WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter
May 2025
Latest news, projects, workshops, free resources, and more. Keep Reading!
In This Issue
Master Gardener Happenings
- Spring PLANT EXCHANGE – May 3rd, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Answer/Plant Clinic OPEN for questions!
- Farmers Market Booths – starting May 9th & 10th
4-H Happenings
- Camp Princess Pine Clean-Up Day – May 31st
Agriculture News
- Grain Processing & Direct Marketing Strategies
- Zoom webinar at 1:00 p.m. on May 13th
May Calendar and Resources
Master Gardener News
Location:
Firewise Demonstration Garden
(@ the Colville Community Garden)
170-B Highway 20 E, Colville
(just past the high school)
Master Gardeners host 2025 SPRING Plant Exchange
Saturday, May 3rd – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for a garden lover’s treasure hunt! Our Master Gardener volunteers have been busy preparing:
- Vegetable and flower seedlings ready for your garden
- Propagated houseplants to brighten your home
- Garlic starts, red oak acorns, and various seeds
- Iris and daylily tubers
- Plus many garden surprises from our storage cleanout!
How It Works:
- Need a Plant? Take a Plant!
- Have a Plant? Give a Plant!
- No plants to exchange? No problem! Everyone is welcome.
- Donations appreciated (just no noxious weeds, please!)
Answer/Plant Clinic OPEN!
Master Gardener Office Hours:
- Mondays, 9-11 a.m. and Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. (March 17 – Sep 30)
Bring in a plant or bug to the Stevens County Extension office!
- Samples must be in a sealed, transparent glass or plastic container.
Email/Online
If bringing a sample in-person is too “out of your way”, you can send an email with good photos at any time. The Master Gardeners will research your question or issue during office hours and send a detailed email response.
Our NEW email address: AskaMasterGardener@stevensmg.org
Find us at the Chewelah Farmers Market
- 2nd and 4th Fridays in May and June
- First Friday of July, August, and September
Find us at the Colville Farmers Market
- 2nd and 4th Saturdays in May and June
- First Saturday of July, August, and September
For more information about Master Gardener programs offered by WSU Extension in Stevens County, visit our website: Gardening | Stevens County, email: Linda Teller or call 509-684-2588
4-H Happenings
4-H Alumni Invited to Camp Princess Pine Clean Up Day – May 31
LAST SATURDAY IN MAY!
Stevens County 4-H Leaders’ Council is managing and renting out Camp Princess Pine on Lake Thomas. As you can imagine this is a big task for a small group of volunteers. We could use your help getting Camp Princess Pine opened up and ready for the year. Projects include cleaning in buildings, outside clean up (raking, weed whacking, limb clean up, etc.) and repair/maintenance (cabin step reinforcement, dock fix, etc.)
We will be starting around 9:00 a.m. Bring tools, drinks, and snacks to share. Help spread the word to any 4-H alumni you know!
For information about our 4-H program, visit our website: 4-H Youth | Stevens County or contact Shannon Rowley, 509-684-2588
Agriculture
GRAIN PROCESSING AND DIRECT MARKETING STRATEGIES
Tuesday, May 13th at 1:00pm on Zoom
Join experts from Washington State Department of Agriculture to learn about how farmers are accessing new markets through grain processing and value-added product development. Small Farm Direct Marketing Specialist Micha Ide will touch on market opportunities, available resources, pros and cons for direct marketing and more. The Eastern Washington Regional Manager for WSDA Food Safety Program, Angelique Finney, will cover the regulatory landscape for processing grains and other crops, and how to go about making sure your farm or food business stays in compliance.
For information about our Agriculture program, visit our website: Agriculture | Stevens County or contact Kathryn Hoogheem, 509-684-2588
Events Calendar
May (also see Events page)
- May 3rd, 10a-1p – Spring Plant Exchange @ Colville Community Garden
- May 5th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 8th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 9th, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
- May 10th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market
- May 12th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 13th, 1p – Grain Processing Zoom Webinar
- May 15th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 19th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 22nd, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 23rd, 11a-3:30p – MGs at Chewelah Farmers Market
- May 24th, 9a-1p – MGs at Colville Farmers Market
- May 26th – OFFICE CLOSED for Memorial Day
- May 29th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- May 31st, 9a-? – Camp Princess Pine Cleanup Day for 4-H Leaders Council, current 4-H members, and 4-H Alumni