KCFA Board Meeting Minutes
September 16, 2009
Call to order 4PM
Board members present: R. Anders, M. Moss, M. Lake, B. Corker, J. Rowe, R. Barnes, C. Bondera, K. Wood
Minutes for July and August approved.
Treasurers Report approved.
Colehour presented the Education Report:
The Education Committee is working on finalizing the next workshop;
Workshop on Coffee Drying and Storage, will be held September 30 from 1-4:30pm at the Daifukuji Mission Hall in Honalo.
Main presenters will be Ken Sheppard and Chuck Moss. Workshop is co-sponsored by KCFA and the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).
No other education events are scheduled at this time, though a basic workshop on Coffee Roasting is tentative for early December.
Cea Smith gave the website & PR report:
Website
Compiled all Geographic Identities information on one page
Changed Front page of Web Site
Listed Auction 2009 items
Worked on “What Is Kona Worth?” page
Sent out various General Membership emails as asked, Newsletter too
Answered various requests as they come in which range from
What is my password and username to Public Requests for info such as how much water does an average coffee farm need
Wrote Website Column for KCFA Newsletter
PR
Sent out PR on the 2 Geographical Identity conferences of late summer
Sent out initial emails w/member lists and then reminders, about Board Members calling members to say Thank You
Working on KCFA CookBook formatting with Life time KCFA member- Lenore Rick. Lenore and Cea will be doing the CookBook.
Joanie Rowe reported on Membership with 2 new members with a total of 262 now.
Mary Lou Moss reported on the Event committee:
I would like to thank all those farmers who have donated coffee for KCFA to sell on Alii Drive. We don’t have any firm dates yet as to when we will be going down to sell our coffee, but it will be soon. I would also like to have volunteers help me sell the coffee. Please call me.
Paleaku Peace Gardens Tour and Coffee tasting is Oct. 17 & 18, 9-1 p.m. We need 6 farmers to showcase & sell their coffee each day. (12 total) If you would like to sell your coffee, please contact Mary Lou Moss at 329-4035.
The date for the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is Nov. 6-15. If anyone has ideas for the lantern parade on Friday, Nov. 6, please let me know. I would like to do something a little different this year. We normally just carry the banner and hold battery operated lanterns and it is boring!
I need volunteers to help with the cultural festival. Please call me.
Save the date and mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual Banquet on November 15, which is a Sunday again, same place King Kam Hotel. I will be meeting with them this next week to discuss price for the dinner and then we will be able to have the tickets on sale on the website.
Also save the date for our EXPO, January 28th 2010. This will also be our 3rd Annual EXPO. Last year was really successful and we’re hoping to have this years to be even bigger and better. The Expo is also combined with our annual meeting where we elect a new board.
Chamber of Commerce report from Nancy Griffith: Our members need to contact Nancy to arrange to attend a C of C meeting. KCFA will pay the $10 fee. Meetings are Weds. 5-7pm.
Legislative Committee Report—Bruce Corker
1—PROTECTION OF KONA COFFEE FROM GMO CONTAMINATION—The Legislative Committee continues to work with County Council member Pete Hoffmann to protect County Bill #361 from pre-emption arguments and legislative proposals being made by the GMO industry. Bill #361, passed last year, prohibits the introduction of GMO coffee in the County.
2—DECEPTIVE COFFEE LABELING—KCFA actions have led to two significant results; (1) the Kona COSTCO has now changed the shelf labeling for all 3 Hawaiian Isles products to state they are “10% Kona”; and (2) the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has determined that Hawaii Coffee Company’s use of “Gourmet Hawaiian Coffee” on packages which do not contain 100% Hawaiian coffee violates state law. We continue to seek information from HDOA on the precise scope its determination.
Kathy reported on a successful BBQ event from the Social committee and of course they are working on more ideas and welcome suggestions.
Ray reports from the Grants committee that right now not much available. The November timeline is almost closed for and Value added grants. Contact Jennifer at USDA office.
Tom & Cea worked on Pricing Info for the website and updated the “What’s Kona Worth” area on our KCFA website.
Old Business
Note that membership can vote for Nancy Griffiths for the Farm Services Agency board by going to the office and casting their ballot.
Cindy Whitehawk agreed to be the KCFA representative with the Hawaii Homegrown Food Network.
Colehour and Howard Hill representing the Varroa Mite Steering Committee report Dept of Ag to get federal funding of $300,000. Colehour moved to for KFCA to donate $100 to the VMCS. Motion approved.
Mary Lou motioned for KCFA to purchase 8 more boxes of grain pro bags. Motion approved.
New Business
Alternative Drying methods see John McClure per Robert Barnes
Hawaii Organic Farmers Association looking for donations of coffee from KCFA organic farmers for the annual meeting in Hilo.
Jennifer Bus presentation: Jennifer is a coffee farmer and owns Yoganics in Kainalu. She is also promoting/selling commercial advertising for the Natural HI TV show on KLEI-TV. You can view on Channel 6, Wed & Sat 6:30pm & 10PM.
Robert Gowan, a new KCFA member, presented the “Gathering of Eagles—Hawaii” supporting sending Kona coffee to Hawaii based servicemen overseas. This is a 501 c (4) non-profit and he can be reached at [email protected] or 808-987-7018.
Meeting adjourned 6PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lake, Secretary
