CMGA General Info

The San Francisco Peaks as seen from Timberline 5 miles northeast of Flagstaff.
Photo by Cindy Murray.

Welcome to the Coconino County Master Gardeners Association blog. The mission of the Master Gardener Program is to create a corps of well-informed volunteers, and to deliver quality horticultural education programs adapted to our regional high elevation environment. The purpose of the association is to provide support for those volunteers and Master Gardener graduates, continuing education, and opportunities to participate in community programs that increase the visibility and participation in the Master Gardener Program.
The Coconino Master Gardener Association (2009) began in 2009. This blog contains information on:
-How to become a member
-Volunteer and Education hours reporting
-Calendar of Events
-General gardening information articles
-Master Gardener Association Documents and forms
-References and Resources
-Interesting Websites and Blogs
-Old Gardening Etcetera columns
-Recipes
-Book Reviews
-How to contact Board or Committee Members
Meetings are held monthly on the 2nd Thursday from 600pm - 8;30pm. We meet at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 1601 N. San Francisco. This includes continuing education and a business meeting.

Reporting Master Gardener Hours

All master gardener trainees and certified master gardeners need to report their hours.
Beginning in 2010 certified master gardeners need to have 6 Education hours and 12 Volunteer hours in order to maintain certification.The on line reporting system allows you to report Education or Volunteer hours. You can sign in to record hours in the right hand column under Recording Volunteer and Education Hours. Just click on the U. of A.
If you have any questions or concerns about the new reporting system, please contact Brenda Smith (A - M) or Sue Madden (N - Z). Their contacts are listed at the bottom of the blog under
Contacts.



Ideas for hours------
--Attend monthly meetings
--Work on an association committee
--Work at an informational booth for the Master Gardeners
--Be a speaker about gardening topics at a variety of venues

--Host a garden tour
--Work at a fundraising event (Plant Sale - Garden Tour).
--Work at a MG site (Olivia White Hospice, the Arboretum, Riordan Mansion, or school gardens (many others)). Check out the Assoc. Doc. & Forms under Volunteer Sites.
--Work in the Extension office
--Write an article for the newspaper column -Gardening Etcetera
-Volunteer with the Seed Library
Be creative! There are many ways to fulfill your hours. Just remember for volunteering it needs to be a non-profit endeavor or an approved for profit site.

Change in Contact Information

Have you moved or changed your e-mail address, but would still like to be contacted about high elevation gardening information from the Extension? The Coconino County Extension Master Gardener Program has a site that will let you change your information on-line.

Click here to change your contact information!

Event Calendar

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Fundamentals of Small-Scale Mushroom Production

What:      Workshop on Small Scale Mushroom Production
Who:       Dr. Berry Prior, Professor of Plant Sciences
                Thomas Plasse, Instructional Specialist, Pima County Extension
Where:    Coconino Public Health Build. (2625 N King St.)
When:     July 6, 2016, 1-5pm
Cost:       $20

Follow LINK for flyer

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Arboriculture Workshop at NAU

Arboriculture with Heightened Awareness

Date and Time:

Friday, July 15, 2016 ~ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Conference Description:

Join us for a packed day of education! You'll learn many different ways arborists can maintain tree health during climate change. We'll cover everything from low tech solutions for erosion control, passive water harvesting, the theory and practical application of structural pruning, and Aspen dieback. Basic components of arid soils including texture, structure and chemistry and how they relate to irrigation, fertilization and tree health will be discussed.

Agenda:

7:30 am Registration
8:00 am Welcome and Introductions
8:15 am Maintenance of Tree Health During Climate Change
Dr. Tom Klob, Professor of Forest Ecophysiology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
9:15 am Innovative, Low Tech Solutions for Erosion Control and Water Harvesting
Sandra Hurlbut, Senior Instructional Specialist, Water Wise Program, Sierra Vista, AZ
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Aspen Dieback and Decline, White Pine Blister Rust and Aspen and Willow Leaf Rust in High Elevations of the Southwest
Bob Celaya, Statewide Forest Health Specialist, Arizona State Forestry, Phoenix, AZ
11:30 am

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Plant Related Grants for 2016

Frrom Susan Holiday - Flagstaff Native Plant society

Hi AZ Native Plant Society, 
Thought you'd all appreciate this list of 44 plant-related research grants you can apply to this summer.
Please share with your colleagues if you think it would be useful to them.
Best,
Karen

Karen Lee
Research Operations



Friday, June 10, 2016

MNA - Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard Dedication


Please Join Us

Thursday, June 30, 2016
at the Museum of Northern Arizona

For a private dedication of the beautifully renovated Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard.
 
5:00 pm Refreshments

5:30 pm Remarks & Dedication

6:00 pm "Thirsty Thursday・ programming with live music by bluegrass group Heartwood

 RSVP ♦ Anne Franke

afranke@musnaz.org ♦ 928.774.5211, ext 227

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

CMGA Agenda 6/9

Coconino Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
Thursday, June 9 – 6:30pm
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco

6:30pm – 6:40pm             Welcome – Jim Mast
6:40pm – 6:45pm             Introduction of Speakers – Loni Shapiro
6:45pm – 7:45pm             Education:  Growing Roses at 7,000 FeetCarol Chicci
15 minute break
7:45pm– 8:00pm              Sorry, no refreshments as we will be in the sanctuary
Raffle Prize Drawing – $1 each or 6 for $5 - Must be present to win
8:00pm - 8:25pm              Business Meeting – Jim Mast
          MG Coordinator Happenings - Hattie Braun
          Financial report – Sherline Alexander
          Committee Reports:
          Volunteer Support – Crys Wells
          Fundraising – Sherline Alexander
          ·     Calendar
          ·     Garden Tour
          Continuing Education – Loni Shapiro
         ·     August:  Edible Local Native Plants – Sheila Murray
          MG Projects – Jackee Alston
          Blog – Loni Shapiro
          Historian – Tammy Valdovino
          Community Markets – Andrea Guerrette
8:25pm – 8:30pm             Gardening Questions? 

Next meeting:                  July 14:  The Gardens of Paris/France – Molly Larsen

Educational and Volunteer Opportunities from the blog (coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com)



Monday, June 6, 2016

CMGA 2016 Garden Grant Award Winners


2016 CMGA Grant Awardee Announcement

Congratulations to the following grant recipients for our 2016 grant cycle! Again this year we’ve beat all records and have awarded more money than we ever have as well as sponsored more projects than we have in the history of our organization. We’re pleased to see so much good being grown in our community!

1. Flagstaff Junior Academy Little Green Sprouts Program
Description: Water catchment and compost bin for existing beds.
Submitted by: Gina Lanzetta. Amount awarded: $235.15
 
 
2. Grow Flagstaff! Seed Library
Description: Printing/Packaging costs and a Word Press website.
Submitted by: Jackee Alston. Amount awarded: $260.00

3. Riordan Mansion
Description: Installation of a bird bath and new xeriscape plants with soil amendments.
Submitted by: Gilli Thomas and Debbie Stalvey. Amount awarded: $350.00


4. Camp Civitan
Description: Installation of an elk fence.
Submitted by: John Christ. Amount awarded: $359.70
 

 
5. Maine Consolidated School
Description: Solar panel set up for a water pump system.

Submitted by: Rebecca Cauthen and Rick Zink. Amount awarded: $415.00
 
 
6. Epiphany Episcopal Church Labyrinth Garden
Description: Installation of a trellis, tree, signage, and brochure for Biblical Garden.
Submitted by: Kathy Deasy. Amount awarded $275.00

7. Colton Community Garden
Description: Season extender project using Solexx.
Submitted by: Lissa Buyske. Amount awarded: $305.82
 

AZ Highland Celtic Festival - July 16 and 17


Arizona Highland Celtic Festival - July 16 & 17, 2016 - Foxglenn Park
Come be a part of the fun and share your experience and knowledge by participating in the educational volunteer opportunities at this amazing summertime event! For the past several years the annual Arizona Highland Celtic Festival event has featured an educational component in a tented area called the “Plants and Geology of Celtic Regions”. Plants and materials are graciously donated for the festival weekend by Viola’s Flower Garden and placards have been created that connect each plant and tree to various Celtic regions, stories, and legends. This year our goal is to feature energetic CMGA volunteers who can enhance and engage festival attendees through their knowledge and personal experience with the various plants as well as talk about gardening in Northern Arizona.  Your audience in the tent will range from youngsters to well-seasoned festival attendees so you can use your imagination, experience and have fun!
Here are the facts: This volunteer opportunity has been approved by the CMGA.
By volunteering for a shift at the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival you will receive a festival      t-shirt, name tag, and free admission to the festival for the day you are volunteering!
There are five time slots available for volunteering and yes, volunteering in pairs is ok and fun so invite your favorite friend to join you in this unique experience!
(No dogs are allowed inside the Festival grounds….sorry!)
Saturday July 16                                               Sunday July 17
900 am – 12:00 pm                                         9:00 am – 12:00 pm
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm                                         12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

You will be volunteering your time to the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society and your volunteer sign-up will be taken care of by contacting John Mead directly. John is the NACHS designated supervisor of the “Plants and Geology of Celtic Regions” tent. If you are interested or have any questions please contact John Mead:  928-707-0361 or email  john.pelon@gmail.com

For planning purposes we would like to hear from you before July 1st. Thank you for your interest and contribution to this great community we live in!!