Master Gardener Advisory Committee Meeting – Monday, April 14, 2014
The 6:00 p.m. meeting was called to order by President Marv Stoffel.
Minutes of the March meeting were approved.
Fund balance in MG account given by Marv with an ending balance of
$3,767.00
Review of events and activities:
Newsletter: No report. As reported in the March minutes, two MG volunteers (Kristyn Kalnes and Michaela
Freiburger ) are working with Jason to do the newsletter, which has a new format. The gardening articles will no
longer be printed in the newsletter, instead a website link will be provided.
Call Center: Marv reported that 22 slots remain at this time for the Call Center schedule. September has that most
openings. Marv also reminded us that on Monday nights the key must be picked up from Nutri-Bodies.
Spring Garden Seminar—recap: There were 86 attendees this year. Of the 86 attendees, 25 were not Master
Gardeners. Next year the Spring Garden Seminar will no longer have “MG” in the title with the intention of removing
the misconception of only Master Gardeners being able to attend the seminar. There were many positive comments
overall regarding this year’s seminar. Linda is requesting some volunteers to assist with planning the 2015 seminar.
Linda has reserved the room for March 7, 2015. If you would like to volunteer to be part of the planning committee
please contact either Jason or Linda Peterson.
4-H Project Day: Jane McCall reported that 27 “Gnome Gardens” were constructed by the 4-H kids with the
assistance of Jane and Tammy Gehling.
Spring Plant Sale: will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 in the Pet Med parking lot form 7-12pm. Joe Timmerman
requests that we all try to price the plants which we bring to sell. Also it would be helpful to identify the plant and the
color. So, please PRICE, PLANT NAME, COLOR, etc. We are reminded that we may not sell woody plants (trees,
bushes). Jason will send out mass emails with this information. Jason also requested volunteers to head the Kid
Project Table and ideas for a kid project.
Clark University School Gardens: Jane reported that a meeting took place with the facility manager, student
manager and the chef (who discussed what vegetables, etc he could use in food preparation). Looking forward to a
productive year.
Tour of Gardens: Saturday, June 28, 2014. Lou Ann reported there will be 6 gardens on the tour. Lou Ann requested
some MG volunteers to assist with marketing of the tour of gardens. Jean Bledsoe volunteered to assist with
marketing for the tour of gardens. Mary Lou Baal said she has a list of electronic billboards in Dubuque and will
forward the list to Jason, Lou Ann and Jeanne. Lou Ann reported that Marlin Bausman will give a informative talk on
roses at his home on the garden tour and perhaps could have other “presentations” on the tour, and she is open to
ideas, etc.
Awards Banquet: Monday, November 10, 2014. Mary Lou Baal has reserved the Sacred Heart hall.
Continuing Education: The pruning seminar was well attended with 23 attendees on Thursday, March 13 th and 19
attendees on Saturday, March 15th. Steve Pregler (Dubuque City arborist) was the speaker.
Speakers Bureau: Mary Lou Baal along with Marv Stoffel gave a presentation on “Organic Gardening”. On Friday,
May 23rd Jean Bledsoe will give a presentation on “Container Gardening” to “Women in Denim” group.
Old Business:
Updates to the MG Manual: Presidential succession policy—Marv read “if the president resigns, the vice president
will assume the role of President in the event the President is longer able or willing to do his or her duties”. A motion
was made and approved to add to the MG manual as written.
Policy for “sustaining” volunteers—Medical exemption: Discussion regarding that “sustaining volunteer” status is
different from a medical exemption ( a medical exemption is temporary, not to exceed 2 years) whereas sustaining
status would be applied for long term inability to obtain MG volunteer/education hours. The “Standards Committee”
will review applications and make recommendations to Advisory Council.
Standards Committee: Chairman Joe Timmerman requested an updated MG rooster, and Marv will get that to them.
The committee will handle all applications for medical exemptions, sustaining status, awards (ie: 5, 10, etc. year
awards) among other things. Marv offered to chair the Awards Banquet and Judy Gansemer offered to co-chair with
Marv.
MG class scholarship policy: Mary Lou Ball, Cathy Darrah and Linda Peterson will have a policy ready in advance of
the next MG class start.
New Business:
Scott County MG Conference will take place on June 25, 26, 27, 28 th and there is a request for centerpiece
containers from surrounding counties. Jean Bledsoe and Mary Lou Baal will make centerpieces to donate for the
conference. More information can be obtained by going to the IA State website and look for “The Upper Midwest MG
Conference”.
New name tag request: Marv said there were several requests for new name tags and will pass list on to Jason.
Winter MG classes will no longer be held throughout Iowa (January start). Only fall classes will be held and will start
in October. Jason asked for input regarding whether the new class should start in October 2014 vs. October 2015. No
further discussion took place as Jason just wanted to inform us of the new policy.
YMCA Landscape Project: Mary Jo Kluesner submitted a project to request volunteers to landscape in the front of the
“Y” building on April 25, 26, and 27th. Please contact Mary Jo or Jason with any questions, otherwise just “show up”
on any of the listed days to volunteer.
Date of next meeting: May 12, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the Dubuque County Extension Office.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Minutes submitted by Diane Weigman