2009 Plant Sale - Herbs/Edibles

Barbara Chilcote - Chair
email: b.chilcote@comcast.net
Phone Number: 206-784-1618

C.J. Nielsen - Co-Chair
email: cjnielsen@tnc.org
Phone Number: 425-222-5996

If you are interested in volunteering in this department please contact C.J. at the above email or phone number.

DEPARTMENT: Herbs/Edibles

General Description/Purpose

The Chair and Co-Chair work together to coordinate all aspects of the Herbs Section, including plant vendor research and selection, plant purchasing, marketing, fiscal viability, and volunteer recruitment and training. They develop a schedule/plan for the sale and meet periodically prior to the sale to coordinate efforts. They keep the Plant Sale Chair, Co-Chair, and Committee updated on their activities at meetings and through one on one communication with other department chairs, as needed. They conduct the activities of the section according to the Plant Sale Guidelines.

Duties

Research and locate wholesale growers and nurseries to provide quality low cost plants. Develop a marketing theme to help sell plants. Order plants which support marketing theme. Determine pricing for plants by researching cost of similar plants at retail nurseries. Recruit volunteers from last year’s volunteer list and MG clinics. Keep volunteers informed and excited about theme and plants. Provide volunteers with information about plants and other selling tools. Coordinate marketing, display, and signage with Display Committee. Prepare handouts for Personal Shoppers, Information, and Classes.

Time Commitment/Timeline of Activities

June/July: Chair and Co-Chair meet to debrief from May sale, revisit lessons learned, celebrate, brainstorm a theme for next year. Evaluate economics of the sale for our section.

July/August: Visit small growers and nurseries to find best plants at the best prices.

September/October: Chair and Co-Chair meet to finalize marketing theme and coordinate with Display Committee.

January: Chair and Co-Chair meet to develop a plan and schedule for sale. Order plant catalogues from wholesale nurseries and growers. Make first appeal to potential volunteers. Pitch volunteer opportunities at MG class. Order plants in 3.5 inch pots. Attend all department Plant Sale Meeting.

February: Chair and Co-Chair meet. Meet with Display Committee. Second appeal to potential volunteers. Attend all department Plant Sale meeting.

March: Confirm volunteer participation; make assignments for volunteers to become "experts" in certain plants. Chair and Co-Chair meet. Attend all department Plant Sale meeting.

April: Research prices of 3.5 inch pots of herbs in retail nurseries and determine plant pricing. Chair and co-Chair meet. Make signs for plants. Prepare and produce handouts for sale. Volunteer mailing to keep them informed and committed. Final walk-through of the plant sale site. Attend all department Plant Sale meeting.

May: Set up section with volunteers. Inventory delivered plants and periodically determine how inventory is sold throughout the sale to inform ordering for the next year. Give volunteers tools they need to sell plants. Encourage and support volunteers. Sell plants. Water plants, rearrange displays as sale progresses. Keep area clean and tidy. Take down. Send volunteers thank you cards.