Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting
October 10, 2024
Opening and Pledge of Allegiance
- President Pam Baytos welcomed all and Mike Beaudis led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. We took a moment to remember MGV Eileen Novotny who recently passed away. She will be missed by all.
Committee Reports
- Community Outreach – Thresea Harris and Lois Martin-Uscanowski: Thresea announced that the Fellows Riverside Gardens MGV Christmas tree will be decorated the week after Thanksgiving. The date and time haven’t been decided yet. Thresea was acknowledged for her leadership in the successful summer Veggies and More events. Everyone that attends gains a lot of knowledge and has something to share.
- Education – Karen Gates: There was a field trip recently to a fig tree farm locally and several MGVs attended. They learned about the purple hardy figs and the sweeter white figs. Samples of homemade fig jam were very much enjoyed and appreciated by all.
- New and Active Pollinator Gardens – Gail Siembida, Marge Greenisen, and Pinky Steffen: Gail announced that in Lisbon they are working on clean-up of the pollinator gardens.
- OSU Extension Grounds – Paula Kohler and Mike Beaudis: Mike reported that there was a recent cleanup last week. Hydrangea blossoms will be saved for future upcoming craft classes. Please let the committee know if you want any other items saved before trimming begins. There was some concern about chemicals being used to treat the lawn on the OSU grounds. Kristen said that the Lawn Ranger Company comes routinely to maintain lawn.
- Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague: The clinic is winding down and the last day is Oct.31.
- Recruitment and Retention – Bob Eister and Bob Ferguson: Bob E. reminded us to please submit bios and your photo for the directory if you haven’t already done so.
- Veterans – Al Leonhart, Mike Beaudis, and Chester Kaschak: Mike said the placement of veterans Christmas wreath event is on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Canfield cemetery on Route 224.
Administration Report
- MGV Apparel is at the office, please pick it up.
- HOC Help Day Wednesday October 23rd from 9 am to 7 pm – Kristen announced that HOC help day is open to all MGVs and interns to come in for help with HOC between 9 am to 7 pm if you need assistance. Kristen will be available to assist anyone who needs help. Letters were sent to anyone who had not met the required hours. Please come in for help if you need assistance. 50% of the MGVs have already met the required hours for this year. Unfortunately, hours for May and June of 2024 are missing for MGVs and interns that had been entered into HOC.
- Volunteer Opportunities on the back. – Please check the back for opportunities available for volunteer hours.
- Don’t trim your trees and shrubs yet! We need greenery for the Garden Art Series for the Holiday Containers and Holiday Centerpieces. If you have pine, fox head, cedar, hydrangea heads, or any other plants with greenery or branches with berries please wait to trim them for the classes if possible. Branches 2 feet in length are needed, if possible. Volunteers are needed to assist with Holiday Containers on November 13 and November 21. If you want to volunteer for this, notify Kristen and bring gloves and pruners with you.
- Morning with the Masters is changing – Kristen announced these will be free programs held at Mahoning County libraries on gardening topics. We are partnering with the Mahoning County library for education from February to November of 2025. The library is the host and will do the advertising. The education is to be 45 minutes with 15 minutes available for questions. You can notify Kristen to print handouts for your presentation. You are permitted to take MGV flyers. There will be no sign-in sheets for the education. We are not permitted to take the name and contact information of attendees. It is expected that 10-30 people may attend. When doing a class, wear MGV attire. Power point can be used for a class and you’ll need to put the power point on a flash drive to do the presentation. You can partner with another MGV or intern for presentation. Notify Kristen if interested in doing a presentation at a library.
Old Business
- Winter Holiday Donation: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Items will be collected December 12th at the meeting. These items are for children and can have children’s prints on them.
- new in the package twin or twin XL comforters = 1 volunteer hour
- new in the package pillows = .5 volunteer hours
- new in the package twin or twin XL Sheets = .5 volunteer hours
- Earlier Meetings in the Winter – meetings will remain the same
- October 24th @ 6 pm watch party – Please RSVP. Pizza will be available.
New Business
Nominations for Committee Chairs – Kristen told us, anyone nominated will be notified of the nomination for their approval. To finish the nominations, Kristen announced that she will leave the nominations open for 2 weeks, until October 24th. Kristen will send out the voting and committee selection via email.
Nominations for committee co-chairs were taken from the floor:
BOTO – no nominations taken from the floor
Canfield Fair – Jim Zelernik
Community Outreach – Thresea Harris
Education – Karen Gates and Stephanie Hughes
Garden Conference – Jim Merva and Patty Kacenski
Hospitality – Peggy Zelenik and Natalie Fraser
Pollinators – Gail Siembida, Pinks Steffen and Marilyn McKinley
OSU Grounds – Paula Kohler and David Burnham
Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague
Recruitment and Retention – Bob Eister Carol Smith
Veterans – Al Leonhart, Chester Kaschak and Carol Kirsch
Closing
- Adjournment – Next Meeting: November 14th
- Handout was given to us on Adaptive Gardening by Bob Eister.
- Reminders:
- Vindy Articles are needed! Still contact Eric.
- State Lunch and Learn starts October 8
- HOC Help Day Wednesday October 23rd from 9 am to 7 pm
Volunteer Opportunities:
Please See Kristen if you are interested.
- YMHA Starting Gardens. Please let Kristen know if you would be interested to help.
- Lowellville Park- W. Wood Street., Lowellville, OH 44436
- Norton Manor- 1400 Springdale Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505
- Vasu Manor- 137 Roosevelt Dr., Campbell, Oh 44405
- South Range School would like help with a school apple orchard. Please let Kristen know if you would be interested to help.
- Boardman Schools would like help learning to graft fruit trees. Please let Kristen know if you would be interested.
- Salem Historical Society- October 2024 or May 2025 Native Appalachia Plants. Contact Haley Shoemaker at 330-967-7249 or 306@osu.edu
Submitted by Marie Belfast and Kathy Costa