Master Gardener Foundation of Yakima County Meeting

June 17, 2026
Red Barn

Foundation President Richard Russell called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m. Four directors were present: Richard Russell, Dick Larson, Dan Fortier and Carrie Chicken, secretary.

Dan Fortier made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2026 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Dick Larson and approved 4-0.

Treasurer Report Financial Statements

May 2026 (posted on the website). Richard Russell, speaking for Treasurer Gilbert Plascencia who was not present, gave a summary review of the financial statements. These statements report the revenues from the plant sale. Those plant sale revenues are evident in the $25,000 increase in the Vanguard account, $15,000 increase in the Edward Jones Investment account, and $5,000 increase in the Edward Jones Operating Reserve Fund. He stated the cash remaining in the checking account was enough to meet the usual expenses of Master Gardener’s activities through the summer. There was a further discussion regarding the Statement of Activity and the comparisons of revenue between this year and last.

Greenhouse Report: Camille Smith reported that the natural gas bill covering October 2024 to April 2025 was almost $18,000. In 2026 temperature was kept at 50 degrees after the beginning of February. A wind blew off the greenhouse roof in May and is being repaired. The repair estimate for is $4,000. The greenhouse will not be open until March in 2027. She urged greenhouse teams to determine and provide her with lists of supplies (pots, etc.) by Aug. 30. Other anticipated expenses include potting soil.

Plant Sale Report: Reggie Sanderson thanked all teams who helped with the plant sale, from planning to clean-up. Many good ideas were put forth for the 2027 sale during the post-sale debriefing, she said. The Plant Sale dates are Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1. Members-only sale is Wednesday, April 28, 2027.

New Business:

Internal Financial Review Committee: John Strong reported on the Review of Records for 2025. Members of the committee are Richard Russell, Kris Vestad, and John Strong. Gilbert Plascencia provided the members with digital copies of all documents necessary for review. The committee found no discrepancies. The report from the committee will go to the record archives to show the work that was done. The report will also be posted on the Foundation website for anyone wishing to review.

Investment Advisory Committee: Dan Fortier said this was his first committee meeting as chairman. Gilbert suggested that the committee change the Cash Management & Investment Policy asset allocation guidelines for the Operating Reserve Account. The policy currently requires 90% in fixed income investments leaving 10% for equity investments. Other accounts have realized much better returns with a larger equity percentage. The need for the Operating Reserve seems to be more long term and not immediate than originally expected when the Reserve was proposed. The suggestion was for a change to the guidelines to allow 50% equity and 50% fixed and the committee supported the suggestion. The committee submits a revision to the policy to the Board

Vote to adopt Revision to the Cash Management & Investment Policy
A motion was made by Dan Fortier and seconded by Carrie Chicken to adopt the proposed Revision to Cash Management and Investment Policy.
The motion was approved unanimously by a voice vote of the Foundation Board members present.

Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State Volunteer Awards nominations
John Strong reported on the status of state volunteer awards nominations. Previously the procedure for award nominations required state impact by the volunteer nominated. A committee is currently reviewing awards, criteria, and ongoing activity through the year, including behind-the-scenes leadership. Anyone is allowed to nominate a person for any of the three awards. Applications are available on the MGFWS website. John took it upon

himself to nominate Gilbert Plascencia for the Ed LaCross award this year. Gilbert has been a standout treasure for both our county and the state organization and has been instrumental in helping other county organizations.

Old Business:

Memorandum of Agreement between WSU Extension YC & MGFYC

Richard Reported this has been approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 am. Members attending may record 30 minutes for Program Support.

Next Foundation Board Meeting Sept.16, 2026, Red Barn, 10:30 am