Yakima County Master Gardeners Foundation Meeting
June 18, 2025
President Rick Russell called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Twenty-seven participants attended.
Opening Remarks:
Minutes: Motion to approve May 21, 2025, Minutes made by Dick Larson and seconded by Joan Sousley, and approved by those present.
Treasurer’s Report: Copies of the May 2025 Financial Reports were made available by Treasurer Gilbert Plascencia. A transfer of $30,000 was made from Solarity Credit Union to the Edward Jones investment account. He concluded by saying the Foundation has “plenty of cash” for the remainder of the year. Motion to approve the Treasurer Report made by Dan Fortier and seconded by Patty Dion and approved by those present.
Greenhouse: Greenhouse co-leader Camille Smith reported on the loss of the outer layer of the big greenhouse by saying the contactor she thought would do the work is not now available. Camille continues to seek a contractor.
Plant Sale: Reggie Sanderson congratulated and thanked all of the team leaders and others. The change in use of space makes us want to grow better plants, reduce greenhouse expenses and remember we have other lives. We as Master Gardeners need to educate our community on how to grow gardens. We are concerned about a work force and upcoming interns. A letter of thanks for donated plants was received from the Selah Naches Food Bank.
New Business: Budget Adjustment: Annette Olson requested a budget increase of $250 to purchase tables for Demonstration Garden classes. After discussion the motion was made by Debra Kroon, seconded by Laura Willett and passed.
2025 WSU Master Gardener Award: President Rick Russell asked for assistance and volunteers in selecting nominees for Master Gardener of the Year, Media, and LaCrosse Awards. The LaCrosse award requires service on the State Master Gardener Foundation.
Old Business: State Foundation Report: John Strong described the role of the Master Gardeners’ State Foundation. He encouraged local members to serve on the state board. Each of the 26 chapters in the state foundation are entitled to have three representatives on the state board. The Mission of the state foundation is “to provide funding to advance the Master Gardener Program and education through horticultural-based research.”
AEC Conference September 26-27: John Strong reminds us the state foundation offers Master Gardeners from around the state the opportunity to participate in the annual Advanced Education Conference “Cultivating Resilience.” Registration for the conference opens June 1, and Early Bird registration is $109. We have invited master gardeners from the Tri-Cities and from Asotin/Garfield counties to join us for a Shared Learning Experience in the large meeting room at Extension. The keynote speaker is Larry Weaner. His book, Garden Revolution: Now Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change (Timber Press, 2016), received the American Horticultural Society Book Award in 2017. There will be two more live presentations Friday.
Adjournment: The Foundation meeting adjourned at 11 a.m.
Yakima County Master Gardeners Program Meeting
June 18, 2025
Program Coordinator Patty Ratzlaff opened the program meeting at 11 a.m.
Outreach Summary Report/Demographics: Patty asked presentation leaders to complete and return to her their reports. Copies are available.
Endowed Chair: The endowed chair has not received the funding required. Going forward the funds will be held in an account to benefit the state program.
Kamiakin Gardens – has been on hold. The gardens will now be listed as a community garden and not as a demonstration garden. They do have a new garden manager and he plans to take our classes this fall. Kamiakin’s produce goes to the Nation; it is actually a community garden.
AEC Local Viewing Party-Shared Learning Experience: We have invited master gardeners from the Tri-Cities and from Asotin/Garfield counties to join for a Shared Learning Experience in the large meeting room at Extension, we will be able to watch and interact with the speaker, share a potluck lunch, and meet fellow master gardeners from other parts of the state.
Give Pulse: Julie Hunziker reminded us that after New View comes on line we will no longer be allowed to enter hours previously earned. The date is uncertain so keep up on posting hours.
Writer’s Guild and Speakers Bureau: Melody Westmoreland reported that articles and ideas for articles for the Yakima Herald be sent to Carol Barany. The library talks are completed for this season.
Diagnostic Clinic: Andrea Altmayer reported that she is working in the clinic this morning. Kim is recovering from surgery. The June 12 clinic meeting included an educational component and an Insect Larvae Dichotomous Key. An exercise identifying insect larvae groups to common names using the key was done by attendees. Monthly meetings are the second Thursday of each month from 1:30-3 p.m. at Extension. As always there are lots of open shifts. Please sign up.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Kelly Klingman said the social media sites recorded 89,787 Facebook views in May. And 4,868 Instagram views to date of meeting. Kelly is looking for Instagram help. Farmer’s Market impacts were Kids 57, Adults 65 total 122. We added 63 Facebook and 7 Instagram followers.
Demonstration Garden: Annette Olson reported that the garden is ready for the Garden Party. Diana Pieti is preparing food for those working. Additionally, she needs help moving a number of boxes Friday. Please contact her if you can help.
There is a summer class on Water Wise Gardening scheduled at the demonstration Garden May 31.
West Valley Food Garden: Camille Smith reported the vegetable garden is “up and running” after a slow start due to water supply. The peas are doing well, which is overly appreciated by the rabbits.
Heirloom Garden: Sara Judd reports, we got off to a slow start with Sally having family issues with her daughter’s health but are on track. Phyllis has repaired and rebuilt the irrigation system. Sally, Janice, Reggie, and I with Phyllis are the small group with help dropping in like Laura that have planted and are weeding the garden. We have painted the picnic table and benches and have projects planned to add to the garden with a compost bin, fence along the arbs and a new sign. We do need to bring up the need to focus on the future of the Heirloom Garden regarding the seed saving and restocking of the seed library. It is important for us to get more help moving forward to choose plants needed to restock the library and have more people working with us.
Plant a Row: Sarah Judd reports Plant a Row information is now available on the Foundation Portal, go down to the volunteer area below and click to get to the information area for Worksheets, Guidelines and a list of Food Banks in the area with open times and addresses. This project has been greatly helped along by Debra Kroon, John Strong, Rhonda Gardinier and Patty Ratzlaff.
Adjournment: The meeting concluded at 11:30 a.m.
Give Pulse total for both meetings is 1 hour in Program Support
Respectively submitted,
Sheila Gunderson, Substitute Secretary