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We learned a lot that first season. We learned there were, and still are, five types of pests in the gardens: Japanese beetles, mice, rabbits, deer, and people. For the beetles we set up traps away from the gardens to lure them away (which worked a little). For the mice and rabbits Galilee kids studied and made an owl house (unfortunately, we still don't have an actual owl in the house). Our eight -foot plastic deer fence barely made it through the first year (the deer simply jumped over it or into it, tearing it down). And finally, non -gardeners sometimes walked through the garden, using it like a grocery store, and picking what looked good (installing cameras and warning signs hasn't solved this problem). The large plots and garden area has been our only defense. No one loses their entire produce, although we still get many complaints each year. Our other main problem has been communicating with the gardeners, many of whom speak little or no English. For important messages we use text messages, posts on our website and Facebook, send emails, call their homes, and sometimes send messages via US mail in multiple languages. None has been completely successful. Recently we have required all gardener families to have an email in order to sign up each year, which has helped a little. But 20 to 40 percent of the gardeners are unaware of important messages, like rule changes, celebrations, work days, and other changes. Having an administrator to help with communications has been an improvement, but nothing totally works. Rice Street Gardens is in a neighborhood with many transient residents. We lose 15-20 percent of our gardeners each year. There is always a long waiting list for any plots that are freed up. The following charts show how the ethnic mix has changed. Notice the influx of Nepali starting in 2018. The Hmong and other ethnic groups have shrunk a little each year. Ethnic Makeup of Gardeners 2022 _ 2021 2020 _ 2019 2018 2017 2016 ■ Nepali w Karen English Hmong ■ Other Financially RSG has been on a solid footing each year. The first year, 2016, was a little dicey since we needed almost $15K for all the new expenses: shed, irrigation system, water tanks, tools, mowers, plot corner stakes, etc. Plot fees of $20 from about 250 gardeners brings in about $5,000 each year. The first year we got additional gifts from anonymous donors, other churches, and organizations like Thrivent. Galilee Lutheran has served as the fiscal agent for RSG since the beginning, with a separate checking account, which allows donations to be made tax free. Expenses each year have averaged about $5,000 for tools and mower replacement, celebration expenses, administrative and translation costs, port -a -potty, water management, and trash services. A more detailed breakdown of income and expenses for 2022 is in a later section. We spend a lot of time fixing things. Starting in 2020, we received a grant from the ELCA Domestic Hunger program—$3,000 the first year, and $4,000 each year since. (We have requested an extension for 2023 but haven't heard back yet). This grant was