LINCOLN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

QUARTERLY MEETING

March 29, 2004

 

Meeting was called to order by President Homer Richardson at 5:35 PM , and opened with a blessing for the food.

 

Minutes from January meeting approved as written.

 

Treasurer’s report presented by Jane Kees.

 

OLD BUSINESS-

All members are reminded to pay the treasurer $10. each toward the state dues which were submitted by the treasurer in one check on our behalf.

 

Cathy Ivy asked when we will receive new name tags designated Master Gardener for those who were interns last year. Perry will check on this.

 

NEW BUSINESS-

 

EXTRAVAGANZA-

Kathy Behan reports we have only four booth spaces left and a number of groups who have promised to take them.  Some of the vendors include;

            Wicker Gallery Adam’s Birdhouses                  Flower Tree

            Columbus Lumber        Miss. Gardener Magazine         Magnolia Enterprises

            Serendipity                   Growing Green             Blackwell Farms

            Advance Solar              Coyote Creek                          J & P Nursery

            D & M Nursery            Dancing Goat                           Williamson Nursery

            Marketbasket               Buds N Blooms

Several vendors have purchased two booths. Kathy requested Cheri to make up the schedule for our group to attend, manning the booth and checking on vendors.  Kathy’s home is on the tour this year, so she will not actually be at the event that day.

 

Perry reports Soil testing is arranged by Extension Service. Everyone is encouraged to bring a sample of your own, and keep him busy!

 

Jimminette will make contact and acquire a small setup of bleachers to go in front of the log cabin for our speaker events.

 

Shirley reports our entrance banner is in the works, and she will be available for the entire day.

 

Perry will provide a microphone set-up for the porch of the log cabin for speakers.

 

Becky Corkern and Cristy Hynum have been working on advertising. Cassandra Johnson at the Daily Leader is planning a feature article.   Radio spots are arranged for the morning of April 20 and April 16^th.  Homer will do one, and Shirley the other.

Becky will check with the Jackson papers again.  We are already listed in the Daily Leader Calendar of events. 

 

Becky presented the small flyer which will be included with the Tour of Homes Brochures.

 

DISTRICT MASTER GARDENER REPORT

Shirley Estes reported the latest from the District meeting.

 

Master Gardener University coming up May 26,27, 28 at MSU Deadline for registration is April 1.  Shirley would like for four from our group to attend if possible. Please see her after the meeting. Shirley is not available to attend this year, but the program looks very interesting.

 

State Master Gardeners Association Board met with the state representatives from MDOT to discuss wildflower plantings.  Governor Barber’s wife is very interested in this project and in tree plantings for the state – more info to come.

 

Annual Master Gardener Meeting for the state is in Tupelo this year September 24 and 25 (on a Friday and Saturday) There is a excellent program and registration is $65 for the 2 days.

 

Jay Couch, a new state level board member sends out a message to all local groups to remember our primary responsibility is education and sharing.

 

Projects

 

Donna Kinney, the children’s librarian wants us to help her with her children’s education programming.  Sue Windham, Cristy Hynum and Jane Kees expressed an interest, and Sue is to contact Donna for ideas.  Cristy has the Junior Master Gardener information from the Extension Service which may help.

 

Pass A Long Plant booth previously planning for the extravaganza is to be held for the fall Ole Brook Festival. Keep your plants growing and plan to bring them to our booth there this fall for sales. This is to be a fund raiser for us!

 

Plan to hear about a tree planting day soon – the Forestry department will donate their cooler left overs for us to pot up. We have soil and pots behind the recreation department. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!  Jiminette will let us know when.

 

GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN UP-  Jane Kees has again chaired this, and has eggs ready for everyone to deliver to trashy sites. The cleanup startsApril 1, please take a flyer and get it posted on a window somewhere.  Jane Kees has done a wonderful job on this project for the second year.

 

Mississippi School of the Arts Tree brochure is complete. We had help from the school and from the Sheriff’s department. Thanks to Cathy Ivy for all her research on the trees for this brochure.

 

Perry & Homer went to a class on Ornamental diseases last week.  Sudden Oak Tree death disease is a fungus that is coming here from California . It affects Beech , Elm, Oak very quickly and trees die.  Some states have stopped allowing imports from California , trying to break the leak.

 

Brookhaven Elementary school -   Four trees planted, several more to go. We have requested some assistance from the school to plant the bedding plants. Jeanene has been holding our plant for several months and we need to finish this project! We all agree that if the school would assist with the planting they might be more inclined to maintain the beds as well, and they will last longer.  We are not supposed to be known as the folks who do all the digging and planting.  Sue Windham will talk to her class of students and try to get them involved.  Yeah Sue!!!

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM , after delicious meal – We may have to look into a cook book effort.