Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting
April 10, 2025
Opening and Pledge of Allegiance – Al Leonhart led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Committee Reports
- Bring One Take One (Exchange Only) – Bob and Marianna Eister – Bob announced there will be a planning meeting for BOTO at 5:30 pm on June 12th. An email will go out to the committee members about the planning meeting. The BOTO will be held on August 9th at 10:00 am.
- Canfield Fair – Jim Zeleznik – Jim informed us the committee will meet on Tuesday, April 29th from 5:30 – 6:30pm. The theme is “What are your Gardening Wishes?”
- Community Outreach – Thresea Harris – Thresea told us the Christmas tree was ordered.
- Education – Karen Gates and Stephanie Hughes – No report.
- Hospitality – Natalie Fraser and Peg Zeleznik – Natalie informed us to bring in baked goods on Friday before 4:30pm or early Saturday morning.
- New and Active Pollinator Gardens – Marilyn McKinley and Gail Siembida – No report.
- OSU Extension Grounds – David Burnham and Paula Kohler – David told us they will do general cleaning tomorrow. He also said they were doing a special project next week.
- Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague – No report.
- Recruitment and Retention – Marilyn McKinley and Kary Shively – No report.
- Veterans Committee- Chester Kaschak, Carol Kirsch, and Al Leonhart – Carol announced they will be doing the wreath ceremony at the North Georgetown cemetery. A meeting is being planned to meet with the trustees.
- Garden Workshop – Patty Kacenski and Jim Merva – Jim told us he has made a few necessary changes to the assignments. Everyone should have their assignments. We will set up the table and chairs and fill goodie bags at 1:00pm on Friday. On Saturday, we should be there no later than 8:30 am. The doors of the extension will be unlocked at 8:00 am. Kristen told us 23 attendees have registered.
Administration Report
- There will be a training class in 2026; applications are available and due by December 5th.
- Flying High Series – Volunteers are needed for the Urban Fruit Tree Pruning Clinic at the Hope for Newport on April 19th and Mahoning Valley Campus of Care on April 19th. If you can help, notify Kristen.
- Help with the Fabric Frenzy 4/29 & 4/30 – Kristen told us she will need help on April 29th and April 30th from 9am – 4pm to help prepare for the Fabric Frenzy on May 2nd and 3rd. Please let her know if you are planning on helping.
- Apparel Order – Kristen announced she sent out an email notifying us about apparel we could order. The order is due by May 1st. If you are interested in ordering anything, please complete the survey at https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePcAoXiHtKd61o2 If you don’t want to order any apparel, let Kristen know.
New Business
- MGV Conference Scholarship
- The 2025 MGV State Conference will be held in Wooster at the Secrest Arboretum. The dates of the Conference are Thursday October 9th and Friday October 10th. The total price of the conference is $75.00. Mahoning County will be offering 5 $40 scholarships to active MGVs and 2 $40 scholarships to the newest classes (2022, 2023, 2024). To be considered for the scholarship you must fill out the application entirely and submit it by May 15th at 5:00 pm.
- Columbiana Garden Art Classes – If you are interested in doing a Garden Art class in Columbiana County, let Kristen know. You could do one of the Garden Art Classes that have been done in Mahoning County.
- Stephanie Hughes shared with us that Nancy Brundage, emeritus MGV, is housebound. Nancy’s birthday is April 11th, if we want to send her a birthday card. Stephanie would also like to arrange a date, so a group of MGVs could take Nancy a birthday cake and visit with her at her house. Notify Stephanie if you want to be part of the group to visit Nancy. Nancy’s address is 64 Winona Ave. Canfield, OH 44406.
- Marilyn McKinley’s husband passed away. There is a card for us to sign to offer condolences. If you would like to send her a card, her address is on your contact sheet.
Reminders:
- Vindy Articles are needed! Contact Chevula at 1@osu.edu.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Please See Kristen if you are interested
- Greenford Community Library – Open to any gardening topic, including wildlife, pollinators, seeds, etc. Summer Timeframe for Adults and Children. Noon preferred.
- East Rochester Garden Club – Pruning for landscape flowers on 9/16/2025.
Closing
- Adjournment – Next Meeting: May 8th
After the meeting, Stephanie Barkay introduced our speaker, Jason Short of Beaver Creek Wild Life. Jason presented Birding Bonanza.
Submitted by Kathy Costa