Opening and Pledge of Allegiance
- Executive meeting report – An executive meeting was held on 1/16/24. Some ideas that were discussed were to explore advertising of pollinator gardens and invite the public to tour the gardens. Another idea was to plan local garden tours of our MGVs’ gardens. There was some interest in organizing bus trips for MGVs. Another idea was to change our monthly winter meetings to afternoon times.
Committee Reports
- Education – Karen Gates and Mariann Mannion – The education committee had their 1st meeting and explored new ideas for education hours. We are looking at creating a flyer to send out that list all available classes and workshops. Trumbull MGV program sends out a flyer with their education programs.
- Garden Workshop – Marianna Eister and Jim Merva – The Spring Workshop will be on April 20th and 27th. Speakers are being confirmed. It will include one make-n-take for the 3rd break-out session. There will be a pollinator garden tour. The Farm and Dairy will provide items for gift bags. The pest clinic will set up a booth. There will be fewer volunteers used and no crafts sale. More updates will be given next month.
- Hospitality – Peg Zeleznik, Natalie Fraser, and Rhonda Harris – Sign up the new class is being passed around.
- Grounds – There will be a planning meeting held March 4th at 6:00 pm at the office in the Large Classroom.
- Recruitment and Retention – Bob Eister and Bob Ferguson – The Open House on 1/16 was a success. Everyone did a great job. We have a total of 22 applicants. Interviews have started. The classes will start on 2/20. The next R&R meeting will be on 2/20 at 6:30 pm. The next open house will be on June 4th from 3-5pm.
- Bring One Take One – We plan to have a meeting before the next MGV meeting. We would like to enhance the event this year and provide pots for each plant. A sign-up sheet was passed around for MGVs to indicate what they could supply, e.g. seeds, plants, pots, yogurt containers, etc. You can start bringing clean containers next meeting.
Administration Report
- There will be some changes on Hands On Connect to hopefully make it more user-friendly for your hours. We will make the categories match committee names.
- Update on the Training Class – If any MGV would like to attend a training class, let Candace know so hospitality can prepare enough food for those attending. We need Mentors for new trainees. There is a sign-up sheet for Mentors.
- Expectations for mentors are making sure you are checking in with your mentee at least once a week during training (phone, text, in-person). Be available March 5th during the training class to meet your mentee. We would also like you to be available for your mentee’s presentation which will be April 30th or May 7th. After training stay in contact, invite them to volunteer, speak, and teach with you.
- Sign-up for Garden Art and Morning with the Masters – Volunteers are needed to help with classes. We also need volunteers to help with painting terra cotta pots white for garden art project.
- Lori is retiring at the end of the month. There will be an open house for her on Thursday 3/28 (Kristen stated the wrong date, sorry) from 12-2pm. The MGVs are invited to attend. Please feel free to bring an appetizer to help celebrate her retirement. Everyone will be notified of the open house by email. There was a suggestion for the MGVs to take up a collection. Peg is being asked to make a wonderful card for everyone to sign.
- 24/7/365 Vegetable Garden will be presented by Tim McDermott on 4/17/24 on hydroponic gardening. This will be offered to our MGVs first and other MGV’s in March. This class is free, but you do need to register. Call the office to register.
- Interest in Bill Snyder Class –He would like to give a class about living organisms in the soil. No date has been set for this class. Many people were interested, so Kristen will work with Bill to get something scheduled.
New Business
- Entertainment Event – Marilyn McKinley would like to know if MGVs would be interested in a social Trivia night for MGVs and their spouses.
- City Scape – Lois told us that the City Scape event downtown will be June 1st. Kick-off will be at 250 W. Federal. Let Lois know if you want a t-shirt by the end of the month.
- Stephanie Barkay will present IPM education after this meeting.
Closing
- Adjournment – Next Meeting: March 14th
- Reminders:
- Training Class Starts Feb 20th through May 7th. You need to let the office know if you are planning on coming to the classes prior to coming.
- Vindy Articles are needed! Still contact Eric.
Submitted by Kathy Costa