Master Gardener Program of Yakima County Meeting

May 20, 2026

Program Update

Advisory Team Member, Melody Westmoreland opened the Program Meeting. She commented on the recent losses that three of our members have suffered: Beatrice lost her husband; Reggie lost her sister; and Debra lost her father. We share their grief and offer sincere condolences to all three!

State Program leader Jennifer Marquis recently sent word about the search for a new Program Coordinator for the Yakima and Kittitas MG Programs. Many applications have been received and interviews will take place next week. Jennifer is confident of finding a well qualified candidate from the group. She hopes to complete the hiring process within six weeks or so. Melody estimates we may have a new coordinator by mid July.

Melody showed a new version of the Activity Form, which is to be completed following all outreach and education activities. It can be found on our foundation website in the Volunteer Portal, and should be turned in to the Clinic until a new coordinator comes on board.

Give Pulse

Julie said that she is alone in monitoring GivePulse, now that Michelle has moved to the Tri-Cities and Patty Ratzlaff has retired. Kim Foster has volunteered to work with Julie. They will get together soon to train Kim.

Julie attended a state-wide Zoom call on GivePulse this morning where she was able to visit with representatives from about 8 other county’s GivePulse leaders.

She asked that when posting an impact for Continuing Education or Training on either a Zoom class or Podcast, we record in the reflection field the name of the organization that is sponsoring the event.

Julie reminded mentors to check in with their interns to make sure they are comfortable with and using GivePulse to enter their impacts. She is planning with Melody and Debra to conduct a GP Workshop soon, probably in June.

Answer Clinic

Andrea reported that there is good participation from veterans to work with interns in the Clinic. Thank you to all.

Photo Library

Andrea is working with Julie and Kelly K to find an easy way to share photos sent to either the newsletter or social media with the Photo Library.

Farmers’ Market

Laura reported It has been busy at the market the past two weeks. We need more volunteers! Andrea commented that in the past Interns have been required to complete ten hours in the Answer Clinic before working at the Market or the Fair.

Speakers Bureau

Melody said that several speaking engagements have been happening, including in some new venues down town. There has been good participation from members in both speaking and writing for the newspaper.

Youth Outreach

Kelly K reported that 12 master gardeners worked at the Arbor Fest in April, where 641 visitors were recorded. The theme was “Oh the Places They Will Go, If You Let Them Grow.”

There have been two STEAM nights recently: Washington Middle School (3 MGs and 40 students) and Union Gap School (2 MGs and 56 students.) Theme was “Bats are Beneficial.”

Gardens

No one from Ahtanum Park was present.

Heirloom Garden (Sally): Off to a great start! Lots of chips were spread in the paths; Plant starts are in; Watering is good.

West Valley Food Garden (Camille): Nearly all plants are in; peas are up and growing; pumpkin and carrots will be planted this week; more help is needed.

Garden Classes

Mother’s Day class was well attended. There are several dates coming up in both the Heirloom and Ahtanum Park Gardens.

Plant-A-Row

Kelly reported that this will be a theme at the Farmer’s Market Youth Table on the 30th, as it was at the Plant Sale. She reminded that MGs can earn one hour of service impact for 10 pounds of produce donated, up to 100 pounds total.

Other

Marguerite reported on the recent event at Selah Middle School, where students developed “Order Sheets” to take to parents and teachers so they can order from the free plants raised by their classes.

The Yakima State Fair is building and planting a “Farmers’ Garden” to showcase the kinds of food the public can grow, in raised beds and with drip irrigation.

Question: Will MG 2027 Intern training follow the same schedule for 2027 as for this past year? Melody answered that the Green School will be much the same. Yakima’s training plan is to open applications on July 1, 2026, and follow much the same schedule as this year. Caveat: if we have no Program Coordinator, we will have to abandon a trainee class.

Patty Dion reminded that the Yakima Downtown Assn. has purchased plants for their large planters on the streets of downtown, and need help planting them. If anyone should like to help they should contact the YDA. (No MG credit is available for this.)

Adjournment:  Meeting was adjourned at 11:30. One half hour can be entered in Give Pulse for those attending this meeting.

Next Meeting (Foundation and Program): June 17, 2025, at the Red Barn, at 10:30 am