Master Gardener Foundation of Yakima County Meeting

November 19, 2025, Extension Office

Called to Order by Rick Russell, President, at 10:30 a.m.  There were 35 Master Gardeners present.

Opening remarks: Rick reported that there was a good turnout for the October Symposium.

The October minutes will be presented at the December Foundation meeting.

Treasurers Report by Gilbert Plascencia: 

  • We are sitting good concerning available cash.
  • We don’t expect to withdraw from reserve accounts, especially if we didn’t need to heat greenhouse
  • Investments are doing well.  At the end of October there was $280,000 in investments and $86,000 in rainy day funds.
  • Expenses were higher this month due to symposium and the last order of pots.  There have been no expenses for utilities yet.
  • REMINDER:   please turn in any expense reimbursement forms so they can be captured.

Motion to approve the Treasures Report was made by Sally Mayo and seconded by Gini Obert. The vote was affirmative with no objections.

Greenhouse Report:  

Kelli Barton – So far we have saved $3000 by not heating the greenhouse. Mats have been placed in upper space of GH and are working well; Darrell is monitoring these.  Heat might be turned on in the next couple of weeks; only Art committee is currently working in the greenhouse and temperatures have been mild. Heat mats have been installed on tables: 2 on east side and 1 on sound side.  Refrigerator has been brought in.  Work has been done on the gouged soil tables using wood filler.  Next they will be sanded.

John Strong – Security system will be canceled at the end of November.  We were receiving 30-35 false alarms/month at $65.00/check. There is a $800.00 base charge for the system.

New Business:  Rick Russell and Gilbert Plascencia

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Jennifer Marquis and Tana Hasart, Master Gardener Foundation President for Washington State, are working to standardize   the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaw’s for all WA counties.  Melody, Gilbert, Rick, Dick Larson and Patty have worked together to amend the documents that were distributed at todays meeting. We have been asked to review the documents, make comments and vote on their approval at the December Foundation meeting.  

Included in the information we received is a red and green flowchart explaining the WSU Yakima County Master Gardener PROGRAM and the Master Gardener FOUNDATION of Yakima County.

  • Programs operate under the management of WSU Extension and the State Master Gardener Program. Programs focus on education.
  • Foundation is a separate not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to support Program operating costs.

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw’s involve how we govern ourselves. Please review the current and updated documents to provide comments and a vote during the December meeting. The highlighted sections are new.  Only Foundation members may vote! 

Expense Reimbursement Form has been reworked by Gilbert.  Left hand side lists the Foundation or Program activities and right-hand side lists Expense Category.

Symposium: John Strong

This was a very successful educational event; there were 73 paid attendees (36 public and 37 MG) with a profit of $2775.00.  This was similar to previous years. Suggestions for next year include spending more money and efforts on public relations. Many thanks to those who donated handmade door prizes: Carol Barany, John Barany, Mac Conzatti, Diana Pieti, Debbie Sundlee, and Renee Holwegner.  Thanks and applause to John Strong for all his efforts!

Gilbert announced that he will be having 2 Zoom meetings to finalize the Budget for 2026. 

  • 11/20/25,  Thursday at 5:15 will discuss funding requests for Programs
  • 11/21/25,         Friday at 5:15 will discuss Foundation and Plant Sale.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.   Next meeting on December 17th, 10:30 a.m.

 Respectfully submitted by Laura Willett 

Yakima County Master Gardener Program Meeting

WSU Extension Conference Room

November 19, 2025, 11:30 am

Program Coordinator, Patty Ratzlaff: 

Annual Certification is Due on November 30, 2025

Working on Enrichment series fliers 

Thank you, co-leaders, for budget prep

Working on commissioner’s report and year-end report

Need all activity sheets!

Give Pulse, Julie Hunziker:

PLEASE enter all IMPACTS by December 31!  It really helps to go slow and navigate the prompts carefully and accurately. 

Sarah Judd:

Plant a row: 1951 lbs.  Please submit additional data by November 30; produce name and # needed.  (100# = 1 IMPACT hour, 10 hours max.)

Facebook: 76,043 views, 44 new followers, 3,457 total followers

Instagram: 3966 views, 2 new followers, 768 followers

Youth: October Farmers Market topic was “Bats are Beneficial”.  100 kids and adults visited youth table

Meeting ended at 11:45 AM.