ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST THING FOR YOUR JANUARY 2019 CALENDAR: BCMG January Rodeo Kick-Off Speaker & Meeting on Thu, Jan 17, from 5:30-8pm! Get your Rodeo release form notarized beginning at 5:30pm and also drop off your Membership Dues check! Bring your favorite Chili or Cornbread to share from 6-6:40pm, and buy plants from 6:40-7pm. Hear the special Rodeo History presentation at 7pm. And, most importantly, bring your calendar and SIGN UP for RODEO SHIFTS! All happening at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU; Code: 002.
If you have met BCMG Re-certification Requirements for 2019 (30 volunteer hours and 6 CEUs– 3 hrs thru attendance at monthly meeting programs), please visit the Membership Dues page on the BCMG website, and pay your 2019 Annual Membership Dues of $25, either online or by mail or at the Jan 17th Meeting.
NOTE: Dues are due January 31, 2019.
WATCH FOR THE JANUARY 2019 SCION NEWSLETTER COMING JANUARY FIRST!!
NOTE: Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar County Master Gardeners offices will be closed Monday & Tuesday, December 24 & 25, in celebration of Christmas and on Tuesday, January 1, New Year’s Day!
Help Out With Can Collection!!
Molly Keck is looking for large, clean, empty cans with tops removed (larger than typical veggie can sizes; metal, plastic or cardboard) for building native pollinator homes for an educational program. Please drop off at the Bexar County Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212 (or in Suite 208 if you are there attending a meeting anyway!). Collecting December through March!
The Texas Search for Excellence Awards Program is sponsored by the Texas Master Gardener Association (TMGA) to recognize outstanding Master Gardener people, associations, projects and programs throughout the state. There are eight award categories: Youth, Project, Educational Program, Written Education, Research, Marva E. Beck JMG Leader of the Year, Outstanding Individual Master Gardener, Outstanding Master Gardener Association. And, there are five county size categories. The award year, 2018 accepts entries based on activities and events occurring between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018. Award submissions are due on, or before, 10pm on January 31, 2019.
Help write BCMG award submissions for 2018! Or, perhaps, you have a great suggestion for a category submission? Please email Grace Emery if you would like to to help in any way! You can find details on the Awards Program at the TMGA website.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR 2019 PROGRAMS
Registration OPEN for the Spring 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from March 2nd to June 15th. Time to share with family & friends!
Registration Now Open for the 2019 TGMA Conference which will be held April 25-27, 2019 and is being hosted by Victoria County Master Gardener Association. Leadership training will be held on April 24th. Visit the Conference website for tons of information!
The 17th Biennial Conference for the International Master Gardener Community, Penn’s Woods: Digging into Our Roots, will be held June 17-21, 2019 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, Valley Forge, PA. Online registration will open soon and you can subscribe to the IMGC newsletter for conference updates.
RODEO SHIFT MANAGER TRAINING
WHO: All Rodeo volunteers who signed up to be a Shift Manager (iPad & Cash Handler) and anyone interested in being a Shift Manager, but has yet to sign up!
When & Where: Sat, Jan 12, from 10 am – Noon OR Tue, Jan 15, from 1 – 3 pm in the large Meeting Room at Extension
Agenda:
- Overview of Shift Manager position (new for 2019)
- Instruction on iPad use & maintenance
- Instruction on Rodeo cash handling procedures (new for 2019)
Please sign up on VMS for the training date of your choice! All Shift Managers need to attend one of the training classes! Earn two VH (Volunteer Hours), Code: 400, Description: Rodeo – Shift Manager Mtg.
For more information email: Grace Emery BCMG President or Lynn Cox, BCMG Vice President.
SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS. Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
Volunteers Needed: 10am – 1pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from January until end of March. Watch VMS for sign-ups!
Coming Up in March!
Need 30 volunteers to help set up breakfast and lunch for 100 teachers, organize plants outside, be a time keeper, and help the teachers for the 2019 Spring Youth Garden Educator Training on Sat, Mar 2, 2019, from 7:30am-3pm (lunch will be provided)at Northside Activity Center, 7001 Culebra Rd, 78238. Check VMS for sign-ups! Email Ruby Zavalawith any questions. Vol Code: 1200
Need 8 volunteers each day to help pass out activities and to help students make crafts for Spring Break Camp, March 11-13, 2019, from 8am-3pm (lunch will be provided) at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Offices, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., 78230. We expect to have 25 students and the more adults present will make it a better learning environment for our students. Check VMS for sign-ups! Email Ruby Zavalawith any questions. Vol Code: 1200
Take on an ongoing role and participate throughout the year as a member of the new Logistics Committee or the new Events Committee. These committees are key to our success as a Master Gardener organization. We need you! Please email Grace Emery, or call (210) 875-6919, if you are interested in playing a part in BCMG’s foundation for stability and endurance!
HELP with Youth Gardens Program: at schools and libraries to educate our local youth about gardening, insects, soil, and veggies! Two volunteers for each event to facilitate these lessons. Email Ruby Zavala for details. 2018 Code 980e – School Gardens; 2019 Code 1200 – Youth
When: School is flexible. Facilitate soil lesson from Junior Master Gardener curriculum. Email Ruby Zavala with your date preference.
Where: Tuscany Heights Elementary, 25001 Wilderness Oak, 78258
When: Fri, Jan 11, 2019 from 2-4pm
Where: BiblioTech East, 1203 N Walters St, 78202
Topic: Plants and Gardening
When: Wed, Mar 20, 2019 from 3-4pm
Where: Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249
Topic: Veggie Game
When: Wed, Apr 17, 2019 from 3-4pm
Where: Locke Hill Elementary, 5050 De Zavala Rd, 78249
Topic: Terrariums and Watercycle
RODEO 2019 Just Around the Corner (Feb 7 -24)
Volunteer NOW with Construction Chair, Rich Geisler (Construction Dates are Jan 22-Feb 6); Van Drivers Chairs, Brian and Candy Roach; Hospitality Chair, Susan Noonan; Watering Team Lead, Ted Ritchie., and Mary Mangiapane, Volunteer Coordinator for all other Rodeo Volunteer Shifts (Plant Sales/MG Booth – Greeters – and more!) For Weekend Youth Activities and School Tour Docents, email Ruby Zavala.
All shift managers must plan to attend Rodeo Shift Manager Training scheduled for Sat, Jan 12th, 10am – Noon, or on Tue, Jan 15th, 1-3pm at the large Ext meeting room. Sign up on VMS!
Coming Soon: Website Rodeo-2019 page will be found under the Members tab on the home page menu bar! You’ll find all the BCMG Rodeo information and updates there.
Everyone must have a Release and Indemnification Agreement Form. You can have your form notarized at the Jan 17 BCMG Meeting and submit it at the meeting! Completed form is due not later than Jan 18, must be printed out double-sided, notarized, and mailed to:
ATTN: Rodeo Form
Bexar County Master Gardeners
3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208
San Antonio, TX 78230
Or, drop-off with Nick at the Extension Office front desk.
You can learn about Little Buckaroo Farms where BCMG will be located on the SA Stock Show & Rodeo website.
2019 BCMG VMS Codes (As of: 11/16/2018)
CEU CODES
001 – AgriLife Extension/BCMG Presentations: These are programs that are hosted by, or presented by, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service staff, Texas A&M System staff, retired AgriLife staff, or Bexar County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau programs.
- Horticulture-related programs given by AgriLife Extension Service staff
- Horticulture-related programs given by Texas A&M System staff (ex. Texas A&M Forestry Service)
- Horticulture programs given by Bexar County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau
- Programs at the Texas Master Gardener State Conference
002 – BCMG Monthly Meeting Seminars
VOLUNTEER OUTREACH CODES
100 – Community Outreach Events: The BCMG BoD and the AgriLife Horticulture Agent must approve community Outreach Events each year. The following events have been approved for 2019:
- Basil Fest
- Monarch Butterfly Festival (Zoo)
- Monarch Festival (Pearl)
- Texas Folklife Festival
- SABOT Culinary Garden Docents
200 – Cultivate!
300 – Master Gardener Hotline
400 – SA Rodeo
500 – Speakers Bureau
600 – Water Conservation Activities: These are SAWS-sponsored events or our participation has been requested:
- Cultivating Communities
- Earth Day(s)
- Festival of Flowers
- Habitat for Humanity
- Home and Garden Show (Spring/Fall)
- Spring Bloom (SAWS)
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CODES
700 – BCMG Committees: All committee work, including, but not limited to…
- Awards Application
- BCMG Monthly Meeting set-up & tear-down
- Communications (Facebook, Leaflet, Scion, website, publicity, etc.)
- Fundraising (All fundraising activities, to include Birdies for Charities, Poinsettia Sale, merchandise sales, etc. Not included: plant sales that are part of a Community Outreach Event, such as SA Rodeo.)
- Grant Writing
- Holiday Party
- Hospitality
- Scholarship
- San Antonio Garden Center (Special Note: BCMG is a member of the San Antonio Garden Center, and we host one meeting a year and help with their plant sale. Use Code 700 for these two activities.)
800 – Board of Directors
- Attending the BoD Monthly Meeting
- All work associated with BoD activities (Finance, Membership, etc.)
- Texas Master Gardener Association Quarterly Meetings
900 – MG Training Class Support
1000 – Special Projects – AgriLife/BCMG Approved (None at this time)
1100 – Texas A&M Extension Support – Adult
- Assisting Extension staff with presentations
- Assisting with plant trials, seed extraction, etc.
1200 – Texas A&M Extension Support – Youth
- Children’s Vegetable Garden Program (SABOT & PHP)
- Approved Classroom Garden Program – support
- Approved youth activities and presentations
- Youth activity supply preparation
- Learn Grow Eat & Go! Program support
- Youth Garden Educator and JMG Training support
See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar! Classes listed below may be of special interest to you:
How to Make your Home and Yard Firewise will be presented by MG Jamie Daily at the San Antonio Garden Center on Wed, Jan 2 at 10am.
BCMG January Rodeo Kick-Off Speaker & Meeting: Plan to join us and bring your favorite Chili or Cornbread to share while we hear a special Rodeo History presentation on Thu, Jan 17, from 6-8pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. Bring your calendar and sign up for Rodeo Shifts. 1 CEU; Code: 002.
Mark Your Calendar for Three Free Seminars in January:
- Growing A Family Home Orchard presented by David Rodriguez on Sat, Jan 12, 10:30am – Noon at Milberger’s Landscaping & Nursery, 3920 N Loop 1604 E.
- Fruit Tree Basics presented by Dr. Larry Stein on Sat, Jan 19, 9am – Noon at Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Road.
- Growing Backyard Fruit Trees presented by David Rodriguez on Sat, Jan 26, 10:45am – Noon at The Garden Center, 10682 Bandera Rd.
Great Workshop: BCMGs Earn 3 CEUs, Code 001
Learn from Master Gardeners at these 2019 Speakers Bureau Presentations:
- Growing Herbs with Don Crites, hosted by San Antonio OASIS at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Wed, Feb 13, 10:30am – Noon. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
- Xeriscaping with Oliver Smith, hosted by San Antonio OASIS, at 2201 St. Cloud, 78228 on Tue, Apr 16, from 10:30am – Noon. 1.5 CEUs, Code: 001
BE SURE TO MARK YOUR 2019 CALENDAR FOR THESE GREAT CLASSES!
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER ADVANCED (formerly Specialist) COURSES offered at the TMGA website. If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Home Fruit (South Texas) – Feb. 7-8, 2019, hosted by Gonzales County, Gonzales
Vegetables – Feb. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Mar. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Jun. 12-14, 2019, hosted by Kerr County, Kerrville
Save the Dates (More Info Coming Soon):
Turfgrass – Mar. 14-15, 2019, hosted by Montgomery County, Conroe
Earth-Kind® – May 16-18, 2019, hosted by Henderson County, Athens
Vegetables – Aug. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Bexar County, San Antonio
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG December & January Calendars. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sample of what is coming up over the next week:
- Thru Dec 31 – SABOT Holidays in Bloom
- Dec 22 – Milkweed and Monarchs
- Jan 8 – Plants of the Texas Hill Country
- Jan 22 – NPSOT-SA Grant Projects Celebrated!
Annual Beef Cattle Short Course will be held Jan 8 & 15 at Palo Alto College in the Ozuna Library. See flyer for details and registration.
For SAWS customers, watch for news on the WaterSaver Rewards 2019 program. No re-registration; keep using your same rewards number for 2019 at the events you attend and your points start as “0” on Jan 1.