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Hancock Harvest Council 
News, Announcements & Meeting Minutes    
March 28, 2012

Dear HHC members and interested parties,  

Our next meeting will take place on Monday, April 2nd at 7 pm.  The meeting will be held at the Purdue Extension Office at 802 N Apple Street in Greenfield. 
  
If you missed our last meeting, you missed a great presentation by Jessica Smith of This Old Farm Meats and Processing. She is also serving on the committee for the Food Hub that is currently being investigated.  The consultant has been hired for the feasibility study.  Meetings are being planned and will be advertised in multiple places - help spread the word.
 
The planning commission met last evening and granted the initial approval for the changes to the Agribussines Ordinance.  It only took 11 versions to get it ready for approval.  It still has a few steps to go through, but should be passed.  This has been a long process that started well over 1 year ago. 
Membership - we still have a few members to check on regarding 2012 membership, but this is nearly complete.  Look for 2012 Directories to be ready by the first of May. 
  
Agenda for our meeting:
  • Approve meeting minutes
  • Treasurer's report
  • Food Hub
  • Agribusiness Ordinance
  • Farm Tours 
Barb Smith, BFBL Contact & Editor
In This Issue
March Meeting Minutes
Cumberland Farmers Market Meeting
Henry County Farmers Market Meeting
Woodland Wildflower Walk
Indiana Living Green Magazine
Smith Family Farm's Winter Market info
Membership Benefits
Mission Statement
Vision & Values
March 2012 Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting minutes for the Hancock Harvest Council regular meeting held March 5, 2012 at the Extension Office.

 

Attendance:  Glen Reynolds, Laura Moore, Bill King, Linda King, RC McDanel, Rex Zenor, Roy Ballard, Edna Yeager, Earl Smith, Barb Smith.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Earl Smith.

 

The February minutes were accepted as presented.

 

The treasurer's report was accepted as presented.  The current balance is $3,180.24.  Barb presented the budget for 2012.  There was discussion about the budget and the budget was accepted as presented.

 

RC McDanel suggested than we go to speak to the FFA in Hancock and surrounding county schools about the future of growing produce for local distribution.  There was discussion about whether we could seek a grant to pay for this.  RC volunteered to help with the presentations if others would help organize the meetings such as putting together a power-point presentation.

 

The possibility of a new Hancock County Fairgrounds is no longer a viable option on the land proposed earlier on US 40.  Money is now being spent to improve the existing fairgrounds instead.

 

The next zoning ordinance planning meeting will be on March 27 at 6:30pm.

 

Edna passed out copies of the March issue of Indiana Living Green magazine and information about the possible advertising opportunities.  There are ads in the regular magazine and a classified ad section.  After discussion the group approved a 1/8 page ad for the April and May issues at the cost of $150 each.  We will reevaluate, after we see the response to these ads, about advertising in the future.  Barb will contact the magazine and work on the ads that will appear.  There is also an opportunity for HHC members to advertise in the classified section at a reduced price.  A 20 word ad with a 1"x1" logo would be $24.50.  Contact Edna or Barb for additional information including contact information for the magazine if you wish to consider advertising for your own business.

 

Jessica and Eric Smith of This Old Farm in Colfax, Indiana presented information on their farm and farm alliance.  They operate an 88 acre farm in Montgomery County.  They are also involved in the distribution of product of 50+ farms.  This is comparable to what we are trying to establish with a food hub.  There was a good discussion about how they are doing this and the problems they have encountered.  Getting consistent product throughout the year is a problem.  We also discussed topics such as:  the relationship with farmers and inspection so they know where the food comes from; processing organic meat; cooler space for produce; organization system state wide; sites for processing state wide.  The discussion was very good and brought up ideas that we need to think about and discuss further.

 

Scales were certified during the meeting.  If the scale does not have a serial number for legal trade the scale can be confiscated at the Farmers' Market.

 

Thank you to Jessica and Eric Smith of This Old Farm for their thorough presentation and leading the discussion about timely topics.

 

The next meeting of the HHC will be April 2, 2012 at the extension office.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

 

Submitted by:

Edna Yeager

Secretary

[email protected]

317-339-9788

 

 

 

Cumberland Farmers Market

- Kick Off Vendor Meeting


What a mild winter & crazy spring!!!! 

 

Location: Cumberland Town Hall
 
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012
 
Time: 7:00 pm. 

Refreshments will be served. 

I was able to keep the fee down again for the 2012 markets with only a small raise to $55.00 for both markets for the 2012 season. 

Can't wait to see you all again this year.

 

Marcella

Henry County Farmers Market -

Vendor Meeting

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
 
Time: 6:00pm
 
Location: First Presbyterian Church,
                  1202 Church Street  
                  New Castle, IN 47362
 
Parking: Enter through the west lower level doors. they may park anywhere, there are two nearby lots and some street parking as well.

I will have an agenda put together as well for the meeting.  All vendors are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn about the latest market news and more.   If you have any questions just send me an email.

 

Jeremiah Priest
J & T Honey Farm

Woodland Wildflower Walk

Artesian Farm

Greenfield, IN

 

Saturday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m.

 

An Exceptional Wildflower Site

For nature enthusiasts of all ages -

Photographers welcome.

 

Trails are easy, but not entirely groomed.

 Some areas could be muddy

- Boots are highly recommended.

 

Directions: Take U.S. 40 east of Greenfield to C.R. 400 E.

Go South on C.R. 400 E. to 2256

(the first house south of C.R. 200 S.)

Park south of the house along road.

 

For information call Anna Chase  (357) 755-9550

 

Call first if weather is "iffy."

 

Spring is when we see the ephemeral flowers, so named because of their fleeting nature. Each week featurs a different cast of stars.

Indiana Living Green Magazine
We are now advertising in the Indana Living Green Magazine. 

Their Earth Day issue will hit news stands on March 28, 2012.  Check out our ad and their great magazine.  You can pick up copies at local Marsh, Kroger and O'Malia stores.
Link to our newest publication:   Indiana Living Green

 
Winter Farmer's Market
Smith Family Farms Party Barn 
7137 W 675 S, Pendleton

This market is held on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 

November - April

4-7 pm.

 

Freezer Beef, pasta, chickens, eggs, breads and pesto, cheese, honey, plants, energy drinks, dog treats and much more.

 

www.smithfamilyfarms.com 

 

 

Benefits of Membership
 
BFBL LabelWe 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:
  1. A listing in our Annual Directory - level of membership determines type of listing.
  2. Have the opportunity to use the BFBL graphics in their advertising, brochures and web sites. Must be pre-approved, graphics provided upon request.  Cannot be used on products.
  3. Promotion in our newsletter - member profiles, etc.
  4. Web page on the HHC website - more info at December meeting.
  5. Access to BFBL merchandise.
  6. We are currently working on updating our application to make it easier for Restaurants and Farmers markets.  Each classification will have a separate application. 

Consumer or Associate members are entitled to BFBL merchandise to be determined (we currently have bags and t-shirts). Their membership helps us to continue the mission of providing education and promotion of local foods.  Associate memberships are currently $10 per year.

 

Membership dues are payable in January.  Invoices below:

  

Producer Membership Letter/Invoice

 

Farmers Market and Restaurant Membership Letter/Invoice 

 

New members also need to complete application found on-line or can be e-mailed to you.  Current members should send an e-mail with any changes to your information for the directory and web page.  If you want featured in a newsletter, please let us know as well.

For any questions, please contact Barb Smith thru this e-mail or 765-763-0246.


In Closing:
Thank you again for your time and support in making our organization successful.  I hope you can plan to attend these meetings and take part in the furture of Hancock Harvest Council If you have any questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,
 
Barbara Smith, Secretary
Hancock Harvest Council
Mission
BFBL Label

The intent of the Hancock Harvest Council is to further develop opportunities for agricultural producers and potential producers to make available local foods and educational experiences to each other and the community.

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Vision & Values

Vision Statement:

We will continue to foster a more sustainable and educated community for current and future generations

 

Values Statement:

The Members of the Hancock Harvest Council are Dedicated to the Following Core Values:

  Quality

 Food Safety

 Consistency

 Personal Integrity

 Identity Preservation

 Support of the Local Community