Iowa State University Extension Master Gardeners
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Midwest MG Conference
MG in 2013
Youth Grants
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April 2012     Volume 3     No. 4
Monica David, statewide MG Coordinator in Illinois, is offering a gardening trip to Spain this summer. Iowa MGs are invited to join them, although space is limited. Also, here are some highlights from the famous Siouxland Garden Show, just held March 16th and 17th. Happy Gardening! -Jen
2012 Upper Midwest MG Conference

Every two years, the Upper Midwest Regional Master Gardener Conference is hosted by WI, IL, IA, or MN. In 2012, it's our turn here in Minnesota, and we are excited and proud to be hosting the conference at the world-renowned Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

 

The conference will also feature a vendor fair, a silent auction with proceeds going toward the Jr. Master Gardener program in Minnesota, book signings, Minnesota Wine Opening Reception and a Minnesota Buffet Banquet featuring speaker Dr. Ed Schneider, Arboretum director.

 

The class sessions are diverse and exciting and focused around research in the Midwest! Some are classroom-based, some hands-on, some a little of both. Registration is now open. We hope you'll join us!

MN MG Conf

-Julie Weisenhorn, State MG Director, University of Minnesota
MG Requirements Next Year

Late last year the MG statewide staff and MG Advisory Committee agreed to increase the number of volunteer hours required to maintain active status in the Iowa MG program. Therefore, starting in 2013, the MG Volunteer Hours requirement will increase from 6 hours per year to 12 hours per year. Some counties are already above the 6 hours currently required. By the end of 2013 all active MGs must complete at least 12 hours of volunteer service. The MG Educational Hours will not change from the current 6 hours required annually. This should not be a change for most Iowa MGs as the average number of hours volunteered by MGs in 2011 was 25 hours.  

Youth Grants Received

Early this year an opportunity for MGs to partner with 4-H youth became available through a grant process. Congratulations to MG partners in Jasper, Warren, Poweshiek, Mahaska, Henry, Buchanan, Clarke, Delaware, Allamakee, Boone, and Johnson Counties! Please see a note below celebrating the Johnson County 4-H and MG team.   

 

Grant

Walmart has funded the "4-H Youth Choice Community Partner Program" in Johnson County which is a partnership between the Iowa City Community School District and Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Johnson County with our MG and 4-H programs. The $1000 grant will assist the Kirkwood and Grantwood Elementary Schools establish a garden education program to educate youth about how to grow their own food, learn about healthy food choices, explore science and environmental topics and sample the foods that they grow.  Pictured (l-r) are Autumn Allen, Kirkwood Elementary School Garden Coordinator, Heather Widmayer, ICCSD Farm to School Coordinator and Bob Oppliger, Johnson County MG.

 

-Gene Mohling, Regional Extension Education Director

Iowa Apple Cultivars Available

Hard-to-find apple cultivars, Chieftain and the Original Red Delicious, which are only locally available in Iowa, can be preordered now for delivery in early 2014. Place order in multiples of 10 only by the middle of August through  Duane E. Mann, 1210 Normal Street, Woodbine, IA 51579  Phone: 712-647-2950 or Email: duane_mann@hotmail.com

Upcoming Events
What: From Plant to Plate: Growing and Using Herbs
When: Sunday, April 1, 2:30-5pm
Where: Iowa City Public Library
Who: Project GREEN and the Iowa City Public Library
Price: free and open to the public

What: Lawncare Basics

When: Monday, April 2, 7pm

Where: Glenwood Resource Center

Who: Mills County MGs

 

What: A Smithsonian National Heritage Garden   

When: Monday, April 2, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Kirkwood Community College - Cedar Hall, Room 234

Who: Linn County MGs  

Price: free and open to the public 

 

What: Greenhouse Transplant Production Workshop 

When: Saturday, April 7 

Where: 118 Horticulture Hall, Ames, IA

Who: Ajay Nair, ISU Extension and Horticulture Dept

Price: $15 before April 1st, $20 after 

 

What: Rain Barrels & More

When: Saturday, April 7, 10:30am-noon

Where:  Marion County Extension Office, Knoxville, IA

Who: Marion County MGs & Extension

Price: free 

 

What: Perennials for the Home Landscape 

When: Wednesday, April 11 at 12noon  

Where: Western Iowa Tech Community College

Who: Cherokee County MGs 

Price: $6 

  

What: Roses for Iowa  

When: Wednesday, April 11, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Kirkwood Community College - Cedar Hall, Room 234

Who: Linn County MGs  

Price: free and open to the public

 

What: Making More Plants

When: Thursday, April 12 

Where: Hamilton County Extension, Webster City, IA 

Who: Hamilton County MGs, yvonne@iastate.edu

 

What: Grapes in the Midwest

When: Thursday, April 12 at 6:30pm 

Where: Monroe County Extension in Albia, IA

Who: Monroe County MGs

Price: free and open to the public 

 

What: Knoxville Federated Garden Club's Garden Gala
When: Saturday, April 14, 8:30 - 3:30 PM
Where: Marion County Fairgrounds
Who: Knoxville Federated Garden Club
Price: $35 (includes lunch)

 

What: Garden Extravaganza  

When: Saturday, April 14, 9am-2pm  

Where: Expo Center, Pocahontas Fairgrounds

Who: Pocahontas County Extension and MGs

 

What: Spring Fever Symposium   

When: Saturday, April 14

Where: Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, IA

Who: Iowa Arboretum presents Roy Klehm  

Price: $45 for members, $55 for non members

  

What: Beginning Gardening 101

When: Saturday, April 14

Where: Buchanan County, Independence

Who: Buchanan County Extension, sherrets@iastate.edu 

Price: $12   

 

What: Beginning Gardening 101 

When: Sunday, April 15

Where: Black Hawk County, Waterloo

Who: Black Hawk County Extension, fosterbd@iastate.edu

 

What: Native Landscaping/New Plants Available  

When: Monday, April 16 at 7pm

Where: Glenwood Resource Center

Who: Mills County MGs

 

What: Down Peony Lane 

When: Monday, April 16, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Kirkwood Community College - Cedar Hall, Room 234

Who: Linn County MGs  

Price: free and open to the public

 

What: Winter Program Class: Garden Tour and Plant Sale

When: Thursday, April 19 at 7pm

Where: Polk County Extension Office, Altoona, IA

Who: Polk County MGs

 

What: Spring Garden Seminar

When: Saturday, April 21, 8:30am-3pm 

Where: Atlantic High School  

Who: Cass County MGs

Price: $35 

 

What: Making More Plants Propagation Program

When: Tuesday, April 24, 6:30pm 

Where: Humbolt County Extension Office  

Who: Humbolt County MGs

Other: to register, call Kim at 515-332-2201 

 

What: 5th Annual Nursery Hop Bus Trip  

When: Thursday, April 26

Where: Des Moines area garden center stops

Who: Hamilton County MGs, yvonne@iastate.edu  

Price: $45, registration required   

 

What: Herb Gardening 

When: Saturday, April 28, 10:30am-noon 

Where:  Marion County Extension Office, Knoxville, IA 

Who: Marion County MGs & Extension

Price: free   

 

What: Garden Workshop

When: Saturday, April 28

Where: 5031 N. Marion Rd., Central City, IA 

Who: Linn County MGs

Price: free, register 319-377-9839 or benesh1@iastate.edu    

What: Des Moines County MG Plant Sale

When: Saturday, May 5, 9am-2pm 

Where: 6009 108th Ave, Burlington, IA 

Who: Des Moines County MGs

 

What: Cass County MG Plant Sale

When: Saturday, May 5

Where: Cass County Extension Office

Who: Cass County MGs 

 

What: Polk County MG Plant Sale

When: May 5-6

Where: Des Moines Botanical Center

Who: Polk County MGs

 

What: Story County MG Plant Sale

When: Saturday, May 12

Where: Reiman Gardens

Who: Story County MGs 

 

What: Allamakee MG Annual Plant Sale

When: Saturday, May 19, 8am-1pm

Where: Allamakee Co. Fairgrounds, 705 Allamakee St., Waukon

Who: Allamakee County MGs

 

What: Garden Rendezvous 
When: Sunday, June 3, 10am-5pm 

Where: 1615 Davis Ave. Nichols Iowa  

Who: Members of the American Conifer Society   

Price: $10 if eating lunch, register by May 15th  

 

What: Upper Midwest MG Conference

When: July 19-21  

Where: UMN Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, MN  

Who: Minnesota MGs

Price: $165 for all three days, less for single days  

 

What: MG Summer Session!

When: Saturday, August 25th  

Where: ISU Campus, Ames

Who: statewide MG program

Price: $50 

 

Do you know of another opportunity? Email Jen. Thanks. 

Image of the Month - April
cerro gordo
Cerro Gordo County MGs Jane Flowers, Annie Flowers, Rich Lloyd, and Audrey Huff at the North Iowa Home Improvement and Landscaping Show in March. 
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Header Image Credit: Dr. Cynthia Haynes, Department of Horticulture, ISU