Sunshine Community Gardens

May 30, 2015

All-Gardener's Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Ila Falvey after determining a quorum was present.

• Outgoing president, Ila Falvey, welcomed the attendees and thanked everyone who contributed to making Sunshine Community Garden a success the past two years.
• Ila passed around a copy of the revised handbook. A copy of the handbook is in the library and it is also posted on the website. A huge thank you to Jola Edwards and Katy Davis for spearheading the handbook revision.
• Two new books have been ordered for the library. The Vegetable Book by Dr. Sam Cotner and The Texas Tomato Lover's Handbook by William D. Adams can be enjoyed in the library. Once a checkout system is in place, gardeners are welcome to check out the books.
• Kay McMurry shared information for the upcoming 5th Annual Tomato Tasting & Potato Sharing.
  • The event will take place at 9:00, June 13, 2015.
  • Potato growers are encouraged to bring samples of their harvest and complete a potato information sheet that Gail Reese will provide.
  • Bring tomatoes the day of the tasting, or even better, a day or two before. Labeled sacks will be in the trailer for tomato donations.
• Jeff Taylor reported on the tomato test plot.
  • This is the 5th year of the tomato test plot. There are 48 tomatoes.
  • The purpose of the plot is to track the tomatoes produced by each variety to compare how different varieties perform in Texas.
  • Help is needed to harvest the tomatoes. Tomatoes are donated to Micah 6 or Eastside Community Connections. Last year over 4000 tomatoes were harvested. Gardeners interested in helping harvest should contact Jeff to receive instructions on how to help keep track of the harvest from each plant.
  • A summary of the results of the tomato testing will be shared online and in the Weekly Weeder.
• The Canning Session at Sustainable Foods Center is June 20, 2015 b eginning at 11:00. Ila will post a flyer in the trailer with the details.
• Michael Hall and Ila Falvey presented a check to Bill Daugherty, Superi superintendent of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The check includes 10% of our plant sale proceeds as well as fees collected for unworked TSBVI hours. Mr. Daugherty expressed his appreciation for the money as well as the partnership between TSBVI and Sunshine Community Garden.
• Michael Hall thanked our outgoing board members - Ila Falvey, Jack Reynolds, and Janet Adams.
• Treasurer's Report
  • Jack Reynolds presented the treasurer's report and commented that our sa sales from the plant sale increased and our costs decreased. Our biggest expense for the year was the trailer renovation.
• Micah 6 Vacation Picks
  • Gail Reese reminded gardeners about the Micah 6 program for having volunteers pick your produce when you are unable. The goal is to reduce waste and increase donations to the food pantry. Instructions for how to participate are on the bulletin board and in the cool room.
• Nominating Committee
  • The nominating committee for 2015 was
    • Nancy Seibert
    • Katy Davis
    • Chris Schroder
  • The nominating committee introduced the nominees for the May 2015 election.
  • Nominees were requested for next year's nominating committee. The following gardeners are the new nominating committee:
    • Ila Falvey
    • Katy Davis
    • Patsy Painter
    • Steve Uecker
    • Jing Li
    • Chris Schroder
• President Ila Falvey asked for nominees from the floor for each open position. Hearing none, the slate put forth by the nominating was election by acclamation. The new board members are:
  • President: Jeff Monks
  • Vice President: Jim Willmann
  • Treasurer: Caroline Limaye
  • Director: Shannon Posern
• The meeting was adjourned by the president.