CMGA General Info

Christmas Amaryllis with Orchid to the right. Below Ruth Benson's holiday bears.
Photo by Loni Shapiro.

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, September 8, 2022

Forestdale Farms Hiring

 

Farm Crew Team Member and Water/Compost Delivery Driver- Forestdale Farm (Flagstaff AZ)

Job Title: Farm Crew Team Member

Location: Forestdale Farm (Flagstaff, AZ. 5 miles from  downtown)

Terms: We are hiring two farm apprentices. $16 per hour to start for 600 hour farm apprenticeship.  Apprentices would likely have the opportunity to transition into full or part time work for next season as well.  20-40 hours per week

Pay: To start: $16/hour 

Benefits: Not benefit eligible

Apply by: ASAP

Start date: As soon as possible

About the Job:  Farm work would include all things related to growing organically (Bed prepping, planting, weeding, harvesting, preparing for markets, working markets, etc). The farm is a fast paced, demanding working environment--especially on harvest and market days. This role requires someone with physical strength, stamina, and focus/attention to detail.. We work together but many of the tasks are independent by nature. An ideal candidate will be able to learn quickly, accept and integrate instructions/feedback, be proactive, and have an attitude that supports teamwork and a positive work environment. The majority of the work is physical and in the outdoor elements in all weather conditions. Winter work would involve farm infrastructure projects and prep for next season.  Although the work can be demanding it is very rewarding for the right person!

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Worm Composting at Willow Bend

 

Worm Composting 

ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT! Join Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, in partnership with the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Section, for a FREE family focused workshop that's all about worms! Workshop will be held on Monday, September 19th from 5-6PM. Explore the world of red wigglers as we cover worm anatomy, ecology, diet, and discuss how vermicompost is made. Participants will learn how to build and maintain their own worm compost bin and take their new worm farm home to compost all of their food scraps (optional). Program is sponsored by the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Section, but spots are limited and registration required. Sign up on our website.

Thursday, September 1, 2022

News from the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance

 

Donate Seed School Seed Social Seed Steward/Seed Library/Grain Directories Contact
         
Seedy News Rooted in the Rocky Mountains

eNewsletter for September 1, 2022

 
Inspiring and Educating Farmers & Gardeners to Become Seed Savers
 
   
TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW ORGANIZATION

As seed keepers, we witness the incredible results of cross-pollination often. Sometimes, we intentionally co-create in these processes yielding more biodiverse, climate-adapted, and culturally relevant crops. Sometimes they happen by surprise, sharing endless possibilities we never would have imagined. 

Organizations are no different. 

Over the past several months, we’ve been sharing the story of the changes happening here at RMSA. Since January, we have an almost entirely new board and staff. As we share our wisdom, perspectives, skills, strengths, and struggles with one another, we are intentionally cross-pollinating this organization we have chosen to steward.

While from the outside it may seem quiet, trust that we are very busy on the inside, just as the plants are when they move from flower to fruit to seed. In time with the seasons, we are looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor with you! 

In the coming months, you can expect to see big things from us. We will be releasing a new name and mission and vision statements along with refined areas of focus. We believe the results of this cross-pollination will be a stronger and healthier organization that can deeply serve the needs of seed keepers and food growers. 

Seeds remain the heart of what we do! We would love to hear more from YOU to help us sculpt these changes.

The purpose of this survey is to collect information on the challenges and issues that current and aspiring food growers and seed savers face to help inform the direction of our evolving organization.