2019 July PCEA-EC Minutes

Minutes: Piscataquis County Extension Association Executive Committee Meeting  7/8/2019, 3-5 pm

Present: Members: Beth McEvoy, Karen Murphy, Carole Boothroyd, Gretchen Huettner, George McKay

Staff: Donna Coffin, Sheila Norman, Trisha Smith

Call to Order– President Beth McEvoy called the meeting to order at 3 pm. Karen Murphy selected as timekeeper.

Business

  • Minutes of 6/10/2019 meeting were approved, with no corrections.
  • The Treasurer’s Report was approved, with no corrections.

Program Updates

 4-H Program Update- Sheila Norman

  • 4-H representatives Tyler and Susannah have returned from their 8 day trip to Washington D.C. for the Citizenship Washington Focus. Gabrielle has been selected to attend National 4-H Congress in the fall and Ingrid was chosen to attend National 4-H Conference in Georgia next spring.
  • The Piscataquis Passport Program has started the summer session. Kids can get their passports stamped at free summer meals, Thompson Library, and other locations.
  • The YMCA is using 4-H curriculum and science kits for their summer youth programs.
  • 4-H youth are getting ready for the Piscataquis Valley Fair.

Home Horticulture Report – Trisha Smith 

  • 56 youth have signed up for the 4-H Passport Program. Over $100 in Veggie Vouchers have been distributed.
  • Trisha is collaborating with the PRFC on an idea to bring container gardens and garden coaches to housing complexes around the county. Extension’s role would be to provide technical assistance and training and support of garden coaches.
  • The Cooperative Extension’s Share Table is included on the “Community Fruit and Vegetable Stands” website. Merrillee Shoen is working on a roofed stand.

Piscataquis Cooperative Extension Activities Report- Donna Coffin

  • Donna reports 17 one to one contacts for June-July 2019. Questions include: bees to pollinate crops, insect/disease damage on vegetables, shrubs and trees, wildlife damage

 Programs/Meetings/Activities

Donna has been invited to present One TomatoTM as part of the Search for Excellence program in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

  • Low-Stress Cattle Management and Pasture Walk with Fred and Ben Cookson and Colt Knight at Shaw Road Farm on July 20, 12-3 pm. Participants get a free lunch of brisket and burgers.
  • Women Caring for the Land, with SWCD and NRCS, is a free all-day event for women landowners on July 11. At Hall’s Christmas Tree Farm and Stutzman’s. Free. For women landowners.
  • Tractor Safety Tips on July 30, 5:30-8:30 pm with SWCD at the Law Farm on the Milo Road in Dover-Foxcroft. The cost is $20. Register through SWCD website or call 564-2321, ext 3
  • Laurie Bowen offers Preserve the Harvest on July 17 and August 5 at the Extension office in Dover-Foxcroft, 4:30-7:30 pm. For more information and to sign up: https://extension.umaine.edu/piscataquis/2019/06/28/preserving-the-harvest

Unfinished Business

  • The committee did a final review of the Piscataquis County UMaine Extension Media Survey. It will be available online and will be handed out by members of the committee.
  • The School Garden’s water system is in need of repair.
  • The 2020 Budget Request is due August 30. The committee voted unanimously to request additional funds for support staff, in order to keep the office open 4 days a week. Committee members will write a cover letter for the budget request.

New Business

  • The committee considered an idea from Trisha for Garden in a Box.

The meeting adjourned at 5 pm. Next meeting:  August 12, 2019, at Piscataquis County Extension Office, Dover-Foxcroft 3-5 pm.

Submitted by Carole Boothroyd, Secretary 7/22/2019