Minutes MGV Meeting July 9th 2020

• The July Master Gardener Volunteer virtual meeting took place via Zoom hosted by Lori Moff and Kristen Eisenhower and presided by Carol Smith and Pam Baytos. Carol started the meeting by leading us off with the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Eric commented about getting the Coffee with the Master Gardeners program back to operational via zoom .  If you are on the schedule for presenting a program Haley or Kristen will contact you and train you on using a Zoom presentation.
• Eric also commented on the newspaper’s Valley Grows section. We not only appear in the Youngstown Vindicator but we also are in the Warren Tribune.  We are getting help from writers in Trumbull and Portage county groups as well.  They are getting training through Haley and Kristen’s zoom workshops. The Valley Grows articles appear in the two newspapers every Monday and is two pages at this time. Eric asked Danita Davis if the Trumbull group voiced any interest at their last meeting regarding writing articles for the Valley Grows section of the newspapers. She thinks there is a lot of interest in doing so.
• Kristen reported on the Pest and Plant Clinic commenting that the committee has served 100 people so far this season with answers to gardening questions.
• Pam commented we are doing a few Zoom presentations for the Art in the Garden committee.
• Eric said the recognition banquet ‘could’ take place at the Extension Office, but perhaps we will have to switch it up to something outside. This will depend on any rules regarding OSU events and health department regulations. Any ideas on the subject would be appreciated. Lori asked anyone wanting to serve on the committee send her an email.
• Carol said that the Publicity Committee needs a chair person. If anyone is interested, contact Carol
• Kristen commented about Good Nature Garden Partners. They have been meeting every month via zoom after the seed/plant distribution earlier this summer. They have had presenters keeping up with the education for the group on gardening.
• Carol reported the Field Trip Committee needs a chairperson and members.
• Theresa commented on the Fellows Christmas Tree Committee. The Davis Center is not open yet and they usually do not get the tree until August.
• Marilyn reported there will be a virtual presentation of state awards at the State Conference this September. The state conference is virtual via zoom.
• Eric reported we have the exemptions for the Grounds Committee work. An email was sent to all MGVs. We can only have 10 members at a time work on the grounds with social distancing and no health check required. Check your email Eric sent for basic question about covid 19  that you must answered about yourself before you attend. Sheila Cubick might need some help with the pollinator garden. Contact her if you are interested. There are three gardens in Salem that can use some help if you are interested. One garden is in  Waterworth Memorial Park by the duck pond. The other 2 gardens are at the Ruth Smucker House and Burchfield Museum. They want to use these gardens for food pantries.  Contact Marilyn or Angie Keshock in Columbiana County office if you are interested.
• Eric reported that Wreathes for Veterans is still a go and should not be a problem. If interested in helping contact Mike Beaudis or Chester Kaschak. UPDATE – We have official approval to do this and will be in contact with details. Please work with the chairs if you are already a committee member. There may be some restrictions based on the event site. Details to come.
• Kary says the Junior Master Gardener Program is going well.  Dandelion detective kits have been ordered for each child. The kits deal with weeds in the yard that attract pollinators.  The group meets on Wednesdays at 5:30pm.  It is a 4-H after school program.
• Kristen reported that she and Haley will be offering another writing class on July 22nd in the evening.
• If any MGV is interested in doing a presentation for the Coffee Series, email her and she will put you on the list to be trained on Zoom. It is pretty simple to do. We will help you and provide support. Eric commented there are many opportunities to present programs using the internet that can be mentioned in the Valley Grow section.
• Nancy Brundage thanked the group for the beautiful cards and messages she received in sympathy for the loss of her husband George.
• The new class of master gardeners introduced themselves to the group. Several were on the call.
• Marilyn gave a reminder for mentors of master gardeners to keep in contact with their interns.
• Patty Basic asked about why white pine trees are dying. Eric responded saying we have had a lot of stress for shallow rooted evergreens the last few years, water stress by sitting in clay soil, not drying out till late September, high temperatures in May, and then no rain.  Eric will send out a message addressing the problem of watering during a drought.  The climatologist Aaron Wilson suggests that drought conditions will last around this area until late September. Look also for fungal pathogens by pulling off needles and bring them to the clinic.
• Theresa asked about a Japanese Beetle problem, Eric suggested picking them off because they are really lazy and put them in a bucket of soapy water.  However, the larvae will not survive these drought conditions to problems next year.
• Bill Snyder address the group by saying he should be back fairly soon.
• Carolyn asked if anyone would be interested in a field trip to a lavender farm near Wooster. If you are interested in going text her at 330 519 8323
• Lil told the group about going to Clara Miller’s at Perennial Post in Middlefield, It’s open Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:30pm, next meeting Thursday August 13th

Rick Patterson  Secretary  MGV

• The June Master Gardener Volunteer virtual meeting took place via Zoom hosted by Lori Moff and presided by Pam Baytos and Carol Smith.  Marilyn McKinley addressed the group giving information about her Zoom meeting with the State Advisory Board.  Intern MGVs still need 50 volunteer hours during the first 12 months after training. Training is not over yet. We will probably extend that time depending on the situation with the pandemic. Certified MGVs still need 10 hours of education and 20 hours of volunteering this year, but you can use education hours as volunteer hours if needed.
• Eric resubmitted exemptions under the Pollinator Research and Phenology Research with Sheila Cubick.  We are hoping we hear soon so we can help Mike Beaudis with OSU Grounds Committee work.  We also have the exemption to open the office. The office staff will have to do safety training and will be open by appointment only probably by Monday June 22nd. Will send out more information as the opening dated gets closer as to the exact date. Volunteers will not return at this time, except for the research exemptions. Details to come.
• Marilyn also reported that the state MGV program this year have put on 37 educational webinars and had an attendance of 13,450. There will be some opportunity for MGVs to participate in these webinars starting in November.  A pilot is being rolled out on hybrid training in November which means the training sessions can be online and in class with labs for next year. Marilyn has volunteered to work on this project with the state committee.  The state conference has been cancelled for this year as it will be online only.
• David, Kristen, and Stephanie reported they had about eight questions at the virtual Pest and Plant Clinic today.
• New MGV Interns attending the meeting were welcomed. Everyone is invited to participate!
• Eric reported that the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate said that fairs in the State of Ohio can go on as usual with some minimal social distancing and sanitary requirements. The State is giving $50,000 for safety precautions. We have the ability to social distance at our new location at the fairgrounds.  Eric will send out an email with more information about the Canfield Fair. We will do a survey to see if you are interested in volunteering at the fair.
• Pam brought up doing a virtual garden tour with our members.  You can take pictures of your gardens, make a video, or do it on zoom with a slide show.  If you are comfortable with an iPhone you could do it live and we could ask questions.  Eric suggested you could send your videos through the web sight “We Transfer” to improve the quality of the video before sending it to Eric.  Videos of your garden should be about (3) minutes long.
• Eric reported that the Valley Grows section of the newspaper will be featured on Mondays because it will be printed in the Vindicator and the Tribune as well.  Valley Grows is a very popular page, as noted by the Tribune staff. Kristen and Haley will be doing a one hour writing seminar for new writers.  First day of the Valley Grows page will be Monday June 22nd.  Please send Eric a message on your topic so as not to cause duplications.
• Eric said we will be doing another class on the Spotted Lantern Fly.  We have  found out that it likes to lay eggs on rusty surfaces and is in fact following the railroad tracks.  We will be doing a training session on safety and where to locate the Tree of Heaven, a preference for the Spotted Lantern Fly.  If interested you will observe the tree once a week to determine if any SLF are evident .  It will help farmers and foresters as well because of the stress the SLF puts on the grape industry.  We will be using an app to control the locations of The Tree of Heaven. Will send out instructions sheet on the app in you need help.
• Kristen announced they have gotten a donation for Good Nature Garden Partners and have shared the plants with the MGVs.
• Valeria posed a question on what to plant in place of a tree she took out. A lot of ideas were shared. Zinnias and Echinacea were some of the suggestions.
• Nancy reported seeing a coyote in broad daylight on a street in her neighborhood near the park.
• Lil reported trying netting to deter deer from eating her hosta and found that a new fence being put up in the neighborhood has broken the pattern of them feeding on her hosta.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 PM,  next meeting Thursday July 9th

Rick Patterson Secretary MGV

Master Gardener Volunteers Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020, Mahoning County

• The May Master Gardener Volunteer virtual meeting took place via Zoom hosted by
Lori Moff. Eric addressed the group by saying we are moving forward as much as we
can with the current restrictions on social distancing. We will have no in person
classes until after July 6.

• Drop off clinic questions and soil samples are being accepted at the Extension Office
by the back door of the office. This is a no-contact opportunity for soil testing.

• Co Presidents Carol Smith and Pam Baytos started the business portion of the
meeting by asking for reports on the various committee work.

• David Sprague reported on the Pest and Plant Clinic: We have had (2) virtual
sessions so far. The clinic is now open on Thursdays from 10am to 12:00 noon on
Zoom. It can be accessed at. http://go.osu.edu/virtualclinic.

• Peg Zeleznik reported on Hospitality and Garden Art: Some committee people are
continuing to produce garden art for sale when the Seminar does take place.

• Pam reported on the Canfield Fair: The Governor of Ohio says he hopes the County
Fair Associations we will find a way to run there Junior Fairs in Ohio. Eric
commented that we will wait till we hear from the Governor and fair after June 1.

• Pinky Steffen reported on Bring one Take One: She said it is scheduled in
September at the Extension office. Eric said if we can social distance and plan it in a
manner to keep people apart we can definitely do something, with limits on attendance.

• Marilyn McKinley reported on State Awards: Eric commented that we can take what
we have from David at the clinic and resubmit it. Lill asked if we can put people up for
some of these awards. Marilyn said this is for 2019. Eric said that submissions are
due on the 30th of this month.

• Theresa Harris reported on Local Flavor: Everything is on hold till July 6th. Eric
commented that Kristen put in an exemption form for dropping off plants, seeds and
information. Kristen commented that they will try something educationally taking it
virtually until we can meet in person. Theresa said she does not know anything about
the theme for the Christmas tree until August 31st.

• Eric said we are a go for getting back the Valley Grows Vindicator Page. We will be
looking for articles of about 450 words. Details will be confirmed in the next 2 weeks.

• Lori commented on Recognition Banquet: The date for it is December 3rd. The
banquet will be at the office, call Lori at if you want to volunteer to help.

• Stephanie Barkay volunteered to do a virtual Zoom presentation on Container
Gardening for the Columbiana Public Library on June 25th or July 16 at 2:00:pm

• Katy Shively commented on Junior Master Gardeners : They did terrariums in early
March and have been in communication with their parents since then.

• Mike Beaudis commented on OSU Extension office grounds: Eric has submitted an exemption request in order to get
approval to have multiple people work outside at the Extension Office.

• Mike also commented on Wreaths Across America: It will take place at the Vaughn
Cemetery in Lake Milton. The wreaths will be purchased at Tractor Supply.

• Pam and Eric talked about growing an extra row in your garden and donate it to the
local food bank. Need to get an approximate weight and let the office know who you
donated to and what you donated.

• Eric suggested several topics for the Valley Grows Vindicator Articles: Garden Art,
Growing Fruits and Vegetables, Gardening 101, Clinic Questions. Send a message to
Eric of your topic so as not to cause duplications.

• Stories of what MGVs are doing during this time: Marie started plants from seeds and
built a raised bed garden. Marilyn suggested a home garden drive by
tour. Patty showed all of her plants she started indoor under full spectrum grow lights
that are ready to be planted outdoors. Eric said there will be no more frost this year
according to the state level climatologist. Soil temperature will however be the
biggest challenge. Peggy signed up for the Ohio Bee Survey. Eric will send out
information on the Spotted Lantern Fly. Bessie commented on Liberty Township in
Bloom, showing her latest art project. Carolyn has been monitoring blue bird houses.
Danita went to an interesting oak wilt webinar by Davey Tree. Eric suggested going
to https://bygl.osu.edu for information on the Asian Hornet ( Murder Hornet ).

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm , next meeting Thursday June 11th

Rick Patterson Secretary MGV

MGV Monthly Meeting , February 13, 2020

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by President, Carol E. Smith who also led the pledge to the flag.

Marilyn McKinley introduced the program speakers, Meredith Konya, MD,physiatrist, and Matt Lorenzi, DPT.  They are with the Cleveland Clinic, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy.  They shared ways to keep ourselves healthy while gardening.

Business Items:

Al Leonhart gave an updated list to Pam for additional plates for the memory bench.  Additional names are being checked.

2020 Membership Year:  all MGVs are up to date and the new contact list will be emailed soon. You can pick up a hard copy at the OSU Extension office at any time.

MGV Training:

There are 18 trainees.  Mentors are needed, so please sign up.  All MGVs are encouraged to attend some of the classes.  Let office know if you are going to attend.

OCVN Training:

There are 17 in the new class.

Spring Seminar:

Will be held two days:  April 18^th and April 25^th at the Extension Office.  Both days will include a walk about the gardens on the property and a garden art topic (make and take).  The classes for making a garden art project will be offered in the am or pm both days –  but the tickets for entry will specify morning or afternoon session to keep people from overcrowding sessions.  Hours will be from 9am to 3pm.  Cost will be $40 each day.  MGVs who work will be $10 to cover lunch. MGVs who are a speaker will be $0.  Topics for the two days will be April 18^th:  sustainable gardening; and April25th:  Laura Deeter’s topic will be “Good things in the Landscape.”

Please sign up for one or more of the subcommittees to help one or both of the days.

Committee Reports: All MGVs should now be signed-up to be on at least one committee. Eric is sending messages to all members who are not signed up to be sure they understand the committee requirement.

Clinic:  David Sprague reported that he will be introducing the new class to the Plant and Pest Clinic.  Clinic will be opened beginning April 1^st on Mondays and Thursdays from 9am to 12 noon.

Hospitality:  Rhonda Harris reporting for Peg Zeleznik asked sent sign-up sheets around for lunches for the MGV classes. MGVs must complete the “Occasional Quantity Cooks” training in order to provide home cooked food or can purchase food if you don’t have the state training.  (Training must be completed every three years). OSU staff and Peg will help you with whatever you need for the training.

Garden Art Series:  P. Zeleznik will chair this committee.  Anyone interested is encouraged to sign up for the committee. We promise it will be TONS of fun!!

Community Outreach:  Judy Rodkey is looking for speakers for Earth Day (let Judy  or Eric know if you can do this one) and for one of the garden clubs.  Contact Judy if interested in other opportunities. The OSUE office takes calls for garden talks, then contacts an MGV based on the topic. If you are willing to help – we can get you the info you need to do a simple show-and-tell talk with the kits Eric provides for us.

Save the Dates:

April 18^th is the 4-H Endowment Dinner and Fundraiser.

December 3^rd will be the Volunteer Dinner to be held at the extension office.

Marilyn McKinley let everyone know that our MGV Secretary, Rick Patterson had a detached retina with surgery and will be out for at least 8 weeks.  We wish him a successful surgery!

Respectfully submitted,

Becky Borman for Rick Patterson, secretary

OCVN Meeting – MAHONING COUNTY 1/27/20

Minutes

Introductions were made by those in attendance.  Attending were Nancy Brundage, BettyAnn Nagy, and Jim Thornton from the class of 2006, Sara Scudier (class of 2007) Stephanie Hughes (2013), and Ken Davis, Eileen Dray-Barton and Carol Truitt from the class of 2019. Eric Barrett was also in attendance. The guiding statement for OCVN’s was read by Eric Barrett.

There was a discussion on the entering of hours on the State Website. This is the responsibility of each OCVN.  There was no State News except that the 2020 Conference will be May 16 at the 4-H Center on the OSU Campus.  The 2020 Training class has 17 trainees.  The first class was held 1/25/20 at Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center.

The Naturalist Services in partnership with Mill Creek MetroPark was coordinated by Sara Scudier. The schedule is:

3/31 Tree Communication                                           Enrico Bonello   6:30 pm TBA (location)

4/23 Reaching Your Watershed Moment               Stephanie Dyer   6:30 -7:30 pm. Farm

5/19 Meet and Greet with Beloved Insects           Ashley Kulhanek  6:30 -8 pm.  Farm

7/24 Wildlife Sampler                                                    Marne Tichenell   6:30-8pm  Farm

9/24 Unusual Backyard Birds                                       Judy Semroc       6:30-8pm.       Farm

There was also discussion on a potential seminar in Summer or Fall focused on Nature/Wildlife/Water. Possible topics mentioned were birds, edible plants, and mammals of Ohio. The date will be September 12, at the OSU Extension Event Center in Canfield.

On March 23rd there will be a Nature Roundtable with organizations that have volunteers.  It will be from 7 to 8:30 pm at the office.

The Master Gardener-OCVN banquet will be held at the OSU Extension Event Center. Date will be announced soon.

In June or July there will be a Park Tour and Ice Cream; and August a tour of Berlin Lake Dam ( Jim Thornton), a coordinator/communications person is needed, Secretary Nancy Brundage, Public Programs (in partnership with park) Sara Scudier, Meetings and Special Events Jim Thornton and Hugh Earnhart, Training Sheila Cubick, Katie Shipka, Stephanie Hughes; Fair Booth Nancy Brundage, Eileen Dray-Barton, Stephanie Hughes and Banquet Stephanie Hughes and Carol Truitt.

Eric Barrett said we are still working on getting Valley Grows back into the new Vindicator.

Following the meeting which adjourned at 8:30 pm we were shown the new space now available at the office.

Nancy Brundage, Secretary

Greetings –

Thanks for your interest in curriculum materials for hydrangeas! Below are the links to information to assist you in teaching hydrangea programs to the public. Many items can be edited to meet the needs of clientele in different zones and conditions.

Hydrangea Chart – Hydrangea-Chart-2019

Hydrangea Chart in Word for Editing – Hydrangea-Chart-2019 – For Educators

Hydrangea Factsheet – http://go.osu.edu/hydrangeafacts

Hydrangea PowerPoint Handouts – http://go.osu.edu/totallybeautiful

Hydrangea Activities & Kit for Teaching – Hydrangea Activity 2019

Hydrangea Evaluation in Word – Hydrangea Evaluation 2019

To get a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation, please send an email to barrett.90@osu.edu

Every gardener wants year-round interest in the landscape. Annuals are tough work. Spring blooming shrubs are nice, but they sure don’t last long! The solution? Making a plan. Don’t just expect year round interest – make it happen! All it takes is one piece of paper and your understanding of what blooms in your landscape, when and how long.

Download this PDF with information and a blank chart you can use for your garden.

Bloom Chart 2018-09-1de1bff

Greetings –

Mahoning County is happy to share information to help others establish, maintain or improve a county-based plant and pest diagnostic clinic. Below are sample forms and information to download:

Sample Diagnostic Form – 2018 – PPDC New Branding form FILLABLE-1mwumjm

Sample Soil Testing Form & Sampling Instructions –2018 – Combined Soil test form and instructions-2g8l21t

Sample “When you get your test results back” Directions (self interpretation) – When You Get Your Test Back Directions-rdm2h1

Example slides from a basic clinic training – PPDC – How to answer questions-1q3hvzk

For more information, contact Eric Barrett, barrett.90@osu.edu, 330-533-5538

Through years of research in Clark County, Ohio, our state Master Gardener Coordinator Pam Bennett has developed a list of the best perennials for your garden.

Print the list to take to the garden center, or use for browsing plants on the internet to choose what you’ll plant this spring!

Pam’s List of Perennials 

Dealing with the Modern Day Bambi: Managing Deer Around the Home

Many might find it hard to believe that at one time in our state’s history, white-tailed deer were non-existent. Nowadays, deer can be found in every county in Ohio, and in many habitats including backyards. Homeowners, landscape-enthusiasts, and gardeners are often faced with the task of protecting their plants from deer. In this program, we will discuss Ohio’s largest herbivore – its life history, biology, and the strategies homeowners can take to lessen and prevent deer damage.

You can print the flyer for this program here: 2017-09 – Dealing with Bambi-2gn1yld