Followed By Yakima County Program Meeting Minutes

October 9, 2024

President Dan Fortier began the meeting at 10:32 a.m.  33 Participants attended the meeting.

Corrections to September 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes:

The Foundation Secretary noted two errors in the September 2024 Minutes.  The first concerning favorite topic of the Master Gardener Facebook page concerning a Demonstration Garden class which should have been recorded as “Success with Orchids.”  The second error was listing incorrectly a member of the Strategic Planning Safety Committee.  Karen Fortier is the Master Gardener to be correctly listed on the Committee.

Angela Galbreath made a motion for approval of the September 11, 2024 Minutes.  Julie Hunziker seconded the motion.  Approved.

Treasurer:

Reported by Amber Knox.  The Fall Symposium income, $1600.00.  Expenditure made for soil purchase at $2500.00.  Amber advised that reimbursements went out the previous Monday.

Carol Barany motioned that the Treasurer’s Report be approved.  Sheila Gunderson seconded the motion.  Approved.

Greenhouse:

Reported by Camille Smith.  The greenhouse opened on Monday, 10/14/24.  The West Greenhouse is without electricity.  A refrigerator for use by members is coming.  Camille is storing 26 boxes of pots at her home.

Approval of Officer Descriptions:

Reported by Gilbert Plasencia.  Gilbert advised that the draft descriptions were provided last month to members.  Gilbert requested approval of the Officer descriptions.

Debra Kroon motioned to approve the descriptions.  Annette Olson seconded the motion.  Approved.

Fall Garden Sale:

Reported by Jenny Mansfield.  The sale made $1,063.25.  There remains some funds coming in for pending purchases.  Debbie Sundlee and Mary Hewitt, Art Team Co-Leaders, were a big help.  100 customers attended the sale.  25 – 30 Master Gardeners attended.

The Donation Box was used during the sale with $85.00 total donations with some $20.00 bills.

Kelly Klingman posted photos on Craigslist and the Master Gardener FaceBook regarding the sale.

Jenny also mentioned that the Art Team has settled into their allotted space in the greenhouse.

WSU Master Gardener License Plates:

Reported by Patty Dion.  Engravings Unlimited can provide the MG license plates at $18.75.  Some of our MGs already have these license plates and like them.  Debra Kroon said that Toast Masters offer license plates for a cost of $10.00, however those license plates are plastic.

Gilbert Plasencia suggested using license plates as gifts for new Master Gardeners upon their program graduation.  A Foundation funded gift.  Other counties gift green aprons or a small magnifier upon graduation per Patty Ratzlaff.

Fall Symposium:

Reported by John Strong.The Symposium is coming on October 26 from 9am to 4pm.  John advised that four great speakers are presenting with Debra Kroon as Keynote Speaker.  Lunch is included in the registration price.

Strategic Planning/Safety Committee:

Reported by Beatrice Reiss.  Four primary areas are to be assessed – Big GH, (Clinic, CW Fair Booth, Farmer’s Market Booth), Demonstration Garden, and the Heirloom Garden.  The purpose is to identify infrastructure and assess safety.

Strategic Planning/Fundraising:

Reported by Diana Pieti.  Donation boxes- Barbara Schmitt worked on the boxes.  They are uniform and professional in appearance.

Input was provided from the members that procedures are needed for use of the donation boxes.

Scarecrows- 12 made by the Fundraising Team.  4 were sold at the Fall Garden Sale.

Inventory of Master Gardener Supplies:

Reported by Melody Westmoreland.  The question, Where Are Master Gardener Supplies?  What Do We Have?  A suggestion from Program Coordinator Patty Ratzlaff is that Co-Leaders track their program items.  Take an inventory.  Input was given to put together a brief policy.  Patty said that her Advisory Team may take up an inventory policy.

The Foundation portion of the meeting concluded at 11:09 a.m.

Yakima County Master Gardeners Program Meeting

Patty Ratzlaff began the program portion of the meeting at 11:10 a.m.

Name Badges

Patty advised that 3 badges still need to be picked up.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Patty advised of the request for Master Gardeners to plant seed packets donated by the agency which consists of 25 Monarch Butterfly Mix and 25 Milkweed seed packets.  Plant this fall season, if possible.

County Website

Patty Ratzlaff stated that the County Extension Office is going to a new website.  Migration to the new website begins on Friday, 10/11/24.  Master Gardeners can google WSU Extension Pierce County for a preview.  It will be 2 – 3 months before all websites are uniform.  

Intern Progress to Certify

Reported by Julie Hunziker.  Summaries have been sent to all Mentors for their awareness of their assigned Intern’s progress.  50% of Interns are close to completion.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Patty Ratzlaff advised that the show is taking applications for Information Booths.  The schedule is for 02/19/25 to 02/22/25 from 9am to 8 pm.  Two hour shifts were scheduled last year.  Seventy five Master Gardeners from across the State volunteered last year.  Questions asked included general gardening, program, and climate change.

Handouts

Patty Ratzlaff advised that Become A Master Gardener flyers are available along with Activity Forms.

Master Gardener Leadership Positions

Are available.  Contact Patty Ratzlaff.

Emeritus Reapplication for 2025

Reapplication is open to Emeritus Master Gardeners.  8 have been completed to date.  There are currently 34 Emeritus members.

Reapplication for Veteran Master Gardeners

Scheduled for November 1 – November 30.  Patty Ratzlaff is sending the reapplication email to avoid confusion.  The email is not coming from GivePulse.  The subject line is Annual Reapplication.  The DEADLINE is November 30.  If reapplication is not received by that date, a face to face meeting with Patty Ratzlaff is required.

GivePulse

Reported by Julie Hunziker.  Julie commented that GPulse is a “well oiled machine.”  Members are cautioned to not wait until the end of December to record their impacts.  Julie also asked members to pay close attention to the dates entered for their activities.  Also, validation of impacts rotates between Julie H, Michelle M, and Patty R.

Advanced Education Conference

Carol Barany requested that Julie write an article about an AEC class offering.  Master Gardeners are invited to write a paragraph about a Webinar class that they have enjoyed.

Master Gardener Recertification

Patty Ratzlaff advised that Master Gardeners have until 12/31/24 to complete the required CE and submit to GivePulse.  Patty runs the report on 12/31/24.

Social Media

Reported by Andrea Altmayer.  

FACEBOOK – Is slowing down.  1, 458 posts received.  255 Engaged persons.  The popular topic was the Fall Garden Sale.

PHOTO LIBRARY – Andrea advised that in the last 3 weeks, some very gorgeous photos have been submitted which can be found on the Foundation Website.  Password is 98901.

It was also mentioned that the Foundation meetings provide financial information.

Clinic

Reported by Andrea Altmayer.  Some Interns still need Clinic hours, but they must be partnered with a Veteran Master Gardener.  The Clinic is receiving many public contacts and questions.

Standardization of the Clinic is in process including training Interns, Clinic procedures, and switching to a new computer system.  Kim Foster, Kelli Barton, and Andrea are working on these initiatives.  Our Clinic is networking with other County Clinics via statewide Zoom calls.

Writer’s Guild

Reported by Carol Barany. 

Columbine – A column was written for the Columbine for Saturday, 10/5/24, on Cover Crops by Melody Westmoreland.

Speaker’s Bureau

Pat Bombard made a presentation.  Claudia Stein is making a presentation in November.  Winter months are taken off by the Speaker’s Bureau team.

An assessment of the number of trainings that will be offered per month next year will be done.

Advanced Education Conference/Comment and Request by Carol Barany

Carol stated that the conference was compelling and inspiring.  Carol invited Master Gardeners to write articles on the classes held.

Youth Team

Reported by Patty Ratzlaff for Kelly Klingman.  On September 29, Youth Team presented “What Grows in Yakima.”  49 children attended.

Jennifer Harris has agreed to be Youth Team Co-Lead with Kelly Klingman.

Good Deeds

Buena

Every Halloween, Suzann McFeat puts together socks and candy and other items for children in need in the Buena community.

Also, Suzann’s neighbor grows tomatoes aplenty.  He gives them to Suzann who pots them up and gets those tomatoes to families in need in the Buena community at no cost.

Demonstration Garden

Reported by Angela Galbreath.  Angela noted as a compliment that Gini Obert was not in attendance at this meeting since she was at Selah Middle School pressing cider.  Two big bins were donated to the school for this activity.

Rick Russell will offer a Tool Sharpening Class at the Demonstration Garden on 10/15/24.

Hat Day at the Demonstration Garden will be on 10/22/24.  No garden work that day, just FUN!  A group photo with our wonderful hats is a tradition.

November 1 is Winter Rose Pruning in the Demonstration Garden for Master Gardeners.  Open to the public.

Farmer’s Market

Reported by Laura Willett.  Two more weeks and the market ends for this year.  Laura reports that the Master Gardener booth has a good location.  Ken Tolonen remains the stalwart volunteer at the Market, setting up and breaking down our booth.  Laura said that this is very labor intensive and heavy lifting.  “Ken is awesome!”

Laura said that Kelly Klingman is doing a fabulous job at the Market with the Kids Activities.  Their parents come over to visit the Master Gardener Information booth while the kids engage in the youth activity.

Also, ESD 105 offered free books at the Market drawing a big crowd.

The Market Managers offer great support and are doing a great job.

Heirloom Garden

No report.

West Valley Food Garden

Reported by Camille Smith.  The garden closes on Friday 10/18/24.  Cleanup of the garden was accomplished last week.  Butternut squash is curing before delivery to the Tieton FoodBank.  Clients appreciate fresh vegetables each week.

In past years, 1700 pounds of produce has been distributed.  This year it’s 3,000 pounds!!!

Demonstration Garden Classes

Sue Schauer is joining as Co-Leader with Annette Olson.

An inquiry was made if the Donation Box will be made available at the Demonstration Garden classes.  “YES.”

Master Gardener Directory Meeting

Debra Kroon advised this meeting will follow the Foundation meeting.

Sweet

Debbie Sundlee brought her table grapes to share and take home.

WE GREW LUNCH

Diana Pieti reminded participants the luncheon is in two weeks.

The Program meeting ended at 11:58 a.m.  Patty Ratzlaff advised participants to enter 1.5 hours in GivePulse.