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Beet 2025 02 February

President’s Corner

By Beet 2025 02 February

The new year brings opportunities and new beginnings for all of us. I hope that you had a relaxing time with family and friends over the holidays.  It is always good to take time to rejuvenate and enjoy the company of loved ones.

JCMGA has had a successful 2024! In the December Garden Beet, I highlighted some of our accomplishments during the past year.  Below are more of JCMGA’s 2024 accomplishments:

  • The Fundraising Working Group has been busy with many projects, including selling our Garden Guides at community events.

  • As a way of getting JCMGA and gardening topics out to the public, we participated in many community events. We had an information table/booth with several of our volunteers who answered questions and provided gardening information.  These events included: Josephine County Home Builder Show; Blue Heron Park Event; JCMGA Spring Garden Fair; Medford Open Streets Project; Fall Festival; and One Sanctuary Event.

  • The Community Outreach Working Group has worked actively on getting more community gardens involved with JCMGA. They also provide school grants for gardening projects.  What a great resource!

  • We started a new project – the Friends of the Gardens. Its members are interested in working in our gardens and learning more about gardening without becoming a Master Gardener.

  • The Class of 2024 Clothing Committee developed a gardening shirt logo – created by Adrienne Cheng.

  • The JCMGA Native Plant Nursery is booming! A big “thank you” to Lynn Kunstman and all the volunteers for their hard work in making it a success. Cody Maple, a Class of 2024 student, created the new Native Plant Nursery logo and Nicole Smith created a new Native Plant page on our website.

  • The Marketing & Technology Working Group continued to create publicity for JCMGA, while keeping our technology up-to-date.

  • The Member Services Working Group designed and distributed the JCMGA Chapter (Membership) 2024 Directory to our members. They also planned and implemented the following events: Class of 2024 Master Gardener First Day Lunch; JCMGA Annual Picnic; and Class of 2024 Master Gardener Graduation Celebration.

  • The Board has been developing the JCMGA vision and determining what is needed make our new tool shed, lathe house, and practicum classroom.

Our working groups are made up of wonderful people committed to working together to accomplish their goals.  I encourage you to join us.  Contact the chair of a working group that you are interested in to find out more about what they accomplish.

Our working groups and their chairs are:

Community Outreach                           Michael Hornbeek

Fundraising                                              Jane Moyer

Gardens                                                     Janine Slavatti

Marketing & Technology                    Keltie Nelson and Lucy Pylkki

Member Services                                   Barbara Low

Program Support                                   Grace Florjancic

Spring Garden Fair                                Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki

Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens         Colet Allen, Susan Koenig, and Barbara Low

We are a very active organization which provides gardening expertise – whether hands-on or via classes – to our members and community.  It takes all of us working together to accomplish our goals. Thank you to all those who have helped with our 2024 projects. We should be proud of what we have accomplished! We look forward to moving forward in 2025.

 

 

 

Master Gardeners Class of 2025 Practicum Begins!

By Beet 2025 02 February

We will be starting our 2025 Practicum on February 5th.  Soon we will be starting to plant the seeds and transplanting the plants for the JCMGA 2025 Spring Garden Fair.

If you would be interested in helping with the planting of seeds and/or transplanting the young plants for Spring Garden Fair, please contact Barbara Low (barbaralow@msn.com)

I will let you know when we need volunteers and schedule a time for you to help.

2025 Capital Campaign Beginnings

By Beet 2025 02 February

Andrew Norwood, Development Director for the OSU Foundation, was the guest speaker at our JCMGA January Board Meeting.  After a 30-minute presentation on fundraising, he then followed by inviting us to lunch. Those of us who accepted his invitation were very pleased to get an hour and a half of his time to discuss fundraising for JCMGA- perfect timing, given the incoming of our next large project.

JCMGA has a huge capital project ahead of us. We opted to demolish the affectionately dubbed, “Creepy Old House” and replace it with a classroom, a tool shed and a Lathe house in that space. The capital campaign will also include funds for replacing the original greenhouse (Greenhouse 1).

After lunch, we went back to SOREC to begin reviewing the preliminary plans that will help us identify our scope of work, along with the project cost.

What Andrew provided us were several ideas (dos and don’ts) on how to secure funding, donations, and sponsors, along with ways to cut our building costs; thus lowering the total cost of the project. He also provided answers to questions of where to find these various resources. Some of his ideas were:

  1. Possibly utilizing an OSU engineering student to create drawings as a class project, thus reducing the cost of getting the drawings done. Grace indicated that she would help find someone at OSU we might talk to about this possibility.

  2. Finding a sponsor who would provide 25% of the cost with matching funds.

  3. Going to the sources of material suppliers for things like lumber, hardware, cement etc. We would start by sending a letter but then follow up with a phone call or, better yet, a personal visit.

  4. He also offered to review letters of request to make sure we were sending the correct message.

There is a lot of work to be done but the result of that work is something that we can pass on to future generations; something that Andrew is very interested in.  Andrew Norwood is a man who does not just talk about projects; he likes to dig in and get his hands dirty. He proposed an activity dear to his heart: he would donate a tree to us (we mentioned that it must be a native) and help us plant it. We welcome him back anytime. After he left, the energy and excitement of the people in the room was palpable. There is a lot of work ahead for us, but we now have some guidelines and an ally in Andrew.

MG February Updates!

By Beet 2025 02 February

Did you lose your MG badge? Need a Replacement?

Don’t worry, a replacement badge can be ordered for you! Each replacement badge costs $6 and can be paid for at the front office. In the mean time, I will print you out a temp paper badge to wear. Please add your name and graduation year to the list for a replacement badge. Badge Replacement List

Upcoming Classes

Master Gardener Trivia Night:  Thursday February 6th  7:00pm – 8:00pm   Online Via Zoom and Slido

A smorgasbord of unrelated garden trivia. Questions may be drawn from the nooks and crannies of the giant Master Gardener handbook, plant clinic experiences and questions, or horticultural pests of concern in Oregon. Challenge yourself and your fellow Master Gardeners—this season closer will be tough (and fun)!

MG Trivia night counts as an hour of continuing education credit. Certified MGs are eligible to win prizes during trivia nights. Join us on Zoom here!

Why Natives?: Saturday Febrary 15 1:00pm-2:30pm Online Only

Join JCLS and the Jackson County Master Gardeners to learn about native biodiversity! Native plants are crucial to ecosystem health and protecting life on earth. Choosing native plants helps restore vital ecosystem services in our landscapes. This presentation outlines seven steps you can take to create healthy, productive gardens and help save our disappearing pollinators and birds. Register here!

Green Your Garden With Graywater: February 20  6:00pm-7:30pm  Online Only

Concerned about landscape water usage during fire season and drought? Interested in installing a graywater system, but don’t know where to start? In this presentation, we will discuss:

  • How a household graywater system helps conserve water in times of drought, while keeping landscape plants hydrated

  • Assessing your site

  • Designing, building, and operating different graywater systems—legally, safely, and effectively

  • Oregon DEQ graywater codes and local permits

Register here!

Rose Pruning:  Saturday February 22  10:00am-12:00pm In Person Only

Have roses you are not sure how to prune? Join the Master Gardeners in our Rose Demonstration Garden as we teach you the ins and outs of pruning the perfect roses. Bring you gardening glove and pruners if you have them!

Class size limited to 12 participants. Register here!

Maintaining and Preparing Gardening Tools: Saturday March 1 1:00pm-2:30pm Online Only

Whether a garden consists of a few pots of flowers or multiple acres for growing food, gardeners will inevitably need a variety of tools, from pruning shears and trowels to shovels and hand saws. In order to keep the garden looking fresh and disease-free, these tools need to be maintained regularly. Join JCLS and the Jackson County Master Gardeners to learn about common garden tools, the importance of keeping them clean, and tips and tricks for maintaining, sharpening, and preparing tools for your spring garden just around the corner. Register here!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities!

Spring Garden Fair: May 3 & 4

Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming ways to be involved in the Spring Garden Fair planning and planting. There are many ways to get involved from helping with advertising, transporting plants to the Expo Center, event set up, and being a cashier. The bulk of help needed will be on the 3rd and 4th but there will be opportunities to help out before and after!

Cultivating Companions: September – October

Dates are set with Talent and Gold Hill Libraries to hold Cultivating Companions classes this fall. Some Instructors from last year will be rejoining the fun but there is space for new volunteers to join the fun. Email grace.florjancic@oregonstate.edu to become an instructor.

Gold Hill: Thursdays Sep 4 – Oct 16  12:30pm-2:30pm

Talent:  Thursdays Sep 4 – Oct 16  2:00pm-4:00pm

Seed to Supper: March-April

We are set to launch our first Seed To Supper class since 2019! We have volunteers and dates set with Rogue Retreat to get out there and teach veggie gardening on a budget. If you missed joining the fun this year, keep an eye out this winter for next S2S season.

Remember to submit your volunteer hours!
Submitting your hours shows the county the extent of all the hard work you all put into making this program amazing! Every hour counts. You may find it easiest to submit all your hours at the end of each month. Submit your 2025 volunteer and continuing education hours in the VRS!

Beat the Winter Blues

By Beet 2025 02 February

When it’s cold, grey, rainy, foggy, and just plain yucky outside for days on end, many of us get the “winter blues,” otherwise called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  A recent article in “Healthwise,” the newsletter from the PERS Health Insurance Program, reminded me that, while we can’t change the weather or the shorter days, there are things we can do to make winter more bearable.

One action they recommended is volunteering.  Quoting a Mayo Clinic article, “Research shows that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people age 65 and older by

  • improving mental and physical health

  • giving a sense of purpose

  • teaching valuable skills

  • nurturing new and existing skills”

For some reason still under investigation (thought to probably be the release of dopamine), this is especially true in, although not exclusive to women.  In one program, 85 percent of volunteers felt their lives had improved because of their volunteer involvement.

Although there are numerous volunteer opportunities available in the Rogue Valley, what could be better than Master Gardeners?  The opportunities are limitless, the volunteers are very friendly, and the rewards are many.  It’s a great way to give back to the community and make new friends at the same time.  There are activities at all physical levels and time commitments.  Boundless information keeps your mind active and growing.  And everyone speaks “gardening.”

The Plant Clinic is a wonderful place to expand your gardening knowledge.  Helping in the Practicum or the Wednesday class refreshes your knowledge.  Helping in the gardens provides physical activity.  The eight working groups are each made up of related committees that provide continuing social contact while planning the many valuable JCMGA activities.  Short on time to contribute?  Volunteer to help with Spring Garden Fair or one of the many one-day booths to acquaint the public with Master Gardeners.  Write an article for The Garden Beet.

Here are the people to contact to get more information about the committees involved and eliminate those winter doldrums–

Program Support–Grace Florjancic (541-776-7371)

Marketing and Technology—Lucy Pylkki (541-601-2519) or Keltie Nelson (541-941-8584)

Community Outreach–Michael Hornbeck (713-254-3771)

Fundraising–Jane Moyer (541-890-8561)

Gardens–Janine Salvatti (541-772-0464)

Member Services–Barbara Low (541-840-1615) or Linda Millus (541-772-9787)

Spring Garden Fair–Marcie Katz (541-301-8464) or Lucy Pyllki (541-601-2519)

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens–Colet Allen (425-941-7637), Susan Koenig (510-239-9270) or Barbara Low (541-840-1615)

References

Healthwise, PERS Health Insurance Program newsletter, Winter 2024 https://www.pershealth.com/userfiles/0174-PHIP-Booklet-Healthwise-Winter-2024_Final_Web-1.pdf

MayoClinicHealthSystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering

Cosmic Connections

By Beet 2025 02 February

Cosmic Connections is an Ashland company that manufactures and supplies coconut coir, peat, chips, husks, briquettes, coco bales and worm castings. The company was started by Dr. Ajet and Neeta Nehra who are originally from India and import many of their products from there.  For the past few years, they have supplied the Jackson County Master Gardener Practicum with coir and worm castings at a steep discount for the planting mixes made by students.

Sadly, Ajet passed away at age 49 in January of 2023. Neeta decided to commemorate her husband’s life by annually donating a number of coconut coir bricks equal to the age Ajet would have been. She has asked JCMGA to distribute the donations to gardeners who are less fortunate which we did in 2024.

Ajet would have turned 51 this year, so Neeta will donate 51 coconut bricks to JCMGA to distribute.  The board of directors has agreed to give them to participants in the Seed to Supper program, the Jackson County community gardens that receive gardening grants from JCMGA, and the Jackson County schools that receive grants from JCMGA.

The Master Gardener Practicum will receive, store, and distribute the coir along with planting mix recipes developed in the program.  For your use, here are the recipes that will be included:

Seed Starting Mix

Mix together well:

75% coco coir

10% organic compost

15% small pumice (less than 3/8″)

Add enough water to moisten. (When a handful is squeezed, water should not drip out.)

Seedling Transplant Mix

This totals 15 gallons, which fills one wheelbarrow.

Mix together well:

5 gallons pumice

5 gallons coir

5 gallons aged sawdust

Mix together well and add to the mixture above:

1/4 cup bloodmeal

1/4 cup alfalfa meal

1 cup bone meal

1/2 cup kelp

Add enough water to moisten. (When a handful is squeezed, water should not drip out.)

Succulent Planting Mix

Mix together well:

1 part coir

1 part compost

1-2 parts pumice (depending on how much compost compacts)

Add enough water to moisten. (When a handful is squeezed, water should not drip out.)

Transplant Mix for Storing and Dividing Plants

Mix together well:

1 part compost

1 part coir

1 part pumice

Add enough water to moisten.  (When a handful is squeezed, water should not drip out.)

We are grateful to Neeta Nehra of Cosmic Connections for this very generous annual donation, and are happy we can contribute to honoring the life of Dr. Ajet Nehra.

Book Nook — “Shrubs to Know” by Edward C. Jensen

By Beet 2025 02 February

Book review by Barbara Low

Have you ever been out for a walk and come upon a shrub that you thought would be a great addition to your yard?

I have had that experience.  I’ll be in a park or walking around town or at a friend’s home and see a shrub that has beautiful blossoms, leaf color, size, and/or shape.  I can imagine it in my yard around some of my other plants.  BUT, I don’t know the name of the shrub, and many times other people I talk to don’t know its name either.

I attended a training led by Grace Florjancic, our Master Gardener Coordinator, wherein she introduced us to the book “Shrubs to Know in Pacific Northwest Forests” by Edward C. Jensen.  It is published by the Oregon State University Extension Service.

This book is a fantastic resource.  The author leads you through the process of becoming a “shrub detective” in a step-by-step manner, such as what to look for in identifying a shrub and what shrubs to stay away from.

The book also contains detailed descriptions of 49 common species in the Pacific Northwest forests and has over 500 color photos.

If you are interested in adding this book to your personal library, it is available for purchase at the SOREC Extension office at 569 Hanley Road, Central Point.

Honey, Please Be Mine

By Beet 2025 02 February

 

Even without chocolates so divine, 

Sweet roses or fine wine,

Honey, I’d rather you’d still be mine.

Looking for something a little longer lasting to lavish upon a loved one (or maybe just yourself?) this Valentine’s Day and beyond?  Then look no further. Long after those customary chocolates have been consumed, the rose petals wilted, and the dregs of wine drunk, a honeyberry will keep on giving for years to come.

While edible blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea) is the name best describing this unique species of shrub, it has several other names: Honeyberry, Haskap, Sweetberry, Blue Fly, and Blue-Berried Honeysuckle. Here in the US, you’ll likely find it listed as “Honeyberry”. Blue Honeysuckles are deciduous shrubs native to Eastern Siberia (the Russian Far East, where it’s called zhimolost), as well as Northern Japan (known as “Haskap”).  It’s only been since around 2000 that improved plants were propagated in the US at Saskatchewan Extension (AK) and by the late Maxine Thompson (OR). Today there are many varieties available for home gardeners.

Exceptionally hardy (surviving to around minus 40°), they can bloom at 20° long before spring strawberries. Oblong, rectangular or teardrop-shaped dusky-skinned fruits have a taste reminiscent of blueberries, blackberries, black currant, and black raspberry with a kick of tartness. With peak ripeness during spring (six to eight weeks after blooming is done), these little beauties will fill your picking pot for several months to come. The later-blooming Asian cultivars ripen over extended periods. But if you just can’t wait to taste those elongated gems, go for the earlier blooming Russian strains that ripen all at once.

If taste alone isn’t convincing enough, one surely can’t ignore the rich amounts of beneficial antioxidant polyphenols that honeyberries provide like those found in other dark blue/purple plants and fruits.  Aside from their fresh offerings, they’re also superlative in cobblers, pies, jam, ice cream, sorbet or anything else where blueberries might be used. With varieties such as Blue Lightning, Cinderella, Indigo Yum, Blue Velvet and Borealis, just to name a few, how could one resist gifting one of these most fruitful plants?

Lastly, honeyberries are remarkably easy to grow. Their only non-negotiable requirement is that of needing a pollinator to produce fruit. So, if you have a bit of a well-drained sunny space with some filtered afternoon shade, they’ll do quite well with offerings of good quality low nitrogen compost, regular irrigation and compatible pollinators*. As for pests, the only one likely to be pilfering your produce is you!

* For successful pollination, one must select pollinators blossoming within the same group that are: early, early-mid, mid and late blossoming. The catalog sources below suggest varieties that pair best for successful fruiting.

Resources:

Montana State University Haskap Berry: The New Super Fruit – Montana State University

Colorado Gardener Honeyberry: The Delicious Blue Honeysuckle

Cold Climate Gardening Honeyberries, the Edible Blue Honeysuckle: A Fruit for Cold …

Sources:

One Green World

https://onegreenworld.com

They have one of the best selections of honeyberries

Rain Tree Nursery

www.raintreenursery.com

They have four varieties

Recipe:  Honeyberry Crisp

Preheat oven to 375°.  Oil the bottom and sides of a 9” heavy square baking pan.

Filling:

4 cups fresh (or frozen) honeyberries, washed and drained

1 cup of organic cane sugar

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour or oat flour for gluten free

¾ cup organic regular rolled oats

½ cup finely chopped walnuts (optional, but delicious!)

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

3 tablespoons whole wheat or oat flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/3 cup organic white grape or apple juice concentrate

3 tablespoons whole wheat or oat flour

1” piece fresh ginger root, finely grated

Stir together ¼ cup sugar, flour, oats and salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon zest. Work in oil until mixture is crumbly. Press half the mixture in the bottom of prepared pan. Mix honeyberries, grape juice, the remaining sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and ginger root. Pour in to prepared baking pan then sprinkle over the remaining oat crumble mix. Bake in preheated oven for about 40-56 minutes. Makes about 6-8 servings.

JCMGA December 2024 Board Minutes

By Beet 2025 02 February

Board Members Present:

Barbara Low, President, Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG, Co-Chair Marketing &      Technology WG, Chair Member Services WG

Marcie Katz, Past President, Co-Chair Spring Garden Fair WG

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Co-Chair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens WG

Lucy Pylkki, Member-at-Large & Co-Chair, Spring Garden Fair WG

Janine Salvatti, Chair, Gardens WG

Sandy Hammond, Member-at-Large

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Pam Hillers, Archivist

Cassandra Toews, Member-at-Large

Ronnie Budge, Chair, Community Outreach WG

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Jane Moyer, Chair, Fundraising WG

Michael Hornbeek, Student Representative

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer, Co-Chair Marketing & Technology WG

Guests:

Linda Millus, 2025 President-Elect

Teresa Jarrett, 2025 Co-Archivist

Mary Schrouder, 2025 Member-at-Large

Joanne Daane, 2025 Member-at-Large

Jory Kaplan, 2025 Member-at-Large

Linda Holder

Sherri Morgan

Taurie Rubaloff, SOREC Administrative Office Manager

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:04am.

Additions to the Agenda:  Members requested the following items be added to the agenda: Winter Dreams Summer Gardens update, proposed Governing Documents Committee for 2025, the introduction of Taurie Rubaloff, the new SOREC Administrative Office Manager and archives/Dropbox announcement from Linda Holder.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to add additional items to the agenda.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   All filed, written reports under the Consent Agenda were reviewed with the exception of Gardens Working Group report and the Spring Garden Fair report which were not available.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Agenda:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as revised. Motion passed.

Approval of the Board Meeting Minutes from November 8, 2024:  President Low offered a correction on page four.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the November 8, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes as amended.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  President Low presented the financial statements for November 2024 and the proposed 2025 annual budget which will be voted on at the January 10, 2025 Board meeting for approval.  President Low reminded members that all reimbursement checks need to be cashed by the end of this month otherwise they will come out of the 2025 budget.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the financial statements for November 2024.  Motion passed.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  OSU MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic provided overall year end data for the Board’s information.  In 2024 there were 9,300 volunteer hours, 1,010 continuing education hours, 1082 pounds of food produced and donated to Access, and 39 graduates of the Master Gardener training program.

OMGA Representative Update:  Colet Allen, OMGA Representative reported on the completion of 2024 OMGA goals and the development of organizational goals for 2025.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low shared the following information with the Board:

  1. President Low held the monthly meeting with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic. It was noted that the open area where the Creepy Old House stood is being cleared of vegetation with posts being installed to prevent traffic entering the property.  The yard carts, wheelbarrows, and the potting area will be relocated in January.

  2. President Low reviewed the proposed Board meeting dates for 2025. She asked the Board to move the July 11, 2025 Board meeting to July 10th so Board Members can attend the annual Joy of Gardening education event in Corvallis on July 11-12, 2024.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to move the July 2025 Board meeting to July 10, 2025.  Motion passed.

Membership Secretary Report:   Membership Secretary Ann Ackles reported that two membership renewal reminders went out in both the Garden Beet and via MailChimp’s.  As of this date, 45 members have renewed with 8 renewals still to be processed.

Discussion & Business:

  1. Pam Hillers, Archivist, and Linda Holder, past Archivist, presented the legal and historical rationale regarding archiving for JCMGA and the importance of adherence to standards of archiving. Moving forward, it was discussed that the record retention policy for JCMGA will need to be reviewed and updated.

  2. President Low facilitated a discussion of potential agenda items for the Board’s winter retreat scheduled for January 24, 2025. Potential items included Dropbox access, review of our vision to build a classroom and greenhouse, the 2025 organizational goals, and review of the strategic plan.

  3. Ronnie Budge, Chair for the Community Outreach Working Group presented a proposed policy for providing community garden grants for Board discussion and approval.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed policy for community garden grants.  Motion passed.

  1. Member-at-Large, Sandy Hammond presented a request for a price discount for the purchase of 31 garden guides from the Kiwanis Club in Grants Pass that would then be donated in the community.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to sell 31 garden guides to the Grants pass Kiwanis Club at $9.00 each.  Motion passed.

  1. Grace Florjancic, Program Coordinator introduced Taurie Rubaloff, who is the new SOREC Administrative Office Manager. The Board welcomed Taurie to her new position.

  2. President Low announced that Keltie Nelson and Lucy Pylkki will be Co-Chairs for the Marketing & Technology Working Group in 2025.

  3. President Low asked the Board to consider volunteering for a governing documents committee to review a potential revision to the bylaws and review of the records retention policy. The committee would be convened in 2025.

  4. Colet Allen, Co-Chair for Winter Dreams Summer Gardens (WDSG) Working Group announced that 30 landscapers attended the event, 21 landscapers received continuing education credit including five who utilized the recorded sessions. In total, 115 people attended the 2024 WDSG including presenters.  Colet thanked everyone who helped with this event.

     5.Linda Holder, Sandy Hammond, Pam Hillers, and Ronnie Budge, esteemed       leaders who will be leaving the Board at the end of 2024, all expressed their           appreciation and gratitude to the organization. The Board in turn expressed         their gratitude for their many contributions and leadership on behalf of             JCMGA.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:35am.

Next Meeting:

  1. The new Board meeting will be held January 10, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

  2. The JCMGA Board Winter Retreat will be held January 24, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary