MG Association Meeting 7/15/10

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 7/15/10
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
Northern Arizona Microclimates
Lee Born
Lee started by defining microclimate. It’s the climate of the airspace near the surface of the earth. This varies dramatically over the Flagstaff area, but 500 feet above us, there is no different. Microclimate could also be defined as the. climate on a small scale. The major players in determining microclimates are: sun vs shade, directional exposure, slopes, air circulation, wind exposure, elevation, topography. Together these factors explain why the Fort Valley area is colder than other parts of Flagstaff (cool air drains off the Peaks into the basin) and why the Banana Belt is warmer (heat off rocks of Mt. Elden warms nearby area). The major factor in our weather is the Mogollon Rim, which is why we have colder weather and more precipitation than other parts of Arizona.

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Andrea and Galen Guerrette

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Finance update – Ed Skiba reported that we have over $400 in our bank account. This is largely due to a generous donation from the Flagstaff Evening Garden Club, which is combining efforts with our MG Association.
Calendar update – Jim invited everyone to look at the proofs. All attendees agreed that the photos were beautiful and thought the price was reasonable.
Flagstaff Evening Garden club – Hattie will send emails regarding future tours.
Telephone at the extension – Hattie will work on getting a message on her extra line. Her extension is now 170 and the hotline is 190.
Highlands Garden Conference – Beverly Emerson attended the meeting to encourage Flagstaff gardeners to attend the conference, which is August 28 at the Casino in Payson with a garden tour the day before. Rates increase after July 30, so register soon if you plan to attend. Jim also asked Beverly to comment on the plant sale in Gila County because we may want to have one. Beverly said plant donations came from many gardeners, who also shopped at garage sales for garden related items to resale. Also tool sharpening was a big money-maker at the sale.

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith
Speakers scheduled through January 2011. Check blog for updates. Dana has columns ready through the end of September, but always would appreciate more writers.
Community Programs
Flagstaff’s Community Market – Julie Holmes
Master Gardeners are making many contacts at the Wednesday markets. Only one additional volunteer was needed and was recruited.
Speakers Bureau
Need more speakers available
Home Show – We need to give 3 talks per day in exchange for a free booth. There will be more activity on this next year
Coordination MG Projects –Linda Guarino
Working on finalizing list for 2010. Two new projects need assistance. One is Ponderosa Pines; see blog for more information. Michele Lytle gave a brief description of Wayne’s house, an approved MG project that needs a new supervisor.
Volunteer Support/Social – The Fall picnic will be Sept. 12 from 4-6 pm. The MG association will provide the meat, attendees should bring a side dish to share (preferably something from your garden).

8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions
One question about why zucchini fruits were dying. Hattie said they were not getting pollinated, it’s possible to do this by hand with a paint brush. Jim Mast said his feverfew plants were doing very well this year.

Next meeting: August 19, 2010 “Bugs” by Freddie Steele

Speakers for future meetings:
September 12 Recognition Picnic 4-6pm Potluck
October 14 Hopi Agriculture Susan Lamb Bean
November 11 School Gardens Sue Norris, Lyndsey Langsdale
December Holiday Party

Submitted by Linda Guarino 7/25/10