submitted by Pam Walker
Meeting Location: The Garden Center Grace Barnes room
Speaker: Amber Benson, New Mexico State University and Bernalillo County Extension Service
Amber is the chairman of the Master Food Preserver Program and she’s passionate about her chosen field. You can find her at farmers’ markets and judging at the NM State Fair. She gave us an overview of the various methods of food preservation. Here are some highlights:
The quickest method is freezing. Using a vacuum freezer bag technique will provide a good seal from the air, good for a year in the freezer. Dehydration takes longer although a dehydrator will help. The old method of canning using paraffin to seal it is no longer approved. And don’t be tempted to can tomatoes or salsa as the pH of those can allow botulism to grow. All the equipment needed to preserve food is available for check-out from their equipment lending library.
Amber uses her calendar extensively to plan for harvest dates, purge old food from the freezer, and plan when to make seasonal food gifts for family and friends,
To learn more about the NMSU programs, go to https://bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu/team.html
USDA Home Canning Guide https://nchfp.uga.edu/resources/category/usda-guide
Business Meeting:
Ginny reminded us that award nominations are due next month. You can find the information at newmexicogardenclubs.org . Each garden club is requested to provide a $25 donation to fund those awards. We voted “yes” on that idea and Ginny will decide which award we will sponsor.
We briefly talked about the Glow and Stroll last month. PP gave away about 160 pencils to children and we had lots of new displays in our area. Next year, we’ll carve the pumpkins the day before the event to ensure that they don’t wilt. Ginny emailed her G&S photos to us later in the day. Petal Pushers’ area was the best!
We’re going to start making Linus blankets at our own homes instead of meeting at someone’s house. However, many of us need a refresher on how to make them, so that will be part of our January business meeting. In June, we will collect all the blankets everyone has made and donate them to the Linus organization.
The Penny Pines program has changed and what we know about it is that each $50 donation will entitle us to a certificate (which we print out). Our next donation will be in memory of Sonia James.
Susan is still working on getting the Square payment system up and running so we will be able to use it in February at the rummage sale. Lots of roadblocks but she’s about to complete the registration with the State of NM. In January, we will finalize what foods and drinks PP will be selling for that event. Save all your good junk for the rummage sale!
December 6 & 7 is the holiday craft fair and plant sale. Volunteer on the website and come shop!
The next step in the courtyard will be to plant tulips in the two raised beds Nov. 22 @ 1:30.
Our holiday party will be at Susan Head’s house.
Tuesday December 10 at 12:00 noon.
The meal will be catered by Mario’s Italian Restaurant. Please RSVP to Susan by December 1.
We will have a small gift exchange. Please bring a wrapped holiday-themed gift, $15 or less.
We will be collecting for Barrett House. A monetary donation needs to be sealed in an envelope. If you are not attending the party, you may take your donation to Susan’s house.
December 12 is the Garden Center volunteer luncheon. If you volunteered for any event during 2024, you’re invited. Please RSVP on the Garden Center website.
Next Petal Pusher meeting is January 28, 2025 @ 9:30, Garden Center. Guest speaker Marianne Bettinger “Paper Flowers”.
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