Meeting Minutes for the HHC Regular Meeting held February 7, 2011.
Attendance: Jeremiah Priest, Bill King, Linda King, Dawn Lowe, Randy Kemerly, Daniel Farrell, Dave and Rosalie Fletcher, Laura and Ron Moore, Tom Roney, Claudia Hudson, Rex Zenor, Glen Reynolds, Penny Hunt, Marvin and Jeniece Miller, Earl and Barb Smith, Jack Coe, Joe Paxton, Roy Ballard, Edna Yeager
Guests: Terri Longhorn, Richard Simon
The meeting was called to order at 7:07pm.
Richard Simon, Hancock Weights and Measures Inspector inspected scales, brought by attendees, during the meeting.
The meeting minutes for January 3, 2011 were approved as presented.
The treasurer's report was deferred due to the illness of the treasurer.
Terri Longhorn for the Indiana State Department of Health spoke to the group about WIC and Senior Vouchers and SNAP that can be used at the farmers' markets to purchase produce only.
Earl reported on the Indiana Horticulture Congress he and Barb attended. He told of the efforts to establish Buy Fresh Buy Local groups statewide.
Randy reported on the progress of the Planning Committee to hold several events during the coming year instead of a one day farm tour. Volunteers are needed to work these events so they will be successful. Plans at this time are:
April 30 - Day event at the fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, with booths, speakers, food, etc.
May 7 - Farmers' Market kickoff with speaker, welcome booth.
June - Hidden Acres, on a Friday evening
October - Piney Acres
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the extension office
Barb gave a report on growing the membership. New members can be added quickly to the web page, after changes are made to the page. Any event going on at members' places can be posted to the web site.
Earl reported on Buy Fresh Buy Local. He has taken in members from Delaware County but more chapters are needed in the state, in established regions.
Earl reported on progress with the Planning Commission and local zoning issues. The problem for Piney Acres is temporarily taken care of for this year. There are no farmers on the board and they don't understand their issues. We need to become involved now before they make new laws; to see what other counties are doing and to help set up variances to benefit farmers.
Tom Roney suggested we invite the Local Zoning Board to farms to educate them about what they are doing and their needs.
A committee was set up to discuss issues on zoning ideas about agritourism to bring to the board before new zoning laws are made. The members of the committee are: Earl Smith, Rex Zenor, Ray Ballard, Tom Roney, Darrel Hunt, John Sparks, Janie Wilfong Howell.
The meeting schedule for the remainder of the year is:
March 7th - Piney Acres - speaker to be determined
April 4th - The Flower Pot Nursery, New Castle - Chad Martin - Renewable Energy Extension Specialist speaking on alternative energy and Jeniece Miller on organization of the summer Farmers' Market
May 2nd - Blue River Natural Foods
June 6th - Tuttle Orchards
July 5th - Hidden Acres (will be held on Tuesday due to 4th of July Holiday)
August 1st -
September 6th - (will be held on Tuesday due to Labor Day Holiday)
October 3rd -
November 7th -
December 5th - Plan pitch in event
Roy Ballard announced up-coming events:
February 8 - Growing Green - about vegetable producing
February 9 - Growing for Market series
February 21 and March 15 - Farmers' Markets
He also spoke about the extension budget being cut by 15% and is unsure how this will affect everyone.
Thank you to Richard Simon, for inspecting the scales for our members.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Submitted by:
Edna Yeager
Secretary
We hope that you find membership with Hancock Harvest Council to be a benefit for you. We have several different memberships available that will be included on your invoice and/or letter inviting you to join. It includes a beginner level for those who are not ready to begin promoting their product. Partial list of membership benefits are listed below:
