Minutes for February 8th

Leola Street Garden Community Meeting
February 8th Minutes

Present:
Andrea Watson, Henry Blackford, Matt Cooper, Lexie Smith, Vicki Krugger, April Hill, Alyssa Rudolph, Stacy Merrell, Chelly Hill, Eric Mathis

- Matt Gave an update on the town meeting and their expectations about the space provided. Primarily the concern was over aesthetics and any un approved changes besides plant life specifically and structure that are built. Some discussion about children’s garden in regards to stipulations.
- Matt suggested using mulch from the local land fill to make the paths between the gardens more recognizable, everyone was in agreement.
- Eric suggested a possible collaboration with the Bio-Diesel plant for feed stock research, possibly donate a plot.
- Andrea suggested we find a landscape company to donate time. She volunteered to find one for the task of mowing the plot.
- Matt suggested sub-committees for such issues as aesthetics, fundraising, PR, etc. For future discussion.
- Matt expressed some concerns about getting dedicated volunteers for sub-committees as well as coming to the meetings. Some discussion on how we could become more inclusive. Alyssa suggested that we ask the Greenway Baptist Church if we could have our meeting there since it is so close. Matt suggested, in agreement with Vicki’s suggestion, that we draw up flyers to hand out to the families of the children who attend Two Rivers Community School (the school that will collaborate with the garden this summer). Matt volunteered to make flyers.
- Andrea volunteered to post a growing schedule on the website. Further website discussion. Things to put on the website:
- People who want to be a part of creating a progressive initiative that seeks positive social change through community gardening.
- Volunteer opportunities
- Who wants to have a garden space this summer. List usage fee prices.
- People who want to be on sub-committees. Here are some examples:
- Aesthetical/Beatification committee (site planning)
- Grounds Keeping
- Fund Raising as well as marketing produce through the farmers market.
- Outreach
- River Cleanup Day Weekend after earth day.
- Opening days. Will be held on St. Patrick’s day weekend and the following weekend which is the spring equinox. Bring the following:
- Seed potato’s, lettuce seeds or seedlings, leeks, onions, cool weather crops.
- Mother’s Day planting. Lease bring the following:
- Basil, tomato’s, beans, squash, warm weather crops.
- Soil sample day will be held on February 24th.
- Composting day will be held on March 10th.
- We are presently collaborating with Two Rivers Community School this summer for a children’s garden. (www.tworiverscommunityschool.net)
- Two opportunities for plot owners to donate some of their produce. The first is to support the community garden by donating produce that will be sold at the farmers market. The second form of donation will be given to local non-profits who help feed those in need.
- Matt suggested that we collaborate with 4H club by buying fruit plants from them to grow in the garden. Everyone was in agreement. Matt will purchase the following:
- 20 raspberries
- 7 blueberries
- 25 strawberries
- Eric suggested that we be a partner with SURGE (www.surgenetwork.org). All were in agreement.
- Matt suggested a plot specifically for the purpose of growing food that will be sold at the farmers market. This will be a part of the fundraising committee. All were in agreement. Further discussion.