Minutes for Meeting 5/12/11

Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 5/12/11
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

Attending: Faith Brittain, Dana Smith, Ed Skiba, Bob Cooper, Molly Larsen, Deb Crisp,, Kay Clark, Art Babbott, Julie Holmes, Linda Moriarty, Tess Wymore, Crys Wells, Susan Thompson, Jim Mast, Ann Eagan, Irene Mathews, Marnie Vail, Steve Dix, Hattie Braun, Leslie Pennick, Carly Trotta, Galen & Andrea Guerrette, Valerie Bryant, Sandy Bayes, Bea Cooley, Loni Shapiro

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Introduction of speaker
Art is the founder of the Community Markets and a current member of the Flagstaff City Council.

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Speaker: Art Babbott
Expanding Local Agriculture in Northern Arizona

Art reviewed the history of the market, current plans, and some changes in city zoning laws due to more people wanting to do commercial growing. He also talked about markets in general, economics (food prices & farm subsidies), organic vs. non and certified naturally grown.

The mission has not changed since it's inception in 2000 and it still works well.
"The Flagstaff Community Market (FCM) is a regional producers market that operates for growers and producers of agricultural and related products. The primary purpose of the Market is to support small and medium sized independent growers and producers by providing citizens with a local alternative to corporate and globalized food production.
It is our intent to connect growers and consumers and encourage people, both urban and rural, in growing more of their own food. A secondary purpose is to provide an outlet for small-scale producers of value added food products, local artisans, and community and sustainable agricultural groups.
Additionally, it is the purpose of the Community Farmers Market to provide a Community gathering space for residents and visitors to Flagstaff to mix in a relaxed, educational, and fun environment."

The has been very successful and continues to grow with interest in commercial growing increasing around the US. The first year there were 4 market days and the market grossed $4000. Last year there were 35 markets and the gross was $625,000. 90% of that goes to the growers and the other 10% is salary for Art for running the markets. The only other cost to the grower is $35 for the season or $1 per market. They limit the markets to only 2 artisans per week. All others are producers. The market does farm inspections for quality controls. They have added opportunites for those who are on WIC and food stamps to participate in the market in the last 2 years. They continue to survey patrons to see why they participate and what their needs are. The three main reasons for participation include: quality, safety and the money stays local.
Art also wanted to thank the MG's, Foodlink, Slow Foods, and local restaurants for making what they do successful by supporting them.

7:30pm-7:45pm Refreshments
Thank you to Faith Brittain

7:45pm - 8:30pm Business Meeting – Jim Mast
7:45pm – 8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Jim Mast
Calendar – Voting this evening on photo from 3 gardens and pictures available for those already selected. We could use 2 more photos. Art Babbott asked if he could supply one from the market and Foodlink was e-mailed to see if they have a school garden for the calendar. The order will go in at the end of May for an August printing. Numbers are yet to be decided. Native Plant Society provided several photos of contest garden and will help us sell the calendar along with Flagstaff’s CSA.

Financial
Banking will be free at the National Bank of Arizona, projected income/expenses for 2011 (calendars ($500)/memberships($100) -fee for facility ($250)/calendar ($500)/Arboretum newsletter sponsorship($250)/$200 for project (deadline June 9th this year). Watch for e-mail on details for funding projects. Other possible expenses – aprons for 2012 and material for historian. Ann Eagan has agreed to check out aprons and printing. Valerie has no expense as yet.

Secretary
Data from the blog and meetings for 2011. We now have about 3500
hits on the blog from all over the world. We are averaging about 85 per week. The meetings are averaging 26 visitors, with 60% members, 18% trainees, and 22% visitors.

Bea Cooley
Bea brought nolo bait for grasshopper control. She is selling it for $10 a bag. She also shared information about happenings at Picture Canyon this spring and summer. Details are on the Blog.

8:00pm – 8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education – Dana Prom Smith (see schedule for future meetings)
Hattie Braun – upcoming extension programs Check out the blog for opportunities happening this summer on weather and gardening, as well a farming workshop, and weed pull at the Pioneer Museum.

Community Programs – Molly Larsen & Julie Holmes
Community Markets
Our market participation will continue in 2011. We will be at the first 3 Sunday market and Molly has volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering this summer contact Molly Larsen or Julie Holmes (bottom of blog for contact info). We are also looking at covering the 1st and 3rd Wed. Markets beginning July 6 at St. Pius Church.

Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino
Loni Shapiro – Grand Canyon Projects
There is a training for volunteering to work at the canyon on June 4. Details will follow on the blog whenJan Busco contacts Loni.

Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Crys asked permission to send name tags to new members. Approved by officers.

8:20pm – 8:30pm Garden questions?
Question about thinning bulbs. Hattie suggested in the fall, but at least wait until leaves dry up.
Jim asked about planting tomatoes and suggested waiting a couple of weeks but depends on size of plant and using season extenders. It is OK to plant root crops now and seed peas and beans but hold off on transplanting squashes which have tender leaves.

Next meeting: June 9, 2011
Shepherd of the Hills Church
1601 N. San Francisco
Photographing and Painting Your Garden – Debbie Shepard

Future meetings:
July 14 Friends of the Northern Arizona Forests
August 11 Panel on Coconino County Fair Entries
September 8 Recognition Picnic
October 13 Pollinators and Honey Bees – Joel Kefuss