Greene Acres Community Garden

Meeting Minutes
June, 9 2003

AGENDA

1. Introductions.
2. Events.
3. Landscaping.
4. Rainwater collection project update.
5. Organics.
6. Composting membership.
7. Website update
8. Minutes of previous meetings.
9. Scheduling open hours.
10. Treasueres report.
11. Old business/new business.


MINUTES
1. Introductions.

2. Events.
The Ellipsis Art Center canceled their summer art workshops in the garden.

On July 12, Amanda and Alice Brooke Wilson (Greenthumb) are leading a bicycle tour of Bed-Stuy. 
Amanda asked that Greene Acres be the terminus of the bike ride and if Greene Acres can host a bbq, which 
Greenthumb would pay for. All agreed.

Jennifer from Paper Tiger (a non-profit film making collective) attended the meeting to propose showing 
movies in Greene Acres on July 17. Themes included: militarism, public space, education and others on 
Paper Tiger's list. Paper Tiger proposed to partner with another community group, depending on the theme of 
the movie. Paper Tiger can provide projector, screen, etc.

Gardeners were concerned about many of Paper Tiger's moviesŐ themes and did not want to politicize the 
garden or for the garden to become a political space. Gardeners agreed that, first and foremost, the mission of 
Greene Acres Community Garden is to grow plants and educate the community about organic gardening (see 
"ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE" of Greene Acres bylaws). Some gardeners observed that politics leads to 
divisiveness. Others felt that partnering with other community groups presented growth potential.

On July 17, Paper Tiger will show a short film about Green Map Systems, a not-for-profit youth map making 
and environmental education organization. Gardeners agreed that the environmental nature of the film was 
fitting to show in the garden. ("Free Willy" will also be shown on July 17.)

No consensus was reached about the rest of Paper Tiger's proposal. The issue was tabled until the next 
meeting.

3. Landscaping
Vandra presented a memo and map regarding landscaping. The memo proposed many ideas including: 
-Removing the western chainlink fence in the northwest corner of the garden and extending the southern 
fence to the wall of the adjacent building. 
-Rebuilding the berm. Are there animals living in it? If so, poison should be put out.
-Rehabing the compost bins.
-Weeding.
-Putting garbage cans near both gates. Garbage can be put out on Greene Avenue on Sunday evening (to be 
picked up on Monday morning). Can we get contractor bags from NYRP? For larger pick-ups, the local 
Department of Sanitation coordinator can be reached at (718) 387-3138.
-Adding three more boxes. Is there demand for three, two or one more?
-Rehabing the space between the boxes. The bricks are not working. They are dangerous to walk on and 
weeds are coming up between them. Can mulch be spread around them? Would that be too acidic? Can 
NYRP tell us? Can low maintenance ground cover be planted between the boxes? Other ideas included: sand, 
mulch, pea gravel. Can we get any of this from NYRP or Greenthumb? What will we do with the bricks? 
Could they be used in the berm?

On one work day, we will remove the bricks and put down a new, safer and more sustainable cover between 
the boxes.

The landscape committee will meet on June 17 at 7:30pm at 380 Classon.

4. Rainwater collection project update.
Greene Acres members met with the water resources group to begin work on the rainwater collection project. 
The water resources group sollicited ideas and concerns from the gardeners about the project. 

Dariel asked to be added the Greene Acres delegation that attends the rainwater collection project meetintgs.

5. Organics.
Amanda passed out fliers about organic pest control and reminded gardeners to be vigilant about monitoring 
and controlling insects in their plots.

Amanda will host an organic pest control workshop during her next open hours.

6. Composting membership.
Gardeners presented granting composting memberships. Composting members would pay $5 annually. They 
would get a key and be able to drop off compost materials and get finished compost. Composting members 
would also be encouraged to help during work days. Composting members would not be elligible for plots or 
have the priviledges of full garden members until, if they wished, they worked 15 hours and paid the full 
garden membership fee. 

All in attendance agreed to grant composting memberships. As membership coordinator, Amanda will 
coordinate the composting memberships.

7. Website update.
The Greene Acres Community Garden's worldwide web address is:
http://greeneacres.interactivist.net.

8. Minutes of previous meetings.
Dariel requested the March minutes.
Minutes from all meetings should be posted on the inside of the shed's door and emailed to Amanda to be 
posted on the website.

The May minutes were approved.

9. Scheduling open hours.
Gardeners decided to keep weekend open hours and to reevalute weekday open hours at the July meeting.

10. Treasueres report.
Dariel reported that Greene Acres has 17 fully paid members and 6 unpaid members. Members need to be 
reminded that they could loose their plots if they don't pay their membership dues by the July meeting (July 
14). Gardeners proposed that Memorial Day should be next year's due date for paying dues, all agreed. 

Greene Acres Community has a balance of $318.

11. Old business/new business.
Gardeners expressed the need for better communication between garden members.
Gardeners raised the issue of adding more boxes.
Gardeners raised the issue of whether or not Mr. Poe should have a key and/or pay dues.