Master Gardener Meeting Minutes 5/10/12

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

1601 N. San Francisco

6:30pm-6:40pm                Welcome – Agenda Debi Stalvey

Brief review of agenda for the evening

Introduction of speaker

6:42pm-7:30pm                Continuing Education

                                                Invasive Weeds – Scott Harger

Mr. Harger talked about invasive weeds and what can be done about them.  He is a program range conservationist for the Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District.  His presentation was full of good information on weeds and weed management. He reviewed the “dirty dozen” – locations and management. There is a searchable weed database at the Southwest Vegetation Management Association website, http://www.swvma.org/.  Review Dorothy Lamm's article from the Saturday Daily Sun (5/5/12) for more information on weeds.                                  

7:45pm - 8:30pm              Business Meeting – Debi Stalvey

7:45pm – 8:05pm             Overview of recent Executive Meeting – Debi Stalvey

                                               

                                                Financial report – Ed Skiba

Update on financials, taxes, memberships

May 7, 2012 deposited the following collected funds into the National Bank of Arizona (CMGA) Checking Account:

2012 CMGA Membership fees 11@$10.00=            $110.00

Total Deposit 5/7/12                                                   $110.00

Check Acct. Balance 4/30/12                                  $1,913.96

Total Check Acct Balance 5/8/2012                        $2,023.96

Total Members as of 5/10/12 is 56. Ed will file take form this week.

                                                Speakers Bureau/Calendar – Bea Cooley

Bea asked members to choose their favorite photographs from those displayed in the rear of the room.  People were asked to choose up to 13 photographs.  Bea asked for assistance with PhotoShop and Jo Anne Barcellano volunteered to assist her.

Bea and Hattie have been working on the speaker’s bureau. There is a form on the blog for applying. Bea sent out a call for all to sign up to do a 30 minute talk of their choice. Hattie frequently gets requests like the recent mother’s group,.

                                                 Blog/Grants – Loni Shapiro

Master Gardener project grant applications are on the blog.  Three applications had been received by the meeting time (Heather Bostian, Emeritus, and Olivia White Hospice). Riordan Mansion was added this evening.

                                               MG Program Happenings (Class, Conference) – Hattie Braun

Hattie announced that the fall master gardener class is a go.  She needs to attend one more meeting

about the state Extension Program plans for 2012 next week.

The Arizona Highlands Garden Conference planning is progressing.  Most of the speakers are confirmed.  We still need someone to coordinate the Barbeque (find a place to hold 30-50 people. Gila County is responsible for bringing the food).  We also need someone to coordinate the Garden Tours.  The next planning meeting is June 12 at noon at the Coconino Extension Office.

                                                                               

   8:05pm – 8:20pm          Committee Reports:

                                                Continuing Education (see below for details) – Loni Shapiro

New volunteer/educational opportunities on the blog

Take a look at the blog for upcoming educational opportunities at Warners, 2 programs from the Native Plant Society (contest and class), and Walmart (with Jim Mast doing his Tomato Talk).

                                                Community Programs

                                                                Community Market – Julie Holmes

Julie reported that the Sunday Market is fully staffed but people are needed for the Wednesday Markets. The Wednesday market is from 4-7 p.m. in the St. Pius Church parking lot.  Please contact Julie at jeholmesaz@npgcable.com if you are interested in volunteering.

                                                Coordination of MG Projects – Linda Guarino

Two master gardener projects have been approved recently.  These projects are available for master gardeners needing volunteer hours.  The first project is at a community greenhouse in Doney Park at Heather Bostian’s property.  She requests master gardener assistance in getting the greenhouse up and running, and for writing grants.  The second is a proposed tranquility garden at Flagstaff Medical Center.

                                                Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun & Crys Wells

Volunteer/Education Hours – Crys Wells

337.5 Volunteer hours, 55.5 Education hours.

Clarification of Volunteer Hours – Hattie Braun

Master gardener trainees have 13 months from the completion of the master gardener course to complete their 50 volunteer hours to gain their certification.  From that point, to maintain their certification, master gardeners must do at least 12 volunteer hours and 6 education hours each year. If you are unable to meet those requirements, exceptions must be approved by Hattie Braun.

                                                               

   8:20pm – 8:30pm          Gardening Questions?

Irene Matthews  - Can you plant seeds from tulips? Hattie Braun - Yes, bur because of the hybridization, you wouldn't get the same as the parent. They tulips will hybridize without planting the seeds.
                                               

Next meeting:  June 14 – Review of Seinet (Southwest Environmental Information Network)

Web based program that is an interesting resource for native plants of the southwest                                                 (includes AZ and the plateau) – Tina Ayres

Future meetings:

*July 12 – What to do With the Harvest – Michele Lytle (MG and caterer)

                 Update on County Fair Entries

*Aug. 9 – Season Extenders/Plant Propagation – Ann Eagan/Linda Guarino

*Oct. 11 – Growing and Forcing Bulbs – Loni Shapiro

Nov. 8 – Pending – Tam Nguyen – topic TBA

Those starred are confirmed