Board Members in attendance: Janet Adams, Sue Brownlee, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert, Ila Falvey, Linda Booker

Gardener in attendance: Steven Uecker

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order and determined that a quorum was present.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. Carol moved that the minutes be accepted and Linda seconded. The minutes were accepted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report. Michael Mobley, the coordinator of the horticulture program at TSBVI, has proposed a new plan for the TSBVI plots for their student garden. The recommendation is to move their garden to a location close to the planned west gate between the Sunshine Gardens and the new TSBVI horticulture center yet to be built. The gate will be through the west fence just south of the Tool Shed. The proposal garden area would take up about 3 plots and the plots currently assigned to TSBVI would be given up. The exact location and exactly which plots which would be affected have not yet been determined, though they would be plots located between the tool shed and the chicken coop, on or close to the western fence. The board discussed the proposal. Carol Limaye moved that we accept the plan and that we authorize Janet Adams to contact the gardeners who would have to be relocated, and Sue Brownlee seconded the motion. Linda Booker proposed an amendment to accept whatever plan for the specific location that Michael Mobley, the TSBVI representative, finds acceptable. The board voted to accept the amended motion. Janet Adams will meet with Michael Mobley to finalize the new location and will notify the gardeners who will have to be reassigned to new plots.

Due to gardeners leaving, there are plots available, but we are currently not renting to new gardeners so that we can have empty plots available for gardeners who may be displaced by future TSBVI construction activity.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

In the absence of the vice president, Janet Adams reported that there have been no new additions to the on-report list.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee provided a membership count of 246 members and plot count of about 200 plots.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the report. Renewals are coming in at a good pace. Carol presented a budget for the coming year for the board to review for the next meeting. The board should think of any projects for the garden that they would like to propose to be included in the budget, for example hot water for the trailer, or a new building for the office and library.

DIRECTORS REPORTS

Nancy Seibert reported on Plant Sale preparations. The vendors have all been contacted. There will be a raffle and not a silent auction. A very nice bicycle has been purchased from Mellow Johnny’s at a large discount. Herbs and other plants have been planted in the green house. Signs have been made for better labeling of the plants, especially in the tomato tent. And the existing signs are being repainted, repaired, and adapted for reuse. The credit card system has been set up through Capital Credit. LCRA has made a donation. A party for the plant sale volunteers will be held on Sunday, March 3, on the day after the plant sale.

Ila Falvey reported on the search for land for a new garden site. We discussed whether or not our organization, the Community Garden Initiative of Central Texas should extend its umbrella to other gardens, but the board felt that we should not do this at this time. Dell Volunteers – we need a project for this group.

Linda Booker reported on how many gardeners had done and reported their TSBVI service hours. Sixty gardeners have not yet worked their hour. Linda proposed organizing a TSBVI work day for the delinquent gardeners.

OLD BUSINESS – Old business items were covered during the officer’s and director’s reports.

NEW BUSINESS

Sharon Flournoy, with some others, have proposed that the garden have tomato tasting event, probably to be scheduled sometime in June.  ,The board determined that the group can go ahead with the project and organize and hold the event on their own.

The board discussed how to go about selling the large tiller since we now have a smaller replacement.

In response to complaints about dogs running around the garden unleashed and due the number of drop-in visitors, it was suggested that a sign be posted with rules for visitors, and the board agreed to look into posting such a sign.

Steven Uecker is completing a practicum for graduate school studies in public health, and he would like to do his practicum at Sunshine Gardens. The board granted their support and recommended that he narrow down the focus of the work he was proposing.

The next All Gardeners Meeting is scheduled for February 26, 10 am.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 21 at 9:00 am, at the garden trailer.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second to adjourn the meeting and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

Board Meeting Minutes for 12-04-2010 at 10:00 am

Location:  home of Janet Adams

Board Members in attendance: Janet Adams, Sue Brownlee, Mary Gifford, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert, Ila Falvey

Plant Sale Coordinator in attendance:  Sharon Flournoy

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order.  She determined that a quorum was present.

PLANT SALE REPORT, presented by Sharon Flournoy with Nancy Seibert

A team is being formed for Plant Sale Publicity.

A proposal to set up to accept credit card sales was presented and discussed.  The board also discussed procedures for accepting and handling receipts for better efficiency and security.  It was decided that the plant sale committee would make the deteminations on these issues.

The question of whether or not to continue the silent auction was discussed. The reasons for discontinuing the silent auction are that takes time and effort to get the donated items, the nature of the crowd at the sale with its constant turnover isn’t ideal for a silent auction, and not very much revenue is generated.  An alternative would be to raffle for something of value, for example a bicycle.  The board was in favor of having a raffle instead of a silent auction.

The board also discussed which vendors would be at the sale and whether or not receipts should be given only to customers if they request them.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. Carol moved that the minutes be accepted and Nancy seconded.  The minutes were accepted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report. Janet reported on the status of the TSBVI construction on the south and west boundary of the garden: which plots will be lost or made unavailable, which gardeners have been or will be displaced, and which plots are available for them to move to.  A few gardeners are or may be leaving, at least one gardener with more than one plot will be giving up one of their plots, and the mini-farm can be divided up to into the test plot for tomato trials and two full garden plots.

The water line extension project is progressing.  A work session for ditch digging has be planned for December 4.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report.

The last workday for this season will be Sunday, December 19, from 9:00 to 12 noon.

The board discussed garden plots that were bordering on non-compliance and what actions should be taken.  Non-compliance notifications should be send before renewal notices go out so that renewals for non-compliant gardeners can be held if the gardener has not brought the plot into compliance.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report.  The membership lists were recently updated and are available online.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the financial report.  The garden’s finances are in good shape. The bill for the hose hangers was $3600.  The bill for tree trimming was $1100.

The board reviewed the Audit Committee’s report and voted to adopt their recommendations.

DIRECTORS REPORTS

Nancy Seibert contributed to the Plant Sale report. Nancy also reported on Micah 6.  The fall garden is doing well.

OLD BUSINESS

Old business items were covered during the officer’s reports: hose holders, the audit committee report, and the water line extension.

NEW BUSINESS

Janet Adams proposed that a committee be formed to find a new home for the garden.  Ila Falvey volunteered to form the group and begin research on possible locations.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for January 8 at 10:00 am, at the garden trailer

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second to adjourn the meeting and the motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned.

Board Meeting Minutes for 11-02-2010 at 6:30 pm Location:  Garden Office Trailer

Board Members in attendance: Janet Adams, Linda Booker, Sue Brownlee, Mary Gifford, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert

Guests in attendance:  Mike Mobley

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order.  She determined that a quorum was present.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. Carol moved that the minutes be accepted and Linda seconded.  The minutes were accepted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report.  She discussed the agenda items for the All Gardeners Meeting scheduled for November 20, at 10 am.  The changes to the site rules for 10×10 plots and the TSBVI service work requirement will be presented for a vote by the gardeners.  The board reviewed the site rule changes.  Mary moved, and Linda seconded the motion that the board approve the changes, and the board voted to approve the site rule changes.  The changes will be announced in the Weekly Weeder and the text of the new and revised rules will be published.

The board also discussed how to post the task list that Janet has been working on to get gardeners to sign up for specific, on-going tasks at the garden for their service hours.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report.  Mary had made a walk through the garden recently and reported that the garden looks good.  There were compliance issues with a few plots, and the board discussed these issues and what actions should be taken.  There are also some issues with gardens that have been extended beyond their official borders.  We also discussed which plots are or will become available for new gardeners.

There will be a workday on Saturday, November 6, with Nancy Seibert and Sue Mennicke leading, and another workday on Saturday, November 20, with Jennifer Posnser and Katy Davis leading.  The next workday after that will be on December 4th.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report.  The membership lists is up to date in the database on Google docs.  If board members have ideas for articles for the Weekly Weeder, they are encouraged to send their contributions to Sue.  The next editions of the Weekly Weeder should include reminders that gardeners should contact Linda Booker about TSBVI hours, and the gardeners can work on clearing the exterior fence all the way around to the 49th street bus stop.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the financial report.  The garden’s finances are in good shape. The water bill will be low this year.

DIRECTORS REPORTS

Nancy Seibert reported on plant sale preparations, and they are going well, ahead of preparations in previous years.  There will be work done on the green house to improve the wiring which will allow for providing some heat.  James Mercer will do the work.

Linda Booker reported on her community outreach efforts.  There were no new tours during October.  The brochure is in the works.  Linda will contact Mike Mobley about volunteer activities for Sunshine gardeners.

OLD BUSINESS

Bob Easter repaired many of the tools and wheelbarrows.  Ila Falvey purchased gardening forks.  The weed wench, used to pull out small trees, is missing.  Janet will research getting a replacement. The compost shifters need to be repaired and we need to have more sifters constructed.

Tree trimming is needed.  We will get at least two bids and hire someone to cut the large tree and trim the others this fall.

All the 10×10 plots have been assigned.

The audit committee has been meeting to review our finances and bookkeeping.

NEW BUSINESS

The board approved making a donation in memory of Buck Moore to the Travis County Audubon Society.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for December 4 at 10:00 am, at Janet’s house.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second to adjourn the meeting and the motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned.

Board Meeting Minutes 10-05-2010, 6:30 pm Location: Garden Office Trailer

Board Members in attendance:   Janet Adams, Linda Booker, Sue Brownlee, Ila Falvey, Mary Gifford,

Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert

Guests in attendance: Mike Mobley

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order. She determined that a quorum was present.

Report from Mike Mobley, TSBVI

Mike Mobley gave an account of his recent visit to Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. He reported on the status of TSBVI green house building project–the bid is to go out soon. Also, they have begun planting fall vegetables on TSBVI plots.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. The minutes were accepted with a minor correction.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report. A request had been made to the board to use the garden trailer for Travis County Master Gardeners activities on Friday or Saturday mornings, once a month, except for dates around the spring plant sale. The board decided to grant the request.

Urban Farm Bicycle Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 4, the board decided that Sunshine Gardens should participate. A graduate student has asked about interviewing gardeners for a research study. Janet Adams asked if anyone had copies of the old gardener’s handbook. Nancy said that she could provide material for Janet.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report. Mary had made a walk through the garden and had concerns about several plots. There were a few that are not in compliance with site rules.

The board discussed issues regarding a few new gardeners and what actions should be taken.

An action plan should be created for the installation of the hose hangers, and a contractor for doing the installations should be contacted. Janet will contact Bob Easter about contacting the contractor.

The board discussed garden maintenance concerns for Zone 10, specifically the issue of what should be done about the trees on the other side of the fence, whether to remove or move them. Since the trees are on the school’s side of the fence, permission should be obtained from the school before starting work. Janet will contact the school.

There will be a workday on Saturday, October 9. Suggestions for tasks should be sent to Mary Gifford. More maintenance work needs to be done on the fence line.

The board discussed garden tool replacements and new acquisitions. Forks and shovels need to be restocked.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report. The membership lists is up to date in the database on Google docs. If board members have ideas for articles for the Weekly Weeder, they are encouraged to send their contributions to Sue.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the financial report, including the savings account and CDs. The gardens finances are in good shape.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

Nancy Seibert reported on plant sale items. Sharon Flournoy’s name should be added to the contact list as a Plant Sale contact. Sharon and Nancy met with our bank to research using a card reader at the plant sale so that we would be able to accept credit cards. Also, the Micah 6 garden has been cleared out, and the fall garden has been planned.

Ila Falvey recommended that preparation of the tomato trial plots could be the project for a group of volunteers who are scheduled to come work at the garden in November. Also, gardeners should be on the lookout for a new weed that has made its appearance in the garden: the khaki plant.

Linda Booker reported on her community outreach efforts. A tour by the Boys and Girls Club has been planned. Linda had a draft of the garden flyer or brochure. Sue Brownlee volunteered to help out with formatting the brochure into columns.

OLD BUSINESS

The visit from USDA representative was good. It went well.

Two 10×10 plots have been assigned. Three are left.

NEW BUSINESS

The board discussed developing a process for identifying out-of-compliance plots before renewal are sent out so that notifications can be sent out and deadlines for bringing plots into compliance can be set before a renewal is sent out to a gardener who is out-of-compliance.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for November 2, at 6:30 pm.

The next All Gardeners Meeting will be November 20.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second to adjourn the meeting and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

Board Meeting 9-7-2010, 6:30 pm Location: Garden Office Trailer

Board Members in attendance: Janet Adams, Linda Booker, Sue Brownlee, Mary Gifford, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order. She determined that a quorum was present.

The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. The minutes were accepted with a few modifications

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report. A request had been made to the board to use the garden facilities to hold session of a class, a fee-based course by a private individual. The board decided to deny the request.

The book signing for Cheryl Hazeltine’s book is scheduled for Saturday, November 6.

Two garden visits are scheduled, a group of Camp Fire Kids and a visit from the USDA out of Dallas, on September 16.  Ila volunteered to host the Camp Fire visit, and Ila and Nancy volunteered to hosted the visit by representatives from USDA.

Janet announced that we will be changing how half-plots are named.  Instead of “a/b,” “n/s” and “w/e” will be used for north/south and west/east, with the a/b designation it was sometime hard to keep track which half was “a” and which was “b” so going forward the new names will be used. Examples: Plot A1-1 if split would become A1-1s and A1-1n, or A1-1w and A1-1e. For existing plots, the changeover can be done when plots are renewed. Jason Deal has volunteered to update the garden map.

The All Gardener’s meeting went well, with an agreeable reception of the new service hour requirement for TSBVI activities and projects.

Janet suggested that we post a list of service hours tasks, of on-going chores and responsibilities, in the Weeder and ask gardeners who are interested to contact Janet.

It has been proposed that the strip of lawn between the parking area and the plots east of the tool shed be used as the tomato test plot. Jim Willmann will coordinate creating the tomato test plot.

An individual has contacted the garden about keeping bees at the garden, but this would not be set up until next spring so the item was tabled.

Regarding hose holders, we need to get started on that project. Also, the garden handbook project needs to be restarted.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report. Mary brought up the question of who is responsible for maintenance of the south side of the south fence line, and also the area between the curb and the old garden fence line, the section of the original garden area which taken over by TSBVI. It was decided that we maintain the old fence line to bus stop on 49^th street. As for the south fence line, TSBVI should take care of their side of the fence.

There will be a workday on Saturday, September 11. Tasks will include: weeding the Micah 6 garden and trimming the paths, clearing weeds from the green houses, and clean up of vacant plots.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report. The membership updates are being made to the database on Google docs with all the changes in gardeners, new gardeners and withdrawals.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the financial report, including the savings account and CDs. The gardens finances are in good shape. The audit committee has been meeting.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

Nancy Seibert reported on Micah 6. She asked that taking out the okra, eggplant, and weeds, be included in the workday tasks. TSBVI plots need a load of compost to make them ready for fall planting. The board approved the purchase of compost for the TSBVI plots.

Linda Booker reported on her community outreach efforts and asked for help from someone with PR skills for creating a Sunshine Gardens flyer.

Linda also needs a list of the gardeners to keep track of the TSBVI service hours. Sue Brownlee agreed to provide a copy of the membership list. The TSBVI Liaison Committee has been planning and working on TSBVI plot preparation for the fall garden and the return of the students. The plan is to layout the two plots with raised beds with identical layouts. Linda asked about organizing the donation of plant sets for TSBVI plot, but it was decided that this should be discussed with the TSBVI staff first.

OLD BUSINESS

We calculated what the fees and deposit should be for 10×10 plots: $20 tool fee, $15 clean up deposit, and $20 plot fee/6 month season

NEW BUSINESS

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for October 5, at 6:30 pm.

The next All Gardeners Meeting will be November 20.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and second to adjourn the meeting and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

Board Meeting Minutes for 08-21-2010 at 10:30 am Location: Garden Office Trailer

Board Members in attendance: Janet Adams, Linda Booker, Sue Brownlee, Mary Gifford, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert

Gardeners in attendance: Suzanne Bradford & Carla Uhlir, new Audit committee members;

Steven Uecker, coordinator for10×10 plot pilot

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order. She determined that a quorum was present.

PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

Three gardeners have volunteered for the Audit Committee: Suzanne Bradford, Carla Uhlir, and Alison Beard. Linda Booker made a motion that the Audit Committee be established, Nancy Seibert seconded the motion, and motion was passed.

Steven Uecker presented the report on the 10×10 garden plot pilot. He conducted a survey of the five gardeners who participated in pilot program, and the general response was that a 10×10 plot did provide adequate space for a garden. Also four of the gardeners indicated the they would like to continue gardening. Steven also reported that garden’s tractor needs to be serviced because the hydraulic pump is leaking.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee, distributed copies of the minutes for the previous meeting. The minutes were accepted with minor modifications to the wording about the plot in the north-east corner which will be converted to an ornamental plot and will no longer be plot for gardening.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Janet Adams presented the report. The next All Gardeners Meeting is scheduled for August 28. Agenda items will include the introduction of Linda Booker as chair for TSBVI Liaison Committee, the installation of hose racks throughout the garden, and the schedule for the next all Gardeners Meeting.

There are continuing issues with fall season renewals for a few gardeners. Some gardeners don’t understand that they are members of Sunshine Community Gardens and not merely renters. Also their are stragglers who haven’t renewed yet, well past the deadline who are facing forfeiture for non-payment.

There was a discussion of how non-compliance with site rules should be handled with respect to renewals. Email messages sent to and received from gardeners regarding non-compliance with site rules should be printed out and filed.

Traps for brown apple moth will be set out in the garden at a future date by an entomologist from the state extension service.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report and provided an update on the zone coordinator activities. She voiced concerns over the differences among the zone coordinators in how they approached and carried out their duties.

The survey of existing hose racks is progressing so we can identify where hose racks need to be installed.

A request has been received that hard copies of the Weekly Weeder be made available at the garden for gardeners who do not have email. The board agreed that this was a good idea and that a gardener volunteer should be found to take on this task.

Workdays have been scheduled with zone coordinators to lead the work, twice monthly through March 2011.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report. The membership database on Google docs will be updated with all the changes in gardeners, new gardeners and withdrawals, from the end of summer plot renewals. If any of the board members have ideas for articles for the Weekly Weeder, they should please to submit them the secretary.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the financial report. The gardens finances are in good shape and are better this year because of lower water bills than last year. There has been an increase in garden fees in this month’s report due to quicker turn over on renewals. The garden will need to renew its CDs. The board decided to renew them for a one year term.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

Nancy Seibert reported on Micah 6. She needs to get supplies for the fall garden.

36 pounds of produce was donated this week to the food pantry.

Linda Booker asked for assistance with composing a letter to schools for science teachers to make them aware of the garden as a resource for their classes. Janet volunteered to help with the letter. Linda has a contact with after school programs and boys & girls clubs and will pursue making them aware of Sunshine Gardens as a resource for tours and educational activities.

Linda also reported on the TSBVI Liaison Committee which met just prior to the board meeting. Currently, the members are: Janet Adams, Sue Brownlee, Kathleen Cobb, Craig Headley, Wayne Kuenstler, Michael Meyer, and Jay Willmann. There will be 7 – 15 students involved in gardening on two plots. At this time, the tasks available for earning TSBVI service hours are clearing their plots and getting them ready for the fall garden. The board discussed whether or not committee meetings attendance on should be counted as TSBVI service hours.

OLD BUSINESS

The board discussed the need for new plumbing to provide easier access to water for gardeners where there are no faucets near to their plots. New faucets will be planned for the area in zone 8. In zone 6, rather than install a new faucet, the gardeners can run a hose under the path.

NEW BUSINESS

Regarding the 10 x 10 plot pilot, the board discussed the results of the survey and whether or not to continue with these plots. That is, whether or not 10 x 10 plots is a satisfactory size for a garden, and if the garden should offering10 x 10 plots to gardeners as one of the options for new members. Nancy Seibert moved that we begin offering 10 x 10 plots, Carol Limaye seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The fee for a 10 x 10 plots for a 6 month season was set as $20, and clean-up deposit was set to $20, the same as for half plots.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for September 7, at 6:30 pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Mary Gifford moved to adjourn the meeting and Linda seconded and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

7/17/2010

Location:  garden office trailer        Time:  9:30 am

Attendees: Janet Adams, Mary Gifford, Sue Brownlee, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert, Ila Falvey, Linda Booker

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order.   She determined that a quorum was present.  The minutes were accepted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORt

The board reviewed and resolved issues with service hours billing for a few individual gardeners.

Letters will be sent out to gardeners about the new service hours requirement for the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  This new service hour requirement will also be on the agenda for the All Gardeners Meeting in August, as a presentation and not as an item for discussion.

The 10 x 10 plots pilot program: The board will need to decide whether or not to continue with 10 x 10 plots.  This question will be on the agenda for the August meeting.

A short video of Sunshine Gardens is being used by the Sustainable Food Center on U-Tube, and its use implies that Sunshine Community Gardens are one of their projects.  The board agreed that we will respond to their argument for using the video.

Corner plots shaded by trees. The half plot nearest the trees (G8-6a) will be made into part of the common area.  Plot I1-7 in the north-east corner of the garden is also shaded.  After discussion, Nancy moved to retire this plot from being a gardening plot and convert it to an ornamental plot. We discussed what constitutes an ornamental plot.  Mary offered an amendment that Donna Tatum, the gardener for I1-7 be offered the neighboring plot.  The amendment was accepted.  The original motion to remove it from availability for gardening the plot was seconded, and the motion carried with 5 yes votes and two abstentions.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford presented the report.  Regarding Zone Coordinators, there are some issues with differences in approach and communication styles among the different zone coordinators with the gardeners in their zone.

Daniel Moise has resigned as Zone Coordinator.  A replacement will need to be found.

The issue of how new gardeners should be oriented to the site rules and responsibilities of gardeners and who should provide this orientation was discussed.

A zone coordinator meeting will be scheduled, and these issues will be on the agenda.

A “chain saw” workday is scheduled for Saturday, July 24, 8 am to 11 am.

The original delivery container for the Texas tomato cages has been relocated by the chicken coop.  Mary would like to email the tomato cage owners to organize the storing of these tomato cages in that container.  The board had no objections.

Installation of hose hangers. The board members who have been assigned to check on hanger installation reported on their progress.  The inventory is partially complete.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Sue Brownlee presented the report.    Recent changes in the gardener list and plot assignments will be reposted to Google Docs.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Carol Limaye presented the treasurer’s report and distributed the financial report.  The garden finances are in good shape.

The board discussed the amount required for hose racks.  Materials will be about $50 per rack.  The other expense will be paying for the labor.  If the amount paid is less than $600, a 1099 will not have to be filed for the worker.

An audit committee should be appointed as required by the garden’s by-laws.  We need to find gardeners with the necessary knowledge and skills who will be willing to serve on the committee.

DIRECTORS REPORTS

Nancy Seibert

Plant sale – Nancy will no longer serve as chairman.  Sharon Flournoy has been asked to take over as chair, and she agreed to accept the responsibility.  Nancy offered to act as advisor.

Nancy requested and was granted permission to buy supplies and supplements for the Micah 6 garden. Micah 6 produce donations to the food pantry were 96 lbs for the previous week.

Ila Falvey

Drop-in volunteers.  There are a few drop-in volunteers who start work and continue to show up on a regular basis, and many others come one time and do not return.

Linda Booker

The liaison committee for TSBVI will schedule a meeting.  She is working on a list of tasks that gardeners can do to fulfill TSBVI service requirement.  Currently the main task is to start weeding the TSBVI plots.

OLD BUSINESS

Hose rack installation.  The board agree to allocate $50/hanger for a total of 10 racks and $599 for labor.

A water meter has been purchased

NEW BUSINESS

The board discussed what could be done for gardeners who are currently not able to keep up with their garden due to health issues or other life events, but who would like to resume gardening sometime in the future.  The board decided that such gardeners could relinquish their plot and be put on a temporarily on-hiatus list which would allow the gardener to have the next available plot when they are able to return to gardening.

Linda Booker was designated to coordinate with garden visits/tours with area schools.

The garden should have a visitor’s guide that can be given out to visitors.

The president requested that each board member provide at least one article for the Weekly Weeder.

Future meetings:

All Gardener Meeting -  August 28, 2010, 10:00 am

All Gardener Meeting -  November 20, 2010, 10:00 am

All Gardener Meeting –   February 26, 2011, 10:00 am

All Gardener Meeting with officer elections – May 21, 2011, 10:00 am

Pre-Plant Sale Workdays – February 19 & 26

Next Board Meeting – August 21, 9:30 am

ADJOURNMENT

There was a move to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded and carried.

6/12/2010

Location:  garden office trailer  Time:  10:00 am

Attendees: Janet Adams, Mary Gifford, Sue Brownlee, Carol Limaye, Nancy Seibert, Ila Falvey, Linda Booker, Kay McMurry, Cheryl Hazeltine, Steve Uecker, Bill Daugherty (guest)

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order and introduced Bill Daugherty, superintendent of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Presentation by Bill Daugherty

Bill Daugherty address the board.  He affirmed his continued support for Sunshine Community Garden and his commitment to maintaining and expanding the relationship between the garden and TSBVI.  The school has received a government grant to expand their programs and a portion of the funds will be spent to built a greenhouse and horticulture workshop on the TSBVI grounds next to the south border of Sunshine Gardens.

The board members expressed their desired to build a stronger relationship with school and to expand our volunteer activities for TSBVI students and to develop projects to support the students’ gardening endeavors.

The board discussed moving the TSBVI plots to Jesse’s old plot and the Mini-Farm plots near the front gate.  The board also discussed adding one service hour per season for TSBVI tasks or projects to the service hour requirements for gardeners.  TSBVI hours would not be optional; there would be no exceptions.  A motion was made by Linda Booker to form a committee which would act as the liaison between Sunshine Community Garden and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Carol seconded the motion, and the motion carried.  Linda Booker volunteered to lead the committee, and Janet Adams and Sue Brownlee volunteered to be members.

Other Discussion

The board discussed issues with gardeners who should be sent letters informing them that they have forfeited their plot due to plot non-compliance with plot maintenance standards.

We discussed the need to formulate a proposal for providing assistance to gardeners who have become temporarily disabled and are unable to keep up their plots and need short term help to continue gardening.

There was a move to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded and carried. The meeting was adjourned.

6/5/2010

Location: garden office trailer  Time: 10:00 AM

Attendees: Janet Adams, Mary Gifford, Linda Booker, Nancy Seibert, Ila Falvey, and Carol Limaye

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order. She determined that a quorum was present.

GARDENER COMMUNICATION: Steve Uecker reported on the 10 X 10 program and the condition of the compost. He is making new signs.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The secretary, Sue Brownlee was not in attendance but had made copies of the minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were accepted

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Janet welcomed the new board member, Linda Booker and congratulated, Nancy Seibert & Ila Falvey on their re-elections.

The water meter will be purchased. The cost is $80 plus shipping. There had already been a vote approving the purchase.

New signed contracts are slowly being filed. It is suggested that a copy of any communications between the Board and members should be filed in that gardener’s file.

The board will be meeting Saturday morning, June 12, at 10 AM with Bill Daugherty about plans involving cooperation and participation with TSBVI. He will be bringing pictures of the campus showing location of the proposed green house and enlarged track. They have finished installing their new well but so far have not mentioned SCG tapping into it. Inquiries about this will be brought up in the June 12 meeting with Bill Daugherty.

Carol passed around the Newsletter from TSBVI.

The Sustainable Food Center had a video on youTube with portions of Sunshine Community Garden. The content of the video makes it look like SCG is under the auspices of the Sustainable Food Center. Janet will write a letter to the SFC and ask them to remove the spot about SCG from youTube.

A thank you note was sent by Diana Cox of Wooten Elementary regarding their tour of the garden.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mary Gifford has been communicating with Zone Coordinators about maintenance of the plots in their zones. She also asked the Zone Coordinators to keep reminding their gardeners of service hours due. She has not received much feedback. She believes she may have to have another Zone Coordinator meeting.

Janet and Mary did a walk through to identify problems.

There was discussion about better communication with new gardeners making sure they are aware of site rules, maintenance of their plots and understanding of service hours. New gardeners need to be monitored by the Zone Coordinators. It was suggested that maybe a check list be created to give to new gardeners. The Zone Coordinator should be the first line of communication to new gardeners. The idea of a Handbook came up again as well.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Carol Limaye handed out a report of finances. There was discussion about the creation of a special demonstration test garden and how to make our gardens more accessible to the students from TSBVI. There was a motion made by Linda Booker to hire someone to build and install stands for water hoses at each water faucet. Mary seconded the motion. Discussion about this had to do with cost involved. It was agreed we would do a survey of the number of stands needed and report back so we could get an estimate of cost. The motion was tabled until the survey and cost estimate were completed.

There was discussion about the plots used by the students at TSBVI. Since the students are not around in the summer we discussed how these plots would be maintained while the students were away. There was a suggestion that plots for the students could be placed closer together, preferably near to the gate leading into the campus and near to the proposed greenhouse on the TSB campus.

DIRECTOR’S REPORTS:

NANCY SEIBERT

Nancy announced that she took 83.5 lbs of produce from both the Micah garden and contributions from various gardeners.

A local organic farmer who is going out of business gave SCG 240 basil plants. We gave some to Urban Roots. Carol said she would write a thank you letter to that farmer.

We have already started collecting plants for next year’s spring plant sale.

ILA FALVEY

Ila will be encouraging gardeners about volunteering.

The grape vine needs a trellis. Ila is investigating the possibility of the grapevine being diseased.

There was also discussion of individual landscaping problems.

Several work days will be scheduled to help give gardeners a chance to get their service hours in before the deadline.

OLD BUSINESS

Discussion about 10 x 10 plots; the compost pile; and the need to avoid standing water around the gardens to help prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

A load of road fill will be ordered to keep up with the low places in driveway and parking areas as needed.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of communication with TSBVI.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting, and the motion carried.

Linda Booker, Director

All Gardeners Meeting  May 22, 2010 – 10:00 am

A quorum of the membership was present with 36 gardeners attending and signing in.

The president, Janet Adams, called the meeting to order.

The first order of business was the election for the three director positions.  The three nominees:  Ila Falvey, Nancy Seibert, and Linda Booker.  The gardeners elected all three nominees by acclamation.

The candidates for the nominating committee:  Susan Mennicke, Alan Marburger, and Charlotte Jernigan were approved by acclamation.

The president announced the board’s plan to purchase a portable water meter for testing water usage at the garden.  The intent is to monitor and research usage, not to regulate gardener water consumption.  Ila Falvey reminded gardeners to pay attention to their water usage and take measures to avoid over-watering.  The garden’s summer water bills were very high last summer.  A suggestion was made that the board organize a bulk purchase of mulch for gardeners to buy.  However, the garden already has leaves which can be used as mulch available in the compost area.  If a group of gardeners would like to organize such a purchase on their own, they are free to do so.

The president reported on a meeting of the board with Bill Daugherty, the superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, held on May 15.  The purpose of the meeting had been to discuss a larger role for Sunshine Gardens as an educational extension of TSBVI.  The garden would supply volunteers and service hours to work with the school in their horticultural program and new greenhouse, and for other gardening activities, and would also take care of the school’s plots during summer vacation.

The vice president, Mary Gifford, announced the Workday scheduled for Sunday, May 23, at 8:00 am.  The zone coordinators have been working with gardeners to keep plots clear of extra vegetables.  Excess vegetables can be donated to the Micah 6 project.  The best time is to drop off vegetables is on Wednesdays just before the  scheduled Thursday delivery to the food pantry.  Produce can be left refrigerator in the trailer.

The treasurer, Carol Limaye, reported on Sunshine Gardens’ financial status.  The organization’s finances are in good shape, and its reserve funds are intact.  All the paper work has been filed with the IRS, as required for non-profit organizations.  The garden has received letters of thanks for our donations to the Sustainable Food Center and TSBVI.

Director Reports

Jim Willman – The area near the trailer where there had been a trash area needs to be dug out and refilled. Also, more road fill is needed so areas where settling has occurred can be leveled out.  In the compost area, keep the limb pile free of other types of material.  Bermuda grass should be put the designated “don’t dump” pile.

Jim Willman and Don Freeman introduced a proposal to create a tomato test site at Sunshine Community Gardens. The site would conduct tomato trials with the range of varieties and the trials would be coordinated with the Travis County Master Gardeners.

Nancy Seibert – The spring plant sale had a net profit of $25,000 which was a 55% profit.

No fall plant sale is scheduled.  A sale may be organized for gardeners only, but there will be no general sale for the public.

New Business

There are some office work volunteer opportunities for gardeners:  filing contracts and checking and filing receipts.

Adjournment  Several gardeners moved to adjourn the meeting, and the multiple gardeners seconded the motion.  The gardeners voted to adjourn.

Sue Brownlee, Secretary, Sunshine Community Garden