Landcare Committee names April festival, discusses college participation and outreach

The Montreat Landcare Committee confirmed the event name and date for its spring community festival and discussed outreach and committee participation, including efforts to recruit a college student to the planning subcommittee.

"The event is April 11, 10AM to 2PM," Kathy, a Landcare Committee member, told the group. She said vendors and organizations are being finalized and a communications plan will roll out to the subcommittee in December with broader outreach in January.

Kathy said the event will be held at Moore Field and the committee is weighing printed brochures versus QR-code-based materials for distribution; members noted some residents prefer paper and some locations such as the post office could benefit from brochures. The MRA representative and Jean said prior events have used both the town and MRA logos and recommended checking permissions via Tanner Pickett for official uses.

Committee members also discussed low college participation at current meeting times and whether shifting the meeting later in the month or to a different hour might improve student involvement. The Chair and others said they will check with the college's new faculty member, Laura Alexachek, and the student body to see whether an alternative schedule would be more workable. The group noted any change would have to be formally posted and run by the town council.

Organizers said they plan to recruit volunteers, tap college resources for staffing, and prepare a modest budget for event needs; the MRA will continue to provide in-kind printing support unless additional expenditures are required.