MGV Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2023
I. Opening and Pledge of Allegiance – Stephanie Barkay, Vice President opened the meeting and Chet, Veteran Volunteer, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
a. Secretary Recording – Kathy C present to take minutes.
b. Committee Chairperson recognition
• Bring One Take One – Kristen told us the committee had a meeting. It was decided to make a suggested list of plants for the BOTO, but members can bring other plants. The suggested list of plants was given to us, and sign-up sheets for volunteering the night before and during the BOTO was passed around. The BOGO will be August 12th from 9am to 12pm. The exchange of plants will be at 10am. The plant sale and sale of other garden items will be inside the extension.
• Canfield Fair – Jim Z – No report.
• Community Outreach – Thresea H told us the Veggies and More Flyer is being passed around. A sign-up sheet was passed around for these dates and locations.
• Lois M-U talked about the Cityscape event that was held last Saturday. Plants were planted in downtown Youngstown and the event had close to 750 volunteers. Lois also told us about a MGV event in Ashtabula County on Saturday. The cost is $15 and they are selling plants. The event is Northeast Ohio Summer Seminar.
• Education – Stephanie B & Marge G – No report.
• Spring Workshop – Marianna E & Jim M – No report.
• Hospitality – Natalie F reminded us if you signed up to bring food for Morning with Masters next Tuesday to bring it.
• Plant and Pest Clinic – David S told us the clinic has been really busy with a lot of questions. If you need volunteer hours, the clinic could use your help. Stephanie asked the volunteers, who work in the clinic, to stand up. If you are interested, you could ask any of these volunteers your questions. David said a lot of the questions have been about aphids.
• OSU Extension Grounds – Paula reported they worked on the extension grounds on Monday. The ground was very hard, and they worked for 2 ½ hours. She said they could use volunteers to help.
• Veterans (Building and Wreaths) – Al L said flowers will be delivered to the log cabin next week. Al will notify committee members when they will be planting flowers. Chester K reported the wreath cemetery will be at a Canfield cemetery in December. It has been arranged with the American Legion to be there for the ceremony with the Honor Guard and Color Guard.
• Pollinator Gardens – Kristen reported the research on pollinators that was done at the extension is finished. She will provide more information about it with a link in the next newsletter. There were 3 plots at the extension. Pinky said they have planted pollinator gardens in Lisbon using the diagram of 2 of these plots.

II. MGV Officers Items
a. Vindy Article Recognition – Any of the volunteers who wrote Vindy articles was asked to stand. If any of the interns or volunteers need volunteer hours, you could get some help from volunteers who have written articles.
b. Veggies and More- Thresea H – (See above report).
c. Clinic Insect Case Renovation- Eric told us we are going to make an insect display case. Any MGVs who would like to help set up the display case notify the office. Ashley will ensure the identified insects are accurate.
d. Garden Art Monthly Series – No update.
e. Mornings with the Masters – No update.
f. Admin & Communications – Marilyn M & Pam B – No update.

III. OSU Administrative Report – Eric & Kristen
i. BOTO Duties – Sign-up sheet passed around so you can sign up for the duties you want to be involved in.
ii. Hours – Kristen went over required hours for active MGVs. Active MGVs are required to have 10 CE and 20 volunteer hours. The CE hours must include 2 hours of IPM and 2 hours of invasive species. 1 of these hours will be after this meeting. The volunteer hours must include 2 hours of Backyard and Food Events and 2 hours of Environmental Horticultural Events.
iii. Recruitment and Retention – It was decided that this committee will be a stand-alone committee. If you would like to be on this committee let Kristen know. The committee is looking at having open houses for recruitment and ways to support volunteers to meet their needs. The next meeting will be on June 27th at 5:30pm.
iv. Friends of the Mahoning River Riverfest – Kristen needs some volunteers for this event on June 11th from 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm at the B&O Station. You can park at the WRTA parking lot free. There will be music, food and education.
v. Mahoning River Garden Club would like someone to speak on Houseplants and Succulents at the Struthers Library on June 19th at 6 pm. Let Kristen or Candace know if you are interested.
vi. Eric will be presenting Hydrangeas for Ohio Gardens tomorrow. Each non MGV attendee will be able to take a hydrangea plant home included in their cost. MGVs are free to attend and can purchase a plant for $15.
a. Adjournment of Admin Meeting – Education Meeting follows on Invasive Plants by Stephanie B.
Submitted by Kathy Costa