and our local community about plant selection, culture and care;
- Maintain and continue to build an active Columbia County Chapter of Master Gardeners; and
- Encourage continuing education and recertification of Master Gardeners.
As a trained Master GardenerTM volunteer, you help educate and advise other home gardeners in your community. Many people new to Columbia County as well as inexperienced gardeners are interested in obtaining local gardening advice. Our informative training program focuses on such skills as diagnosing plant and insect problems, preparing soil for planting, identifying plants, and selecting ornamentals and varieties. More importantly, your knowledge gives you the confidence to share expertise with others. Being a Master GardenerTM volunteer is fun, interesting, and rewarding. You will be joining a community of like-minded, fun people, too!
- Become a trained, certified OSU Extension Service Master GardenerTM
- Help home gardeners solve their plant and pest problems
- Promote environmental responsibility through ecological garden practices including least-toxic pest control
- Beautify the community by teaching about appropriate plants and culture for our climate
- Work with schools and community gardens
21 new graduates of the 2018 OSU Master Gardener™ class!
The OSU Master Gardener™ class wrapped up in St. Helens on April 16th. Topics covered included vegetable gardening, insect identification, botany for gardeners, plant problem diagnosis, growing fruits and berries, lawn management, weed identification and management, pesticides safety, and plant propagation. Additional hand-on class activities were offered as well. Students completing the class are expected to pay back about 60 hours on community horticultural projects. The 2019 class location and dates will be announced later this fall, but feel free to call the office and be added to a waitlist.
For questions, please call the OSU Extension office in St. Helens at (503)397-3462, or email either Chip Bubl (Chip.Bubl@oregonstate.edu) or Sonia Reagan (Sonia.Reagan@oregonstate.edu).
To become a certified Master GardenerTM, participants must complete an application, attend the 10 weekly training classes, and give back 60 hours of volunteer service. There will be a variety of service opportunities available ranging from answering gardening questions from the public to working with schools and community groups. Anyone interested in horticulture/gardening can apply to the program.
The 2018 Master Gardener Re-Certification Test is now available HERE. Please call Sonia Reagan at 503-397-3462 if you have questions about how this applies to you and/or if you'd like a paper copy mailed. Volunteers staffing booths or clinic tables need to be current on their knowledge. Up to six hours may be recorded in your volunteer log for completion of this test.
If you have a physical disability that requires special considerations in order for you to attend the Master Gardener training, please notify Chip Bubl at 503-397-3462.
GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER:
2018 MG Class Handouts:
2018 St. Helens Class Schedule
Class Handouts 2/5/18:
Soil/Fertilizer Practice Sheet
Class Handouts 2/12/18:
Entomology: Insect Orders & Anatomy
Class Handouts 2/26/18:
Plant Problem Diagnostics Flowchart
Plant Problem Diagnostics Slideshow
Class Handouts 3/19/18:
Class Handouts 3/26/18:
Hands on Propagation - Cutting "Tips"
Veteran Master Gardeners:
Certification Requirements
Master Gardeners may remain actively involved as long as they wish. Recertification is required if they participate in garden clinics, but is not required to participate in Master Gardener activities. To maintain the Certified Master Gardener title each Master Gardener volunteer must complete a recertification test each year. 2018 Recertification may be found HERE.
Volunteer Log Sheet
For current Master Gardeners, please remember to turn in your Volunteer Log Sheet.