KCFA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
July 20, 2010
YANO HALL
4:10 PM Call to Order
Present: C. Bondera, T. Butler, ML.Moss, R. Anders, B. Corker, J. Rowe and K. Wood, J. Stith
Coffee was brought by CuppaKona Farm. Thanks to ML & Chuck Moss. J. Stich has volunteered to bring the coffee to the August meeting. Much obliged!
KCFA Meeting was preceded by an appearance of Gary Hoosier, a nominee for Lt. Gov.
Gary and Ann Spicer were introduced as new members and Clint Zavotny was present as a guest.
June minutes were reviewed. A motion to approve was made by J. Rowe and seconded by ML Moss. Motion carried.
Treasures report was presented orally by Pres. Corker. Motion to approve was made by J. Rowe and seconded. Motion carried.
Jonathon Abel was introduced as a candidate to the State House (Kau/Kona). He gave a short foreword as to his qualifications and aspirations.
Karen Robicheau of Da Kona Coffee Store and Musuem in Kailua-Kona also spoke. She would like to merchandise Kona coffee as, “Buying a dream and as an experience”. She believes education attracts customers and we should all supply a piece of the story. She will probably be showing our DVD there and would like any other ideas or participation from coffee farmers.
Update on Slow Food Terra Madre fair Network Meeting in Turin, Italy: Apparently the Italians don’t only believe in slow food production but slow replies and Colehour is still waiting for a response from them. The, “International Slow Food Fair, Salone Del Fusto Also” marketing fair takes place on October 21-25 and can be googled at WWW.TERRAMADRE.INFO/ for information. There will be other American products represented at the fair in a selective status because of their distinctive origin. Kona Coffee seems to be receiving special recognition at Salone Del Gusto.
Two newspaper reports were presented for view. One was on the selling of carbon credits and the other on the USDA crackdown of the sale of, “counterfeit” olive oil. These topics potentially pertain to our interests and the articles may be shown on our web site.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Chamber of Commerce: Marsha Eckert attended the June C of C meeting and spoke why the Kona coffee name needs to be protected. N. Griffith gave a report in her stead. The cost per meeting is $10 for 1 attendee which will be paid for by KCFA. All others pay $25. The C of C is an active community organization which is a good means for networking. It also contains a strong legislative body.
A motion was made by J. Rowe that KCFA join again this year with the required $200. annual dues payment. ML Moss seconded and the motion carried.
2. Social: Plans are being made for a Labor Day picnic with kayaking and snorkeling.
3. Web/PR: No report. All is well. C. Sheppard has more then held up her end to produce the monthly quarterly. She would appreciate ideas for publication at [email protected].
4. Legislative: Government candidates will be holding forums in Kona for the next election cycle. Volunteers are needed to attend and represent KCFA regarding agricultural issues. This is the same appeal as last month. So far there has been no response from the KCFA membership.
5. Grants: Page Trysgad is working on a grant proposal along with J. Rowe for Small Socially Disadvantaged Productions. I guess this sounds like us. This is a marketing grant for up to $200,000 which is being offered by the USDA’s Rural Development arm. Page’s idea is for an hour long video featuring Kona coffee production from, ”the tree to the cup”. This can be shown on TV and commercial ventures both here and abroad. Japan, Korean and Chinese as well as English versions are being considered.
6. Events: ML Moss- banquets letters for business donations will be soon sent out for the annual auction which will be on November 14. She and K. Woods sold out our Kona coffee on Alii Drive this month and donations or green and parchment are called for. Donations of coffee are also needed for KCFA rep’s travel to Italy for the Terra Madre event and for the Nov. Cultural Festival.
7. Member/Estate: J. Rowe. 199 members representing 184 farms. 15 supporting business members of which three are new. She and Pres. Corker approached the problem of non renewing members from the same farm and offered a $40 membership discount for 2 members. Also a $10 fee to renew for the rest of 2010.
Of the 184 farms there are approximately 33 estates.
8. Education: Coffee Talk schedule:
July 7- solar drying with Joe Butterweck
August 4 - Cupping with Hula Daddy roaster
Sept.1- Moisture meter calibration with Chuck Moss
OLD BUSINESS
1. Restaurant/Resort recognition: The Prince/ Credit Union: B. Corker and K. Wood will be visiting with The Prince Hotel to inquire why they could not supply 100% pure Kona Coffee at the Credit Unions request at the CU’s annual membership meeting. There will also be a review on who does and who doesn’t offer 100 per cent Kona coffee
NEW BUSINESS
1. The Annual budget will be proposed at the August meeting.
2. Sotero Agoot of the Kona Pacific Farmer Coop has been appointed to the Mayors Agricultural Advisors Committee and would like any input. This committee is not familiar with us and we will look into it further.
3. J. Stich reported on the fumigation of green coffee and its effect on Kona.
All foreign green coffee is sent to the mainland first and fumigated there before it enters Hawaii. Methyl bromide is the application and it is inspected when it arrives in Hawaii. The methyl bromide apparently dissipates when it is released into the atmosphere. Organic coffee is partially roasted on the mainland in lieu of fumigation.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM
Minutes submitted by Sect. T. Butler
