Here are details on the latest, hottest News and upcoming Volunteer & Education Opportunities for your Gardening interests! Use the BCMG Master Calendar to find more information on upcoming Classes and Seminars, Volunteer Opportunities, and Gardening Events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
Office Closures
Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar County Master Gardeners offices will be closed for the Holidays: Monday, Dec 26 and Monday, Jan 2.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Bexar County Horticulture Program and staff wish the entire BCMG Membership the Merriest Christmas.
Still Looking for BCMG Apparel Sales Assistance
Looking for one MG (or more) to handle apparel sales at our afternoon Education Seminars/Meetings. Our Apparel Manager, Robbie Farmer, is employed full-time now and is not available for our daytime meetings. Tasks include getting samples out of the cabinet, arranging the display, taking orders and payment, returning clothing samples to the cabinet, and providing the funds to either President Jack Downey or Carol Law, Office Manager. Email Jack or Robbie Farmer or call Robbie, 210-238-7134, for more information, or to volunteer!
POST your hours in the VMS now, PLEASE!
No extension past December 31 for recording Volunteer and CEU hours in order to meet your minimum BCMG membership requirement.
Get Ready to Rodeo! (Rodeo Volunteer Sign-Up, Meeting & Presentation)
When: Thu, Jan 19, 6-8:30pm
Where: 3355 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio, TX, 78230
Info: Meeting begins with a social time at 6pm followed by meeting at 6:30pm. For information, email Jack Downey, BCMG President, or call 210-699-0663.
Techies or Wanna-Be Techies! Join the BCMG Communications Team
Call for MGs with Website Experience or Interest: get involved with improving and coordinating the BCMG website!
Need MGs with Marketing/Publicity Experience or Interest: help promote the BCMG organization.
Please email Jack Downey or Ann Marie Pease for details, or to volunteer! Our Communications Team members work on the e-Blast, Calendar, Scion Newsletter, FaceBook Group, Website and Publicity.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Sign-Ups for all Volunteer Events can now be accomplished online using the Event Calendar in the Volunteer Management System (VMS). You will find the number of volunteers still needed & who has signed up, Project Code (for reporting your hours) and you can even request an event reminder!
Tex Hill Middle School Stronger Together Wellness Fair
When: Fri, Mar 24, 4-7:30pm (actual time of event 5-7pm)
Where: Tex Hill Middle School 21314 Bulverde Rd, 78259
Info: Two volunteers needed to set up a booth and talk to attendees about Master Gardeners and the benefits of gardening. AgriLife will provide a tablecloth and promotional material. If you are interested in this promotional opportunity, please email Ruby Zavala before Jan 2nd to finalize the date.
Assistance @ Fruit Tree Seminar
When: Sat, Jan 14, 10:15am to Noon
Where: Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78247
Info: David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist will present this seminar and needs two volunteers to help with check-in and handouts. Also, you can earn 1.5 CEUs; Code 001. Email Angel Torres-Luna if you can help out! Vol Code 950b.
Spring Youth Garden Educator Trg
When: Sat, Feb 4, 8am-2:30pm
Where: Phil Hardberger Park, West Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military Highway, San Antonio, TX 78231
Info: 20 volunteers are needed to assist with this training event. If you have questions, email Ruby Zavala, Youth Gardens Coordinator. Vol Code 980e.
Speakers Podium
We now have an easier way to check out speaking opportunities! Head over to the BCMG webpage for a look at the Speakers Schedule. Here’s the direct link to the Schedule! If you see RED, that means we need your help. Please email Karen Gardner or call 210-571-3903 if you can help. It’s a great way to knock out your volunteer hours!
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Farmers & Gardeners Organic Conference
When: Thu-Fri, Jan 12-14, Hours Vary
Where: Mesquite Convention Center, 1700 Rodeo Dr, Mesquite, Texas 75149
Info: Hundreds of farmers, farm supporters, and gardening enthusiasts are expected to attend from all over Texas to share ideas, network, build community, and have fun! Early Bird Discount thru Dec 15th. Get all the details at the Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association website. CEUs vary; Code 002.
Fruit Tree Seminar
When: Sat, Jan 14, 10:30am to Noon
Where: Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78247
Info: Whether you want to plant one fruit tree or an orchard, learn the basic steps of selecting appropriate tree species, how to properly plant them, how to train and manage these trees as well as harvesting and general overall maintenance. David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist will present this wonderful seminar. 1.5 CEUs; Code 001.
Annual Fruit Tree Seminar
When: Sat, Jan 21, 9am to Noon
Where: Fanick’s Garden Center Inc., 1025 Holmgreen Rd, San Antonio, TX 78220
Info: Dr. Larry Stein from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will show you how to properly select, plant, prune and maintain fruit and nut trees for maximum production. 3 CEUs; Code 001. For more information, visit Fanick’s website.
Home Fruit Tree Seminar
When: Wed, Jan 25, 7-8:30pm
Where: Blue Star Brewing Company, 1414 Alamo St, Suite 105, 78210
Info: Learn how to grown your own fruit trees for better eating enjoyment. Presented by David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Ext Svc Horticulturist. 1.5 CEUs; Code 001.
Roses for 2017
When: Thu, Feb 16, 1–3pm
Where: 3355 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio, TX, 78230
Info: Free. Bexar County Master Gardner (BCMG) Educational Seminars/General Meetings are held on the afternoon of the third Thursday every other month. Rosarian Ed Bradley will share his expertise his wealth of knowledge on growing roses in San Antonio. For more information contact BCMG President: President@bexarmg.org, or call 210-699-0663. 2 CEUs: Code 003.
Landscape Design School, Course II (register now for reduced fee)
When: Mon-Tue, Feb 27-28
Where: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX 77845
Info: Learn from professional landscape architects and horticulturists about how successful landscapes are designed. This is one of four different courses which can be taken in any sequence. Master Gardeners may receive designation as a Landscape Design Steward upon completing all four. Registration fee: $145 by Jan 31 and $165 after. See attachments at the MG Calendar, and for questions, contact Michele Wehrheim or call (313) 649-1067. 12 CEUs: Code 001.
MASTER GARDENER SPECIALIST COURSES IN 2017
If you are interesting in attending, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Home Fruit Specialist- Southern Texas, Feb 9-10, Gonzales – See MG Calendar!
Rainwater Harvesting Specialist, Apr 10-12, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
Vegetable Specialist, Oct 17-19, Bexar County MGs, San Antonio
AND, CHECK THIS OUT!
Monarch Research Training & Participation
When: Sat, Jan 21, 10am-Noon and Sat, Jan 28, 10am-Noon
Where: San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston, 78209
Register for free training classes and to participate in scientific research in action! Earn up to 4 CEUs and 6 volunteer hours. Learn about spring migration of Monarch butterflies to Mexico. Measure monarchs and collect data for the Monarch Larval Monitoring Project. The Alamo Area Monarch Collaborative is developing a Monarch Conservation Plan for the San Antonio area to satisfy requirements for the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge by establishing regularly scheduled citizen-science training at a centralized location. Following training, these citizen scientists will monitor monarch butterflies at one of these sites 3 times: San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio Riverwalk, and other locations in the SA urban area. Work will support international monarch research programs: Journey North, Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, and Project Monarch Health. Overwintering monarchs have been monitored along the San Antonio River, at the SA Zoo, and at the SABOT by local citizen scientists for the last 6 years and results of the studies can be seen at the three program websites. For more information, email Emma Trester-Wilson, Family and Adult Education Program Specialist at SABOT.
Dinner Tonight
A great way to help keep Santa slim: Soft Pumpkin Spice Drops!
Tis the Season for Holidays in Bloom at the San Antonio Botanical Garden!
Enjoy seasonal displays that include hundreds of poinsettias, wreaths and red bows throughout the Garden. Now thru December 31st.
In Case You Missed It!
Thank You to All Who Helped Make the Fall 2016 CVGP a Grand Success!
And, spread the word and mark your calendar to volunteer! Dates for the Spring 2017 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (CVGP) have been announced: Saturday mornings, February 18- June 3 from 8:00 am – Noon. Detailed information on the Spring 2017 program as well as online registration is available at the SABOT website.
Evening Master Gardener Class in Schertz
Perhaps you know of someone who wants to be a Master Gardener, but can only attend an evening class. If so, please let them know of this opportunity. December 30 is the deadline to register for Guadalupe County Master Gardener training classes to be held Tuesday evenings 1/17/17 – 5/23/17 from 5:45-8:45 pm at the Schertz Civic Center. Email Cynthia Lyssy or call 210 275-3970. More information at the Guadalupe County Master Gardener website.
If You Could Not Attend Our Annual Party
Read the the MGs’ Week Before Christmas on our website!
Tell Your Family & Friends: Our Next MG Class is Set to Begin Wed, Feb 22, 2017
The Application and Class Schedule for BCMG Class #61 is now available on our website, along with all the details on how the program works and what to expect.
PLEASE NOTE: The email address associated with this e-Blast is only checked once a week. To volunteer or to sign up for a class, please use contacts provided. Thank you! If you no longer wish to receive e-Blasts from Bexar County Master Gardeners, please send an email to eBlasts@bexarmg.org with “Remove from Distribution List” in the subject line.
The post e-Blast–– Wed, Dec 21, 2016 appeared first on Bexar County Master Gardeners.