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SOUTHERN OREGON AGRICULTURE The Bug Lady helps locals pestered by pests Waite recognized for her amateur entomology services to the community Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM Goode honored by OSU Extension --> Central Point area resident Scott Goode has been recognized at Jackson County's Master Gardener of the Year, joining about 30 other master gardeners in being honored by the Oregon State University ... » Read more X Goode honored by OSU Extension Central Point area resident Scott Goode has been recognized at Jackson County's Master Gardener of the Year, joining about 30 other master gardeners in being honored by the Oregon State University Extension Service as the best of 2016. For five years, Goode has helped with education about the relationship between healthy soils and successful gardening practices, teaching a dozen classes to local master gardeners. A retired soil scientist, Goode presented during the Winter Dreams annual gardening symposium and was site manager for the 2016 Spring Garden Fair. He also serves on the Jackson County Master Gardener Board and assists with water systems management for the demonstration gardens.   » Social News Recently named a top Master Gardener for 2016, specifically for her "behind the scenes" efforts to educate the public on beneficial bugs and pest management, Jackson County resident Marsha Waite chuckles at the recognition. At a recent event at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center on Hanley Road in Central Point, her name tag overflowed with distinctions and certifications. "They gave me this 'behind the scenes' thing because they're running out of awards," Waite said with a laugh. "I don't feel like I'm much behind the scenes because I'm teaching the Master Gardener class, beneficial insects, entomology. They see me a lot, so I'm not really behind the scenes." Waite is the first person "on scene" when a weird bug, unusual bite or mysterious pest situation arises in a local garden. An "amateur" entomologist for more than two decades, the locally revered bug lady supposes she's always had a thing for creepy-crawlies. A Milwaukie, Wisconsin native, Waite said as soon as she was big enough to walk, and eventually wander around, she caught bees, lightning bugs and whatever struck her fancy. "I'd put them in jars and watch them and stuff. Bugs were always an interest to me," she said. While she would go through college and raise her four children, largely alone after being widowed as a young mother, her return to all things bugs came after retirement as a preschool teacher. Waite decided to tackle some of the Extension Service's educational offerings. From student to teacher, once Waite became a plant clinic coordinator two decades ago, it was determined that the program lacked an expert on bugs. "There was an entomology class offered in Corvallis so I figured, 'why not?' " she said. Waite, 67, said a big part of her role at SOREC is to provide answers and, when she can, alleviate concerns when members of the public show up looking for answers. "We get lots of weird things that people bring in — or they think they're insects and they're not. They'll even bring stuff in — like clumps of material or dust balls — for us to look through to find the bug that's biting them," she said. "We had a lady once who went to the dentist, and they saw something crawling around in her hair so they sent her to us to see what it was!" Depending on the season, Waite said the biggest topic of conversation most days revolves around whatever pests — be it cucumber beetles, coddle wasps or box elders — are tormenting local gardeners the most. "And of course people are all scared of spiders because we have those hobo spider that leave a necrotizing wound like a brown recluse," she said. "But people want to be able to recognize what kind of spiders they have because (the spiders) eat bad insects. If we can educate people on which ones are actually bad, they wouldn't be so fearful." Gail Langellotto, statewide coordinator of the Master Gardener program, called Waite an asset. "Marsha is very deserving person," Langellotto said. "It's not always the person out in front talking loudly or who folks normally recognize as contributing to the program, but someone who quietly supports the mission in everything they do." Waite shrugged off the recognition, noting she enjoys the work and helping to provide education. While Waite says she can't imagine living anywhere other than Southern Oregon, she concedes that thinking of the bugs back home will sometimes give her pause. "I really miss the lightning bugs. We don't have them here," she said. "Summer isn't summer without lightning bugs." — Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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