Community Garden Committee, July 24, 2018
HOLDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE NOTES
July 24, 2018
Mission Statement:
The Holden Community Garden Committee is a volunteer organization working to provide and support Holden residents, individually and collectively, to grow food, flowers, fruits, and herbs on town land including the redeveloped property on Highland Street. Our efforts will enable residents to enjoy the beauty of our town while developing a sense of community through cooperative action, learning about sustainable and environmentally conscious gardening as well as ethical harvesting.
The Holden Community Garden Committee also exists to foster the education of the children of Holden through the support of community gardens in local schools and community groups. These gardens will help to develop the appreciation of future generations for the importance of agriculture and responsible environmental practices, and provide education and positive experiences through gardening and physical activity.
In Attendance: Marcia Hastbacka, Chair: Members: Jessica Cosenza, Mike Trigiano
Absent: Sarah Edmonstone
Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m.
AGENDA:
Minutes of July 10, 2018 Meeting
Because there was not a quorum at this meeting, the minutes of 7-10-18 will be tabled until the 8-7-18 meeting.
Note: These minutes will be submitted as Notes.
175 HIGHLAND STREET
a. Donations – Letters were sent to Bolton Orchards & Busy Bee Nursery for their donations of plants; to Mike Kendrick and his team for their build of the 2 water catchment systems; and to the Holden Fire Dept w/copy to the
Holden DPW for their assistance in filling the cisterns.
b. Water Catchment System - The screens for one of the cisterns needs to be secured. We will need 2 people to help securing the screen. A discussion ensued as to how to recognize the work of Mike and his team. Jess will discuss with Mike if they would want to go to a Selectboard meeting for some type of recognition, or is the Landmark article about their work sufficient.
c. Watering of Plants – Jess will keep an eye on the weather and put out reminders on Facebook about signing up to water if it seems we are short on volunteers watering and weeding the garden.
d. Jungle Jim’s plants – Mike will be checking with Jungle Jim’s to get the remaining plants that he plans to donate.
SENIOR CENTER – Marcia reported that she had met with the program director and we have a contact for distribution of produce to seniors in need of fresh vegetables. Mike will go to the Senior Center with some flyers to distribute them to seniors. Flyer explains about the community garden and invites seniors to volunteer with weeding and watering the designated Senior plot.
HOLDEN DAYS – Marcia will contact Peter to discuss a table for the Community Garden and/or ask for some space at the DPW table.
GIRL SCOUT PROJECT
The Girl Scout project was discussed at length. Jess brought the latest diagram of what they are planning to do with the area. It was decided that the diagram needs to be more detailed with measurements, type of plants, etc.
In addition, we need a timeline of when the project will be complete as well as materials list and how they plan to raise monies to complete it. It was agreed that the girl scouts could continue to work on the site; however, they must come to our next meeting with project plans, materials list, timeline, and their costs. We will then review the plan for approval.
REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS
Marcia will meet with Peter to clarify the reimbursement process and what types of expenses will be reimbursed, as well as how to handle any grant monies should we get them. Jess will explore some grants that are available as we would like to build some raised garden beds for disabled gardeners.
OLD BUSINESS
Jess would like to apply for another grant from the Holden Garden Club to be used for Davis Hill Community Garden for materials to enrich the soil in the garden.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm.
Next meeting will be at the Starbard Building on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 6:30 pm.