NON-MGV Volunteer Opportunity

On the blog we seldom offer NON-MGV volunteer opportunities, but one came our way we felt  we should offer in case there is anyone among us who would like to work as a personal volunteer for the project.

Julie Hertel, Director at the Janesville Community Day Care Center is looking for a garden volunteer to rototill the Center's 180 square foot garden, and to subsequently help maintain the garden by weeding on a weekly basis.

This is the third year the Center is working the Farm-to-Preschool program in conjunction with the UWEX.  Each classroom incorporates garden curriculum into their weekly lesson plans so their students can have the opportunity to learn about gardening and nutrition.  The staff has realized that weeding is too difficult and time consuming for both staff and students.  Staff would like the students to focus more on the science, math and nutrition aspects of the project.  Therefore they will need help with site prep (rototilling) and maintenance (weeding).

Hertel said she would be grateful for any help anyone could give to this project.

For more information please contact Julie Hertel, Director, Janesville Community Day Care Center, Inc., 3103 Ruger Ave. Janesville, WI 53546.  Call Julie at 608-752-8035.

Please note:  the inclusion of this post was approved by state MGV Director Mike Maddox.  The hours spent assisting with this project would not be usable as MGV hours because they do not meet the criteria for MGVs as outlined in the Level 1 Wisconsin Master Gardener manual and because the JCDCC is a commercial enterprise.  However, anyone who wants to help can certainly donate their personal time to this project without wearing their MGV identification and without including their hours for annual certification.  

If you have any questions about how to determine what volunteer hours are eligible for use for annual certification check your copy of the Level 1 Master Gardener Manual.  If you no longer have your manual there is a copy available for reference at the UWEX office in the courthouse.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE FRIENDS - ROTARY EXTENDS DISCOUNT TO MGVs

Rotary Botanical Gardens is extending Friends Member discounts to Master Gardener Volunteers who attend its Evening Garden Seminars.  Programs are usually held the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Instead of paying $7, MGVs would only pay $5. 

Inspiration - The story of the UMass Permaculture Project

While looking through YouTube trying to find good continuing education videos, I found many. Small colleges and extension departments at universities and colleges all around the country have provided informational videos that have practical application for those of us seeking more educational resources. So, I bookmarked them to go back to later.

About an hour ago, however, I found one that stopped me in my tracks, soon found a second, and ultimately a third. I didn't just watch a couple minutes of each. I stayed and watched all three to the end, then moved on to their website. I realized this groundbreaking information must be shared with all my fellow master gardener volunteers. It's not only inspirational - or possible. It's happening - now. An entire campus dedicated to growing their own food.

Unless you've been living under a rock you have almost certainly heard of permaculture. Well, friends, here's the best advertisement for the practice I've found yet.

Click on the links in order, sit back, and be amazed.

Part 1/3 - Sheet Mulching and Soil Preparation: UMass Permaculture Documentary Series

Part 2/3 - Campus-Wide Design and Initial Planting Phase: UMass Permaculture Documentary Series

Part 3/3 - Growing a Model Sustainable Campus: UMass Permaculture Documentary Series

A second series highlights Ryan Harb who learned about permaculture while he was a student.  He is now a Sustainability Specialist for UMass.

Ryan Harb

Ryan Harb (Pt. 1/4) Permaculture Talk to UMass Amherst Botany for Gardens Class

Ryan Harb (Pt. 2/4) Permaculture Talk to UMass Amherst Botany for Gardens Class

Ryan Harb (Pt. 3/4) Permaculture Talk to UMass Amherst Botany for Gardens Class

Ryan Harb (Pt. 4/4) Permaculture Talk to UMass Amherst Botany for Gardens Class

For more information about this amazing project and the incredible people who achieved precisely what they set out to do visit their website at:

UMass Dining Permaculture

Project Opportunity - Edgerton Hospital Vegetable Gardens

For those of you still looking for volunteer opportunities Edgerton Hospital has a dual project that could make good use of your gardening expertise.  

For a second year the Edgerton Hospital Vegetable Garden Project will be providing fresh vegetables for patients.  Project coordinator Lisa Keehn is searching for MGVs who can share their expertise in the planning, planting and maintenance of vegetable gardens.  Emphasis will be on plantings scheduled to keep produce coming throughout the growing season.

Excess produce will be offered to area residents through a related community outreach project.  

For more information Keehn can be reached by email at  lkeehn@edgertonhospital.com, or by phone 608-884-1609.

Edgerton Hospital is located at 11101 N. Sherman Road, Edgerton, WI  53534-9989.

Volunteer Opportunity - Share your expertise at the Evansville Farmer's Market

Master Gardener Volunteer Marie Messinger is looking for volunteers to provide their expertise at the Evansville Farmer's Market. 

The market is held every Saturday at 102 Maple St. in downtown Evansville beginning Saturday, May 4 and continuing through the end of October. 

Marie especially needs help on May 25.

MGVs will be there to provide expertise on planning, planting and maintaining vegetable gardens.  There will be documentation available through the University of Wisconsin Extension.  

For more information contact MGV Marie Messenger at - 608-882-9032

Education Opportunity - The Buzz About Native Pollinators

May 15, 2013
The Buzz About Native Pollinators
Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville, WI

When discussing pollination, the non-native honey bee is often the first insect that comes to mind. However, out of the 500 different species of bees native to Wisconsin, many equal or surpass the honey bee's efficiency in pollinating crops and native plants. 

Hands down, bees are the most important pollinators, but there are others including butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, beetles and hummingbirds that play roles in food production for birds animals and people. Expert Dr. Hirsch will detail why homeowners and farmers need native pollinators, offer information on how to provide their preferred habitats and discuss the importance of their conservation in this class from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. $7 ($5 members). 

For more information or to register contact Kris Koch at (608) 752-3885 Ext. 17.

Note: Worth 2 CEUS.

Volunteer Opportunity - Edgerton Hospital Healing Gardens

Perennial Planting Volunteer Opportunity - 

Master Gardener Volunteer Cindy Leverenz is Coordinator for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Gardens.  She is offering Rock Prairie Master Gardeners a wonderful opportunity to earn volunteer hours and provide much needed hands to help plant perennials in the Healing Gardens. 

The project will begin at 2 pm on May 16.  Please bring any planting tools you may need (shovels, spades, gloves, etc.). 

For more information contact Cindy Leverenz at 608-884-6728.