February 29, 2024 Metting Summary

Presiding: Randi Downham

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Team

Introduction of Guests: Murray Schroeder

Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Sam, Taylor, Avery

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Foundation Drawing: Tom Mangan won $10 with $700+ in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: The Club

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Kerry Greaser nominated Rebecca Miller, Dave Hansen, Dave Krause, and Justin Christenson for helping bring a terrific concert to the UW music department; Kelly Neville nominated Kerry Greaser for his work making the concert happen; Sarah Brown Mathews nominated Tom Mangan for giving her a ride when her car broke down.

 

Special Presentation: Randi Downham presented Sam Kiser with his Junior Rotarian certificate. Shaun Bullock celebrated a birthday with a donation to the club foundation.

 

Songs: Happy Birthday, Hello My Baby

 

Program: ACRES Student Farm, Tess Donnolly, Rhett Greenwald

 

Introduction: Murray Schroeder

 

The student farm opened in 2007 as an agriculture turf grass production area. The mission continued from there. The farm is located off Harney Street.

 

ACRES has a lot of community involvement and is intern-based. There are many research studies on the farm, including soil studies.

 

After COVID, the farm basically had to start over. There is still a lot of work to be done on weeding and overgrowth.

 

There are 16 plot boxes and volunteers from UW help care for the plots. The farm composts using items from Washakie, Sweet Melissa’s and other downtown businesses.

The farm has a few high tunnels that help with growing more difficult crops, such as peppers and jalapenos. They also have irrigation systems.

 

One of their best crops is potatoes. Potatoes grow well in Laramie. They harvested 120 pounds of potatoes. There are also research crops, such as strawberries and raspberries.

 

The farm has an open field for flowers, and grows herbs, zucchinis, salad greens, and kale. They take many of these items and potted plants to the Farmer’s Market.

 

One research project at the farm is on hops production. Wyoming is seeing an increase in breweries and hops could be a niche crop. The research examines agronomic production and variety trials at this elevation.

 

There are seven different varieties being tested. It is important to example the crop performance and physiology to improve micro-brewing and provide good hops.

 

The research also involved a brewery survey on needs an if breweries are interested in compensating hops producers. There is a want for the hops market. As the hops are perennials, it is important to have enough information to provide the best crop.

 

Soil fertility is also important. ACRES recommends getting your planting soil tested each year.

 

Response:  Rollin Abernethy

 

 

 

 

Of the things we think, say, or do:

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and

  Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All    

  Concerned?

 

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org