MG Association Meeting Minutes 4/15/10

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 4/15/10
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Attending: Jim Mast, Steve Shields, Ed Skiba, Loni Shapiro, Hattie Braun, Crys Wells, Julie Holmes, Shawn Padilla, Robin Lang, Ann Cotton, Paul Lambert, Val Bryant, Ruth Ellis, Irene Matthews, Andrea & Galen Guerette, Sue Norris, Sheila Murray

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda
Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda. Introduction of speakers

6:40pm-7:25pm Continuing Education
Research at the Arboretum, Rules for Collecting and Some Basic Plant ID
Sheila Murray
Research Botanist – The Arboretum at Flagstaff
Sheila reviewed the mission of the Arboretum, research including who they partner with, and specific projects that have been done in the past. She then talked about current research. She defined what a rare plant is, and demographics that effect it. Threats to rare plants were discussed, and federal and state laws to protect plants. The remainder of her talk covered rare and endangered plants at the Arboretum: Allium goodingii, Argemone plelacantha ssp. Pinnatisects, Asclepias welshii, Astragalus creminophylax var. cremnophylax (plant from the Grand Canyon was covered in detail due to current research), Astragalus humillimus, Astragalus montii, Carex specuicola, Castilleja kaibabenis, Crysothamnus molestrus, Cimicifuga arizonica, Erigeron maguirei, Hedeoma todsenii, Penstemon clutei, Purshia subintegra, Ranunculus aestivalis, Salix arizonica, Senecio huachucannus, Senecio franciscannus. The last part of the talk was about rules for seed collection and participating in the Arboretum’s collection projects. The web site for the Arboretum is: www.thearb.org. You can find Sheila on the site. She has her own blog. She is available for questions about identification and collecting.

7:25pm-7:40pm Foodlink – FUSD School Gardens
Sue Norris
Sue talked about Foodlink’s grants for starting school gardens within FUSD. Some have been operating for some time but others are just beginning. They are looking for master gardeners to work as consultants to these new programs. She provided pictures for each site and a brief description of what their plans are. If you are interested in being involved in school gardens contact Sue Norris for further info. sue@tonynorris.com. Watch this site for an update on specific school gardens. They have two funded positions to coordinate this effort and developed curriculum for the schools. Funds are limited for 2010 but they hope to get more grant money next year. Sue or someone from the program will update us on progress in November of 2010.
School Gardens Workdays scheduled:
April 23 - Marshall
April 30 - Kinsey

7:40pm – 7:55pm Refreshments
Loni Shapiro

7:55pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:55pm-8:10pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Mission statement reviewed
Adding Standing Committees to Bi-laws at a future date
Maintaining certification
Inactive, initial certification
Master gardeners can be trainees (working on their initial 50 hours – 18 months or special approval from Hattie Braun), certified, inactive (certified initially but not currently doing volunteer/education hours). Hours need to be turned in from Coconino County. To move from inactive to certified the current requirements need to be met. 2010 – 12 hours volunteered, 6 hours of continuing education and must be in Coconino County.
Finance
Bank account, dues collection, donations jar, calendar
A bank account will be opened as soon as we have sufficient funds, dues for 2010 will be voluntary ($10). At the end of the year the Extension will send out a notice for dues. A donation jar will be placed on the refreshment table at each meeting for people to contribute to the food. Whoever is bringing the food can take $5 (optional). The remainder will go into the general fund. Our 1st fundraiser will be a master gardener calendar for 2011. Information about contributing photos is on the blog (coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com). The deadline is May 3rd. Plans are to have the calendars ready for the August MG Conference in Payson.

8:10pm-8:15pm May 15 in New Mexico – Ed Skiba
Ed is looking for some people to participate in a field trip to the Arboretum Tome (Michael Melendrez) in New Mexico. They are offering tours, music food, and lectures at the Arboretum. It would be an all day trip leaving early in the morning. Contact Ed Skiba if you are interested in participating (trustacctservices@npgcable.com).

8:15pm-8:30pm 5 minutes for each committee chair
CE & Social Support
Speakers scheduled through Januaryr 2011. Check blog for updates.
Community Programs-Steve Shields
Flagstaff’s Community Market, Speakers Bureau, Home Show
Steve reported that we still need to contact the community market, we have 2 speakers for the Speakers Bureau and need more, and we are working on a long term commitment with the Home Show. Julie reported that volunteers are helping with and extension booth at the Arboretum for Arbor Day (Tom DeGomez)
Coordination MG Projects/ Loni Shapiro
Loni reported that the committee will meet to review and update the list of already approved projects. The school projects will submit individual applications to the Projects Committee.
Volunteers /Crys Wells
Crys reports that the on-line system of recording is working well, with more participating each week. The Executive Committee discussed ways to count community contacts and will seek Crys’s help.

Next meeting: May 20, 2010
Speaker: Herbs
Sue Collins

Speakers for future meetings:
June 17 Topic TBA Julie Lancaster
July 15 Microclimates & Gardening Lee Born
August 19 Bugs Freddie Steele
September Recognition Picnic
October 21 Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean
December Holiday Party