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Jane Moyer

Jul 27

WHAT AN AWESOME GROUP!

By Beet 2024 08 August

Sometimes things can happen so fast, it’s enough to make your head spin!

On July 12, the Jackson County Master Gardener Board was informed the Josephine County commissioners had voted to end all funding to the OSU Extension in their county.  According to regulations for Oregon non-profits and bylaws of the Oregon Master Gardener Association, when this happens the affected association must liquidate all their equipment, supplies and materials by first offering them to other Oregon Master Gardener associations, and then selling and/or disposing of what is left.

JCMGA President Barbara Low was leaving on vacation, so she wisely asked outgoing Practicum co-chair Jane Moyer to find out what could be used by JCMGA. So on Thursday July 18, Rob MacWhorter and Kathy Rogers accompanied Jane to Josephine County.

The deadline for completing the process had been set for Friday, July 26.  Working backwards from that date, the schedule looked like this:

July 26: Return the property to the county.

July 25: Have paid help take anything left to the landfill.

July 24: Make anything left available for sale to the public.

July 23: Make anything left available for sale to JoCoMGA members.

July 22: Deadline for other Master Gardener Associations to take equipment, supplies, and materials.  Their three greenhouses and anything attached to them were considered part of the property and could not be taken.

On the drive back to Jackson County, it was quickly decided that Saturday, July 20 would be the best moving day, but YIKES!, that was only two days away!  Kathy Rogers immediately got on her phone and arranged for a 26′ rental truck.  An emergency Mail Chimp was composed and sent out first thing Friday morning, less than 24 hours before moving time.  Would enough Master Gardeners volunteer to make it work?

The answer is YES!  Bright and early (7:30) Saturday morning, the 26′ moving truck, pickup trucks and a car with trailer pulled into the Josephine County Extension parking lot along with 20 volunteers.  Less than three hours later, we pulled out again, loaded with everything from large tables to reference books; shelves to black pots of all sizes; easels and sandwich boards to watering wands and shovels; heating mats to canopies, LOTS of plants to sell and more.  Some of these items will be used now in the Practicum including the Native Plants Nursery, some will be saved to be used in the still-to-be-built Practicum and tool shed building.

Unbelievably, it only took about an hour to unload and store everything back at SOREC, so it was slightly before noon when the moving crew headed home.  WHAT AN AWESOME GROUP!

Although it is a sad day when a county MGA must close, we are thankful to the Josephine County Master Gardening Association. Due to its generosity, we will be able to use some of their equipment and supplies to expand resources and enhance gardening skills among Jackson Co. Master Gardeners. All Josephine Master Gardeners have been invited to join JCMGA.

A huge thanks to those who helped: Bob Reynolds, Barbara and Vic Low, Rob MacWhorter, Kathy and Michael Rogers, Marcie Katz, Lynn Kunstman, Lindsay Trumball, Mary Schrouder, Keltie and Keith Nelson, Deidre Krupp and her mom who feels no acknowledgement is needed, Erin Amato, Tami Cisneros, Susan Hoehn, Virginia Clark and Kaleen Reilly.  Let me say it again— WHAT AN AWESOME GROUP!

 

[Editor’s Note:  Jane Moyer did an AWESOME job; responding quickly to the call, selecting which items to accept, creating an inventory list, and expertly directing the whole process.  And then she wrote this article of thanks!]

 

 

Jul 01

The Practicum Story 2011-2024

By Beet 2024 07 July

 

As the leadership changes, a written record of Practicum history was deemed important. Here goes, although bear in mind, much is from memory which at times can be faulty.

 

In 2005 and prior years, Master Gardener students were required to participate in one of three activities: Greenhouse, Grandma’s Garden, or designing, constructing, and manning an educational booth at Spring Garden Fair (SGF).  Greenhouse consisted of growing plants from seeds for selling at SGF.  Grandma’s Garden propagated plants using other methods, also for selling at SGF.  The educational booth was discontinued after 2005.

 

Two mentors, Janet Rantz from Grandma’s Garden and me (Jane Moyer) from Greenhouse, noticed that every year many students expressed the desire to be able to participate in both.  So, we put our heads together to figure out how to accomplish this “merger”.

 

In 2011 a pilot program was run by combining the Thursday morning groups from Grandma’s Garden and Greenhouse, teaching the lessons from both programs.  The rational was that, even though the lessons would take about twice the time, there would be double the number of students to start and grow the plants. Therefore, the end results would be the same.  As in any new program, there were bumps along the way; but when asked, the pilot students unanimously expressed their appreciation for having been in the new pilot program versus one program alone. That summer, the mentors from both Grandma’s Garden and Greenhouse met together to consider combining their programs. Not all mentors were in favor, but the majority came to agreement that doing what provided the best education for students was the goal.

 

Those who decided to continue with the effort to design a combined program spent September through December 2011 writing lesson plans, painting the inside of the garage of the Creepy Old House a bright yellow, and combining supplies and equipment.  Rick Evans, a commercial painter and husband of Master Gardener Carol Evans, painted murals on the walls, cupboard, and filing cabinet.  Michael Riding, 2012 President, named the new program “The Jackson County Master Gardener Practicum.”

 

The first problem to surface was scheduling the Practicum sessions.  Historically, all sessions were held in the morning. With a class of 75, that would require many morning Practicum sessions with a high student-to-mentor ratio held in a small space. The solution was to switch to the current practice of having six morning sessions and three afternoon sessions every week.

 

Each year, changes have been made based on evaluations from both students and mentors.  Mentors now have an annual training before Practicum begins, take turns each week conducting a review of the lessons for the upcoming week, and sign up to be responsible for both one-time jobs and recurring jobs.  Students are no longer required to take Practicum (although most still do), they are asked to read articles and/or view videos online in preparation for the topics for the upcoming week, and they attend for 14-15 weeks.

 

In 2017-18, a Prop House and Lathe House were torn down and Greenhouse #2 was built. A valuable lesson was learned along the way: next time we build anything, we should hire a contractor rather than try to do it ourselves!

 

2018 brought a mandate from the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture and OSU that sent us all into a tizzy for a while!  Up until that time, we had asked Master Gardeners who were dividing plants in their yards to bring any extras divisions to us.  We would divide them, if needed, pot them up, and care of them until they could be sold at the SGF.  Because this practice had caused the spread of some harmful insects, viruses, and weeds up north, MG programs were told they could no longer accept plants grown in garden soil.  We couldn’t even accept divisions from our own demonstration gardens.  That was about a fourth of the plants for Spring Garden Fair!

 

Lynn Kunstman introduced the idea of growing native plants from seeds and cuttings instead.

In 2017 Lynn, a Jackson County Master Gardener and Practicum mentor, had been giving butterfly garden presentations. Influenced by the books “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope” by Doug Tallamy, Lynn began propagating native plants from cuttings taken on the SOREC campus and seeds purchased from Klamath Siskiyou Native Seeds.  Growing natives, which requires less water and maintenance, also aligns well with recent directives from OSU regarding sustainable gardening practices.  The Native Plant Nursery has expanded and is now an ongoing source of revenue for JCMGA.

 

In March 2020 everything came to a halt.  With all we had heard about the dangers of COVID, the JCMGA board had an emergency meeting and canceled the Spring Garden Fair.  Classes were canceled.  The campus was shut down.  All Practicum seedlings were given to members to take home and raise.  No-contact honor sales were held from members’ driveways.  We learned to hold lessons and classes via Zoom.  Practicum mentors put together kits for each student to use during online classes.  The 2020 graduation was held over Zoom.

 

And so it went for the remainder of 2020, 2021, and 2022.  There was no MG class in 2021.  The 2022 class took place entirely over Zoom.  Eight students graduated. Plans for Practicum were made and canceled.  The gardens were open for summer work with strict limits on how many MGs could be in them, then closed again.

 

Finally in 2023, things began returning to “normal” with a difference.  Classes were offered in a hybrid format, meeting in-person only a half day each week, while the rest of the classes met online.  The Creepy Old House had been condemned due to asbestos, so a Practicum teaching area was set up in Greenhouse #1 which cut down on space for plants. Some of the Practicum mentors decided not to teach anymore so each session had only two mentors instead of three. There were frequent absences due to COVID.  The Spring Garden Fair was held at the Extension instead of the fairgrounds due to the expense and lack of volunteers. But the Practicum mentors pulled together and made it work.

 

During the summer and fall of 2023, a small team of mentors went through the lesson plans to update them.  All teaching charts were professionally remade, laminated, and mounted.  Four mentor teams were organized (Curriculum, Greenhouse Maintenance, Native Plant Nursery, and Seeds).  Mentor positions were all filled.  It looked like it was going to be a great year for the Practicum.

 

Then two of the leadership mentors had health and/or family situations that kept them out for most of the season.  Virginia Brown assumed the chairmanship and with the help of a great mentor group was able to guide the Practicum through.  Spring Garden Fair was a financial success even though the first day set records for rainfall and low temperature (and probably mud).

 

And so, Practicum continues to grow, expand, and improve.  The first and major goal of Practicum is education with a second minor goal of fundraising.  Practicum is one of the main pillars that supports the efforts of JCMGA to learn, practice, and teach the art and science of gardening in the Rogue Valley.

 

Future changes: Barbara Low and Nicole Smith are assuming the leadership of Practicum.  The Creepy Old House, the tool shed, the Propagation Greenhouse, and the Practicum Plant Infirmary are all going to be removed by the county. An ad hoc committee is exploring the possibility of replacing them along with Greenhouse #1.

 

 

 

 

May 31

2024 Practicum News

By Beet 2024 06 June

The Practicum has been completed for 2024! The plants grown by students of the 2024 class were beautiful. However, due to record setting rain on the Saturday of the Spring Garden Fair, sales were down. Practicum plant sales generated about 1/3 to 1/2 the amount made in years past. The BIG success, though, was the cheer and engagement of both the customers and the Master Gardeners who worked through it all!

Meanwhile, Jackson County has finally decided the “Creepy Old House” has served its purpose.  After 20+ years of hearing that it was going to be torn down due to asbestos, it’s finally going to happen. The SOREC funds budgeted for the demolition will expire on June 30th, so destruction will start on or about June 2nd and is expected to take about three weeks.

This will open the SOREC property up to the street which could lead to theft and/or damage. A fence may be the least expensive solution. Now might be the ideal time to also remove and replace the old leaky tool shed, Peggy’s Greenhouse (which also has asbestos), and the Practicum Infirmary as well.  A committee has been formed to investigate the cost of each and possible funding sources for replacement.

In addition, Greenhouse #1 is showing serious wear and tear due to its age.  Termites have ravished the wooden parts, and the plastic top section needs constant patching. The water heater has developed a terminal leak and the electrical system needs constant repairs. One sink has a hole in it. And, as long as we’re dreaming of possibilities, building a separate classroom would allow for more greenhouse space for plants. A lathe house could also allow for growing shade and cool weather plants.

All these projects will be looked at by the committee. Grants and other funding sources will be explored, and possible plans will be run by SOREC Director Alec Levin. All that can be said right now is, “Stay tuned!”

Mar 01

Ajit’s Coco Bricks Annual Memorial Gift  — In Honor of Dr. Ajit S. Nehra 

By Beet 2024 03 March

Written by Virginia Brown and Jane Moyer

Cosmic Connections*, the company founded by Dr. Ajit Nehra, is a pioneer and supplier of Coconut Coir, Peat, Chips, Husks, Briquettes, Coco Bales  

Dr. Nehra was a genuine trailblazer in the industry, known for his unstoppable drive and enthusiasm in every endeavor he undertook. His irreplaceable presence and remarkable contributions will be deeply missed. As Dr. Nehra said: “Cosmic Coco Coir is a sustainable & renewable natural resource, providing gardeners an environmentally friendly option.”  

 

In honor of Dr. Nehra’s profound impact, the company he founded is wholeheartedly dedicated to carrying out his vision to help gardeners understand the value of using sustainable coir instead of peat moss in planting mixes. 

 

In memory of their esteemed founder, Dr. S. Nehra, who passed away in January 2023, Cosmic Connections will provide an annual gift to gardeners via the Jackson County Master Gardener Association (JCMGA). JCMGA will coordinate with several community outreach programs to disseminate 50 Ajit’s Coco Bricks. 

 

Bricks will be donated to those who complete the Seed to Supper class, members of the community gardens who get grants from JCMGA (often those who have taken the Seed to Supper class), and Jackson Country schools that receive grants from JCMGA.  Recipes for planting mixes used in the Master Gardener Practicum will be given along with each of Ajit’s Coco Coir Bricks.   

 

*Cosmic Connections. For more information about how to purchase coir supplies, please visit https://cosmicconnectionsllc.com/ or call                      541-625-3017.  

Jan 31

WELCOME, Class of 2024

By Beet 2024 02 February

Fifty-five strong, they arrived for the First Day Lunch on Wednesday, January 24. 2024.  And were they ever SOMETHING!  Enthusiastic from the moment they walked in the door, the Class of 2024 is already being predicted as another invigorating rejuvenating force for the Jackson Co. Master Gardener Association.  But who are they? Where do they come from?  What are their backgrounds?

Twenty-five of them come from Medford while eight are from Jacksonville, seven from Ashland, three from Central Point, two each from Talent and Eagle Point.  White City, Rogue River, Phoenix, and Grants Pass each claim one of these new students.  And, most amazingly, two are braving the wintertime Siskiyou passes to come from Hornbrook, California.  Three or four more may still be joining the class.

Varied backgrounds define this group more than any group in recent memory.  Business owner, supervisor, property manager, one landscaper and three professional gardeners, investor, accountant, and self-employed start the list.  It continues with painter, tour guide, program manager, and project manager.  Eleven associated with health-related fields and five with education comprise the largest groups. Two work for the State of Oregon while one works for the federal government.  Two moms, one real estate agent, one jeweler, one director, one fundraiser, one draftsman, one engineer, one each in HR, telecom, IT, and bookkeeping and the founder of Rogue Creamery complete this oh, so interesting class.

Eighteen of them consider themselves beginning gardeners, thirty-five labeled themselves as intermediate, and one advanced.  So why are they taking the Master Gardener class?  Seventeen want to become better gardeners while another eighteen are interested in gaining more gardening education including learning more about conservation/sustainability, soil, water, and xeric gardening.  Three are here to improve their work skills.  Being new to the Rogue Valley, new to a property, or new to a Mediterranean climate was the driving force for eight.  Fourteen want to help educate others, give back to their community, or just meet other  people interested in gardening.

On behalf of JCMGA, we would like to enthusiastically say, “WELCOME Nicole, Erin, Tracy, Pam and Pam, Susan and Susan, Shanie, Kelli, Karen, Doug, Scott, Mary and  Mary Ann, Grace, Carrie, and Joe!   We are so glad you’re here Janet and Jan, Vivienne, David and David, Tina and Tina, Flavia, Blake, Adrienne, Louise, Johnny, and Michael!  Cody, Cindy, Victoria, Melissa, Lindsay, Bruce, Jody, Kata, Cathy, Deidre, Chris and Chris, Gretchen, Alice, Teresa, and Ed, we hope you’ll stay with JCMGA for years to come!  Once again, WELCOME!

 

 

Jan 31

REMEMBER 15333

By Beet 2024 02 February

 

Where do you buy your gardening supplies and equipment? If you do any shopping at the Grange Co-op, you know that when you check out they always ask, “Are you a Grange member?”  If you say, “No,” consider adding, “…but would you please credit this to the Jackson County Master Gardeners? The account number is 15333.”

This enables the rewards for your purchase, which can only be received by Grange members, to go to JCMGA instead of being wasted. With the rewards accumulated by members and friends who remembered 15333 last year, JCMGA was able to buy over $1,000 of gardening supplies for Practicum, the Demonstration Gardens, and irrigation needs.

So, repeat after me: 15-333!

 

 

Jan 31

JCMGA Board Minutes – December 2023

By Beet 2024 02 February

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Minutes

December 8, 2023

The Board of Directors meeting was called to order by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. with President

Marcie Katz presiding.

Present in person: Marcie Katz, Barbara Low, Janine Salvatti, Sean Cawley, Keltie Nelson, Lucy Pylkki, Colet Allen, Sandy Hammond, Cassandra Toews, Dee Copley, Rob MacWhorter

Present by Zoom: Kathy Apple, Regula Pepi, Ronnie Budge, Jane Moyer

Absent: Pam Hillers, Trina Stout, Grace Florjancic

Guests: Lynn Kunstman, John Kobal, Ann Ackles, Becky Cohn

Consent Agenda:

  1. Barbara Low asked that a thank you card be sent to Travis Curtis Construction for his                  contribution of an additional ADA compliant path in the Lavender Garden.  Jane

Moyer agreed to send one along with a donation form.

  1. Barbara Low thanked Janine Salvatti for including 2024 Gardens Working Group

meeting dates in the GWG board report.  Barbara would like all working groups to do

this so she can post them on the JCMGA calendar.

  1. Barbara Low reminded the board members the JCMGA website has not been updated

yet but will be soon.

Colet Allen moved and Keltie Nelson seconded the Consent Agenda be accepted.  Motion

approved.

Additions to the Agenda: none

Approval of Agenda: Janine Salvatti moved to have the agenda approved as written.  Colet

Allen seconded.  The motion passed.

Approval of Minutes: Ronnie Budge moved and Barbara Low seconded the November board

meeting minutes be approved as written. The motion passed.

Announcements:

  1. Janine Salvatti inquired how to award the plaque made for Irv Johnson that was going

to be given to him after today’s meeting.  It was decided, due to his passing, his family

would be invited to the January meeting to receive it.  A moment of silence in honor

of Irv was held.  (See Attachment #1.)

  1. Jane Moyer announced the paths in the Lavender Garden are finished and invited

board members see them.  Travis Curtis still needs to sign the contracts to receive

payment.  He is planning to meet with Jane next week.  Jane will be sending a

thank you note to Kendyl Berkowitz for arranging the grant for JCMGA and to Travis

Curtis for donating an additional length of pathway paving.

  1. Three newly elected members-at-large have agreed to join working groups: Randa

Linthwaite will co-chair the Marketing and Technology WG with Barbara Low, Becky

Cohn will join the Fundraising and Community Outreach Working Groups, and Rob

MacWhorter joined the Community Outreach Working Group.

  1. Sean Cawley announced Grace Florjancic will head a Master Gardener committee that

will work in conjunction with SOREC Director Alec Levin and the SOREC Advisory                             Committee to develop the plan for the renovation of the gardens.  Colet Allen asked

quarterly updates be included in the Gardens Working Group board report.

  1. Treasurer-elect Keltie Nelson announced December 15 would be the last day for

submitting 2023 reimbursement requests.

Coordinator’s Report:  Master Gardener Coordinator Grace Florjancic was out of town so there

was no Coordinators Report except in the board reports in Dropbox.

Discussion items: 

  1. Treasurer-elect Keltie Nelson lead the board through a review of the 2024 budget

proposed by the Budget Committee.  (See Attachment #2.)  The 2024 board will

vote on the budget at the January meeting.  Ronnie Budge thanked the Budget

Committee members (Keltie Nelson, Sean Cawley, Marcie Katz, Barbara Low, Lucy

Pyllki, Lisa Brill, Jane Moyer) for their work on the budget.

  1. Kathy Apple and Barbara Low lead the board through the changes proposed in the

JCMGA Bylaws, Articles of Association, and the Policy Manual by the Governing

Documents Committee.  (See Attachments #3.)

  1. John Kobal, School Grants chair from the Community Outreach Working Group,

presented the list of schools receiving School Garden Grants.  Only four schools

applied.  (See Attachment #4.). Students will be involved in the Jefferson Community

Garden.  They have asked for Master Gardener help in training both students and

community members involved.

Motion Items:

  1. At the October board meeting, it was suggested the governing documents of JCMGA

be added back to the JCMGA Chapter Directory.  Barbara Low reported the Governing

Documents Committee (formerly the Bylaws Committee) realized that would almost

double the cost of printing so suggested instead that a small booklet containing the

governing documents be printed for each board member and anyone else who

requested one.  Keltie Nelson moved and Jane Moyer seconded the board rescind

                the decision to include the bylaws, the articles of association, and the policies and

                procedures in the membership directory and instead provide these as separate

                documents to board members and anyone requesting them.  Motion approved.

The governing documents will continue to also be found on the member side of the

JCMGA website.

 

  1. Treasurer-elect Keltie Nelson announced an anonymous donor has offered to pay half

the $2500 allocated for a student scholarship at OSU on condition the donated fund

be used only for the scholarship.  Keltie Nelson moved the board approve the

                anonymous donation of $1,250 be used solely to supplement JCMGA’s scholarship

                amount of $1,250 so that a scholarship may be awarded to an OSU student for

                $2,500 in 2024.  Jane Moyer seconded.  Unanimous approval.  

  1. Jane Moyer requested, in the interests of time, “Future Lathe House” be postponed

to the January meeting.                                                                                   

 

MEETING ADJOURNED: President Marcie Katz adjourned the meeting at 11:30.

 

NEXT MEETING: Board Meeting Friday January 12, 2024, 9:00 chit-chat, 9:30 meeting

                       

Submitted by Jane Moyer, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 31

Lavender Garden ADA Paths

By Beet 2024 01 January

During the 2023 class, student Kendyl Berkowitz approached the Fundraising Working Group with an offer that couldn’t be refused.  As Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley, a local foundation providing housing upgrades for low-income families, she searches for grants available to fund the foundation’s work.

A $10,000 grant had come available from Fortune Brand.  The requirements included the funds had to be given to a local non-profit to increase accessibility.  Kendyl determined the Jackson Co. Master Gardener Association would be the ideal recipient.

All Working Groups were asked for accessibility ideas.  Garden pathways that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards was chosen.  Because the renovation of the grounds will be starting soon, creating the need to move some gardens, it was decided that a garden unlikely to be moved should be chosen.  For that reason, and because it is on the annual Lavender Tour and, thus, more visited by the public, the Lavender Garden was determined to be “the one.”

Irv Johnson and Margaret Clark, the Garden Education Mentors (GEMs), asked that the work be scheduled after the Lavender Tour in July.  The contractor, Travis Curtis Construction, set the beginning date for October when the cooler weather would be suitable for drying cement.

Originally the path to be converted to ADA standards was going to run between the Lavender Garden and the Vineyard with a landing pad running along the front of the garden.  SOREC Director Alec Levin asked that another path be added to run from the entrance to the northeast corner of the garden, allowing visitors in wheelchairs to get into the garden.  He offered to use funds available to him to pay half the cost of this addition.  The JCMGA Board of Directors agreed to pay the other half.

GEM’s Irv Johnson and Margaret Clark; Garden Enhancement Committee members Marcie Katz, Janine Salvatti, and Lynn Boening; Fundraising Working Group members Sandy Hammond and Jane Moyer; JCMGA Board Member Kathy Apple, 2023 student Lorrie Kaplan, and Master Gardener Coordinator Grace Florjancic worked multiple days to cut back the lavender along the affected paths to create room wide enough for wheelchairs.

Everything was going smoothly.  Travis Curtis used small equipment to dig the paths out.  The date for pouring the cement was set for October 12.  And then, OH, NO!  Travis contracted COVID!  Everything came to a screeching halt!

Finally, in early November, the day came with one unexpected bonus.  Travis had mistakenly cut one path too many. Rather than having to take the time to fill it back in and compact it, he offered to make an additional path at his expense.  THANK YOU, Travis!

We encourage all Master Gardeners to pay a visit to the Lavender Garden to see the new paths.  They are beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 31

Zero Waste

By Beet 2024 01 January

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association is moving towards zero waste. Zero waste simply means creating no garbage. Recycling guidelines change from time to time depending on available buyers for the materials; however, as a group, we try to consistently keep waste to a minimum.

Currently, Rogue Disposal will accept mixed paper (including envelopes) and clean cardboard for recycling.  There is a recycling can for paper in the Extension office, another in the lobby, and a third one in the auditorium.  When Practicum starts in February, a fourth container will be in Greenhouse #1.  Additionally, empty soda cans and plastic bottles can be placed in the marked container in the lobby.

We ask students and perennial (veteran) Master Gardeners to bring their own reusable coffee cups for classes. For social events, we encourage attendees to bring their own table service – preferably reusable plates, silverware, glasses, cups, and even napkins.

The initial social event every year is the annual welcoming lunch for students on the first day of class.  We don’t expect them to know our practices yet, so we borrow the table service from the Master Food Preservers and use the dishwasher in the Extension kitchen.  Convenient?  Not really!  But in the long run, think of the waste we didn’t create.

As individuals, there is more that can be done.  If your garbage company accepts materials other than what can be accepted in the SOREC containers, take items that are not accepted home with you and put them in your recycling can.  Use reusable containers and cloth napkins if you bring food.  If you have leftover food, take that home for leftovers, disposal or composting.

Together, we can move our association closer to realizing its goal of zero waste.  Waste not, want not!

Dec 31

JCMGA November Board Minutes

By Beet 2024 01 January

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board of Directors Meeting  Minutes

November 9, 2023

The Board of Directors meeting was called to order by Zoom at 9:40 a.m. with President

Marcie Katz presiding.

Present: Marcie Katz, Regula Pepi, Barbara Low, Janine Salvatti, Kathy Apple, Sean Cawley,

Pam Hillers, Ronnie Budge, Keltie Nelson, Lucy Pylkki, Cassandra Toews, Grace Florjancic, Jane

Moyer

Absent: Rob MacWhorter, Marcia Harris, Colet Allen, Sandy Hammond, Trina Stout, Dee

Copley

Guests: Lynn Kunstman

Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was accepted with unanimous approval.

 

Additions to the Agenda:

  1. Barbara Low asked that 2024 working group chairs be announced.
  2. Sean Cawley asked that purchase of a dump trailer be added to the agenda.

Approval of Agenda: Janine Salvatti moved to have the agenda approved as amended. 

Barbara Low seconded.  Motion passed.

Approval of Minutes: Barbara Low noted the following information was missing in the October minutes: ballots for 2024 board positions will be sent out October 23 and returned by November 4.  Pam Hillers was named as the third person tallying the votes.  Ronnie Budge moved and Keltie Nelson seconded the October board meeting minutes be approved as

amended. The motion passed.

Announcements:

  1. Barbara Low announced 75 people attended graduation.  The program was planned

by Grace Florjancic and Jane Moyer.  The dinner was delicious.  Set up and take down

went well.

  1. Barbara Low reported 135 people attended the Winter Dreams Summer Gardens

Symposium.  A survey was sent to attendees on November 5.  Recordings of the

classes will be sent to attendees soon.

  1. Barbara Low announced the Member Services Working Group has set the date for the

2024 picnic on June 29 due to the amount of smoke in August.

  1. Barbara Low reported the Member Services Working Group has sent out a survey to

all JCMGA members to find out what they like about the association and asking for

suggestions they would like to see implemented.  The date for completion is

November 20 with a report planned for the December board meeting.

  1. Jane Moyer reported work on the Lavender Garden ADA-compliant paths was delayed

because the contractor contracted COVID.  He started work on them this week.

Tellers Election Report: President Marcie Katz read the list of officers who were elected to the 2024 Board. (See Attachment #1.). There were no candidates for President-elect or Assistant Treasurer.  Article III Section 7 of the JCMGA Bylaws states “Unfilled Positions. If there is no nominee for a position at the time the ballots are sent, and votes are received for write-in candidates, and if these candidates have not received a majority of the votes cast, they are not automatically elected. The President shall recommend an individual to fill the position and present the name to the Board. A majority vote of the Board shall be required to fill the position.”

Orientation for the 2024 board is scheduled for December 1.  They will also be invited to

attend the December board meeting.  The 2024 officers assume their positions on January 1.

Coordinator’s Report:

  1. MG Coordinator Grace Florjancic will be in Josephine Co. on Thursday afternoons until

their new coordinator arrrives.

  1. Grace will be out of town the last part of December. She’ll have her computer if

anyone needs to contact her.

  1. SOREC Director Alec Levin is moving ahead with plans for building student housing

where the Vegetable Garden and Orchard are now located and a farm office at the

south end of the open barn. The Creepy Old House will be torn down in 2024.  (See

Attachment #2 and #3.)

  1. Grace will contact Alec about Practicum mentors going into the old MGP classroom to

retrieve what is still in there and to take pictures of the wall murals.

Discussion items: 

  1. Finding new ways to offset SOREC fees: postponed until the December meeting.
  2. Purchase of dump trailer: referred to 2024 Budget Committee.

 

Motion Items:

  1. Janine Salvatti moved and Kathy Apple seconded approving up to $100 for a plaque

                to be given to Irving Johnson at the December board meeting for all his work in the

                Lavender Garden.

  1. Purchase of laptop and laser printer for JCMGA use: Keltie Nelson moved $2500 of

                donated funds be dedicated towards the purchase of a laptop and laser printer to

                be kept at Lynn Kunstman’s home and used for Native Plants Nursery and other

                presentations.  A process for other committees or Working Groups to check the

                laptop out will be developed.  Janine Salvatti seconded.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

  1. Barbara Low moved the following Working Group chairs be approved for 2024:

Marketing and Technology–vacant

                        Community Outreach–Ronnie Budge

                        Fundraising–Jane Moyer

                        Gardens–Janine Salvatti

                        Member Services–Barbara Low

                        Spring Garden Fair–Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki

                        Winter Dreams Summer Gardens–Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, Barbara Low 

                Kathy Apple seconded.  Unanimous approval.                                                                                           

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED: President Marcie Katz adjourned the meeting at 10:57.

 

NEXT MEETING: Board Meeting Friday December 8, 2023 (hybrid), 9:00 chit-chat, 9:30 meeting

                       

Submitted by Jane Moyer, Recording Secretary

 

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