Outagamie County Master Gardeners Association

Member meeting: November 20, 2008

Annual General Meeting: 6:30-7:30, 8:00-8:15 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Mary Learman. The minutes from the October meeting posted on the Website were approved and seconded. Mary reminded people to sign in at each meeting and to please wear name tags.

Highlights of 2008

- With 112 paid members and as of October 31, 87 members reported 7,625 hours for recertification; 410 hours for Youth Education; 831 hours for Community Ed; 4,520 hours for Support Services; with 1,864 hours reported for Continuing Ed.

- There were 35 sanctioned projects

- A plaque has been placed in the Memory Garden in honor of Bill Poley

- Survey results showed members were interested in more advanced seminars

- Garden Expectations had 118 attendees

- Plant Sale was a success, even though it rained

- Greenhouse didn’t materialize; we will maintain a rose garden at UWEX instead

- Our Website is up to date and user friendly, it’s very clean and nice

- Newsletter is now available online

- Garden photos are posted on the Website by Jan Sommerfeld

- Public Seminars held by Rod, Cathy and Kevin were well attended by 30 people

- Landscape project for Habitant for Humanity, helped local community gardens and a new project at Appleton West High Herb Program

Treasurer’s Report Pam Hagen reported checking and savings account balances which are available upon request. We are in the process of changing banks; new checks will have the MG logo. Mary and Pam will start working on the 2009 budget.

State Representative The State Conference reported a loss of $10,000 because of poor attendance. Gas prices and the economy were thought to be the major reasons. Members were strongly encouraged to email Susan Mahr at semahr@facstaff.wisc.edu to receive the State newsletter online to help defray high costs of printing and mailing, and possibly avoid an increase in dues.

Education Report Kathy Baum reported on upcoming programs; Day of Discovery, Community Garden, Farm For Sharing at Farmer’s Market of which seminars will be held the first Saturday of the month. This committee has come up with ideas and will be passing them on to the vice president for programs at monthly meetings.

- January - TBA (Possibly Phil Pelliteri on Entomology)

- February - New Plants with Kathy Baum

- March/April - Jim Beard’s Garden Design and Construction of Garden Design

Project Coordinator Kate, who was not present, is working on sanctioning projects.

Program Chairperson A thank you was extended to Meg Hunsader for all her work on the bus trips and programs that she organized these past years.

Fundraising - Plant Sale Carol VandeBerg needs a good clean-up committee for the plant sale to assure the place is in the same condition we found it. Also needed was more signage around the UWEX for better exposure. There are 1,000 plants that are in pots and wintering over for the plant sale which will be held on May 30, 2009. Plants left over from the sales are used for Habitant for Humanity and other places. Kathy Baum said that members’ plants are what make the sale such a success, not the ones she purchases.

Communications Colleen Reed asked if there were any comments or concerns regarding mass emails, and if the calendar on the Website is being used, of which there was shown some interest. The newsletter is being worked on now with 3 people willing to take turns doing it. Monthly meeting minutes are posted on the Website.

Members At Large Ken Wegener reported that the Hoop House is on schedule. Plugs are being potted up and volunteers will be needed to water the plants. Tom Brinkman reported the downtown project is working well with a good response for volunteers. Since his term is ending, Chris Schaefer will be his replacement.

Horticulture Advisor Kevin Jarek gave an interesting presentation (sales pitch) for a new Tablet Notebook lap top with a 12” screen and a camcorder which would double as a digital camera. A camcorder could be useful in taping educational classes. The cost for both would be approximately $2,600 plus tax. Motion was made and carried for the purchase of both. Because of the timing of prices quoted, Kevin would purchase both items this week. The old lap top will be retained as a spare.

Our thoughts were expressed to Sally who is recovering from recent cancer treatments.

Special Reports:

- The Herb Society took over the Herb Garden at The Gardens of the Fox Cities so we will now maintain the Butterfly Garden.

- Larry Godlewski gave a PowerPoint presentation on Affinity’s Habitat for Humanity Landscaping Project 2008. Seven homes were landscaped in Waupaca, Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago Counties by Master Gardeners. Homeowners can contact the MGs who did the planting with any questions they may have.

- Judy Peters and Bridget Staley brought pictures from the Seymour County Fair and reported there was a good turnout of volunteers to staff the MG booth as well as good exposure and activity from the general public.

- Rod took a food prep course and will hold a venison processing session on December 6 at the UWEX for a cost of $7.50 per person. The venison is being donated.

- Kathy Heier said the new schedule for the Master Gardener Class of 2009 will be posted on the Website when it is completed. She suggested ‘seasoned’ MG’s make the new class members feel more like part of the group by including them in conversations.

Special Thanks to:

- Tom Brinkman for the outstanding job he did while on the board.

- Cathy Schwieso for all the photos she has taken and for maintaining picture albums, which can be viewed at the UWEX office. After 2008, photos will be posted on the Website and can be viewed there.

- Jan Sommerfeld for the wonderful, user friendly Web site she initiated and maintains with everything from pictures, to newsletters, to forms.

- Mike Turner for graciously taking over as hospitality chair, setting up the meeting room, starting the coffee and the hot water. It was suggested that each MG bring their own coffee mug or travel mug to the meetings.

- Denise Vander Zanden for all the many extra things she does for our group.

- Kevin for whom we couldn’t function without. We are very lucky to have him as our advisor. Kevin ‘aced’ his tenure meeting held recently by passing the first time around, which is quite an honor.

Contact either Mary or any board member with ideas, suggestions or comments as they are welcome anytime.

Election of Officers Because all officers were running unopposed, a motion to cast the unanimous vote was made and carried. Congratulations to all the officers who are:

- President, Mary Learman

- Vice President, Larry Godlewski

- Treasurer, Pam Hagen

- Executive Secretary, Jane Lauer

- Program Coordinator, Kate Langner

- State Representative, Lynn Coffeen

- Member at Large, Ken Wegener

- Member at Large, Chris Schaefer

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Next meeting: January 15 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara Koehnke (for Deb Neuman)

44 members signed in. Hour count is Education 1/2 hr, Support 1-1/4 hrs plus travel time.