Monthly Meeting Review February 22, 2013, 7pm

SLMGA Monthly Meeting Review

The SLMGA Monthly Meeting was held Thursday, February 22^nd, 7pm in the extension classroom. This was primarily a business meeting where we discussed SLMGA vs the USU Ext Master Gardener program, reviewed projects for the upcoming year and discussed seed saving.

SLMGA vs USU Ext Master Gardeners

SLMGA and USU Master Gardeners have similar missions to educate the community. The USU Ext will handle the initial Master Gardener training and certification while SLMGA will handle continuing education. JayDee Gunnell is our county horticulture agent and responsible for overseeing the entire master gardener program. He has set up an advisory board to provide feedback on the master gardener program. Ron Jones, president of SLMGA, sits on the advisory board. The board is on track to do great things this year. Watch for more details outlining the two programs similarities and differences.

Any master gardener that is interested in teaching a public outreach class must attend a teachers workshop. The first workshop is Monday, March 11^th from 2:00-3:00pm in the extension classroom (2100 S State, Room S1008). Additional classes will be offered.

Important dates:

March 8^th Home and Garden Show

March 11^th Teacher workshop (add'l classes will be offered)

2:00 – 3:00pm

USU Ext classroom (2100 S State, Room S1008)

March 21^st Monthly Meeting

Slow The Flow

6:30pm social time, 7:00pm meeting

USU Ext classroom (2100 S State, Room S1008)

Project Overviews

The goal of the master gardener program is to teach the community. Approved projects should be educational rather than maintenance projects. All projects will be approved by the advisory board. Proposed projects include:

Demonstration Project at Wheeler Farm (Katie Jenkins)

Planned to be a demonstration garden for Salt Lake County.

Christmas Box House (Peggy)

Teaching gardening skills to children at a residential facility.

Gilgal Gardens (Judi Short)

Maintenance of public sculpture garden.

Farmers Market (Marilyn Jesperson)

Booth at Pioneer Park and Wheeler Farm markets. Distribute MG info, answer questions.

Speaker requests (Sharlyn Hanley)

Coordinate requests from public for master gardener speakers.

Wheeler Farm Herb Garden (Sandy Burgess)

Maintain the herb and flower gardens around the farm house.

County Fair Booth (Sara Anderson)

Booth to hand out master gardener info, answer general public questions.

Seed Saving

We wrapped up the meeting with Golden Reeves sharing his seed saving tips for heirloom tomatoes.

• Save seeds from open pollinated, heirloom tomatoes. Hybrids will disappoint.
• Cut the tomato in half and squeeze out seeds, including pulp around seeds.
• Put in jar with a little warm water and let ferment a few days.
• Add more water and let sit a few more days.
• Wash with cold water.
• Dry completely over the course of a few days.
• Keep in envelop and don't forget to write down seed and year.
• Follow seed planting directions when ready to start.

Until next month, Grow – Learn – Teach !!