WCEA Meeting Minutes – March 2024
WCEA meeting minutes 3/28/2024
Present – Kyle Winslow, Nicholas MacDonald, Eric Jones, Ed Latham, Jen Lobley, Robin Pinto, Gabby Brodek, Jason Palomo, Deb Gardener, Regina Grabrovac, Becca Whitney
Secretary’s Report – moved, seconded, unanimously approved
Treasurer’s Report – Kyle moved, Ed seconded, unanimously approved
Staff reports
Healthy Acadia Healthy Food For All – healthyacadia.org/healthy-food-for-all
12 programs in Handcock and Washington counties.
Food program coordinator – Lucy Zwigard – coordinates gleaning efforts in the county
Downeast Gleaning Initiative – Community garden support to help reduce food insecurity.
Washington Academy garden success story as program continues and even how has part time people offering agriculture classes in the school.
Food from harvest in Aroostook brought down to food pantries in Washington county.
Frozen blueberries get distributed in late fall
Downeast Restorative Harvest
Community Garden in Machias – County owned land
Partnered with Washington County Jail and Department of Corrections
1⁄4 acre parcel ready to plant this spring – Starting small but anxious to expand!
Success in program is hoped to bolster the Master Gardener program down the line.
How to bring master gardener classes? Problem is in getting staffing? Can we bring in local gardeners with experience to build staffing potential? Need for brainstorming group to look at options to help bring the program back with the training and mentoring.
Regina’s email is regina@healthyacadia.org
Recruitment
We are loosing Kyle and Eric this year
Looked over list of possible people to approach
Next 2-3 weeks approach people
Jen will share in email materials helpful when approaching people
Annual Meeting –
May 11th confirmed 10am – 1 pm
Setup time 9:00
Annual meeting combined with Open House
Discussed people to invite
Eric suggested a poster/tree where people can personal impacts of programs