Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA)

From your OMGA state Representative

The Oregon Master Gardener™ Association's purpose is to support and enhance the OSU Extension Master Gardener™ program. OMGA is the official partner with OSU Horticulture Department and the State Master Gardener Program Coordinator, and all County Chapters. OMGA is comprised of representatives of each of the 23 county chapters, the executive officers that they elect, and the State Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Gail Langellotto, who gives quarterly and annual reports.

Quarterly OMGA meetings are currently held on Zoom, but were historically and ideally hosted by different chapters throughout the state. There is also (Continued on page 3)

an annual Planning Retreat each December. There have also been leadership trainings/and sharing forums at Mini-college or OMGA meetings.

Our Chapter’s Representative to OMGA is Anny (Annie) VanNatta, and our Alternate Rep is Norma Benson. They report and share our Chapter’s activities and experiences and also report back to the Chapter.

Mini-College is OMGA’s major, annual, statewide (2-3 day) event. It offers advanced educational opportunities (workshops, tours, book store, silent-auction, social and networking activities). Non-Master Gardeners are welcome.

The quarterly State OMGA newsletter, called THE GARDENER'S PEN, may be accessed on the OMGA website omga.org which contains all official OMGA information. Announcements of new OMGA information and communications are placed in our monthly CGMGA chapter newsletter, or in Megan’s weekly updates.

Silent Auction Donations for MiniCollege

Each chapter is asked to donate 10 or more items (or gift baskets) with a retail value of approximately $25 each. Please contact Anny gardenanny2@gmail.com about potential donations. Auction Suggestions: Gift certificates, gift

cards, gift baskets (empty or filled), items to mix in a gift basket, books, art, wine, unique and useful items, anything for the garden, yard art. Plants (but no native soil), interesting planters or sets of pots, container garden, sedum décor, garden tours/nature hikes, vacation packages. Let your imagination go!! Donated items should be in new condition & are not limited to gardening items. Baskets are great when made up of several related items A book & a bottle of wine!!

The difference between the OSU MG program and the CGMGA

Many Master Gardeners are unclear about the difference between the OSU Master Gardener program and the Central Gorge Master Gardener Association. The short, and not totally thorough answer is that the OSU MG program provides our education, while the CGMGA allows for fundraising and social events. However, there are gray areas. OSU MG classes are also social, while CGMGA fundraising events also provide education for MGs and the public. Let’s dive deeper into the differences between them.

Our classes and training are provided through the OSU Hood River County Extension Service Master Gardener program. Our program coordinator, Megan Wickersham, is employed by OSU to provide our local training program as well as to guide us through our training and volunteer service. We learn from OSU

professors, Extension Service staff, and retired specialists through online and in person classes, and webinars. If you want to review all the ways that OSU Master Gardeners receive training as well as volunteering in the community, please visit https:// extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/ about-master-gardener-program

The OSU Central Gorge Master Gardener program is one of 27 Master Gardener programs in the state. Each individual Master Gardener program throughout the state also has an Association. The Central Gorge Master Gardener Association is our fundraising and social platform. Our two main fundraisers are the annual spring Plant Sale and bi-annual Garden Tour. These events not only raise funds for our Association, but they allow us an opportunity to interact with and provide education to the public. Money raised through the Association allows us to fund other educational programs for ourselves and the public.

The group that guides the CGMGA is the Executive Committee. Members of the EC are recertifying Master Gardeners who volunteer to orchestrate planning and administrative duties for the CGMGA. The CGMGA membership votes to select members of the EC. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, 10am - noon on zoom. All Master Gardeners are welcome to join these meetings! Please email Anne Gehrig,

agehrig5@hotmail.com to request a zoom link

Each Master Gardener Association throughout the state has a Representative and an Alternate Representative who communicate news from each chapter to the Oregon Master Gardener Association.

The social part of the CGMGA has changed in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re excited to be able to hold our Association social events again! Last summer our popular Garden Visits resumed. Garden Visits are a tour of fellow Master Gardener’s gardens and landscape, offering a

social and learning experience. The Garden Visits take place once a month, June through September. Our annual Recognition Event in November is an opportunity to celebrate ourselves and recognize exceptional Master Gardeners.

CGMGA also holds quarterly meetings where we enjoy socializing, food, and an educational presentation, often from a fellow Master Gardener. We also have a short business meeting. In prepandemic years, the summer quarterly meeting has been a large outdoor potluck in the backyard of a fellow Master Gardener. Food was plentiful and family members were welcome to attend. Hopefully we can resume these soon.

If you still have questions, review pages 5 - 9 of your Hood River County Master Gardener Handbook, or ask a recertifying Master Gardener.

Margo Dameier Central Gorge Master Gardener Association, Member at Large