Board Blurb: July 2026
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
7/15/26
Prepared by Laurel Watt (2026 RCMG Secretary)
Summary for the July RCMG Board of Directors Meeting
The RCMG Board of Directors Meeting was held on July 14, 2026, on Zoom. The nonprofit Board for the 501(c)(3) will be at a retreat on August 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Vadnais Heights.
Special Report
Leadership Changes: Please plan to attend the July monthly meeting for an important update on the governance structure that supports Ramsey County Garden Education Volunteer programs. We will share changes requested by University of Minnesota Extension and discuss the transition timeline. While most volunteers will see little impact on their day-to-day activities, we encourage everyone to attend and learn more about the changes ahead.
2026 Plant Sale. Cheryl Brady presented a report on the 2026 Plant Sale. Highlights include:
There were 1,061 attendees with 162 waiting in line at 9:00 a.m.
94 MG’s grew plants for the sale.
Over 200 volunteers worked on Sale Day.
9,073 plants were sold.
We earned $28,187.30 in net revenue.
Although there were fewer tally sheets meaning fewer shoppers, they bought more. We made more money than last year!
Cheryl and Molly are extremely grateful for everyone’s efforts to make the sale a success!
Committee Updates
Communications Committee Update – Nanette Boudreau
Nanette announced that Mitzi Peine has resigned from the social media role. Nanette is currently posting and looking for help.
Education Committee Update – Jo Sullivan
Jo reported that the outdoor June meeting at the Barn was well attended and the committee was very pleased with the whole evening. Meeting topics have been planned for the rest of 2026:
July: Local Author Rhonda Hayes will present her latest book, Garden for Life: Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age.
August: RGEV Night Out at the Bell Museum! This meeting at the Bell Museum will begin at 5:30 and feature presentations from the directors of the Herbarium. This is a marquee event each year and will also be another wonderful opportunity for mentors and interns to attend together. Get the word out! 200 spots to fill!
September: Ben Waldo, RGEV, will speak on Landscape Architecture design in your garden and Mini Forests. There will also be related tours in September.
October: Colin Peters will speak on Emerald Ash Borer research.
November: Feeding People Projects will feature RGEV Volunteers who work with the Barn Gardens, Gardens for Good, the Garden of Good Hearts, the RCCF Orchard, and Arts Us.
Finance Committee Update – Julie Bechtold
The committee continues to work on policies and procedures for cash management and has developed a document for Treasurer succession planning. Julie announced that three interns, Mary Xiong, Jewelie Grape & Rochelle Schmidt, have joined the committee this month and will join the rest of the committee at an August 4th in-person committee retreat.
Membership Committee Report - Susie DeShon and Travis Sandland
Susie reported that they are waiting to get an update on 2026 interns’ progress with the course modules. There are 20 (2026) interns who haven’t entered any volunteer hours and 4 (2025) interns. A number of these volunteers have volunteered but haven’t officially recorded their hours.
Leadership Updates
Secretary Update – Laurel Watt
The June Board Minutes were approved.
Treasurer Update– Kathy Passe
The following reports were approved.
Kathy also reported on the status of Project Grant Funding as of 6/30/2026:
Awards Granted: $4,674.00
Reimbursed expenses: $1,955.14
2026 Award Remaining Funds: $4,909.72
Please consider applying for some of this grant money for your RGEV projects!
Program Coordinator Update – Darren Lochner
Darren shared the following updates:
Ramsey County Fair returns this week on July 16-19. Extension and the RGEV Program will have a table at the fair.
RGEV branded shirts are in the process of being mailed to volunteers.
RGEV name badges and stars are being mailed to volunteers.
A committee of RGEV volunteers are currently working on providing input on the formation and structure of an Advisory Committee for the Ramsey County Garden Education Volunteer Program.
Darren also announced that we will soon see a change in how we will be entering our volunteer hours with the new program the U of MN has decided to adopt. Stay tuned.
Vice Chair Report – No Report
Chair Report – Beth Fritcher
Beth reported that we have reached agreement by the nonprofit’s board members on a logo to be used by the Ramsey County Master Gardeners nonprofit 501(c)(3). It will be ready by August 1st so that it can be included as part of our annual registration with GiveMN.
Beth also updated the Board on the change in governance beginning immediately that will result in two separate leadership boards for the RGEV Program and the Ramsey County Master Gardeners nonprofit 501(c)(3) as requested by U of MN Extension. This will not affect volunteers’ experience as RGEVs. It is simply a governance change that separates fundraising activities by the nonprofit from the program side that the majority of RGEV’s already interact with throughout their participation in our program in Ramsey County. If you have questions regarding the program leadership (Education, New Members, and/or Marketing and Communications), please contact Darren Lochner for updates on the formation of a program leadership team which in the future will be meeting separately from the nonprofit board as requested by University of Minnesota Extension and the State Master Gardener program. Please attend the July monthly meeting on the 21st or join via Zoom to learn more.
New Business – None
Old Business – None
2026 Board Leadership: Beth Fritcher (Chair), Maggie Maggio (Vice-Chair), Laurel Watt (Secretary), Kathy Passe (Treasurer), Julie Bechtold (Finance Chair), Susan Mason (Education Chair), Jo Sullivan (Education Co-Chair), Susie DeShon (Membership Chair), Travis Sandland (Membership Co-Chair), Nanette Boudreau (Communication Chair), Amanda Swanson (Communication Co-Chair), Darren Lochner (Program Coordinator).
