Minutes from the AGM of the Danish Horticultural Museum

March 21, 2012

Agenda:

1.    Election of chairman

2.    Annual report

3.    Presentation of the annual accounts

4.    Election of committee members

5.    Election of 2 alternating committee members

6.    Election of auditing company

7.    Proposals received

8.    Any other business

Re 1.             Election of chairman

Claus Christensen was elected chairman. The chairman ascertained the presence of a quorum and that due notice had been given for the summoning of the AGM.

Re 2.             Annual report

Hans Erik Jacobsen, chairman of the committee, presented the annual report on behalf of the committee and started by thanking the other committee members for a good and constructive cooperation. It was his first year as chairman and he stated that it had been a rather turbulent year on which he would comment later. First a review of the activities of the year:

The hut has been painted and a new sign with the text "The Danish Horticultural Museum" has been put up. It was ready at the open house arrangement.

There had been some trouble with the reestablishment of the SF stones at the hut after connection of toilet. This had been fixed thanks to Peter Rasmussen.

A collage of photos has been made from the market garden Vidtskue which is to be closed down, and the treasury has been reorganized after removal to the hut.

A major activity during the year is related to the 125 years' anniversary of DEG in 2012. We have had contact with and visit by Palle Dahl (former editor of Gartnertidende (horticultural magazine)). He is writing an anniversary publication and has sought information from us and received a huge help from Jens Rasmussen, Aksel Kragh Soerensen og Hans Bertelsen.

We have sent pictures to Hans Melgaard who is writing about the working conditions in market gardens and nurseries in earlier times, seen from the employee's point of view.

We have had visits from several companies during the year:

·         Persillegartneriet (market garden growing parsley) from Fredericia - a nice acquaintance.

·         Odder Y-mens Club, approx. 20 visitors.

·         Kids from two kindergardens - they were probably more interested in the school's playground than the museum.

·         Several AMU-teams from the school.

The open house arrangement was as usual a great experience with a fine sale and a good profit. This year we had a new sponsor - Aarhus Planteskole (nursery) from whom we got twining plants and various bushes. We also got a fine range of ornamental plants from Karsten Jensens Planteskole (nursery) and herbs from Gloria Mundi. We thank our sponsors very much.

The chairman then reverted to the statement regarding the turbulent year. In May, the museum had a visit by Bent Juhl Jensen, DEG, regarding their expectations from the museum as well as support, if any. This turned out to be very relevant.

Claus Christensen informed that the school board had raised an issue about the continuation of the museum at JU. This had taken place in connection with a proposal for building of new workshops and a machine hall. It was stated that JU might want to use the museum hall for this purpuse and try to find another place for the museum. No decision was made at JU but it gave cause for a discussion of the future of the museum, both as regards location and the future running.

It was decided that Jens Rasmussen should contact Gl. Estrup Landbrugsmuseum (agricultural museum) regarding a potential cooperation/takeover. We have had a visit from Gl. Estrup, managing director Peter Bavnhoej and Jens Aage Soendergaard, to discuss the possibilities. It was a positive meeting and they were indeed interested but it needs careful consideration.

Regarding the finance involved in a potential removal a working group has been established who is to apply relevant foundations for means to this. This working group consists of Bent Juhl Jensen, Jens Rasmussen and representatives from Gl. Estrup.

The committee chairman ended his report by expressing his thanks to the sponsors and members of the museum. He also thanked JU and its staff for a good and constructive cooperation.

There were no comments to the annual report and it was therefore adopted.

Re 3.             Presentation of the annual accounts

In the absence of the treasurer the accounts were presented by Jens Rasmussen. The accounts were adopted without any comments.

Re 4.             Election of committee members

Eligible for election were Hans Bertelsen, Carl Aksel Kragh Soerensen and Jens Vester Rasmussen and they all accepted re-election. There were no other candidates and they were re-elected. Other committee members eligible for election in odd years are Leif Juul, Hans Erik Jacobsen and Olaf Engbo Mikkelsen.

Re 5.             Election of 2 alternate committee members

Peter Rasmussen and Ole Viberg were elected 1st and 2nd alternate committee member respectively.

Re 6.             Election of auditing company

The present auditing company Kousted and Skovgaard was re-elected.

Re 7.             Proposals received

No proposals had been received.

Re 8.             Any other business

The following was mentioned:

Fantastic with re-election on all posts

Everybody is welcome to show up in the museum on wednesdays to help out

Nothing else

The AGM was closed.

Beder, April 17, 2012

Claus Christensen, chairman and keeper of the minutes