1. Discussed the LEAF Grant.

2. Discussed the purpose of gardens in schools.

3. Harry (Head Grounds man) took us on a tour of three potential spots for our garden. With his help, we all agreed on a spot at the back of the campus where there is sunlight and room for expansion.

4. John Avila (Carpinteria High School Ag teacher) explained how the high school garden is part of their curriculum. He suggested using a class to keep the garden up. For his program, each student is given a row to keep up. We discussed what to plant (lettuce, broccoli, beets, onions, potatoes, radishes, beans, sugar peas, grapes, strawberries, herbs and flowers). It also would be nice to have some trees. We could solicit donations from people in the community for the plants. Students develop a market plan and sell at the “Farmer’s Market”.

5. John also made suggestions for how to get started. We need some sort of fence to block off foot traffic. A possibility might be recycled fence from maintenance. We could have raised beds that are about 10 ft. long. We will first need to have the grounds people kill the grass and then we will need to lay black plastic weed cloth. Next we will need mulch. We could possibly get this from the city. The city will bring it to us for $80. The high school will build the beds if we provide the wood. We also may want some wine barrels for plants.

6. We drafted some plans:
Plan A:

• 2 raised beds that are 4 x 12 (6 is ideal)
• 2 fruit trees (solicit donations)
• Purchase wood and give to Carpinteria High School Ag. Mechanics class who will build our boxes
• Long hoses
• Garden tools
• Some sort of fencing
• Storage shed
• Plant in September
• Compost Bin

Plan B:

• Larger garden
• Irrigation (Bob Kingston “All Around Irrigation”, John Sanchez “Coastal Gardens” and Don Campbell “Inside Out” could be of help).

7. Start garden club. Bonnie and Suzi will get kids interested to come to the next Meeting. Sandy and Bonnie will attend the Jr. Master Gardener Meeting being held on Tuesday, April 29th from 6:30 to 8:30. We can coordinate will the after school program and they can help with funding.

8. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1st. Marybeth will get a photographer from the “Coastal View” to take a picture of us at the garden site.