Outagamie County Master Gardeners Association

Members meeting: June 19, 2008

6:30 p.m. program: David Bayer took the group on a tour of Meg Hunsader's 8-acre property, pointing out invasive species plus other interesting vegetation.

Meeting: 7.40 p.m. called to order by President Mary Learman.

Treasurer's report: Pam Hagen not present

State Rep's report: Kathy Baum not present                                   

State Rep At Large Report: Lynn Coffeen not present. However Mary Learman reminded us of the Conference July 19th. The cost is $150, plus motel if staying the weekend.

Education Report: Karen DesJarlais announced that there will be a workshop July 19th at the UWEX from 9.00 am till noon, open to the public. This will be Kevin Jarek – Rain gardens, Kathy Baum – Waterwise gardening and Rod Sternhagen – Rain barrels. This info will be posted on the website and flyers will be handed out at the Farmers Market.

Project Coordinator: Kate Langer said that a few of the projects have been sanctioned and they are posted. She especially wanted to draw attention to the Habitat for Humanity as the houses that need landscaping are built the previous year. These are on-going projects.

Anyone who has plants, trees or shrubs to donate this cause would be appreciated. People are also needed to head-up each house and teach the owners how to maintain their landscapes. Anyone interested in this or who have vegetation to donate, please contact Larry Godlewski at 920-450-1656 or e-mail him at lgodlews@networkhealth.com.

This project will be great publicity for the MGVA to let the public know our goals, what we are about and how community-oriented we are.

Program chairperson: Meg Hunsader announced that the July 17 meeting will be in Winneconne. We have been invited to visit the gardens of Sue Gremmer, and Barb Harrison and her friend. Sue has an orchard and woodland and is having a wall built. A suggestion was made to start the meeting earlier, probably at 5:30. Bring bug spray.

The August meeting will be at Judy Peters in Bonduel. Judy has prairie, woods and a pond. Bring more bug spray.

If you do not have e-mail, call Mary Learman or Denise at the UW-EX and they will keep you informed.

Fundraising chairperson: Carol Vandeberg not present. However, she e-mailed Mary L. The plant sale grossed $17,354 + $30 from the Petersons.

Costs: Plants – $6,262, Printing - $88, Hoop house - $280, Pots - $544, Food - $25, Misc. - $552, Soil - $418. TOTAL - $8,168.

Next year we will be adding more herbs. Thistledown Nursery will be accommodating us with herbs and flowers next year. This Saturday Thistledown will be hosting ”Fairy Fest.” Bring the kids! There will be activities and flowers.

Communications chairperson: Colleen Reed reported that e-mails and newsletters are going well.

Horticultural advisor: Kevin Jarek not present.

New business

Ken Wegener reported asking Jim Beard of FVTC what would be on his Wish List. This would be a $1,000 Compost Tea-making Machine. Since we paid about $800 for the shade clothes for the hoop house last year, a motion was made to donate $750 this year. However, we did not have enough members present to vote.

It was decided to wait until July/August/September meeting to vote. Hopefully, there will be enough members present to vote in one of these months. Will send e-mail to notify members of the situation.

The Memory Garden has asked for $147 for cedar mulch. Mary L. will contact Denise to see if money has been set aside for this.

Volunteer Opportunities –

Farmers Market
Emergency Shelter Garden
walk in July,
Farm Tech Days in Greenleaf – Thurs July 17,
8.00am-Noon, needs 3 more volunteers.
Outagamie County Fair – July 23-27 also needs more volunteers. Steve Kagen will be there. Judy Peters has 400 seed packets for this. Mayflower Greenhouses donated plant tags with recipes on the back.
Marigold Mile, S. Oneida St, Appleton – sponsored by Fox Valley Nursery, needs volunteers for weeding and watering.

The OCMGVA has purchased a new labeler. If any member wants to borrow this, contact Colleen Reed.

Lucy Valitchka wanted to know if David Baer was going to write for the Appleton Post Crescent “Living Well” section any more. David said that we wouldn't be.

Mary L. said that the FV “Women” magazine had a nice article in the May issue quoting her and Jackie Johnson.

Mary L. said that if you are doing just maintenance on a previously sanctioned project, this will probably not be approved next year unless it is turned into a teaching project of some sort.

Remember your mileage counts on service hours. Count travel time to and from meetings.

Meeting adjourned: 8:10 pm.

˝ hour Service; 1 hour Education.

Attendance: 26 members

Submitted by Deb Neuman, recording secretary