Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Transylvania County

Advisory Board Meeting:  February 6, 2023, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location:  Cooperative Extension Conference Room

 Welcome and Call to Order:  Betsy called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Lynn Bartosh lbartosh@comcast.net

Betsy Bond betsy.j.bond@gmail.com

Nancy Carroll nancyscarroll@gmail.com

Cindy Decker shinethrough99@gmail.com

Brenda Doroski bdoroski@gmail.com

Joy Evans joyaevans@yahoo.com

Cindy Gilbert cbgilbert58@gmail.com

Lani Leary lanileary@msn.com

Martha Mayberry marthatonissenmayberry@gmail.com

Maryann Mickewicz mmickew@ncsu.edu

Mary Miller marymiller1954@gmail.com

Bart Renner bmrenner@ncsu.edu

Jane Robertson janegr214@gmail.com

Approved January 9, 2023 Board minutes. Motion: Lani; Second: Martha.

Reviewed and Accepted Finance Report:  Joy reported expenses of $38.85 (condolence plant for Dee Veenhof) and $737.80 (plant order for sale) and a balance of $5162.64 on January 31, 2023 (see attached financial report for more details). Motion: Lani; Second: Martha.

• Denotes Action to Be Done
• Denotes Action Completed

Old Business

Education Committee – Spring Symposium Update:

• Maryann reported that Spring Symposium preparations are going well (no changes to the speaker or program. Mary Palmer Dargan from Cashiers will present on landscape design and landscape redesign on March 18, 2023, from 9:00 – 12:00 at the library. The Ed Comm has been successful in soliciting sponsors and donations for door prizes.

• The Eventbrite registration to purchase tickets will be available soon and announced in the TransPlanter newsletter.
• 2023 MG Class: Lynn reflected on the awesome mentors for the new class – Julia Kennerly, Rodney Holcomb, and Leslie and Bob Mertens.
  • Bart confirmed there are 12 trainees in the class (including Liz Garrison who is filling in for a candidate who dropped the class).
  • Board agreed to encourage the trainees to attend at least one board meeting to better understand the organization and opportunities for engagement. 
  • February 14, 2023, Soup Luncheon Planning

• Maryann distributed an updated agenda (which also includes an updated list of Garden and Committee Leaders).
• Lunch sign-up (e.g., 6 soups, bread, 4 salads, etc.) is going well. Maryann will send out a reminder with the link.
• Maryann has purchased small disposable paper bowls, metal utensils, and glasses instead of having participants bring their own. Will use plates already in inventory. Disposable bowls will allow people to try various soups and reduce any health/sanitary concerns associated with a self-service buffet.
• Lynn, Phyllis, and Maryann are all set to make 12 centerpieces (one for each new trainee).

 Status on open leadership positions:

• PF Ranger Station – Mary Agnew would welcome a co-lead
• Vegetables and Fruits – need a volunteer to co-lead with Linn Branson
• Sunshine Coordinator – Maryann has reached out to Joan Munn
• Photographers – Steve and Holly often fill this role. Will make an announcement at the luncheon encouraging everyone to email MG-related pictures (large format) to Maryann for inclusion in the TransPlanter newsletter and TT articles.

New Business

How to Plan Field Trips

• Board agreed to poll attendees at next week’s soup luncheon on interest in the following field trip options (one spring, one fall):

1. Clemson University Camellia Garden and Table Rock Tea Garden (which is on the way there). Cindy learned tours are available at $6/person but has not been able to speak with anyone on the phone.
2. Arboretum “behind the scenes” tour. Cost is per vehicle and free if you are a member (which a handful of MGs are).
3. Biltmore grounds only tour
4. Van Wingerden Greenhouse Company in Mills River
5. Southern Highlands Reserve – expensive at $50/person and often booked. Deleted
6. Added Asheville Botanical Gardens (UNC)
7. Added Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville, 1 ½ hour drive

 Spring Plant Sale – May 13, 2023

• Plants have been ordered.
• The Transylvania Garden Club and French Broad Garden Club will participate. The Heritage Museum will not participate this year due to a shortage of volunteers. A church group has contacted Maryann about joining as well, but they have not confirmed.
• The sale will be held in the Kmart corner of the Ingles parking lot (at no cost).
• Maryann will announce in the TransPlanter to encourage MG to start gathering plants.

Other items:

• Nancy Carroll would like to discuss ideas for the kiosks that came out of the recent book club meeting (themes and use of QR codes). She shared that the pollinator garden leads, Holly and Mary Ellen, are also interested in updating that kiosk.
• Bart shared that the Mayor’s Office received a large donation of last year’s vegetables, herbs, and flower seeds and will make them available to the public at the Farmer’s Market on February 15 and March 11. The library staff are cataloging the seeds and will staff the booth. No MGs are requested at this time.
• Bart announced that MG will start working at the Farmer’s Markets on April 1. An announcement with the sign-up link will be made in the TransPlanter.

Upcoming Schedule

• February 14, 2023: education program (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.) and soup lunch to welcome the new MG class (11:30 – 1:00) at the library Rogow Room.
• March 6, 2023: Advisory Board Meeting from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Ext Service Conf Room.
• March 14, 2023: NO regular 2^nd Tuesday monthly program.
• March 18, 2023: Spring Symposium from 9:00 – 12:00 at the library Rogow Room.
• April 3, 2023: Advisory Board Meeting from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Ext Service Conf Room.
• April 11, 2023: education program (soil amendments) in Ext Service Conf Room.
• May 13, 2023: annual plant sale

Today’s meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Brenda Doroski, Secretary.