Steve M. Lucero, County Program Director Lynda Garvin Agriculture/Horticulture New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service U.S. Department of Agriculture NOV 2017 www.sandovalmastergardeners.org Sandoval County Master Gardeners Newsletter NOVEMBER President s Corner Lynda's Corner I would like to thank the members for voting to make me president for the coming year and look forward to working together. The following officers elected for two -year terms are: President: Julia Runyan Vice President: Jan Koehler Past President: Barbara Dawson Secretary: Collen Friel Treasurer: Johanna Johanson (continuing to serve until 20118-19 election) Members at Large: Sandra Fraley, Rebecca Pulford, Marianna O Sullivan, Charlene Spiegel, and Dudley Vines: Following Member at Large will server until 201819 election: Tom Nieman, Gailen Zody. We have very active events this year starting with the 2018 Intern Training class starting in January, and with the hosting of the 2018 Annual Statewide Master Garden Conference in August, and all our great community projects we volunteer for. It is my hope that all the membership will continue to support all our events this year and if you are not signed up for one to please do so. Julia Runyan President SCMG Board, 2017-2019 Sandoval County Extension P.O. Box 400 Bernalillo, NM 87004 Ph: 505-867-2582 Email: sandoval@nmsu.edu www.sandovalmastergardeners.org The first week of October I was fortunate to attend a 5- day intensive Seed Saving Teacher Training through the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance in Denver. Amy Upperman, the Sandoval County Seed Library co-chair, also attended. I m sure she will agree that it was an amazing experience. I am inspired and awed by seeds. As a result of the workshop know a lot more about seeds and have a few more tools in the toolbox to develop seed saving classes and workshops to take us further along our seed saving journey. One class will focus on seed saving with intention. How do you choose and then select for specific characteristics, or traits, in your vegetables and flowers to create your own unique varieties? Varietal selection through seed saving is the best way to develop plants adapted to the changing climate, erratic weather patterns, soil conditions, pests, diseases, and limited water. Is there a new vegetable variety with your name on it? I will also be working with the Desert Oasis Teaching garden to offer an in depth and hands-on seed saving training. Watch for it. During the first evening of Seed Saving Teacher Training we were asked to present something related to seeds in 3 minutes. This is what I wrote and presented. Why create your own seed legacy? Seeds tell the stories of our journey on this planet. They embody our relationship with Mother Earth: the soil, the plants, the animals, the weather, the water. They reflect our connection to our families, our communities, and the world at large. They are unlimited potential waiting to express and adapt to the ever changing environment. They are the mirror of our humanity and all that is enduring. They are the creation story moving forward in time. They are us. SCMG Newsletter Submissions Deadline: 21st of each month Please submit news, articles, events and photographs to: scmgnewsletter@gmail.com Editor: Jannetta Lamourt-Dodson
SCMG FALL 2017 Classes Here are the upcoming classes sponsored by the Sandoval County Master Gardeners: November 7th 7-8:30pm Sustainable Gardens, Sustainable Stories, Panel of speakers December 5th 7-8:30p Planning your Vegetable Garden with Loren Meinz December 19th 1-3:30pm Composting with Worms with Mel Chavez November 8th 1-4pm Sandoval County Extension Office 711 S. Camino del Pueblo Bernalillo Cover Crops with Bernadette Cooney / Fall Garden Prep with Kathy Ellis November 21th 1:30-3pm Building and Using Cold Frames with Dr. Curtis Smith Southwest Plant of the Month Beargrass Nolina spp. Plant Form: Shrub Plant Size: 8 x 5 Plant Type: Evergreen Water Usage: Low Sunlight: Sun Colors: White Physical Description Numerous, coarse, narrow, grass-like leaves up to 3' long, arch stiffly from a central bulbous base or trunk. Short woody flower stalks emerge from center of foliage mound with numerous tiny creamy, white flowers followed by small round seeds. Leaf tips and upper margins sometimes fiberous. Care and Maintenance Leaf edges are minutely serrated on some species and may cut. Spent flower stalks must be pruned to maintain neat appearance. Gardener's notes Tidy fountain-like clumps are produced by El Paso area natives, N. texana and N. microcarpa. West Texas native, N. erumpens, and Arizona's N. bigelovii, produce short trunks. All are occasionally available in nurseries. Southwest Plant of the Month material courtesy of NMSU ACES http://desertblooms.nmsu.edu/plantadvisor/
2018 New Mexico Master Gardener Conference August 31st to September 2nd, 2018 Place: The Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid Hotel Theme: Sustainability, Don t Fight Mother Nature - Work with Her! You don t want to miss it! There will high-powered experts to teach seminars and lead hands-on classes on topics that are crucial in these times of climate change. Some examples: Growing zone changes Edible seeds and plants Seed-saving techniques Pollinator gardens Xeric landscaping Noted author and southwest gardening expert Judith Phillips and landscape architect and author Baker Morrow, are just a few of the specialists who will present at this Conference. In addition, there will social events, such as a Welcome Reception on Friday night (included in your registration fee) and an optional Saturday dinner at a local vineyard. A silent auction that also includes a quilt raffle will take place during the conference. Several special interest tours will be offered on Sunday morning, including the Rio Rancho Water Wise Garden and the Seed2Need Garden. You can register NOW for the 2018 New Mexico Master Gardener Conference. Early registration is from 10/21/2017 to 2/28/2018 and is only open to Master Gardeners. Space is limited, Register Early! http://nmmgcon2018.org/register/ We are pleased to offer the Marriott Pyramid North as our official conference site and hotel. Book your rooms early, only 30 rooms are available at a special block rate. To Book your room: http://nmmgcon2018.org/lodging/ To find out more about Conference, check out our website: http://nmmgcon2018.org More information will be added as details become available! The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and extension programs. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the US Department of Agriculture cooperating. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the classes, please call in advance (505) 867-2582.
A Message from your Membership Committee: Did you report your SCMG Hours? Have you paid for your 2017-2018 Dues? Members have until December 31, 2017, to report their volunteer hours to remain active. The SCMG Treasurer is now accepting dues for 2017-2018. The deadline for paying the $15 dues to remain on the ACTIVE list is also December 31, 2017. You may pay online via the SCMG website (PayPal button), or mail your check to the SCMG Treasurer:Johanna Johanson 48 Camino De Los Desmontes RECYCLE!!! We are emphasizing environmental awareness in our SCMG programs, and saving money where we can in our program endeavors. We are asking all members who still have their lanyards and thumb drives and who are not using them- to return them to SCMG. This will help with expenses for the intern classes in the future. Thank YOU! Do you have friends or family interested in becoming a Master Gardener? We are now taking applications for the Extension Master Gardener Program for Sandoval County. Pass this information along! How to Become a Master Gardener To be certified as a Sandoval County Master Gardener, you must successfully complete the 15-week Master Gardener Classes offered each winter-spring and complete a 30- hour internship that includes 10 hours of public outreach activity and 20 hours of other community service activities. Certified Master Gardeners must volunteer at least 40 hours each year, of which at least 10 hours must be earned in continuing education classes each year to retain their certification. The classes meet every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from January 16, 2018 until April 24, 2018. The cost of $175 covers the course and class materials. Course instructors include New Mexico State University Extension Specialists, certified Master Gardeners and other regional horticultural experts. Application for Extension Master Gardener Program: Fill out and submit your on line application here. Please read the registration information below before completing the application. Applications are accepted August through December 15th.
CALENDAR NOVEMBER 4 Home Composting Basics- J. Zarola 1pm 7 Rio Rancho Tree Stewards 4 pm Gardening with the Masters - 7pm 8 Urban Horticulture Class 1pm 21 Gardening with the Masters 1:30pm SCMG Newsletter Articles Due by 6 pm DECEMBER 5 Rio Rancho Tree Stewards 4 pm Gardening with the Masters - 7pm 19 Composting with Worms-Mel Chavez 1:30pm 17 Gardening with the Masters 1:30pm 21 SCMG Newsletter Articles Due by 6 pm For a full explanation of the what, when and who on these Calendar items, please visit our website FUNNY ZONE CONGRATULATIONS NEW SCMG BOARD OFFICERS For more gardening and class information call the Sandoval County Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Program at (505)867-2582 or visit www.sandovalmastergardeners.org The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and extension programs. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the US Department of Agriculture cooperating.