Kona Coffee Farmers Association
Board of Directors meeting KCFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING—MONDAY, June 20, 2016
CTAHR Conference Room, Kainaliu
CALL TO ORDER—3:05pm
Bruce Corker, president
Present: Colehour Bondera, X Chris Coleman, X Bruce Corker, X Kay Dixon absent Sandra Scarr X
Kurt Schweickhard, absent, Suzanne Shriner, absent, Terri Sparks X, Karen Zulkowski X
Welcome to Sandra Scarr- New board member- Was KCFA founding member
CONSENT AGENDA
• Approval of Minutes of meetings and acclamation of committee reports.
o Move to approve Karen and Colehour carried
• Treasurer’s Report—Kurt
o Report emailed prior to board meeting Kurt is not present so is deferred
HDOA Subsidy Program—Gwen Hicks, Rob Curtiss
Gwen does reimbursement for pesticide and education outreach. Percent of reimbursement 75% until end of June then goes to 50% until june 2019.
People need their receipts from previous year to be reimbursed. Limits up to $600 per acre $9,000 per farm.
Application process combined with survey, -demographic info and tax compliance (register with Hawaii compliance express). Application will be online.
HDOA Grant Update—Colehour
Report sent and everything as accepted.
NEW BUSINESS
OriGIn/AOPA—Colehour
See report below
• Colehour brought one of the awards he received
• Chris suggests a sign saying welcome to Kona coffee country
• Other options discussed including lobbyist, other Hawaii origin companies, talking to legislators.
• Chris suggesting ad on the AOPA/ OriGin websites. Also hosting a meeting of AOPA
• Chris makes a motion that the KCFA board encourages the origin committees to host an event in Hawaii
• Second Sandra Passed
Harvest Picnic--Tari
At 2 step late in august. KCFA hot dogs, everyone bring a dish Table with our items and membership
Tari will find out dates
OLD BUSINESS
2016-2017 Budget—Bruce
• Kurt sent budget summary
• Had budget meeting in May with board and committee chairs.
• Bruce pointed out that Kurt wanted us to note that the budget runs a deficit
• Four committees did not submit a request and so they each received $200
Motion Tari second Karen passed
PR/Marketing Committee—Brochures and Bumper Stickers Follow Up—Kay Deferred
Coffee Grade Standards—Bruce
Bruce sent inquiry about what is happening.to Jeri. Meeting tomorrow in Honolulu on topic. Since Bruce got it so late there was no way he could get to meeting. He will participate by phone.
Coffee flour- Bruce Bruce needs contact information
Thank you 100% KONA COFFEE—Tari Sparks and for her hosting a picnic
Next Month-- Sandra
Adjourned
COMMITTEE REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
Branding Committee—Cea/Bruce
Laurie Carlson of the Hawaii Island Chapter of Slow Food has submitted a nomination and a statement of support for Kona Coffee’s inclusion in Slow Food USA’s “Ark of Taste”. The nomination was developed jointly by KCFA and Slow Food Hawaii. The Ark of Taste serves as a resource for encouraging the continued production, consumption and preservation of heritage food products such as Olympia Oysters, Gravenstein Apples of Sonoma County, American Native Pecans and American Artisanal Cider. Review and a determination on the nomination will be made by New York-based Slow Food USA.
Education Committee—Colehour
Estate Committee—Christine
EXPO—Karen
Finance Committee—Kurt
Kamehameha Schools Liaison Committee—Suzanne/Christine
Legislative Committee—Bruce
On May 29 at its State Convention in Honolulu the Hawaii Democratic Party adopted "Resolution BUS/AG 2016-03 Calling for Truthful Labeling of Hawai‘i Grown Coffee". The resolution calls on Democratic Party state legislators to introduce and vigorously support legislation to require a minimum of 51% genuine content in Hawaii coffee blends and disclosure of the origin of foreign-grown coffee in those blends. The resolution also provides that this legislation will be included in the Democratic Party's "2017 Legislative Package". The substance of the resolution was originally drafted by the KCFA Legislative Committee and presented to the Hawaii County Convention which adopted and then sent it to the State Convention with the county party's recommendation for adoption.
Membership Committee—Donna
We have had no new member applications this past month.
We currently have 334 total members: 276 Voting; 24 Business and 34 Associate.I will be off Island 6/17-6/28. I will have some Wifi and Cea Smith has graciously volunteered to help me when asked.
New Members- Ad Hoc Committee -
Newsletter--Clare Wilson.
Newsletter articles for the July "Independent Voice" should be submitted by June 30 to Clare Wilson <[email protected]> Board members are encouraged to submit articles.
Origin Protection Committee—Colehour
Regarding questions that have been raised about why KCFA has for many years been involved as a member, and active (to varying degrees) with groups who support our needs and goals at both the national and international levels (and therefore not only the County and State levels), some review and overview has been compiled to either remind or inform you all of what has been sought and achieved, and some of the rationale for such efforts.
KCFA maintains membership in AOPA (at the national level) who seeks to establish recognition across the country and means to so achieve in terms of agricultural products that are from single geographical areas (members are from around the country). oriGIn has similar goals, but at the international level. Our (KCFA’s) voice has been heard in both of these groups, and there is plenty of opportunity for us to be the lead for Kona coffee to remain well recognized and also to have identification which either exceeds that at the state level and/or which helps the state of Hawaii establish healthy protection and internationally acceptable criteria for using the geographically identified name.
oriGIn (Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network) - http://www.origin-gi.com/
A non-for-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 2003, oriGIn is today a truly global alliance of Geographical Indications (GIs) from a large variety of sectors, representing some 400 associations of producers and other GI-related institutions from 40 countries.
oriGIn’s goals are to:
Campaign for the effective legal protection and enforcement of GIs at the national, regional and international level, through campaigns aimed at decision-makers, the media and the public at large;
Promote GIs as a sustainable development tool for producers and communities.
From the website
General reasons to be a member are because oriGIn knows that their efforts:
• Contribute to a More Effective Protection and Enforcement of GIs
• [mean that] Unity is Strength
• [mean that] Knowledge is Power
• Promote Sustainable Development
Specifically KCFA as a group and our members have benefitted by:
1) Kona coffee being highlighted as the cover for American Origin Products publication (2010),
2) Recognition at meeting in Washington, DC by attendees of book release (2010),
3) Involvement in meeting at their previous headquarters in Spain (2008),
4) Support and facilitation of award receipt from Parmigiano-Reggiano in Italy including world press and Kona coffee being in the spotlight (2010),
5) Subsequent media and public presentations and recognition in Hawaii of award (2010-2011),
6) Stickers made for members to use on products recognizing the prize received (ongoing),
7) Receipt of another award (“Recognition of laudable work in defense of geographical indications”) in Zapopan, Mexico for efforts so far put forth with Kona coffee (2011),
8) Referral to conference opportunity in Huatulco, Mexico to tell the Kona coffee story to those in another area in terms of how to move ahead with geographical identity efforts (2012),
9) Continued honor and recognition within and via oriGIn as North American Vice President of the BOD - held by KCFA by Colehour Bondera for over six years - they want to give Kona coffee due recognition and support and maintain that option for said rationale which allows them to equate with their other members in the US (Idaho Potatoes and Napa Wine) so Kona coffee has a place within a large scale international grouping whose leadership shifts among groups around the world (ongoing)
American Origin Products Association (AOPA) - http://www.aop-us.org
Work to establish was with Kona coffee as a foundational starting point, in association with other parties including Idaho potatoes and Napa wine. Again we are provided a place at a table which is deserved and which is a family table of shared interests and to work together. Note that this is different from a ‘conflict table’ where each party is trying to achieve individual or their own best interests, which results in compromises and not anything that all strongly can stand behind.
From the website
AOPA stands for:
▪ Protecting AOPs in the marketplace from fraud and deceptive labeling
▪ Increasing the value-added for all AOPs as a distinct food category
▪ Making production of AOPs sustainable for the long term
AOPA will:
• Build a common AOP voice at the national and international levels
• Create a national system to recognize AOPs through certification
• Win consumer support and loyalty through AOP promotions
• Assure AOP sustainability by seeking grant support for research and education
KCFA as a group and our members have benefited from:
1) Having a voice in Washington, DC regarding Geographical Identity issues (ongoing)
2) Cover listed in brochure publication from the University of Arkansas, “Origin Products & Rural Development” (2016)
3) Getting the GI topic recognized in the By-Laws of National Farmers Union (2014)
In summary, involvement in these two groups helps provide KCFA and our members with due recognition at levels beyond that of Hawaii, so that recognition of Kona coffee is not restrained by decisions that are made at the state level which may or may not be consistent or meeting the best needs of Kona coffee farmers (remember that many decisions in Hawaii have been compromises with, “all parties at the table” notably coffee processors who do not necessarily prioritize the needs nor give the highest importance to the power or financial well-being of producers.)
Note that due to described involvement at the national and international levels, KCFA and Kona coffee names are more readily recognized, which translates directly to non-brand specific marketing and PR, which we all recognize as critical since significant percentage of Kona coffee is exported from Hawaii. Recognition is what influences the prices that KCFA members get for their Kona coffee.
The various and ongoing benefits that Kona coffee and KCFA and KCFA members have received are in many ways results of long-term and ongoing efforts which provides the deserved recognition which is earned over time. While not instant like purchase of an ice cream is, the primary benefits are more like maintaining a healthy diet and the indirect daily and constant benefits that are only generally attributable but for which there is sincere respect and appreciation. For this reason, membership within these groups is not something for a moment, but is rather a long-term opportunity for retaining our integrity and for being recognized outside of the “at home” context (remember that the Kona origin name has already been compromised through the Kona blend approach of Hawaii operating coffee processor/blenders.)
In terms of the future, there are great opportunities if Kona coffee and KCFA want to stand up and take on responsibility for efforts such as:
Hosting an annual gathering of oriGIn as an organization and membership conference/meeting (one of which was attended by Colehour Bondera representing KCFA in Zapopan, Mexico.) KCFA as a group could choose to work with Hawaii government and legislators and all of those who seek to protect Kona coffees’ origin, and strive to become such a host group.
Seeking a more active role at both the national and international level which could continue to bring to Kona coffee the recognition and protection which it deserves.
As a means to be in the spotlight, KCFA could fundraise to host an AOPA meeting in Hawaii, again so that media attention would be focused on Kona coffee. We all know that if something is stated in national media and on the AP, that it is seen by and resected by a significant and important portion of the US and international populations and Kona coffee merits such recognition (like as has been done with Napa Wine and French Champagne in recent decades.)
Education and outreach and PR to consumers around the state, the nation and the world. For this kind of effort there are lots of grants to support, and if KCFA sought to prioritize our areas of focus, we could engage in something along the lines of how we handled the Bb grant with HDOA, but include paid staff, so that we are doing more than we have been doing thus far with AOPA and oriGIn (only cover minimal costs and expenses) and cover the “lobbyist”-quality time which has thus far been donated with free labor hours, and deserves to be seen as a vital component of KCFA priorities and efforts!
Other areas as suggested by BOD members upon discussion and included in the planning for the Committee.
PR/Marketing—Kay/Anita
Pest& Disease— Bob Smith
General Member email sent regarding the real threat of Coffee Rust/Roja.
Task Force Representative—Kurt
Social/Fund Raising—Judy/Tari
Website Committee—Cea/Karen
Comment from Member on renewal: Great organization. Really appreciate all your efforts.
Updated Email list to reflect only current members as of June 6, 2016Reminder: to view KCFA Board Manual, Log in and in the Search Box in the upper right, enter <Board Manual> to view links to: A Brief History of (KCFA) Time, KCFA By Laws, KCFA Code of Ethics, Responsibilities & Duties of a KCFA Director, KCFA Financial Controls and Procedures and a link to the complete Meeting Minutes The access to the Board Manual is limited to the persons in the current email group above, only.
Ad Hoc Committees
HDOA Grant Committee—Colehour
See Final Grant Report as submitted to the HDOA, attached to Colehour's June 16 email to the Board.
Submitted by Karen Zulkowski, Board Secretary
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