For more information about becoming a member of the Garden Club, contact Lynn Nelson, [email protected]. For an application: file:///Users/maryannhalpin/Desktop/Pine%20Mountain%20Gardener%27s%20Club/Application%20for%20PM%20Gardeners%20Club2015.htm
*Brief History of Pine Mountain Gardeners
In 2011 Susan Hirth and Jason McClure began planning a community garden in Pine Mountain Club. Several
s
ites were proposed for the garden, the current location had the best lighting, water and accessibility for all. Once having the site, Susan started soliciting friends who in turn started involving their friends all with
different strengths which helped get the club and garden going – Our thanks go out to Susan Hirth, Jason
McClure, Lynn Nelson, Annie Rikel, Gary Varney, Linda Bliss, Ed Winston, Al Hirst, Sara Jane Owens, Garry
Kemmer, Mary Ann Kemmer, Erik Sluyter, Emil Richter and Scott Pipkin. Many are not with the club today but
they were instrumental in helping get the club created and off and running. This was not a cakewalk, there
was serious opposition to contend with. The wonderful news is that after creating the club’s mission
statement and guidelines, PMCPOA on March 17th, 2012 sanctioned Pine Mountain Gardeners-Heirloom
Community Garden. The first Board Members consisted of Erik Sluyter – President, Lynn Nelson-Vice
President and Annie Rikel-Secretary. At the 2012 “Wine In The Pines”, Susan Hirth set up a small booth to talk about the garden and had our first
raffle with items donated by community merchants. Susan was able to raise $250. On the evening of
September 22, 2012, the club had their first event-Autumn Equinox Celebration & Groundbreaking Ceremony. The event included a Silent Auction and Membership Drive. The christening of the land was performed by
Pastor Christine Buma for the Christian blessing and Sara Jane Owens for the Native American blessing. Music
was provided by Sara Jane, Lynne Shane, Conrad and Beebe Schwarm. The event raised $777 which went
towards the fence which surrounds the garden. View photos on board. In November 2012 many garden members joined in to install the fence. Emil Richer was in charge but it took
many hands pitching in for a week to get the job done.
*2013
In March the club received from Kern County the Garden permit. Construction of the first 12 garden boxes
were completed – design by Emil Richter. Emil, Jerry Brosh, Garry Kemmer and Ron Nesbitt were responsible
for building the boxes, Garry Kemmer was responsible for installing the irrigation drip systems 12 boxes, Annie
Rikel and Ron Nesbitt obtained soil and slash for the site. The much needed start-up funds came from Board
Members-Lynn Nelson, Erik Sluyter, Annie Rikel and Emil Richter. Through fundraisers they were eventually
reimbursed by the garden. In April the Pine Mountain Gardeners were in the Lilac Festival Parade, the club had a booth at the Lilac
Festival to inform the community of our Heirloom Garden. We sold potted herb and sold raffle tickets. Michelle Magda donated potted herbs for the club to sell. The club drew new members and had to build 4
more boxes to accommodate everyone for the first year’s planting. Money was raised for the boxes but the
club still needed to move in the black. In the middle/end of May dirt, sand, compost and slash were brought to the garden for members to start
developing their boxes and spreading the slash in the walkways. Michelle Maga was extremely helpful to all
the garden members with tips on what to plant, when to plant, which compost to use, etc. Linda Robredo
from Green Dragon Farms also was instrumental in helping with the compost for all the boxes. It was a
learning experience for all members!
*In June members started to see their seeds and plants grow. We were on our way! In July members started to harvest some of their crops. We kept one box as a community box for corn. It grew
tall and straight. Linda Bliss grew pumpkins from seed and planted them on the garden hillside. We had a
Clean-Up Weekend July 20th & 21st – view photos on board.
*In August members continued to harvest their vegetables, some started experiencing insects and critters
found our corn. On the evening of August 24, 2013, we had our 2nd BBQ Fundraiser/Silent Auction with live
music in Lampkin Park. Members pitched in by cooking BBQ tri tip sandwiches with side dishes and cookies. We had 80 reservations days before the event and ended up having 99 paying guests. Our President, Annie,
gave an introduction about the garden and club members gave garden tours. The event was a huge success
and the fundraiser was spectacular! We raised enough money to reimburse members for all previous out-of-
pocket expenses and had money left over for garden improvements and new boxes for 2014 growing season. In September 2013 harvest was still underway in the boxes. At the monthly meeting the BBQ success was
shared and talk of new board elections in November
October brought the close of the growing season. Early frost killed off the pumpkins. October 27th, we had a
work day to clean out the boxes of dead vegetation and cleaning of weeds in the garden. The water was
turned off and lines cleared out. Established our own checking account. November 3rd, a warm sunny day, we had a member potluck in the garden. We all shared a great meal and
shared individual experiences, we discussed what grew well, what did not, insect problems, water problems,
and what nutrients/compost each used. This was extremely helpful to all. Soon after on November 9th we
participated in the Meet ‘n’ Greet. November elections were rescheduled until January 2014 in hopes of more
nominations for our board. December was dark due to the holidays.
2014
As January got underway a new board was elected. New board- Annie Rikel-President, Lynn Nelson-Vice
President, Erik Sluyter-Treasurer, Judy Keim-Secretary, Janet Bennett-Historian and Linnea Meich-
Entertainment. Sign-ups for membership and for box rental began. In February we put together our calendar for the year, discussed events and solicited club volunteers for
events.
*In March we discussed membership and garden boxes. Had enough new members to building 7 new boxes. Two raised boxes were built for members with disabilities. Garry Kemmer and Chris Gardner constructed all
the new boxes.
*April brought a buzz of activity with our new boxes placed in the garden. Members started clean-up of the
garden and began spreading slash. We also planted drought tolerant, native plants outside of the fence by the
double gates.
*In May we started prepping the boxes and planning for the Lilac Festival. We obtained a booth, for a
fundraiser members painted and sold decorative garden rocks as well as potted herbs. Parade plans included
the help of non-member, John Caboor a good friend of our own Garry Kemmer. John drove his tractor which
pulled a trailer carrying the musicians Lynne Shane & Stan Smith as well as a tomato garden. Julie Ramirez
“The Sign Studio” donated the garden banner which was carried by Mary Ann Halpin and Diane Duquette who
led the way giving folks a trowel wave. Due to the hard work of all, we won the Founder’s Trophy.
**View photos and see the trophy.
*June has brought joy to all the gardeners. The weather has been great and all the vegetables and flowers are
growing well. We planted a community hillside with eggplant, a variety of squashes and pumpkins which are
available for all member to share. We also set aside a community box to grow tomatoes and strawberries for
all. The comradery in the garden was contagious, everyone checking on their box as well as all others to see
what was planted. Of course, weeding was non-stop and everyone pitched in. Thanks go out to all members.
*July thru August was amazing this season. All garden boxes produced vegetables and flowers in abundance.
*September – We said our Goodbyes to our President, Annie Rikel, who is moving off the mountain with her
husband Gary; and to Erik and Lia Sluyter who are moving closer to family members. These four members
have been part of the Gardeners’ Club since the beginning, always involved in all events and meetings and
they will be deeply missed. We had a wonderful party for them in the garden. A Mexican feast along with a
veggie salad from our garden boxes.
*This October some members started fall gardens due to the wonderful weather and others are in the process
of cleaning out their boxes for winter. Water will be turned off after first frost. We have purchased a shed
for all the donated tools, hoses, tables and chairs. The shed was purchased from our fund raising event in
June.
*2015 – We have great plans. We will have our annual fund raiser in June to raise money for a Learning/
Educational Gazebo to be placed in the garden. We hope to have educational seminars for all ages. We will
also have guest speakers who can further educate us on growing vegetables in PMC. If all goes well we will
have pumpkins available next October for PMC children to carve. We thank the Pine Mountain Community for all their support and love for our Heirloom Garden.
