minutes_april2000

President, Chris Burnard, called the meeting to order. The meeting began with a roll call to help members learn each other's names. This month was sharing your favorite seed company.

Secretary Report: The last minutes from the January meeting are out on the web. Sheila Sands shared a correction on the recording of Treasurer Report. The expenses on the January minutes should be $74.10 instead of $84.10 and listing a current balance of $6115.81. This was the only correction noted.

Treasurer Report: During the month of February, there were no income items and an expense of $50, leaving $6065.81 as a current balance. Sheila also indicated that she would be sending a check for $630 for the State Fees, which are due March 1. We currently have 63 active members. With the Plant Sale as our only income generated, she reminded everyone that we need 100% participation in that project.

Old Business:

Workshops - Carolyn Gibeaut gave an update on the workshop planning. All speakers have been obtained for the first 3 sessions in April. The publicity team, Audrey Hall, Miriam Carson, and Johanna Keiser, had been hard at work with flyers being available tonight for distribution and brochures and articles well on their way. The time for Session 1 was changed to be from 1:00-3:00 on Sat. April 5 due to a room scheduling conflict. The next meeting for the group will be at 6:30 on March 26, before the next March MG meeting.

CYOC- Chris gave an update from Eunice to indicate the CYOC group would begin meeting later in March or April. Keep an eye out for a meeting email.

McCloud Park - Patsy Bushdorf gave an update. They will soon begin planting tropicals in the city greenhouse, which is located at corner of Raymond Rd and 5th Street. They will need help potting up the tubers they have saved from last fall. Please contact Patsy, if you are interested in helping with this. If the weather breaks in late March, they will schedule a clean up date.

Milcreek Gardens - This is a workshop for the New MG Class on propagation with current members welcome to attend. They are planning on about 30 attendees. This was scheduled for Saturday, March 8, with everyone meeting at the AG Center at 9 am to drive over to Milcreek Gardens from there. NOTE: Due to the Blizzard of 08, this workshop has been rescheduled for Sat. March 29 at 9:00 am.

Time Sheets - Chris reminded everyone to keep recording your hours and sending your timesheets to Debbie Brown. Please keep a copy of what you send in for your records.

Leaping Frog Award - Chris gave the frog to Debbie Brown for the hard work and extra time that is now needed for tracking everyone's hours.

Coordinator's Report - No Report tonight.

New Business:

Garden Tour 2009 - Initial exploratory meeting was announced by Chris for the 2nd Weds in March at 7:00 PM. Note: Due to scheduling conflicts the meeting was scheduled for March 17th 7pm AG Center - 2009 Garden Tour exploratory meeting. It will be opportunity to share ideas and interest for planning a tour for 2009.

Education Section - Roberta Gordon introduced tonight's speaker, Jay Burton, a local beekeeper. Jay presented a very informative talk on how one gets started in the bee-keeping hobby. He shared that he, like many other beekeepers, had lost 5 out of his 6 colonies last year to colony collapse. This problem is suspected to be caused by a virus which causes the bees to become confused and unable to find their way back to the hive. This problem has again demonstrated how important bees are to food and fruit production. If someone is interested in getting started, he suggested 5-6 colonies, a minimum of 2-3 to start, any more than 6, just causes it to be hard work. The estimate cost for buying the bees for a hive is $70 /hive and around a total $500 for bees, hives and equipment for about 3 hives. He had brought in a sample hive box, smoker, protective gear, and tools for working with the frames. He discussed the activity going on the hive during the various seasons of the year. During winter the bees huddle in the hive and eat the honey left in hive from last fall. Bees won't begin flying out until it is 55 degrees or above. Depending on the winter, beekeepers may have to begin feeding sugar water to the bees in March to tie them over until spring. Once spring arrives, the queen begins laying eggs and workers start to collect pollen. Bees can travel by around five miles. Honey harvest is usually in June and July and possibly again in August and September. He discussed how smoke calms the bees and how they don't like to be disturbed on cold or wet days. Questions were asked about swarms of bees, which happen when the colony gets too crowded and then the queen and 90 % of the bees leave to find a new location. The best place to set up a hive is where they can get early morning sun and they like full sun. He also discussed the all hives must be registered with the county. There is a bee inspector who inspects the hives for health issues such as mites. Mr. Burton was an excellent speaker who gave a very informative and entertaining talk.

Next Meeting: Fourth Weds, March 26, 2008 at the Union County Building (Old Kmart) at 7:00 p.m. Native Plants, Linda Johnson from Scioto Gardens.