Members in attendance: Bob Vosburgh, Kevin Mitchell, Mike Nestor, Fireweed, Ron Sakolsky, Sheila Nopper, Rae Eckel, deNeen Baldwin
AGENDA:
I. Financial Report/Membership Update
2. Outreach/Communications
3. Basis of Unity amendment
4. Field Management
5. Next Meeting
1. Financial Report- Mike
Old Balance (in checking account as of February 28, 2010): $ 97.17
Outstanding bills: $ 15.00 (room rental)
Outstanding Deposit: $ 25.00 (family membership received)
New Balance: $ 107.17
Paid Memberships (as of March 7, 2010): 14 (12 family/2 individual)
Updates:
i) Area A Grant In Aid – Mike mailed in application February 27. The requested amount was $ 400.00. Copy of document will be kept for future reference.
ii) Missing Bank Statements -- SPUDS is still missing the first 14 statements (from January, 2008 – February, 2009) from its bank account. We could obtain copies, but it would cost the membership $ 35.00 to replace (at $ 2.50 per statement.) Given current finances, I am not recommending we get these now, but they would be useful in helping clean up our accounting from 2008 and 2009.
iii) Budget for 2010 – Mike Lindsay has told us rototilling the whole field will cost $ 100.00. The seed potatoes for planting have been purchased and Maxine has brought them up from Victoria.
2. Outreach/Communications:
a) Sheila reported working on the SPUDS binder. Bob V mentioned that REDI was turned down by the library so space there may also be an issue for SPUDS materials as well. Sheila will update.
b) Fireweed reported that the Flagstone did squeeze in our short SPUDS article, although it was split into two sections,
c) and that SPUDS’ updated listing for the REDI local foods directory was submitted
d) Discussion ensued about low membership attendance at this and the previous meeting. It was noted that while meeting regularly is not a prerequisite of membership, our adoption of consensus process means it is the responsibility of individual members to ensure that their voices are heard in a timely manner regarding any issues of concern.
3. Basis of Unity amendment
As reported in the minutes of our Feb. 22nd meeting, Fireweed reiterated her proposal that SPUDS amend the Sustainability section of our Basis of Unity statement to include the following: (addition highlighted in italics ).
Sustainability
We source supplies locally and use organic seed, compost and fertilizers whenever possible. We use organic practices that are least harmful to the soil, water, plants, people, animals and the ecosystem as a whole. Domestic animals and animal byproducts are excluded. We work toward maintaining a membership level commensurate with the yield ability of the field which we seek to maximize. We sustain the membership through regular communications, education and other events. We maintain a harmonious and respectful working relationship with each other, the community and the Dharma Fellowship/Hermitage Board. We maintain financial viability.
The proposal was adopted and the Basis of Unity amended accordingly.
4. Field Management
a) Rae reported that she is still planning to conduct soil tests and just needs to get some distilled water to carry this out
b) On March 7th, Derek and current members Mike, Fireweed, Bob V, Rae and Karl met in the field to assess field conditions. NOTE: Contrary to earlier plans proposed to the membership, it has now been determined that an early planting date is not a viable option.
The pea seed planted last fall needs more time to mature before we can plant this year’s potatoes. We are advised to harvest by mid September this year (vs. mid-Oct. last year) so we can get our cover crop in earlier so it in turn matures sooner next spring. After much discussion the members came up with two options for accommodating soil fertility requirements. Our new goal is to till by May 2nd at the latest (earlier if possible) and plant by May 15th.
[NOTE: see (g) below, for consideration of fossil fuel use in SPUDS field management practices.]
Option 1- When the field is ready (hopefully by late April/early May) till only the north half, leaving the standing pea crop to continue maturing undisturbed on the south half. Plant potatoes on the east side of the north half, and peas on the west side. After harvesting our potatoes in the fall, till the entire field. Clover and vetch would then be planted on the south half and the northeast quarter, and peas on the northwest quarter.
Option 2- When the field is ready (hopefully by late April/early May) till whole field. Plant clover/vetch mix in the south half. Plant potatoes on the east side of the north half, and peas on the west side. After harvesting our potatoes in the fall, till only the north half of the field. Plant clover and vetch in the northeast quarter, and peas on the northwest quarter.
The advantages to Option 1 are as follows:
i) by only tilling one half of the field this spring (leaving the existing cover crop to continue growing so that it does its job of fixing nitrogen effectively), costs to the group are delayed/ and there is more time for research, etc
ii) planting the clover/vetch cover crop later, rather than sooner, will mean it won’t be needing water during summertime drought
iii) all clover/vetch cover crop planting would happen at the same time (in the fall)
The members present favor Option 1 for the variety of reasons considered.
c) It was noted that we should keep our eyes on the pea cover crop as it continues to grow. Flowering will help determine our date for rototilling.
d) Rae reported on cover crop seed available through South Country Feeds. They are reportedly discontinuing red clover, their crimson clover isn’t in stock yet, and both are annuals anyway. They have a white perennial, and it costs 12.99 kg. She also noted that they have buckwheat for 1.99 kg. Not sure this is organic seed or not.
Fireweed will bring additional research on vetch and clover sources to the next meeting.
e) Hay sources found by Rae and deNeen- $6 a bale from Orkney Farms; Doug Wright, and Dante and Tashi are willing to donate some hay
f) Bob V reported that Mike Lindsay estimates a cost of $100 for tilling the whole field. ($50 an hour) He hopes to access Dan Stoneman’s tractor. A 10-15 foot clearance is required in the field.
g) Discussion continued on fossil fuel usage, including consideration of the interests of members interested in a no till approach to field management. It was noted that our new four year crop rotation plans will facilitate fossil fuel reduction gradually, as we work to rebuild soil fertility mindfully over the next couple of years. To underscore the importance of this concern, it was agreed that the following proposal made by Ron should be vetted by the membership for inclusion in our Basis of Unity Statement:
“Our goal is to reduce our dependence on the use of fossil fuels over time”.
5. Next meeting: Monday April 5th, 7:00 pm, at Ron and Sheila’s. deNeen to facilitate.
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