Meeting Minutes for April 5th, 2010

Held at Sheila and Ron’ house

Attendance:

Mike Nestor, Sheila Nopper, Karl Goodwin, deNeen Baldwin, Veronica Timmons, Rae Eckel, Ron Sakolsky, Fireweed, Lindsey Jennings and Jan Murphy (new members)

Facilitator: deNeen Baldwin Minutes: Veronica Timmons
Welcome to new members: Lindsey Jennings and Jan Murphy

1. Soil Test
Rae presented the findings of the soil tests. The test was done on the quadrant that will be planted this year. Most of the soil tested is 6ph – a little on the acidic side but good for potato growing. The results showed nitrogen depletion, phosphorus deficiency and potash sufficiency.

2. The field
Carl reported that in the planting area 1/6 is underwater. The cover crop is not evenly dispersed and there are not many peas growing in the planting quadrant. Cardboard has blown over the field. Need a clean up crew to take the cardboard out. Veronica and Jan will do this.


3. Financial Report
Mike reported that the account balance as of Feb 28 ’10 = $97.17. We have $ 100.00 of memberships to deposit and one check outstanding for $ 15.00. This leaves us with a balance of $ 182.17. Short-term expenses: tractor/tilling - $50; tap for cistern - roughly $50. There are 15 members – 13 family, 2 individual

4. Cover Crop
Discussion on different cover crops. Fireweed gave a breakdown of costs for vetch and red clover. We need $200 to buy cover crops. Needs to be purchased May/June. S.W. Feed is the best source. Ironwood Farm interested in sharing a bag of vetch. Fireweed to check availability.

5. Seed Potato Storage
Seeds are sprouting on the potato stock. Rod and Vlasta can offer cooler storage. The boxes need to be moved there.

6. Planting
The 2010 planting quadrant is muddy/wet. Options discussed: plant in wet soil, plant in hay, not plant. The plan is to plant in mid-May when it should be dried up. It was decided that reconfiguring the quadrants/field would be the best method to avoid the wet zone. There will still be four rotations.
Mike to check with Mike Lindsay regarding tilling.

7. Basis of Unity
Ron suggested we hold a place for the addition Reduce dependence on fossil fuel over time. Members who are interested in weaning us off fossil fuel could come back with a proposal. It was agreed to insert the addition in the Basis of Unity. Those who are concerned could form a sub-group to study other choices.

8. Grant – UBCCM
Veronica discussed the grant that Louise Bell has obtained for the island. It is for the Seniors Society and another group such as ours to decide what to do with it. Veronica will get the application and bring it to the SPUDS meeting for discussion.

9. Library – binder
Veronica will give sheila binder for the archival documents to go in the library.


10. Next Meeting-
Monday, 7 pm, at Veronica’s :5792 Thomas Road.