St Charles County Master Gardeners

St Charles County Master Gardener

 

Plant Sale/ Steering Committee Special Meeting Minutes

 

Friday, 10 April 2020

 

Attendees:  Kevin Minard, Jan Carron, Rebekah Davis, Joe Walker, Justin Keay, Cindy Platzer, Mary Medina, Marsha Brown, Laura Stiemel

 

Call to Order:  Justin called the meeting to order at 2:01 PM

 

The Steering Committee met via Zoom to discuss plans regarding plant sales due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. 

 

Plant Sale Updates:  Justin screen-shared the email he received from Dr. Trinklein at  MIZZOU informing everyone of Rob Kallenbach’s (Director of Agriculture and Extension) decision to suspend all Extension Master Gardener plant sales through at least May 15.  This includes the internal sale and pickup that our group had discussed previously.  Marsha suggested sharing the inventory list of plants with the Master Gardeners as a means of “pre-ordering” until the plants can be delivered by the Plant Sale Committee.  Justin agreed that sharing a list would be fine with a big caveat that we do not know what will happen May 15.   

 

MG Discussions:  The group discussed how the ongoing pandemic has led to growing concerns in agriculture and increased interest in gardening.  Justin advised that we need to prepare to provide educational and engagement opportunities for an increase of new veggie growers through the summer.  Webinars, Zoom meetings and collaborating with the library were a few suggestions.  Justin volunteered to educate people on how to use Zoom.  The group discussed the particulars of utilizing a virtual platform like Zoom, the ways it could be operated (security and privacy concerns) and funded (cost of an account, charging for speaking/ers or classes).  Rebekah suggested researching ways livestreams allow for donations or providing a GoFundMe for fundraising purposes. 

 

The Committee discussed the current MG financial situation. Joe provided the monthly financial report via email.  Cindy is going to let the Demo Garden Leads know that all garden budgets have been suspended for the year.

 

The Extension Center grounds and Demo Gardens are still closed to everyone including MGs.  Kevin Minard got the okay to go and mow as a single person onsite.  The group agreed that the remaining potted perennial plants near the hoophouse should be picked up by Justin and delivered to Cindy for safe keeping if possible.

 

Good of the Order:  Missouri Extension is now streaming a “Town Hall” every Wednesday morning featuring guest speakers which will count towards education hours for our MGs.  Joe pointed out how the current pandemic is forcing the University to create a better social media policy.  This would benefit our group in implementing the use of technology for education in the near future.  

 

Meeting was adjourned at 3:08 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,  Rebekah Davis