Master Gardener Assoc. Meeting Minutes 10/14/10

Murdoch Community Center
210 E. Brannen
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
Gardening with Native Plants
Susan Lamb Bean – writer and naturalist

Synopsis of Sun, Wind, and Slope: Gardening the Microclimates of the Flagstaff Area
Susan began her power point lecture with the general climate of Flagstaff. With at least four seasons, it has one of the shortest growing seasons in the country, even over northern regions, with the number of growing days and the number of hours in the day. Within the seasons in each yard are microclimates determined by temperature, wind, rainfall, slope, rocks, and soil type. Using her own home and landscape as example, she showed the progression of plantings and their success or failure, and why. Trial and error provided answers as to what survived, or thrived. She stated that by providing a good environment, native plants moved in on their own. The program ended with pictures of various plants located in the microclimate they like, by season. Susan’s photography was excellent, with both plants and wildlife adding interest to her lecture.

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments Thanks to Ann Eagan and Hattie for these tonight. Irene Matthews volunteered for Nov, pending a check with Linda if someone already signed up.

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting 19 in attendance including 6 trainees who introduced themselves

7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Calendar Update---Ann Eagan stated that Old Town Shops are starting crafts/market fairs Nov 15
Blog Ideas---Now has a sitemeter with national hits
Venue Change---Checking Shepherd of the Hills church, fire stations were suggested
Membership Cards for 2011---$10 annual, Loni is checking for discounts at local vendors for cardholders
Voting for Officers—Jim opened floor for nominations; none given; said current board was open to continue their positions for next year; announced a new board position of historian taken by Val Bryant; she’s accepting photos and news items for scrapbook
Finance update– Ed Skiba
Balances in accounts---$424.46 in checking, $226.94 savings; presented first check to Hattie (UofA) of $787.84 for reimbursement of calendars; talked about use of funds and possibly closing the checking account as there is a fee for it

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith (see schedule below)—Note change in venue below for May-July, 2011
Community Programs
Flagstaff’s Community Market – Julie Holmes/Molly Larsen---Molly asked market volunteers how the summer went with a positive response, even on slow market days; will add more days next summer on Sundays
Speakers Bureau–Jim Mast—This needs a coordinator; Hattie said she may replace the MG final test with a presentation to add speakers, currently there are 4 registered speakers
Home Show–Jim Mast—Faith Britton volunteered to coordinate this committee; Hattie will check first to see if the dome will be open then due to renovation
Coordination MG Projects–Linda Guarino---Hattie explained this committee and the form
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells---Jim explained this committee and answered the question of 12 hrs volunteering and 6 hrs education to recertify annually.
December party---Val Bryant will host this in her home; it was decided to have it on Thursday, Dec 9, our normal meeting night, with a white elephant exchange. Details to follow.

8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions
How to grow Indian paintbrush? Plant seeds with grama grass as it’s parasitic. How to treat powdery mildew and using cayenne pepper on ground to deter squirrels were other questions discussed.

Next meeting: November 11, 2010---2nd Thursday at Murdoch Center
Gardening with Leftovers
Speakers: Nancy and Jim DeBlois
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Schedule for future meetings:
December Party - ?—Dec 9 at Val Bryant’s home
January 13, 2011 Bird Loving Plants – Bea Cooley, Audubon Society
February 10, 2011 Spiders of Winter – Freddi Steele, writer and former naturalist with the park service
March 10, 2011 Chaa Organic Farm in Belize - Linda Neff, anthropologist
April 14, 2011 Horticultural Therapy – Loni Shapiro
May, 2010 – Joan Abbott
June, 2011 – Art Babbott, Communitiy Markets
July, 2011 Sustainability – William Auberle

opportunities check out the blog – coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com