Transylvania County Master Gardener

EMGV Advisory Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

August 1, 2023, at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Welcome and Call to Order:  Betsy called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.

May Minutes:  Martha moved to approve as submitted the May 2, 2023 minutes. Mary seconded.

Reviewed and Accepted Finance Report:

• Joy reported a June balance of $8,016 – the most money since she has been treasurer. The plant sale this year raised $2800 (about $800 more than last year). The symposium admission fees brought in approximately $467.

Old Business

May Plant Sale Recap:

• Maryann reported that everything went smoothly with the plant sale. The plants were the best quality we have received and there were very few left over. Although the Carolina Natives Nursery wasn’t able to fulfill our entire order (due to plant loss from a cold snap) the plants that we did receive, sold well.

Demonstration Gardens:

• Allison-Deaver House Garden: Betsy reported that the plants are being eaten by a herd of deer. Betsy and Cindy G. are considering options for addressing this issue (e.g., moving the beds, fencing, etc.).
• Ranger Station Garden: Betsy and Maryann reported that Mary Agnew and team are hosting the 2023 Pisgah Ranger Station Gardens Tour on Monday, August 7 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. They have developed a Garden Trivia Quiz. The flyer and quiz were distributed at the meeting. The event will be promoted at the Farmer’s Market booth and in the TransPlanter.
• Library Rain Garden: looking good, especially the perennials which were planted this year.
• Silvermont
  • Vegetable Garden: looking good; the fencing Mary Ellen and Linn installed has helped keep out the rabbits. Sadly, someone has been picking the tomatoes. A sign has been posted saying the vegetables are for Sharing House and Bread of Life.
  • Moss and Woodland Gardens: looking good.
  • Kiosks: Nancy and the team will do a feature on mosses.
• The vegetable garden is the least participated in the garden (perhaps due to the heat). The group discussed ideas for encouraging more participation in the vegetable and pollinator gardens. One idea would be to institute a requirement for a 2-hour shift in every garden next year to expose all EMGV (new and existing) to more of the gardens.
• Mary Ellen and Linn would like another co-lead for the vegetable garden. If you know of any good candidates, please let Maryann know.

Farmer’s Market EMGV Booth:

• There have been plenty of EMGV’s to staff the booth this year. The recent cancellations/openings filled up quickly. Everyone is required to log 6 hours at the farmer’s market booth (though that may not actually be possible since a few people are scheduled for a significant number of the shifts).

New Business          

Status of New Class Volunteer Hours

• Maryann tracks volunteer hours. She reported that 1 trainee has completed their hours; a couple are at the half-way point; and about 1/3 have under 10 hours. Trainees have until the end of November to compete their 40 hours in order to graduate in December. If they don’t complete the 40-hour requirement, they can carry over the hours and complete them next year, along with the additional 20 hours required.
• The Saturday sessions have had good participation (e.g., 2 at AD, 4-5 at vegetable, 1-2 composting, 2 woodland).

Field Trip Planning:

• The group discussed interest in (re)scheduling the field trip to the Reems Creek Nursery in Weaverville and decided to instead schedule a spring (late April – early May) field trip to Carolina Natives Nursery in Burnsville and Reems Creek Nursery.

Seed Packaging for August 8 Pollinator Garden Program:

• Maryann has arranged for Liz Garrison to package the seeds to give away at Cindy’s presentation next week.

Recruitment Ideas for 2024 Board:

• There are four elected board positions – 2 co-presidents, secretary and treasurer. The other positions are appointed by the co-presidents. Ideas for the current slate to put forward for election in November include:
  • Mary Miller for co-president #1
  • Betsy Bond for co-president #2
  • Brenda to continue as secretary

Upcoming Opportunities for EMGV:

• Bart shared the following volunteer opportunities:
  • Monarch Day at Gorges State Park on September 23
  • State Fair horticultural judge on Thursday, September 7 (Brenda volunteered)

Proposal for Collecting Pots for Rosman High School:

• Brenda presented an idea for collecting used pots for Rosman HS (Future Farmers of America) Nursery. The teacher shared that the cost of pots went up significantly this year, impacting their fundraising efforts. The school is set up to wash the pots before planting. They need standard size pots to make it easier to water.
• The group agreed to advertise and collect pots on the day of and following our October and November programs (October 10-11 and November 14-15) and deliver them to Rosman HS.
• This activity will enhance cooperation with Rosman, support student horticulture education, and reduce plastic waste in the environment.
• Brenda will contact the teacher to get a list of the size of pots needed and to coordinate the delivery dates.

Schedule for the Remainder of the Year:

The meeting adjourned 1:09 p.m. Minutes submitted by Brenda Doroski, Secretary.