November 24, 2003 minutes

Committee members present: Lynette Spicer, Lisa Harmison, Linda Naeve, Megan Keene, Lisa Orgler, Debbie Gitchell, and Mary Wilkens

After everyone introduced themselves and the organization they represent, Linda described the Plant A Row For the Hungry (PAR) program created and supported by Garden Writer's Association. They provide a lot of support materials such as promotional material and garden labels.

The purpose of PAR is to "create and sustain a grassroots program whereby" gardeners donate their surplus produce to local food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, and service organizations to help feed America's hungry.

It was suggested to invite Ricardo Salvador, from the ISU Organic Farm, and Will Emley, from the ISU Horticulture Farm, to serve on the committee because both facilities have excess produce they may want to contribute to this program. Representatives from the Ames Farmers' Market, Roxanne Nagel and Joe Lynch, should also be contacted. Another suggestion was to include a representative from the Emergency Residence Shelter. The Rosedale Shelter, 4-H after school program, may be another possible contact.

The committee discussed the implementation of the program. They agreed that the produce should be collected at Reiman Gardens on Monday afternoons. Gardeners can drop off their produce at the Reiman Gardens Maintenance facility between designated hours. A student intern and Master Gardeners and/or CoHort volunteers will coordinate the weekly collection, sort and distribute the produce to designated sites. This would begin in late June and continue through September 1.

The produce would be distributed to Bethesda Food Pantry, MICA, Access, and anywhere else with a need.

Someone suggested that we keep a "meter" in the Town and Country Garden, and perhaps, somewhere else in the garden, that is updated weekly and shows the cumulative pounds of produce we collect. All the produce will need to be weighed and recorded as it comes in. Our success can be reported to the Garden Writer's Association. (Last year, participants reported that more than 1.3 million pounds of produce was collected and distributed through PAR programs.)

We discussed ways in which we can promote and advertise the program. A "PAR KICK OFF" will be April 15, at 7 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. This free program is open to all gardeners and will give information about the program.

The following promotional ideas were suggested:

1. Promote it at Garden Club and Master Gardener meetings
2. Give presentations at Jaycees, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lion's Club, Northcrest Gardens, and Faculty Women's Club.
3. Have a display at the April 3 "National Gardening Month" kick-off.
4. Have a display at the Garden Club and/or Master Gardener Plant Sales on May 15.
5. Have 4-H'ers work at a display at the August 21 event.
6. Publicize the April 15 program in the Ames Park and Recreation Summer Activity Booklet.
7. Send notices to all who participate in the Ames Park and Recreation Community Gardens.
8. Include a paragraph in the Reiman Gardens' Summer Events Brochure.

The next meeting of the Reiman Gardens PAR committee will be: Monday, February 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the Speer Room at Reiman Gardens.