Meeting Aug 9th

We'll be having a meeting on August 9th at 11am. As a member it is important that all members to be there as we will be voting on a couple of items and we need 2/3 of the members to vote. If you unable to attend, please email me so I can arrange an email ballot for you. We will be taking membership too.

Meeting agenda:

• Back of the lot. Brian at Hoods to Woods Foundation is proposing to create a skate ramp there and his kids would become active in the garden to gain access to it. This has been discussed before to no interest. However, now some members are interested in this for the space. Kyiesha, however, would like to create a seating area in the same space. So we need to vote as a group to decide. (We'll reach out to Brian to confirm)
• Francis would like to create a hoophouse/greenhouse for growing earlier and later in the season. Do we want to do this? is there enough space? If so, we need to identify. 
• Member Vote: Specific rules in regards to dogs in the garden
• Member Vote: Adding a position for a treasurer to the bylaws and voting on position
• Project updates. shed; grass and picnic tables; fixing cement at entryway; etc

Other news in the garden, the lock was broken this past week and we've needed to replace it. If you need a new key, please let me know so I can get you a copy. Kyle and the gang have been making major strides in completion of the shed. Stop by and check it out! I also realized that not everyone knew about the informational binder. It is kept in the bucket with the lid that also contains smalls supplies. In it, you'll find information for visitors who wish to know more or be on the mailing list; membership forms; copies of our bylaws; bank account transaction log; member time log (please log in your hours! Especially if you have an odd work schedule!); and compost information and log.

The Patchen Ave Block Association will be holding their annual block party on August 2nd. Food, fun and games! There will be story time and events for kids in the garden. For more information, contact Crystal at CrystalEdwards43@hotmail.com.

Shed Raising Party

Kyle plans on being at the garden Saturday and Sunday to coordinate work on the Shed. The following things need to be completed in order for all of us to enjoy the benefits of the shed. We'll need 3-5 people to help finish the shed so that everyone can stay busy. But it would be great to get 5-7 people total so that we can keep things flowing and everyone can have help. As you all know there is plenty to do in the garden so even if you can't work on the shed there is always something that just needs initiative.

Don't know if anyone has a portable grill that will fit more than 4 burgers or pieces of chicken on them but it would be fun to BBQ for lunch (if you are a vegetarian Kyle have way to much zucchini and can donate that to the grill).

Basic plans for the shed are located here: http://www.theclassicarchives.com/how-to-guides/free-simple-shed-plans

Saturday 7/19

• (2-3) People
  • Install remaining siding
  • Install the gutter once the roof joists are on
  • Install the Plexiglass windows
• (1-2) People
  • Install roof joists (1-2) - These will need to get some notches cut in each end prior to installation, so someone that is very comfortable with a Jigsaw or sawzall would be great for this task.
  • Install the roof sheathing/plywood (2) people
  • Install the roofing material and shingles
• Everyone
  • Clear the area around the shed to create room to work.
  • Breakdown the fencing material so that we can work by the shed.

Sunday 7/20

• Wrap up previous days activities
• Build the doors
• Build stairs/ramp to shed so that people can get in. This could be done out of the palettes that we have.
• Build fascia pieces
• Caulk joints to weatherize the shed (to keep rain out).
• Start construction on the Rain Barrel Supports

Please let Kyle know if you are coming, what days and what times you can be there. Any few hours you can spare would be amazing so that we can finish the project. You can email him at: kyle.twitchell@gmail.com

Spring Meeting

Spring is upon us! Let's all come together May 3rd at 11am to discuss this years plans. We'd like to enact bylaws (finally!) and elect new board members. We're also going to discuss the current garden plan and proposed projects. It would be great if you could review our Proposed Bylaws and Proposed Site Plan

New board positions include:

• 2 Co-chairs to oversea general affairs and finances
• Supply coordinator - know the contacts and be responsible to smoothly facilitate tools, soil, woodchip, etc.
• Events Coordinator - someone who can be around to have events like volunteer days, classes, etc
• Fundraising Coordinator - actively seeking out fundraising and grant opportunities. point person within the community to make connections with local businesses
• Individual gardener representative - someone who is (preferably) an individual gardener and is aware of the individual's needs so that the community active in the garden can support these individuals.

It's Spring!

EVENT CANCELLED 

Kyiesha has arranged for 30-60 high school students to volunteer at the garden this Friday (4/11) from Green HS in Bushwick. They will be creating individual garden beds and cleaning up the garden for Spring planting. 

We really really really need cordless drills to make this happen! But any supplies – shovels, gloves, etc – that you're willing to donate for the day (we'll give them back) would be super great. You can drop supplies off at the garden or arrange with Alison (alison.iven@gmail.com) a time for her to pick them up. We'll return them after Friday, promise!

If you're around on Friday (9:30 - 2:30) we'd love your help in directing all the students. Just pop on by!