MG Association Minutes 6/17/10

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 6/17/10
Northland Hospice Office
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

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

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Volunteering Through Gardening Around the World: experiences highlighted in Lesotho, Malawi, Australia, and Costa Rica
Julie Lancaster
Julie talked about her experiences with the Peace Corp in Africa (Lesotho) and with an organization called WWOOF (Started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.) in Malawi, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. In each case she was working on gardening throughout the world. She was learning and providing education to people from those countries. WWOOF provides a great opportunity to travel while helping others with organic gardening. They usually provide accommodations and food in exchange for work – variable lengths of stay. Contact them for more information at: www.wwoof.org

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Molly Larsen

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Vice President – Steve Shield has resigned due to a move to Yavapai County. Jim Mast has appointed Crys Wells to fill his position.
Finance update – Ed Skiba and Jim Mast will open an account at AZ Central Credit Union. Steve Shields has added a check for $50 and we have another membership from Bob Cooper. Exact deposit will be reported at the next meeting.
Calendar update/Loni- Winning photos circulated. Calendars should be ready by August. – proofs in July. Fee will be decided when calendars arrive. The Extension is supporting the start-up costs and taking 9%. This should be a profitable endeavor with 250 ordered -75 break even.
Flagstaff Evening Garden club /Hattie– Jean to continue to coordinate. Hattie to set-up an e-mail list and find someone for each visit to take a headcount. Loni to put on blog and in the newspaper. Jean to remain the phone contact until phone is set-up at the extenson.
Telephone at the extension – Hattie has an extra line that is currently used for the Hotline and the association could be added along with the Garden Club.

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith
Speakers scheduled through January 2011. Check blog for updates.
Looking for writers for the column.
Community Programs
Flagstaff’s Community Market – Molly Larsen
Worked the 1st 2 Sunday markets with good visitation.
Need volunteers for the Wed. markets – 1st and 3rd Wed. 4-7pm– dlipboard circulated for volunteers. Art Babbitt would like to see us there on Sundays – will let us know.
Hattie will have a tent shelter available for set-up at these markets. May have people pick up with a key from the office.
Speakers Bureau
Need more speakers available
Hattie working on getting someone from Toastmasters to talk about speaking and will do tech training for those interested (PowerPoint)
Dana volunteered – Hattie will send application
Application on the blog
Home Show
Free booth in exchange for 3 speakers each day and advertising
Need speakers/topics for the Home Show – at least 3 for each day
Coordination MG Projects –Linda Guarino
Nothing new to report. Would like more volunteers on committee. Working on
finalizing list for 2010.
Volunteer Support/Social - Crys Wells
Update on volunteer/education hours
People are asking for total hours reported. Crys is not set up for this so you need to keep your own records with a calendar. If you are desperate for numbers for May-June contact her by e-mail for totals. This will only be available for the next month – after that you are on your own.
Scheduling fall recognition picnic – September 12 – Hattie to reserve picnic shelter.

8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions
Several had questions about ground squirrels. Some using moth balls with limited success. Hattie recommended checking the eXtension web site (www.extension.org) for current info on how to control. Info on traps can be found at the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (www.icwdm.org). For local help contact Dan Caputo one of our former speakers - Arizona Wildlife Consultants – 928-864-6768.
Another question about fruit trees budding but not setting fruit – suggested late frost may have killed buds. A suggestion to hang red Christmas ornaments before fruit sets to fool birds.
Third question about the best grass in light of new fees on water. Hattie said that Kentucky Bluegrass is the only walkable grass, others are attractive (Blue Gramma Grass, fescue), but clumpy and not lawnlike.

Next meeting: July 15, 2010
Microclimates and Gardening in Flagstaff Lee Born

Speakers for future meetings:
August 19 Bugs Freddie Steele
September 12 Recognition Picnic
October 14 Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean
November 11 School Gardens Sue Norris, Lyndsey Langsdale
December Holiday Party

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