SDF Garden Meeting Notes: Dec 14, 2024
St Davids Foundation Community Garden Admin Account
Garden Meeting Notes: Dec 14, 2024
Attendees
Corey, Brad, Deb, Bob, Kiri, Zarluis, Libby, Liz, Ariana, Madeline,
Agenda Items
Weeds and Rubbage Discussion and Vote
Discussed the progress we made cleaning up rubbage and the research that Deb and Corey did on options for disposal.
Cost vary depending on the vendor and approach and can get very expensive ($2,000+)
We settled on the best approach being to get a dumpster delivered to the garden that the gardeners would be responsible for filling.
We’ll get it delivered in time for the next garden workday (Jan 11), see below for details on that workday
Plot Inspections:
Plots that failed their inspection have 1 more week (Dec 21) to get plots in good standing.
There were 8 plots that did not pass. Several of those have already been resolved but there are some gardeners that have not yet replied or resolved issues and will likely be forfeiting their plots.
Corey will let the gardeners know plots are being forfeit on Dec 22. Bob will start reassigning plots after that
General discussion on the inspection process is that it’s working well.
Finance Update:
Corey reported on finances, we are generally in good standing but have some large expenses that are pending:
Gutter Installation for Cistern ($1,950)
Chicken Coop Rebuild (We raised $1,255 which was matched dollar for dollar) - Trying to keep the total ~ $1,500 for what we spend
$600 was recently spent on wheelbarrows, tools, and misc garden supplies for the last workday
The dumpster rental will likely be $750-$1000 depending on how heavy the total waste is.
Water bills continue to go up
Giving Tue Donations to the Garden
Donations from Giving Tues - We received a very generous donation from one gardener. THANK YOU to all who gave!
Remember that you can still make end of year donations to the garden using the garden donation form.
Ariana will help get some social media posts up about the opportunity to give
Workday - Jan 11 - Filing Dumpster
We’ll make this a “Workday Weekend” and designate a morning and afternoon group
Very important that we get help from ALL Gardeners to fill the dumpster in a timely manner.
Deb will confirm dates of when the dumpster will be delivered.
Goal is to get all the trash removed and get rid of the large rubbage pile.
Committee Updates
Compost, Trash, and Recycling:
See notes above on workday goals to remove rubbage and trash with dumpster
Outreach & Communication: Committee Leader = Ariana
Evening Potluck - Ariana attended
It’s a lively bunch
There will be another one on Jan 6.
People brought their own plates and removed all their trash
Consideration of doing our own garden themed get together
Libby and Ariana are discussing and will set a date
Considerations to make it a quarterly evening social
Book Club
Considering starting in Jan/Feb - Deb is going to post ideas
Communication with email outreach
Discussed if there’s a better way for people to sign up for events and get email updates
Consider additional ways to do email subscription and sign up - move off Google groups for posting announcements?
Also need to improve communication with waiting list members and past members
Alumni Email or Updates: Way to communicate with past gardeners that want to stay in touch?
Will continue to consider options.
South Pollinator:
Missy helping take over some of the work
Pocket Prairie Garden - cleared out that area in the last workday
Wildflower garden - seeds are planted and should sprout in the spring
Shed & Inventory:
Looking great! Thanks Jen for cleaning it up during the last workday!
Now would be a great time to take a full inventory. We have this tool list which could be a start.
We’ve also started using a section of the other side of the shed to store some garden supplies along side the chicken coop supplies.
This side of the shed will only be accessed by admin/leadership and not open to all gardeners.
We’ll open it during workdays for additional supplies.
We’ve purchased a small tool and ratchet set that are now in the shed. Please take care of it.
Getting additional weed wackers?
All 3 weed wackers have disappeared
Still seems to be an issue with people breaking in. We decided that it’s not a good idea to store these in the shed.
Corey still has the batteries that were purchased for the electric weed wackers and the gas powered one at his out.
Voted to purchase 3 Electric Weed Wackers
Corey will share the cost on Discord before purchasing
Will store them at gardeners houses and use a “check out” system to track who has them.
Maintenance:
We now have 5 working wheelbarrows after the last workday.
This include 2 new ones (Gorilla Carts) and 3 repaired ones
Researching non-pneumatic wheels for the remaining wheelbarrows that need new wheels.
Purchase Sleds before the workday Similar to this.
Reminder to turn off water at the spigot and drain the hose
Consider making Small sign on the posts
Please review our freezing temperature water shutoff process and be aware of this procedure as cold weather season is here.
Other Discussion Items & Announcements
Acknowledging Gardeners:
Thanking Gardeners - discussed some fun ways that we could acknowledge the work that gardeners do.
“Gardener of the month”
Gifts?
Consider Garden T-shirts as a fundraising in the future?
St David’s Foundation Name:
Initial discussion on the considerations around naming and sponsorship
Review the names of people that are on the plaques around the garden
Tito’s have given us a lot of support - we don’t think they have a plaque anywhere
Consider names that would be meaningful for the garden
Research the terms of the “St David’s Foundation” naming rights.
Garden Sharing:
Share on discord if you have greens or other veggies to share.
Upcoming Dates:
Next Garden Meeting = Jan 18 (Click here to RSVP)
NOTE: Jan and Feb meetings will also be held at the Sustainable Food Center to avoid cold weather.
Next Volunteer Day = Jan 11 (Another big one - we’ll have a dumpster)
Reminder, our calendar dates are here and posted on the Google Calendar shared on our SDF Community Garden Website.