December 11, 2025 Yakima County Master Gardener Foundation/Program Minutes

Foundation Meeting

President Dan Fortier called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m.  32 Participants were in attendance.

A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes for the October and November 2024 meetings by Joan Sousley.  Gini Obert seconded the motion.  Approved.

Treasurer report by Gilbert Plascencia:

• $141,000 is in the Vanguard Account.
• Expense reimbursements are up to date.
• A North Yakima Conservation District charge at $1,500 is posted in December.
• Treasurer asked that any expense reimbursements be submitted so that accounts can be brought current through the end of 2024.

Motion made by Camille Smith to approve the Treasurer’s report.  A second of the motion was made by Lorie Harrison.  Approved.

Motion for approval of Financial Report from June – October 2024 made by Debra Kroon.

Second by John Strong.  Approved.

Greenhouse report by Camille Smith:

• Plumbing issues are repaired.
• Two heat tables are installed in the large greenhouse. 
• The temperature in the east greenhouse will remain at 50 degrees until plant material is present, and then turned up to 65 – 70 degrees.

Interim Treasurer

President Dan Fortier thanked Gilbert Plascencia for stepping up as Interim Treasurer.

Gilbert gave the following updates:

• Budget Zoom Meetings were held on 12/1 and 12/2 with Program Co-Leads.
• Review of Program requests, Foundation, Operational supplies, and Plant Sale was done.
• Total funding request for the Program for 2025 is approximately $25,000.
• Total budget for Foundation operations is approximately $12,000.
• The annual Plant Sale is budgeted to generate net revenue of approximately $12,000
• Net budget deficit for 2025 is $18,305 which is expected to be funded from reserves

Motion to approve the 2025 Budget was made by John Strong.  Seconded by Reggie Sanderson.  Approved.

Investment Advisory Committee

• Melody Westmoreland, is the elected Chair of this committee.
• Members are Dan Fortier, Rick Russell, John Strong and Gilbert Plascencia.  The Treasurer is required to be on this committee.
• $80,000 must be in the reserve account at all times.  The current account is at $81,000 due to earnings.
• The Committee is scheduled to meet April, September, and early January 2026.
• The purpose of the Committee is to look at the performance of investments and safety of the funds.
• Melody Westmoreland will report on financials.

Foundation Meeting Dates

Discussion and motion made to change monthly meeting dates to the third Wednesday of the month.

Discussion and motion made to have no meetings held in the months of July and August.

These changes would be effective beginning January 2025.

Motion made by Debra Kroon to change the meeting dates to the third Wednesday of the month.  Second by Sally Mayo.  Approved.

Motion made by Gilbert Plascencia not to schedule meetings in July and August.  Second by Sheila Gunderson.  Approved.

Yakima County Master Gardener of the Year Award reported by Sheila Gunderson

The award is to be presented at the February 2025 Awards Banquet.

Sheila requested that nominations be submitted via email for nominees who have performed ‘above and beyond’ in MG activities in 2024.

Previous honorees are Jenny Mansfied and Gini Obert.

Slate of Officers for 2025

Sheila Gunderson and Beatrice Reiss are on the Recruiting Committee.  

Every position is open except for the At Large Position held by Beatrice Reiss.

Position Job Descriptions can be found on the website.

State Foundation Report 

John Strong presenter.

• The State Foundation has grown and had significant accomplishments in 2024.
• State Foundation had a substantial presence in the 2024 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival.
• Put on a successful online conference in 2024.  Participants from throughout the country attended.  15 -16 from the East Coast.
• Funds raised by this year’s conference will go a long way toward future conferences.
• In-person conferences are extremely costly and prohibitive that result in high tuition rates.
• John requested that YCMG participate in upcoming conference planning.  The theme is Climate Change.  Zoom meetings are the method  for planning.  This means that MGs can participate from their home.  An important function is to recruit speakers. If interested let John know so that he may forward your name to the State Foundation.

President Dan Fortier closed the Foundation Meeting at 11:12 a.m.

Program Meeting

Program Coordinator Patty Ratzlaff began the meeting at 11:12 a.m.

Reapplications

Patty advised that reapplications to the Master Gardener Program numbered 84 Veterans.  34 Emeritus reapplied.

Enrichment Series

The training for MGs scheduled for 2025 was made available.

Youth Team

Kelly Klingman presenter.  Youth Team will participate in one more STEM night at Franklin Middle School.

GivePulse

Julie Hunziker submitted the report presented by Patty Ratzlaff.

Photo Library

Reported by Andrea Altmayer.

Social Media

Kelly Klingman will lead this activity.

Clinic

On hold.

Farmer’s Market

On hold.  Patty Ratzlaff reported that the numbers for the Farmer’s Market in 2024 are amazing.

Seed Library

Reported by Phyllis Pugnetti.

• Work is ongoing to refill the seed collection.  Last year there were many seed orders received and filled.  (2800 packages of seeds to replace.)
• Thought is being given to a more conservative approach to seed distribution in future.

Heirloom Garden

Presented by Sally Mayo.

Co-leads for the Heirloom Garden are needed.  Janice Miller is taking a break.

Contact Sally Mayo or Patty Ratzlaff if interested.

Yakima Valley Museum Christmas Tree

Presented by Mary Kearney.

YCMGs has a tree decorated and at the museum for this event.

Strategic Planning Meeting for 2025 Symposium

John Strong announced the meeting will be held directly following this meeting at the Yakima County Extension Office.

Master Gardener License Plate Frames

Jenny Mansfield announced that the frames are in and available at this meeting for those who ordered them.

Patty Ratzlaff ended the Program meeting with Seasons Greetings to all at 11:30 a.m.

Record 1 hour in GivePulse for this Foundation/Program meeting.