Here we will list opportunities for Master Gardeners looking for volunteer hours, or just the fun of helping others while practicing gardening in Fairbanks. Included are also a few paid positions. Links are emails or go to pages or other sites with more information.

Hello Potential Herb Garden Volunteers!

The Georgeson Botanical Garden is seeking an excited, dedicated individual(s) to design and care for an herb bed.

The Dorothy Truran Herb Garden is cared for by a group of volunteers, 'The Herb Bunch'. Each bed in the garden is adopted by an individual (or pair of individuals). We are seeking volunteers for two of the six beds for the 2011 growing season.

What is the commitment?
You propose a theme for the garden and we provide the plants that you select to fit your theme. You design the bed and plant it. Of course we would not stop you from weeding them if you choose to do so! We will take care of the watering. You gather data throughout the growing season. We provide the data sheets. At the end of the season you do the harvesting and any associated taste testing etc. then provide the GBG and thus, the public with your results.

Please contact us if you are interested or if you have any questions!

Katie (posted Feb 2011)

Plant Study in North Pole

The Alaska Division of Public Health is recruiting North Pole area gardeners for the gardening/plant study:

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PEOPLE POTENTIALLY INTERESTED IN GARDENING PROJECT

The Technical Project Team is planning to sample some fruits and vegetables from people’s gardens this summer, to measure sulfolane levels in foods. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will provide feedback about the levels of sulfolane in individual participants’ crops, and whether they are safe to eat. Summary information and guidance will also be given to the community as a whole, based on the results. Would you be interested in participating in our gardening study? If so, please fill out this form and return it by mail, fax, or e-mail to: Nim Ha, Health Educator Alaska DHSS, Section of Epidemiology 3601 C Street, Suite 540 Anchorage, AK 99503

e-mail: nim.ha@alaska.gov
fax: (907) 562-7802
phone: (907) 269-8028

Please note: 1. Depending on the degree of interest, participants may need to be randomly chosen from the group of potential volunteers. 2. Sample results will be shared with Flint Hills Refinery and with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Any information shared with the State is subject to a request from the public to view. 1. Are you or will you be growing your own vegetables (food crops) this summer?
If NO, then stop
If Yes, go to next question

2. Are you, or will you, be using your well water to grow at least some (if not all) of your vegetables?
If NO, then stop
If YES, go to next question

3. What is the level of sulfolane in your well water?
___ parts per billion (ppb)
___ don’t know

4. Where do you grow your vegetables? (check all that apply) __ outside in a garden plot __ in a greenhouse __ indoors (e.g. house)

5. Which vegetables will you be growing?
__ lettuce
__ tomatoes
__ others [please list]

6. When do you think your earliest crop will be ready for harvest (make you best guess)?
Month _______ Day _______

7. What vegetable(s) would be ready by that date (please list)?

8. Name:
Physical address:
Mailing address:
Phone:
Email:

9. If we have more questions about your vegetable garden, what is the best way to reach you?
__ phone
__ email

10. Please let us know any other advice or feedback here. Thank you for your interest!

Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 269-8028
nim.ha@alaska.gov

Weed Smackdown

Posted 5/23/10: On June 26th from 10am - 1pm the Fairbanks Cooperative Weed Management Area, along with other community partners, is hosting the first ever WEED SMACKDOWN! The Weed Smackdown is a competitive weed pull and there will be PRIZES and LUNCH for all participants! This event will be a fun way to help reduce invasive plant infestations in the borough's newest recreation area: Tanana Lakes in South Fairbanks. Participation in the Weed Smackdown will also be a great way for you to learn more about invasive plants and get involved in their management in our community. It will also be an excellent way to explore the future rec area and see all its potential! We would love to see you there!

For an info letter, registration form, and a fact sheet on the Tanana Lakes Rec Area call Darcy at - 474-5702

Volunteers at Creamer's Field

Posted 4/20: We are looking for help with the Creamer's vegetable garden this season. We need assistance through out the summer starting and maintaining the "Anna Creamer" historical garden area. All produce is donated to the local soup kitchen. Over the years many visitors to Creamers enjoy viewing the garden and it enhances the historical perspective of Creamer's Dairy. For more information please contact Alexis Runstadler at the Visitor's Center, 452-5162.

2nd Annual Fairbanks Rescue Mission Garden Planting.

Posted 4/19: On June 5th at 9: am They are in need of compost, fertilizer, seedlings starts (vegetables and flowers), volunteer to help plant. See flier for additional information. Or contact:

MIcheline Patterson
907-456-6646
micheline@kenmurray.com

Volunteers at the Georgeson Botanical Garden

Follow this link for all the information!

Volunteers Needed for Planting, 2011

Planting day at Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center 6/2/11 at 10:30 am. We will be planting annuals and a vegetable garden of historic plants that would have been in use in Alaska in the early 1900s. Thanks. Jason, 459-3703 if you are interested
Master Gardeners plant annuals for Georgeson Botanical Garden, June 7, 6 p.m.

Volunteers Needed for Planting, 2010 (we are leaving this here as the same groups probably need help in 2011 as well - contact them for updates)

Compost Coaches Needed

Are you a fan of composting? Do you think you can get others excited about composting? Do you have 2 hours to spare on either Saturday April 24th or May 22nd? Then we have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! Interior Alaska Green Star needs help at their compost education booth at the Randy Smith Garden Fair (April 24th) and at the IAGS Recycling Round-up & Compost Fair (May 22nd).

Green Star would like to promote backyard composting as a way to divert organic waste material from the landfill, reduce greenhouse gas production and transfer of heavy metals through anaerobic acid leachate, plus reduce the carbon footprint created by hauling waste to the landfill. Yes, you can save the world by simply composting!

More simply put, Green Star is promoting composting because it is good for the earth and you don’t have to be a master gardener to do it. But it sure helps to know one! We are looking for volunteers to talk one on one with people visiting the compost booth (April 24th) and volunteers to help at the drop off station at the compostable material drop off station (May 22nd).

Also, throughout the school year, we always need help with classroom presentations - this year we are adding a new presentation about the benefits and biology of composting!

Please drop us a line if you are interested in volunteering with Interior Alaska Green Star!

If you would rather have a paid job than volunteer, you may be interested in the following:

Paid Positions:

Invasive Plant Management Crew (added 6/1/2011)

Job Duties:
The Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District is hiring a 4 person crew to conduct invasive plant surveys and control work in the Fairbanks area. Numerous locations in the Fairbanks area will be surveyed for a variety of invasive plants, including a focus on the new aquatic invasive plant, Elodea spp. Manual control projects will be conducted throughout the growing season. 3 youth crew members will be hired, ages 18-26, and one crew leader. These are full time (40hr/week), seasonal positions for 12 weeks.

Qualifications:
We are looking for applicants with experience in plant identification and vegetation surveys. Working knowledge of GPS devices is desired. Crew members will be conducting aquatic vegetation surveys, so experience with watercraft and boat safety is important.

Requirements:
Valid AK Drivers License and access to personal vehicle
Crew leader will need a valid 1st Aid/CPR card

Darcy Etcheverry
Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District
590 University Ave, Ste 2
Fairbanks, AK 99709

Email: FSWCD.tech@gmail.com
Fax: 907 374-4922

Student Assistant (added 3/27/10)

Parks & Recreation SUMMER positions!
Recruitment opens March 1, 2010 and closes March 26, 2010. Positions will be available at the following locations:

06/03/11

Opportunities in Fairbanks

Hello Potential Herb Garden Volunteers!

Plant Study in North Pole

Weed Smackdown

Volunteers at Creamer's Field

2nd Annual Fairbanks Rescue Mission Garden Planting.

Volunteers at the Georgeson Botanical Garden

Volunteers Needed for Planting, 2011

Volunteers Needed for Planting, 2010 (we are leaving this here as the same groups probably need help in 2011 as well - contact them for updates)

Compost Coaches Needed

If you would rather have a paid job than volunteer, you may be interested in the following:

Paid Positions:

Invasive Plant Management Crew (added 6/1/2011)

Student Assistant (added 3/27/10)