Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 10/13/11

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 10/13/11
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Introduction of speaker

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Speakers: Joel Kefuss
Topic: A Conversation on Native Pollinators and Making a Solitary Bee Nesting Box
Mr. Kefuss discussed pollinators, types of bees, colony collape, and how to encourage them to come to your yard. Different types of boxes you can make were demonstrated.
Link to Mr. Kefuss outline.
One resource for pre-made Mason Bee Nesting Boxes - www.kinsmangarden.com 800-733-4146
There are many more.

730pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Linda Guarino

7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
Nomination for officers – officer nominations for 2012 include Debi Stalvey for President, Bea Cooley for Vice President, and Ann Eagan to co-chair with Loni Shapiro for secretary. Nominations will be taken at the Nov. meeting when we vote.
Listserve – several people will be added to the send list for the listserv. Hattie says this will happen when the state computer techs get it done.
Home show – coordinator needed to work on the 2012 Home Show with Hattie.
Christmas Party – scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8, at Julie Holmes house from 6-8pm. It will be a potluck, with a white elephant exchange. Linda Guarino will send out the invites after the next Executive Meeting.
Highland Garden Conferences 2011 & 2012 – the conference is next Saturday. They have about 100 registered. Registrations for the higher fee are still open. The conference will be in Flagstaff next year. Hattie will be attending a wrap-up meeting of this year’s conference in November. If you want to be part of next years you may want to carpool with her.

Financial – Ed Skiba memberships, update on current expenditures and balance
Last statement was for $919.15 (Sept. 30). Since that time $62 spent on a PO Box. and $202 has yet to be made in deposts. $250 needs to be paid to the church. The calendars are fully paid and the rest collected will be profit.

Secretary – Loni Shapiro calendar, need volunteer for snack for November
Calendars selling well (about 80 so far). We are still selling at Warners, NP & S, CSA, Extension Office, and hospice on Thurs. morning until the end of Oct. A crew is set for selling at the Highland Garden Conference. Sales after that will be discussed at the Executive Meeting for November.
Ann Eagan volunteered to bring snacks next month. Thank you to Ann and the Guerrettes for doing it twice this year.

8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – See schedule below for current list of talks. Loni has surveyed members for next years lectures. We are scheduled tentatively through April. Loni will send out the results of the survey to ask preferences for next year.
Community Programs – Molly Larsen
Flagstaff Community Markets - 24 done in 2011, with 20 volunteers. Thanks to all who helped.
Home Show – need to begin planning for 2012.
Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino – Linda mentioned that the list is on the blog as a reference for all. Some of the larger projects are on the handout tonight. The list will be updated in 2012.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun & Crys Wells
Crys – membership/volunteer and education hours
Volunteer hours for Sept. 487.75 /11.5 education. The education hours are low and Crys reminded all to clock 1 hour for volunteering and 1 for education for the meetings.

8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Debi S asked about what to do about area where tomatoes were planted and possible blight or fungus. Hattie suggested not planting tomatoes there again.
Loni S mentioned great success in the 2nd year for Raspberries from High County Gardens – “Caroline”. They have a raspberry farm and it is at 7000 feet so the varieties they use do well here.
Molly L asked about what to do about dieback at bottom of a blue spruce. It was suggested cutting the dead branches is the only option. They will not grow back.
Someone asked about growing wisteria – not easy here (season too short) but try east facing.
Ed mentioned that Walmart has cheap mums and Iceland poppies.

Next meeting: November 10 – The Arboretum at 30 Years/Plans for 2012 – Steve Yoder

Future meetings:
December 8 – Christmas Party
January 14 – History of Farming in Flagstaff – Meredith Hartwell