April 2026 Monthly Meeting Recap
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
4/21/2026
The April monthly meeting was held in-person and via Zoom from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Attending this meeting can be counted as 2 hours of Continuing Education. (Find the recording in the Archives of the Monthly Meeting page.)
Board Announcements
Kathy Passe, Treasurer for the nonprofit organization, presented the 2025 financial summary and the 2026 budget. Most income comes from the annual plant sale. Funds that are allotted to RGEV community outreach projects, volunteer education, and general operations comprise most of the expenses. The plant sale committee gave an update on current volunteer needs.
Educational Program
Guest lecturer, Dr. Vera Krischik, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Entomology presented information on landscape management of pests and beneficial insects.
Dr. Vera Krischik has done extensive research in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the conservation of pollinators and beneficial insects. Safe and effective ways to have a pest-free garden and promote biodiversity were discussed.
In her presentation she noted
Climate Change has an impact on not only flowers, trees but also insects. For example, the lack of
Japanese beetles in 2025 can be traced back to the 2024 drought which reduced the beetle’s population.
Pollinator and Plant coevolution is the relationship where two or more species affect each other’s. As gardeners we witness this relationship with pollinators and flowers. The flowers have developed shapes and colors that attract pollinators.
Pesticides should not be used. Contact pesticides are often applied to parts of a plant damaged by disease or infestation. Systemic pesticides are absorbed by the entire plant and are water soluble. The plant is toxic and could be fatal to pollinators. Minnesota has adopted legislation related to the labelling of pesticide products and their impact on pollinators.
Dr. Krischik, in response to a question, suggested that leaves and decaying plants should be remind when the temperature is at least 55 degrees for several days.
The following website is the Entomology Department’s “Conservation Guide: Pollinators, Plants, Pesticides”
It is worth reviewing.
Recap provided by Gene Ranieri
RGEV Volunteer
