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Union County Master Gardeners

Photo by Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original)
Menu [Union County Master Gardeners]

Become a Master Gardener Volunteer

If you have an interest in gardening and enjoy helping others, you are invited to apply to become an Oregon State University Master Gardener™. The Union County Master Gardener Program accepts applications mid-November through mid-January for Master Gardener training, which begins in February. Find out more about the Master Gardener experience here.

Enrollment for the 2023 Union County Master Gardener training & volunteer program is FULL. You may still apply (button below) to be placed on a wait list in case a spot becomes available.

Cost: $155, due after your application is accepted. Scholarships available.

Commitment: Master Gardener trainees must complete 40 hours of instruction and 40 hours of volunteer work by October 31, 2023. Priority will be given to applicants who display an interest in both the home horticulture training and volunteer components of the Master Gardener program. Those wishing to complete just the garden education portion may pursue a Certificate of Home Horticulture via OSU's online continuing education program (find out more here) and/or may elect to attend any or all Union County training dates that are open to the general public (schedule coming soon).

Training Schedule: See a pdf of the full 2023 Union County Master Gardener training schedule here

Completing the Online Application: The first step requires creating a login with IdealLogic, the same platform (and the same login) you will use for the online portions of the Master Gardener training. IdealLogic uses an outside provider account to create the login, rather than storing password information in house. If you have a Google, Facebook, Microsoft (including Live, Outlook, and Hotmail), Twitter, or Linked In account, you will use it to login to the application. This is a security measure required by OSU's IT department and there is no way around it :) If you don't currently have an account with one of the above providers, you can create a free account just for the purposes of logging in to this application. Payment is not due until your application is accepted, the week of January 23, 2023.

Contact the Union County Master Gardener Program Coordinator if you you need help with any part of this process.

2023 Master Gardener Application

Accessing the Master Gardener Training

We recognize that distance, winter weather, and busy schedules can all create significant barriers for participation. To address these barriers, the training is set up to accommodate those who wish to participate mostly online, mostly in person, or a combination of the two. These options will be fully explained at our first training, and you are welcome to contact the Program Coordinator before that time to discuss your personal situation.

Please note that some internet-based instruction will be required of all participants, or a printed equivalent (by request). The Union County Extension office has a computer station available Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm for trainees who do not have internet access at home to complete online modules.

Resources

2023 Union County Master Gardener Training Schedule

Detailed schedule for the 2023 Master Gardener schedule listing dates, topics, and in-person speakers when applicable.

Union County Master Gardeners

Statewide Resources

Dazzling Dahlias Presentation Deck

PDF of presentation materials shared during webinar

Master Gardener™

Dazzling Dahlias Webinar | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

Recording from April 13th webinar.

Master Gardener™

Dirt Gone Bad Presentation Deck

Presentation used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Dirt gone bad: webinar recording

Persistent herbicides sometimes make their way into the regional composting system. Unsuspecting gardeners then purchase herbicide contaminated compost and soil mix leading to plant damage. Learn how to recognize the damage, what to do about it, and how to avoid the problem. Also learn how to use compost in your vegetable garden, landscape, and lawn. Avoid problems from over applying compost.

Master Gardener™

Fire-wise Landscaping | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series Presentation Deck

Presentation deck from July 2021 webinar

Master Gardener™

Fire-wise Landscaping | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series Webinar Recording

As the Western United States population continues to grow, more and more homes are creeping into forest and rangeland areas called the wildland urban interface. The number of wildfires in combination with this urban sprawl can potentially increase the number of fire-prone landscapes. Learn more about creating a fire-wise landscape. In this class you will learn about fire behavior basics, ways to reduce the fuel load, ways to design your landscape in the home ignition zone, characteristics of fire-resistant plants, and plant selection for your fire-wise design.

Master Gardener™

Gardening with Native Plants for Pollinators | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series Presentation Deck

Presentation deck used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Gardening with Native Plants for Pollinators | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series Webinar Recording

Recording of webinar.

Master Gardener™

Growing Unique Winter Vegetables Presentation Materials

Presentation deck used by speaker Lane Selman during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Growing Unique Winter Vegetables Video Recording

Recording from webinar:

Master Gardener™

Master Gardener Code of Conduct

The Master Gardener Code of Conduct describes the expectations of Extension Master Gardener trainees and volunteers. It must be signed and filed, before an individual can begin volunteering with the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program.

Master Gardener™

Master Gardener Impact Report 2020

Making a difference when our community needed us the most: Impact Report for OSU Extension Master Gardener Program 2020

Master Gardener™

Master Gardener Impact Report 2022

Master Gardener program impact report for 2022

Master Gardener™

Multifunctional Hedgerows Presentation Deck

Presentation used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Multifunctional Hedgerows | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

We see them at the edges of farm fields or along roads: rows of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses known as hedgerows. They are living fences with the ability to grow food, shelter wildlife, save water, manage weeds and look beautiful all year round.

Master Gardener™

Multifunctional Hedgerows | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

We see them at the edges of farm fields or along roads: rows of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses known as hedgerows. They are living fences with the ability to grow food, shelter wildlife, save water, manage weeds and look beautiful all year round.

Master Gardener™

Multifunctional Hedgerows | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

We see them at the edges of farm fields or along roads: rows of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses known as hedgerows. They are living fences with the ability to grow food, shelter wildlife, save water, manage weeds and look beautiful all year round.

Master Gardener™

Online Volunteer Reporting System (VRS)

Report your hours online.

Master Gardener™

Season Extension Techniques | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

Presentation deck from webinar.

Master Gardener™

Season Extension Techniques | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series Webinar Recording

Season extension is a bundle of techniques used to provide an earlier and/or later harvest in the garden. In this webinar we will examine a variety of season extension tactics available to home gardeners and compare how they may be used differently to match regional needs. This class is just in time for fall planting! About the presenters: Nicole Sanchez is Assistant Professor in Horticulture with Oregon State University Extension Service. She is based in Klamath County and additionally serves Lake and Harney County. She coordinates the county Master Gardener program and is a member of the Small Farms team. Co-Instructor Heather Stoven is an Assistant Professor of Practice based in Yamhill County. She coordinates the Master Gardener and Small farms programs within her county.

Master Gardener™

Seed Characteristics | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

Unlock the secrets of seeds and learn seed terminology and characteristics to improve your ability to choose the seed varieties that best meet your needs. In this session, we'll focus on vegetable seeds and navigate aspects of cultivar selection: maturity times, disease resistance, seed saving, and more. We’ll briefly cover germination tips. Join us to brush up on your seed knowledge just in time for seed ordering season!

Master Gardener™

Understanding Seed Characteristics presentation deck

Presentation used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Waterwise Gardening Presentation Materials

Presentation materials used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Waterwise Gardening Webinar Recording

Growing Oregon Gardeners: Water-wise Gardening with Erika Szonntag webinar recording

Master Gardener™

Webinar presentation materials: Adapting Your Garden for Climate Change

Presentation deck used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Webinar presentation materials: Healthy Soils for Healthy People

Presentation deck used during webinar.

Master Gardener™

Webinar recording: Adapting Your Garden and Landscape for Climate Change

Extreme weather events in 2021 have included a damaging ice and wind storm, and most recently, a record-breaking heatwave. These events have hit Pacific Northwest gardeners and landscapers hard. We are accustomed to a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. With climate change, we can expect more variability in our weather with more frequent and intense weather events. How are these extreme events affecting your plants? Learn strategies to adapt gardens and landscapes to these new conditions.

Master Gardener™

Webinar recording: Healthy Soils for Healthy People

Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series November webinar with Dr. Gail Langellotto

Master Gardener™

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