Garden Walk Recap By Beula Dvorak and Kathy Hughes, Co-Chairs

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1 Vol. 27, No. 7 Editors: Julie Stark/Lisa Slattery August 2017 LINN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER EVENTS Steering Committee Meeting Extension Office August 1 6:30 pm Extension Council Meeting Extension Office August 21 9:30 am MG Application Deadline August 7 "A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." - Gertrude Jekyll Garden Walk Recap By Beula Dvorak and Kathy Hughes, Co-Chairs The Garden Walk 2017 is now history. Special THANKS to our garden hosts for opening lovely gardens to the public: Carol Elliott, Diane Wiesenfeld, Larry Nelson, Nadine Borngraeber (Wellington) and Chelsea DeLarm (Catherine McAuley). Also THANKS to our Garden Leads for their time and efforts working with the hosts to make ready the gardens Continued Page 2 What s Inside Garden Walk Recap Pages 1-3 Fall Greenhouse Workshops Page 3 MG Receive ISU Grant Page 4 Herbalicious : MG Herb Display Garden Page 4 Report from International MG Conference Pages 5-6 What s Up in the Demo Gardens Page 7 Gardening for Family Food & Fun Page 8 Report from Polk County Demo Gardens Pages 9-10 Log Your Hours Today Page 10 Coordinator Comments Page 11 Volunteer Opportunities Page 11 Volunteer Spotlight Page 12 Steering Committee Reports Pages August

2 Continued from Page 1 and to guide the day to success: Karla Goettel, Carrie Nilsson, Jane Schildroth, Kay McWhinney, and Barb Wing. Finally, THANKS to each MG/Intern who volunteered to help in prepping gardens or worked the day of the Walk Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated. The following is a quick summary of Garden Walk data and Evaluation comments: 408 Tickets sold ($2,040 total cash from ticket sales) 53 MG Books ($265) MG/Intern volunteers: 54; Friends of Master Gardeners: 3 Larry Nelson and his garden. Diane Wiesenfeld and her garden. Carol Elliott and her garden. Chelsea DeLarm, McAuley Garden host. Evaluations Quick Summary * Liked the diversity of gardens. * Sometimes too many meetings..lean more on with only newbies required to attend meetings. * Volunteers assigned on timely basis. * Number of volunteers adequate; teams awesome! * Water fine.no snacks needed (however, most teams did provide) * Appreciated preview which allowed volunteers to see other gardens * Garden Walk 2017 was slick. Continued Page 3 2 Germinator Nadine Borngraeber, Wellington Garden host.

3 Continued from Page 2 * Good to introduce Community Gardens to public; many guests enjoyed them * Volunteers were great; 1 no-show * Heard lots of positive comments about the diverse/interesting gardens * Perhaps Team Leaders be responsible for ice as they usually show up early and allow more time for water to chill * Team Leads were terrific! * Get lists of volunteers willing to prep as early as possible * How many participated in the kids activities do we need to provide more/fewer? * Map on flyer was too small to be beneficial * Adjust the Prep Volunteer Sign-up to include AM/PM/Garden for throughout the month of June * On Volunteer Sign-ups have them give /text/phone as preference to contact * Butterflies at Carol s garden were a hit! Planning will soon begin for the 2018 Garden Walk! Save the Dates Fall Greenhouse Workshops By: Shelby Foley and Tina Patterson It's hard to believe, but autumn is just around the corner and the thoughts of the greenhouse group have turned to our fall workshops. Please join us for the fun, fellowship and projects of one or more of the following workshops: Sept. 9 Cornhusk Wreath (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Create a cornhusk wreath for a door decoration or candle ring or fall centerpiece. Make, decorate and take (photos right). Cost: $15.00 Preregistration & Payment Required Sept. 30 Swamp Fox Festival Seed Saving (4:00 PM) Tomato/Pepper Tasting (5:00 PM) Oct. 14 Nov. 11 Dec. 7 Forcing Bulbs (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Explore ways to bring bulbs to early bloom to brighten winter days. Plant a bulb garden for forcing. Cost: $20.00 Preregistration & Payment Required Bow Making (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Make and take holiday bows for home decorating Cost: $10.00 Preregistration & Payment Required Winter Containers (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM) Create an arrangement for indoors or out using fresh greens, dried materials and glittering trims. Cost: $20.00 Preregistration & Payment Required All workshops take place in the greenhouse. For information contact Shelby Foley, Tina Patterson or Shelly O'Neil. August 3

4 Linn County Master Gardeners Receive ISU Grant By Beula Dvorak As many of you know, Linn County Master Gardeners received an ISU grant for a Growing Together Project partnering with HACAP to collect and distribute produce from our Community Gardens, New Bo, school gardens and any other gardens who desire to participate to the area food pantries thru HACAP. We also want to extend the invitation if any MG/Intern has a vegetable garden and gets extra produce that you won't be using to please consider taking to HACAP for distribution as part of the grant. If you tell them you are a MG, they will document and weigh any produce you provide them for distribution. I know many of us have extra as those beans, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes ripen. HACAP accepts donations any day between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. HACAP is also collecting from the CR Farmers Market any leftover produce folks want to donate. SO, if you are involved with an area Farmer's Market and would like to help us out, contact Shelly O'Neal or Beula Dvorak for more information. Herbalicious! By Kathy Hughes There s nothing like fresh herbs to make your summer meals actually taste like summer. The MG Herb Display Garden located in Noelridge Park is coordinated, planned, planted and tended by co-chairs, Diane Stevens and Kathy Rhodes, with help from Master Gardener volunteers. We plant the annual herbs each spring and add in the Herb of the Year, as well. Besides enjoying the beauty and aromatic scent of the herb harden, there is a recipe box right in the middle of the garden where any visitors are welcome to open the box (a simple stick secures the lid) and help yourself to a recipe. The recipes are changed periodically so keep checking the recipe box throughout the summer. This year, I included a guide that helps determine the ratio of fresh herbs to dry herbs in your recipes. Any recipe you re making that calls for herbs will be delicious all year long. When visiting Noelridge Park, stop by the herb display garden, then go home inspired to cook a summertime meal inspired by the 4 Germinator

5 20147 International Master Gardener Conference Portland Oregon By: Karla McGrail Linn County, Iowa Master Gardeners were well represented at the International Master Gardener Conference in Portland, Oregon this summer. Of about 12 people from Iowa, we numbered 5! And if one of them wasn't you, I am sorry to say you really missed out. All MG conferences are a great way to gain new gardening information and meet and compare notes with MGs from other areas, but the international conference was extra exciting because there were 1200 fellow MGs from nearly all 50 states (48 this time) and Canada and perhaps South Korea. (The only other countries that have MG programs.) The day we arrived Linda Hinzman and I decided to walk down to the convention center to see where we needed to be the next morning. As we were crossing the street, a woman asked "You're here for the Master Gardener Conference, aren't you?" We had a laugh about how we could recognize one another, even though we had never met. We also picked out a few other people on the street who we also correctly pegged as MGs. Apparently we have a "look." We are all members of the same tribe! This conference included 3 1/2 days of classroom learning at the convention center, which could be lengthened to up to 10 days with some optional multi-day tours, or even shortened with some half and full day tours running concurrently. Linda and I broke up our week in Portland with full-day tours on Monday and Wednesday, classroom time on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning, then we spent 2 Polly Tsamis, Linda Hinzman, Kathy Carew, Karla McGrail, Wil Carew: Linn County IOWA MGs with bicycle-themed display created by Linn County OREGON MGs. days exploring Portland on our own with their excellent public transportation system. Mt. Hood, as seen from our plane, is visible from much of Portland. Since this was all about education (yeah, right...) I wanted to share with you some "nuggets" of knowledge or interesting tid-bits I picked up from the classes I attended. It wasn't until I looked at my schedule that I wondered where my head was when I registered back in February- my first 2 classes were titled "Full Frontal Gardening" and then "50 Shades of Blue." Hmmmm. But apparently I am not alone in loving blue flowersthat was a big class! That afternoon I attended a seminar presented by a blacksmith who makes hand-forged tools ( which was particularly August 5

6 interesting to me because I like to collect tools, and have a background in metalsmithing. I learned that the handle on a rake, hoe or cultivator should be as long as the user is tall for best ergonomics. Luckily for my tool collection, this toolsmith had a booth in the vendor fair, so I bought a couple of interesting hand tools. I always try to take at least 1 class that, although not a topic I am terribly interested in, will help me gain some useful knowledge. Integrated Pest Management for Fruit Trees was that class this time, and my "nugget" from that class was that an important step in IPM is to "Apply Shadow Therapy"; i.e., go out into your garden often and be aware of what's going on out there. Renee Shepard of "Renee's Gardens" seeds was a keynote speaker, and I also attended her breakout session. It was very interesting to learn about seed production and business. As I suspected, the dates on seed packets are not that important to us gardeners - most seeds, if stored in a cool, dry location (she suggested even zip-lock bags in the freezer) last more than 5 years, except for viola and brassicas, which really don't store well. Also, most seed companies will donate post-dated seeds for postage cost only and late fall is the best time to ask. (All you people helping in community gardens, take note!) The last class I took I think was my favorite: Soils. It was taught by an enthusiastic and entertaining soil science professor from OSU. Apparently his class is even popular with non-horticulture students, and I know why. He started out by telling us "The fact that you're not soil right now is a temporary condition." He showed how the areas worldwide with the best soils "molisols" are associated with political power. He admitted to enjoying eating grubs, he called them "The original Grape-nuts: They pop like a grape and taste like a nut." And there even was some soil chemistry tossed about. Besides the education, the conference lunches were fabulous. Overall, it was a very well-run event, including a great tradeshow, decorations, side events like mixers and movies, and even a smart phone app with all the conference information at your fingertips. Linda Hinzman checking scent of roses at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, "The City of Roses." Very slick. The bus tours were well run and fun and even when they were general public-themed (i.e., we did "Keeping Portland Weird" and "The Columbia River Gorge") included some MG-specific stops at MG home or demonstration gardens. It did give me a bad case of zone 7/8-envy, however. Portland is a fun city to visit. Even the weather was perfect. The next IMGC is June 18-21, 2019 in Valley Forge, (Philadelphia area) PA, so mark your calendars now. They are already planning with the "Penn's Woods Digging Into Our Roots" theme, and have some exciting speakers lined-up. For more information as it is planned: internationalmastergardener.com or Facebook.com/IMGC. 6 Germinator

7 What s Up at the Demo Gardens? By Tina Patterson As the weather heats up and the rain beats down, there are many challenges out at the Demo Gardens in Lowe Park but the beauty and the community outweigh those challenges. The Children s Garden signature caterpillar is filling out nicely and gives structure to that garden along with the teepee that is new this year. Throughout the gardens fennel and dill are attracting swallowtail butterflies while many common milkweed plants provide a place for monarchs to lay eggs and a buffet for the caterpillars. The multi colors of zinnias are filling out the quilt design and buzzing with bees. Fresh mulch on the paths and lots of additional soil in the fall help to keep some of the rain washouts minimal. The rose garden is mulched and the bench located there has been raised up on bricks. It provides a nice place to relax and watch the busy bees doing their thing in the many roses and lavender plants. The colors of the flower beds are really splendid this year and on a clear summer evening, hummingbirds and butterflies skitter across the beds and you might see a bunny or two sneaking into the vegetable garden or the herb garden for a snack. Many Master Gardeners descend upon the gardens when it is not too hot on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. It is always fun to gather and attack the weeds together. A recent gardener weeding attack tidied up the quilt garden in a few hours, yielding about 2-3 bushels of weeds. As we know, this is a never ending job but the camaraderie makes it bearable and even enjoyable! August 7

8 Gardening for Family Food & Fun Miniponics Workshop By Philip Pfister On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, Allen Pattillo, fisheries and aquaculture extension specialist at Iowa State University, led a workshop on building a miniponics system. The idea behind miniponics is that it is hobby sized, and can be used either as a hydroponics system or as an aquaponics system (includes fish). Allen was assisted by engineering student Sophie Rotole, who is working with him on the design and development of the miniponics system. Thirty-four people from Delaware, Dubuque, Johnson, Jones, and Linn counties, took advantage of this workshop. Of the thirty-four, thirteen built a system, and twenty-one observed. At the end of the workshop, the builders took home a system that includes the tubs, pump, plumbing, lava rock, clay pebbles, lettuce seeds, and if interested, a voucher from a pet store for goldfish. The system is best suited for growing leafy greens and herbs, and with supplemental lighting, can be used for yearround production (bottom photo). The workshop was held at the Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center, 4500 N 10 th Street, Marion, Ia. 8 Germinator

9 Polk County Master Gardeners Demo Gardens Tour By Linda Hayward Ten Linn County Master Gardeners and 4 guests toured the 3 Polk County Demonstration Gardens on Tuesday, July 11. Along with a hot day of touring three beautiful gardens, there was much companionable talk of food, pets, and plants. Sandi Hamilton and Paula Winslow greeted the group at the fascinating Enabling Garden in Altoona (photos right). This garden was established in 2002 with Polk County Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona. The purpose of the garden is to welcome people of all abilities to be able to experience the garden. At every turn, there was something to delight the senses. There are raised beds and vertical wall gardens as well as a special children s garden with musical instruments, a tepee and even a sand pile with toys. There is a wonderful miniature fairy garden including a fairy farm, built into raised brick beds at the eye level of a child. The paths make it easy for anyone to be able to view all the gardens. Garden art was throughout the gardens. The 12 foot praying mantis reclaimed metal sculpture by John Brummell was just one of the several unique art pieces. At the Discovery Garden (photos below) located at the State Fair Grounds, Jean Roe and Patrick Schmitt welcomed us. This garden is a cooperative effort between ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County Master Gardeners and the Iowa State Fair. Each year there are new displays and plants in this garden. Yard art and all plants are labeled at the time of the Iowa State Fair. Also, Master Gardeners are present to answer questions. A QR code will enable smart phone users to access the plant information via their hand held devices as they view the garden. We were told how people who toured the garden as a child will then tell their children Continued page 10 August 9

10 how they went through the Children s Garden Tunnel when they were young. The new permeable pathways of regional stone and recycled glass replaced the crushed brick paths and give a little spring to your step, making the gardens easy for people to view these gardens. The Urbandale Demonstration Garden (photos below) is the oldest Polk County Master Gardener project beginning in The site is owned by the Urbandale School District and the City of Urbandale partners in the operation of the garden. Sharing the history and development of this garden was Ruth Doxon. As beds expanded, innovative plantings and easier pathways have made the gardens more enjoyable. As in the other gardens, there are teams of Polk County Master Gardeners who care for the different gardens. Ruth gave us a detailed map of the gardens which allowed for a self-guided tour. The Polk County Master Gardeners have a greenhouse where many of the plants used in the gardens are started. All the gardens have written numerous grants from various sources for funding when developing new garden beds and structures. The hardscapes that were in several of the gardens were built by the Master Gardeners. By looking for support in the community in the form of fund raisers and grants, the gardens are able to flourish and expand. After the tour, everyone enjoyed some time at the Ted Lare Nursery near Cumming. And yes, like true gardeners, there were a few purchases Is Half Over; Log Your Hours Today Don't wait until December to report your Master Gardener volunteer and continuing education hours for the year. Record them now so that it doesn't become a huge task at the end of the year: 10 Germinator

11 Coordinator Comments By: Shelly O'Neal Hello MGs, Wow, it s August! Where has the time gone. You have all been very busy with a variety of outreach events and the attendance has been amazing. The feedback from the community has been very complimentary towards you, and your programming. Thank you for all you do. I have never been a part of such a dedicated, intelligent and giving group of individuals. You are all amazing! Lisa Slattery s article on becoming a Master Gardener was in the Gazette a few weeks back. Please let any of your friends, coworkers and neighbors know that the office is accepting applications to become a Master Gardener until August 7 th. The interview process will start that week. We currently have 21 applications and 20 will be chosen for the Fall Course. The interview committee consists of Sue Usher, Larry Dawson, Beulah Dvorak, Devon Dietz and Bev Whitmore. The interviewers are chosen to represent new and seasoned MGs, along with those of varying interests. If you would like to be considered for next year s interview committee, please send me an . As I mentioned in an last month, the service provider for the directory is no longer in business. I am working with Barb Wing who is the chair for the directory committee to re-establish a directory. Things will be different once online, and it should be as user friendly as the previous directory, however with a little more bells and whistles. I hope you have a wonderful August! Shelly Need Volunteer Hours? Shelly has volunteer opportunities for assisting her in the Extension Office. Since she is only 30 hours a week, things are getting accomplished by highest priority, which still leaves many important things delayed and creates the appearance of not being responsive. Some of the tasks this individual(s) would assist with will include making copies, organizing files and notebooks, assisting with volunteer recruitment for outreach events, and other miscellaneous duties. The hours per week and times during the day are flexible, however, it would be ideal to have someone assist for 4-8 hours per week when Shelly is in the office from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Other volunteer opportunities are to assist with Fall Classes held from 6-7:30 every Tuesday night. Shelly is looking for 5 volunteers to work with interns in small groups to answer questions and check homework, then assist presenters for the one hour hands-on presentation. Shelly (soneal@iastate.edu) if interested in either opportunity. August 11

12 Volunteer Spotlight Meet Kayleen Schultze By: Linda Skvor Kayleen pursued the Master Gardener program because she was always yearning to learn more about flowers and landscaping. I went on the Garden Walk for several years and was so impressed with the unique and beautiful gardens. I also enjoyed talking to a few of my MG friends who could always answer my endless questions! Kayleen was so excited to be accepted into the MG program in the fall of Kayleen has lived in Cedar Rapids for the last 31 years but grew up in Denison, Iowa (western Iowa). Kayleen and her husband, Bob, have a son Nick, who lives with his wife, Katie, in San Diego. Kayleen has enjoyed volunteering at Lowe Greenhouse, the plant sale, the Garden Walk, and being a scribe for the Hortline. When I asked Kayleen about her favorite flower she said she wasn t sure she had one. I like trying to grow different flowers and vegetables every year so I am always learning and challenging myself. I am drawn to the vibrancy of color and texture in each plant, they are all so unique and a gift from Mother Nature. I really enjoy bright colors and changing it up every year. Kayleen did say she expanded her garden this year to include many varieties of hot peppers, as her husband is experimenting with salsas, and is also trying new tomatoes, including tomatillos. Alliums have become a favorite as Kayleen has had great fun painting them and planting them again! Kayleen has been a hair stylist for the last 35 years, and working part time gives her the opportunity to volunteer for MG events and also spend time in her own gardens, her Happy Place!! Kayleen also enjoys boating and golfing in the summer and traveling to warm climates during the winter. 12 Germinator

13 July 2017 Steering Committee Minutes DRAFT (Abridged for Germinator) Present: Steve Bartlett, Peggy Green,, Beula Dvorak, Cindy Fagan, Sylvia Kelly, Kay McWhinney, Jean Wilson, Shelly O Neal. Absent: Linda Hinzman, Linda Shephard, Sam Krumbholz, Jackie McLaren, Kathy Carew. No quorum established. Minutes of June 6, 2017: Reviewed. Announcements: None Financial Report: None. Linda Hinzman will give May and June report at the August meeting. MG Coordinator Report: Shelly presented 3 documents for review: Proposal for Flipped Classroom for MG classes to begin in September. This included a training schedule and Training Facilitator guidelines. A maximum of 20 will be accepted for the class. Updated ISU Master Gardener Duties/Expectations a quick summary that will be given to all MG class attendees to fully understand what is involved being a Master Gardener. Updated Procedure Guide for MGs. Linn County will follow the ISU MG Manual. This Procedure Guide contains processes specifically related to Linn County. Shelly is sending this information out to all Steering Committee members to read before the August meeting. It will be on the agenda for approval. Old Business: Signage for Outreach Gardens is being investigated. Shelly is working with SignPro where we have gotten some other signage. The MG book is now available for a donation of $5.00. Phil Pfister will not be purchasing carts for Lowe Park Greenhouse as there is no storage space. New Business: Applications for the upcoming Master Gardener class closes the 1 st week of August. Interviews will be during the 2 nd -3 rd -4 th weeks of August. The interviewing committee consists of 5 current MGs. 20 class members is the limit accepted. MG speakers will present only in Linn County, unless specifically for another MG event, approved by the office. MGs will not be participating in the Old McDonald Farm event on July 29 as it really doesn t fit our mission. Discussion held on the Public Relations Committee being established, instead of any committees of just 1 person. It was approved at an August 13

14 earlier Steering Committee meeting with the purpose of better coordination of all public relations/advertising of MG events & activities. Will include current Speakers Bureau, KCRG-TV, Library Talks, CR Gazette writers, ISU Publications and Photographers. Recruitment for Committee is happening. Discussion on Monthly Reports, the timing of them, content, and purpose was discussed with no decisions or outcomes. Project and Committee Reports May & June, 2017 (Amended for the Germinator) Outreach Gardens (Beula Dvorak): The Community Outreach Gardens Committee is in full swing for the 2017 garden season. We are still in need of additional MGs and interns to assist with this project as there are lots of gardens seeking assistance and few MGs involved. Questions or to volunteer simply contact Beula Dvorak at Current outreach gardens include: The Gateway Garden at the Catherine McAuley Center, Prairiewoods, Summit Point Gardens, Olivet Garden, Kenwood, Hiawatha School, Marion Community Garden, Harding School, Marion High School, Ely Public Library, Wellington Heights, Hiawatha Care Center. There is an amazing amount of work going into these gardens and volunteers are always welcome! Creative Gardening (Linda Hinzman): Kathy Hughes and Linda Eggleston were shadows and will be co-chairs for the 2018 CGS. Expert Ed. (Linda Hayward): Tuesday, July 11 th is the date for the Tour of the Polk County Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens. There are 10 people planning to attend at this time. Shelly will send out a reminder as the final date to sign up if June 30 th. From the Ground Up (Pam Brackey): Just finished two schools at Grant Wood and 5 at Echo Hill in Marion. We have a few schools to be scheduled for next year. Garden Walk (Beula Dvorak): Plans continue to progress for the Garden Walk 2017 July 8 th! You won t want to miss it. Kay McWhinney will be Garden Lead for Catherine McAuley Gardens instead of Sarah Neff. Publicity will be happening throughout the month of June until the event on July 8 th. However, the best publicity is word of mouth by MGs and interns as you visit with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and anyone else you are in contact with. Volunteer forms were due at the office on May 26.assignments will be made and sent to volunteers the first full week of June. There is still a 14 Germinator

15 need for MGs & interns willing to help gardeners prep for the Walk. Especially for Diane Wiesenfeld. There is always much extra work done to prepare gardens for the Walk, so your added volunteerism is much appreciated. The all-volunteer meeting will be held on June 27. The Preview for Master Gardener volunteers will be on Friday, July 7 th as customary. Greenhouse (Phil Pfister/Shelby Foley): Of the just over 4,000 plants that were available for purchase at the Charlene Woeste Plant Sale, the blooming side of the Lowe Park Greenhouse contributed 1056 potted arrangements, herbs, geraniums, and assorted blooming plants, and the veggie side contributed just over 500 plants consisting of over 50 varieties of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. We also have over 200 tomatoes, peppers and eggplants to donate to 5 area food pantries. Many thanks to head grower Shelby Foley, associate growers Tina Patterson and Coleen Kint, growers Leila Garner, Denise Klemp, Doug Smith, Larry Edwards, Mary Mikkola, Charlie Dudak, Sue Fletcher, Linda Miller, Devon Dietz, Barb Brown, Kathy Hughes, Paula MacNider, Sandy Fiegen, and all the volunteers who help at the Tuesday, Thursday and sometimes Thursday evening work sessions. We couldn t do this without you. Hortline (Doug Smith): There was a total of 258 clients in May, which included 24 s, 47 walk ins and 186 phone calls. There were about 100 more questions in May than in April. Noelridge Greenhouse (Diane Stevens/Kathy Rhodes): The month of May at Noelridge featured the 45th Annual Mother's Day Showcase. Over 2150 visitors stopped by the greenhouse to make this a successful event. Volunteers spent the first part of the month getting ready for the showcase by potting, trimming, and last minute transplanting. Because of all the rain, planting of outdoor gardens and getting the monarch/swallowtail zones ready for the rearing tents has been delayed. May was a busy month for tours of the greenhouse, most notably preschoolers. Volunteer hours at Noelridge in April totaled 639, of which were MG volunteer hours. Plant Sale (Karen Woeste/Phil Pfister): The Charlene Woeste Plant Sale took place on Saturday, 20 May, 2017 at the Linn County Extension and Outreach Office parking lot. While the numbers were off other years, we are pleased to report a net income of $6,125. This is about $3,000 less than last year, but still respectable considering the very rainy weather. Plant donations remaining from the Plant Sale were given to HACAP Food Pantries." Pollinators (Becki Lynch): May and June were busy months for the Master Gardeners on the committee. On May 19, some of us took butterfly stickers to the staging August 15

16 room for the plant sale and placed them on hundreds of pollinator plants that were there. Master Gardeners grow LOTS of pollinator plants as we placed 500 stickers on pots. The week of May 23 saw the planting of the Monarch and Swallowtail Butterfly beds at Noelridge Park, as well as the large pollinator habitat bed. Friends of Noelridge and Master Gardeners put added over 1,000 native and annual plants to these beds. On June 3 the Friends of Noelridge and Master Gardeners that maintain the tents at Flutterby Acres attended a seminar from the Monarch Research Project. We learned about the tools and techniques we would be using this year to maximize the butterfly population. We also had an informational table set up for Monarch Zone owners with plant and pollinator questions. The tents will be looking forward to receiving eggs for both the Monarchs and Swallowtails in mid to late-june. Stipends and Scholarships (Mike Anderson): Stipends to pay registration fees to attend the Pollinators Conference were awarded to 6 Master Gardeners. Winter Garden Fair (Larry Edwards/Sam Krumbholz): The date for the 2018 Winter Garden Fair is March 3 rd at Kirkwood Community College. Our first meeting will be held July 18 th at 5:00pm at the Extension Office. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:30 amidst a thunderstorm. Next Steering Committee Meeting ---- August 1, 2017 at 6:30 pm Next Executive Committee Meeting --- August 21, 2017 at 9:30 am Respectfully Submitted by Beula Dvorak (filling in for Secretary, Sam Krumbholz) Linn County Extension Master Gardeners 383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201 Cedar Rapids, IA ph (319) Hortline (319) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call Germinator