- Oct 1
- 2 min read
Submitted by Pam Walker
Meeting Location: Grace Barnes' room
Agri-Nature Center
Speaker: Bill Shen
The first part of his talk was about the Agri-Nature Center at 4920 Rio Grande Blvd, in the Village of Los Ranchos. The facility comprises 24 acres of fields, an orchard, a demonstration garden, a warehouse, a soil lab, classrooms, and parking. Other fields in the vicinity grow alfalfa and support pollinators, offer farmland to rent, and graze sheep. There are many events at the Agri-Nature Center throughout the year. That area is truly a valuable asset to the City of ABQ. He invited us to visit. See the website to learn more:
Bill also told us more about dahlias – his passion. He brought dahlias from his garden for the meeting hostess, Mary Frances! He has grown dahlias for 40 years and has always been the shovel guy for his wife. Dahlias originated in Mexico City and do well in our weather. Every few years, you need to dig up and divide your dahlias. He stores his dahlias in plastic boxes over the winter, then plants those with at least one “eye” in the spring. After they grow 3-4 sets of leaves, pinch out the middle stem for more blooms, stake them, fertilize them until June, then wait!
Business meeting:
Pam P. and Pat are organizing PP’s decorations for the Glow and Stroll. Our theme is the movie “Wicked”, and they need to borrow strings of lights in the colors orange, purple, green, and white, and black lights. Please call Pam with what you can loan. Please volunteer for a few hours to help with this event.
It is time to review and revise our bylaws. Please review them (in your 2024 yearbook) and send any suggestions to Ginny and Joan K. We will discuss all proposed changes at our November meeting.
Upcoming Events/Volunteer Opportunities:
October 13 - DISTRICT 1 MEETING, check-in starts at 10 am; there will be a business meeting, an optional lunch, and a hands-on arts and crafts workshop. The cost is $15.00 for the lunch – payable at the door. Register on or before October 6. Please attend and support Petal Pusher Kathleen, who is the Director of District 1. See below for more information.
October 24 – carving pumpkins and decorating our designated Glow and Stroll space with the theme “Wicked”.
Today’s Hostesses:
Pam P., Joan H., and Mary Frances
Next meeting: Friday, October 24, 9:30 - pumpkin carving. We need to provide 5 jack-o-lanterns to put on pumpkin hill, and we need some for our Petal Pushers’ decorated area.
