SPUDS Minutes November 11, 2009
(originally compiled by Susan Marie)
Attending: Veronica Timmons, deNeen Baldwin (co-facilitators),
Ron Sakolsky, Sheila Nopper, Karl Goodwin, Fireweed, Mike Nestor, Susan-Marie Yoshihara
Absent: Rae Eckel, Bob Parsons, Velda Parsons, Charlie Johnson, Bob Vosburgh, Carol Vosburgh, Ron Dobie, Maxine Matilpi, Fox, Margaret Fraser, Marjo VanTooren, Riane daSilva, Brian Miles, Laura Busheikin, Peter Bikel-Janes, Corinne Bjorge, Andrew Fyson, Marjo von Tooren, Shaun Woods, Bill Engleson, Herb Jones, Barb Heywood-Jones
Agenda
1. Field Update
(a) Recent Work
(b) Bob’s Thoughts
2. Communications , Blog Updates, Farm Plan Rep
3. Bookkeeping
4. Funding
5. Webinar Info and Invite
6. Condolences to Marjo
7. Basis of Unity
(a) Sustainability
(b) Education
(c) revisit Community Building
8. New Business
9. Next Meeting (Date, Location, and Co-facilitators)
1. The Field Update was reported by Karl.
7 members (including Herb Jones, Bob Vosburgh, Karl, Bob and Velda Parsons, Fox and Margaret Fraser) moved the 2 foot piles of composting rye to the lower end of the field where they were spread out across the untilled portion to act as a mulch. The rye had already started to seed and become very entangled, making it difficult to move. The suggestion was made that in future, any such piles be covered to avoid this problem.
The available bales of hay on site were then divided between the lower area of the field (where they were spread on top of the rye to a height of 10 -12 inches) and half way across an upper portion of the field as mulch there as well.
An area of the field that had been dug but not seeded, is now partially covered with cardboard. Some soil remains exposed, so we need more cardboard (free of tape and excessive ink), as well as mulch to cover the cardboard. There should be lots of seaweed on the beach these days. Big sheets of cardboard were suggested as preferable to smaller bits and pieces, anchored down with mulch. (Cardboard like this is often available at courier/delivery services that move large appliances like refrigerators.)
The field work accomplished took around 3 hours. Thanks to Velda for her delicious muffins and to Margaret for photos for the blog.
Bob’s Thoughts: next time
( Bob's commentary has been added to the right hand side bar of the blog )
2. Communications and Blog Update:
- Fireweed will contact Margaret to get the photo from the work party onto the blog (now inserted just above, along with a photo from a previous work party who had hoped at the time that they were preparing the soil for winter pea planting (note the rye pile on the right, later used as mulch at the bottom of the field by the 'men who mulch' pictured above... with marvelous muffin maker, Velda!)
-The current acting communications ‘team’ plans to get together to discuss how best to ensure that information is relayed to the membership in as accessible, timely and efficient a manner as possible. Any other interested members are welcome to be part of this effort. Contact: Fireweed
-Fireweed reported that she and Rae would like to send thank-you cards donated by Rae, to folks who have been helpful to SPUDS in any way. All present expressed support for this initiative.
-Regarding the SPUDS envelope in the Free Post, especially important to those who don’t have computers and email, Fireweed will get a binder or folder to organize the materials accumulating there, and forward all information destined for the membership (and blog) to Sheila who will print out copies and deliver them to the Free Post SPUDS envelope/or binder.
Farm Plan Rep: SPUDS received an invitation to be part of the Denman Island farm plan steering committee. The following excerpt from coordinator Courtney Campbell’s Nov. 5th letter to Herb Jones describes the project as follows:
“The first step in developing this Farm Plan is to put together a steering committee of local individuals and organizations, as well as representatives from government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. We aim to have the steering committee established before the end of the year, with a first meeting in January.
Building on the experience of other communities such as Saltspring Island and the Comox Valley who have recently developed farm plans, we would like to apply for Provincial funding for the Farm Plan, and hire a consultant with experience in agriculture planning to lead the process. The steering committee will continue to work with the consultant throughout the process, which is expected to last approximately two years.”
Fireweed volunteered to represent SPUDS on the committee, as she is already confirmed as a participant.
3. Bookkeeping: deNeen will contact Corrine, currently residing in Courtenay, for SPUDS bookkeeping items (cheque book, receipts, etc), and ask if she would like to pass the bookkeeping task on to another, on-island member able to attend meetings. Mike Nestor was suggested as a candidate for this role, and island book keeper Vicki Bockman as someone who might be able to lend a hand if some assistance were subsequently determined to be helpful in sorting out details. Veronica and Brian also have signing authority on our cheques.
4. Funding: This topic was not explored in any depth, but it was emphasized that we need to plan ahead with budget estimates for each year, and that we probably need between $200 and $300 for potato seed next year alone.
5. Webinar Series: Fireweed read out information about the BC Organic Network’s upcoming Webinar on stock free agriculture, and Veronica, also registered for the course, welcomed any interested members to join her for the event on her home computer for November 12th , at 8:30 pm.
6. Condolence Card for Marjo: A card for Marjo, whose partner Manfred has just passed away, was circulated among members. It will be placed in the SPUDS envelope in the Free Post for others to sign.
7. Basis of Unity: Ron asked about whether or not the small group of members present could make decisions on SPUDS ‘basis of unity’. We agreed it was appropriate to carry on, with the understanding that it is every member’s responsibility to contribute and be heard (by proxy or email if they are unable to attend meetings), and that the final version will be decided upon by the membership as a whole.
(a) Basis of Unity: Sustainability
A discussion was facilitated by Veronica about this particular section of SPUDS Basis of Unity. Below is Draft 1, which Veronica brought to the meeting. The group discussion that ensued introduced various revisions resulting in Draft 2, further down.
-The membership agree to the following definition of sustainability:
"Sustainability refers to the quality of life in a community, that is the economic, social and environmental systems that make up a community, and the extent to which those systems are providing a healthy, productive, meaningful life for all community residents, present and future. It means becoming aware of the holistic interconnections- visible and invisible- in which our day-today choices affect the intricate balance of social, economic, and ecological systems."
SPUDS will source and purchase supplies, services and products locally wherever possible. Preference will be given to Denman Island service-providers and suppliers.
We will move towards increasing the yield of the field production to ensure an organic vegetable supply for the future.
We will work with others in the D.I. community towards an island food sustainability program to support the Denman Feeding Denman movement.
Sustainability, Draft 2
Sustainability to the SPUDS Co-operative means that we will:
a) source supplies locally, use only organic seed potatoes, compost and fertilizers wherever possible
b) use the best farming practices that do not harm the soil, plants or people
c) increase the yield of the production to ensure an organic potato
supply for the future
d) maintain a membership level commensurate with the yield ability of the field
e) sustain the membership through regular communications, education and other events
Basis of Unity: Education
Below is Draft 1 on Education, brought to the meeting by Veronica. The discussion and revisions facilitated by Veronica and deNeen resulted in Draft 2 for Education, further down.
We will encourage members to learn about organic farming, vegetable growing, how cooperatives operate and to develop the following skills: leadership, group facilitation, and communication.
Members will be empowered through skills building activities and will develop competencies experientially and formally.
Members will search out the educational model and practices that suit them best.
Education, Draft 2
We encourage members to learn about organic farming, potato growing, how cooperatives operate and to share skills.
Basis of Unity: Community Building
Community Building, Draft 3 (Nov 12/09) was presented by Sheila, and reads as follows. (to view Draft 2, please refer to the minutes posted on Nov. 7th, from our Oct. 27th meeting) Further discussion and revision by the group, resulted in Draft 4, further below.
In addition to caring for the soil and the food we produce, we also want to build community by providing affordable access to a fun, safe, welcoming environment that will encourage and nourish the cooperative participation of a diverse intergenerational group of people with various skills, perspectives and physical abilities. Together we will celebrate our harvest and eventually share the overflowing bounty with the broader island community.
Community Building, Draft 4:
We want to build community by providing affordable access to land where we can grow food in a fun, safe, welcoming environment. We strive to encourage and nourish the cooperative participation of a diverse intergenerational group of people with various skills, perspectives and physical abilities. Together we hope to celebrate our harvest and eventually share the overflowing bounty with the broader island community.
New Business:
-Karl reported that Rae has bought a soil testing kit and offered to do some testing on the land. Until we test we don’t really know the facts about what the soil conditions are. There was no information available about the capacity of the kit. More information at the next meeting.
-Riane, not in attendance, sent information about renting the Conservancy room at the Old School. It is booked through Gloria at the hardware store and costs $15 for 2 to 3 hours. Only unavailable on Friday evenings and on the third Monday evening of the month.
-Bob and Carol Vosburgh have agreed to host the next meeting at their place, 3061 Nelson Crescent.
Next Meeting: Tuesday November 24th at 7 PM
Mike and Fireweed to facilitate. Veronica will take minutes, and bring flip chart stand.
No comments:
Post a Comment