issue 3 sept.-oct. 2014
rootstock
the official newsletter of the belfastCO-OP
patronage dividend$
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www.belfast.coop
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by Kip Penney, BelfastCO-OP Board of Directors
Hi member-owners,
As a representative of the Belfast Co-op board of directors, and in my role on the Public Interaction Committee which responds to letters sent to the board, I’m writing all of you to try to address the questions that some have raised regarding patronage dividends. The concerns about the Co-op withholding part of the members’ patronage dividend speak to the complexity of the Co-op’s historical relationship and communication to its members, as well as the struggle to achieve financial stability. In any business, the owners must decide at the end of the year what portion of the profits to reinvest in the business and what portion to take out of the business and pay themselves. Usually the controlling parties in a publicly-held corporation (the big money investors and CEO-types) decide to give out a bit of the post-tax profit as dividends in order to keep the rest of the shareholders investing more, or at least maintaining their investments. Those who buy more shares, get both more votes and a larger share of profits. With co-operative corporations, our members are our owners – and one member, one vote is a defining principle of co-ops. One of the benefits of being a co-op is that we are able to avoid paying taxes on the entire profit we make from sales to our member-owners, so long as we distribute at least 20% of that back to them (we still have to pay regular corporate taxes on sales to non-members). The allocation of profits is based on patronage, how much each member shops at the co-op. That is why they are called “patronage dividends”. Each year the board decides what percentage of the members’ sales profit is to be distributed. The 20% minimum is standard practice for most co-ops in a growth stage, as we are. The past two years we have returned 30% in a voucher redeemable in cash or for store credit. Some member-owners who wish to help other folks in the community contribute their dividend to an equity assistance fund to help cash-strapped folks join the Co-op. The Co-op decided back in the late-1990’s to stop having member-workers put in three hours work monthly in exchange for a discount at the register, because giving a discount before we knew if the year would be profitable seemed not to be due diligence in keeping the Co-op afloat. The full membership, something like 300 folks in those days, voted to switch to a patronage dividend system for handling profits. It was not at all a “board-only” decision, although I understand that the board at the time did agree with the change and supported presenting it to the membership for its vote.
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IN THIS ISSUE . . . Patronage Dividends Demystified - P1 GM Corner - P3 From Co-ops to Co-ops- P3 Just Picked - P4 Phytonutrient Rock Stars - P5
ROOTSTOCK newsletter by Kate Harris & Doug Johnson Meet a Worker-Owner - P6 October is Co-op Month - P6 Meet Your Farmer - P7 Nurturing Beginning Farmers- P8 CO-OP Calendar - P8
123 high street belfast, me 207.338.2532 7:30am-8:00pm
patronage dividends demystified
GM corner
continued from P1 For a number of years, the board simply set 2% of profits of members’ share of profits as the amount to be distributed to members as “dividends”. That was an incorrect way to manage a patronage dividend system and led to many member-owners’ belief that they were entitled to receive 2% of profits each and every year, whether or not the Co-op made a profit. In the early 2000’s, better computer tracking systems were put in place and the Co-op began to track each member’s purchases much more accurately. Even then, I remember one year we did not make a profit and the board, to keep member-owners from complaining, decided to dip into prior years’ retained earnings to give out the expected “refund.” This was another board decision which led to our member-owners’ misunderstanding of how a patronage dividend system should work. Thanks mostly to our staff, we are - to the best of our knowledge - now in compliance with state and federal regulations for distributing patronage dividends. Federal law provides no guidance or requirements on how or when deferred portions may be returned to owners. State law indicates that deferrals may be “for a fixed period of months or years.” We have not yet set any fixed period, and we are currently waiting on legal advice as to setting specific release criteria. It is clear, however, that any return of additional member capital (as the retained portion is generally referred to) is entirely at the discretion of the Board of Directors, with the support of the Co-op staff, subject to their best reasonable understanding of the capital requirements of the Co-op. We do not believe we are flush enough at this time to do this. The Co-op still has many needs that we are facing, including what to do about continuing to operate in our aging 1950’s era store, and our growth over the past fifteen years from less than $2 million in annual sales in the late ‘90s, to over $7.6 million expected this year. We as a board will be addressing our patronage dividend system in the bylaws this coming year. We also need to make our patronage dividend system more clear to our more than 3,500 current member-owners and to better explain it to prospective member-owners prior to joining. If you have any questions about this policy or have expertise that will help us, do let us know.
! for the next
Board of Directors
C O P M E MB E
5 CU RR 9 6 3 E
ELFAST
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B T N
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Kip Penney, board member & long-time co-op believer
Finance Committee
3rd Tuesday of the month, 3pm Belfast Co-op conference room boardfinance@belfast.coop
Membership Committee
1st Tuesday of the month, 11:30am Belfast Co-op conference room boardmembership@belfast.coop
Purchasing Policy Committee
1st Thursday of the month, 2:00-3:30pm, Belfast Free Library 3rd floor mtg room boardpurchasing@belfast.coop
Board Development Committee 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9:30am Belfast Co-op conference room boarddevelopment@belfast.coop
Long Range Planning Committee 1st Friday of the month, 11:30am Belfast Co-op conference room boardlongrange@belfast.coop
Elections and Nominations Committee Ad hoc boardelections@belfast.coop
Annual Meeting Committee Ad hoc
Building & Grounds Committee
meeting
September 25 & October 23 2
Bindy Pendleton, president Debbi Lasky, vice president Jerry Savitz, treasurer Phil Prince, secretary Doug Johnson, staff rep. Nixie Bombardier Ron Braybrook Cindy Canavan Betsy Garrold Chris Groden Jean Lenderking Alessandra Martinelli Kip Penney Meg Peterson Janis Stone Zafra Whitcomb
6:30PM at Waterfall Arts, 256 High St, Belfast, ME
2nd Thursday of the month, 1pm Belfast Co-op conference room bandgcomm@belfast.coop
Public Interaction Committee Ad hoc
Bylaws Committee Ad hoc
by Chris Grigsby It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly over, but when you live on the coast of Maine where everyone wants to be, it’s understood why it seems to come and go so quickly. It has been a busy summer here at the Co-op, and we are happy about our store’s performance. Our local product sales continue to climb thanks to quality products from our friends and neighbors, and your loyalty in purchasing them. In an effort to stay ahead of your co-op’s growth trends, the Management Team and Board of Directors have earmarked funds for the upcoming fiscal year (October 2014-September 2015) to conduct feasibility and market research to assist strategic planning. This information will be crucial for us in dealing with our current challenges, most of which have to do with lack of space and old, inefficient facility systems. We have been in our current space for a little over twenty years, and the Co-op has seen huge growth in that time. As we begin preparing for the next twenty, this information will aid us in determining potential market share, customer base, and growth trends in Belfast and the surrounding areas that the Co-op services. We plan to hire an outside firm to begin the strategic planning process over the winter months. Part of this study will include a Customer Address and Transaction (CAT) survey, which will most likely be conducted at our register checkouts as well as online. Our goal is to gather as much data as possible to give us the most accurate picture of where our Co-op is heading. We appreciate your assistance working through this process with us, and plan to have some concrete information to share by next spring’s Annual Meeting. Our financial numbers for the year-to-date (YTD) continue to show gains. These gains are slightly behind our projections, but due to decreases in our expenses, we are on pace to meet budgeted profit projections. July sales increased by 4.45% to $798,547. Cost of goods and total expenses were in line resulting in a net income for the month of $71,825. For the YTD, sales have increased 5.51% to $6,135,818. The Cost of Goods Sold and total expenses increased by 4.3% to $5,765,454. The YTD net income has increased by 143% from $49,856 in 2013 to $121,303 this year. The balance sheet continues to improve as our total assets have increased by $256,572 while our total liabilities have increased by just $90,745. All of these trends are in the Co-op’s favor, and are in line with the goals set forth by the Board of Directors and the Management Team to increase cash reserves in preparation for future projects. As you may have heard, we are finally able to offer an extended Super Sale for member-owners who have found it inconvenient to make it to the store for the previous one day sales. This has been a longstanding complaint about this beneficial quarterly sale, along with trying to stock the store to the gills for a one day event. Our point-of-sale (POS) software has finally allowed us to set up “e-coupon” promotions, which essentially means that we can assign a single-use coupon to every member account for a given time period. So, for the first week of September, the
1st-7th, you will be asked by the cashier at each transaction if you would like to use your Super Sale discount or if you would prefer to defer it to a later transaction. This will allow you to plan a larger shop at your convenience, over a seven day period. As always, the Super Sale 10% member-owner discount may not be applied in addition to other discounts (Senior Day, CORE, pre-orders, etc.). The largest difference with this new system is that we are not able to offer the discount for more than one transaction. Rather than being able to apply the Super Sale discount to all purchases on a given day, it will only apply to one purchase. As this is our first go at this, we encourage your feedback on the new system. Our goal is to expand the opportunity so that more of our member-owners are able to take advantage of this great benefit. Lastly, we wish to thank everyone who came out for our Community Appreciation Day on August 16th. The weather was perfect, and your involvement in the day’s festivities made it all the more sweet. We would like to especially thank the Game Loft, Waterfall Arts, and Russell Kahn for their creativity in offering many great activities for our future “member-owners”. We are also pleased to announce that thanks to everyone’s participation in our basket raffles, book sale, and 50/50 drawing we were able to raise $952.30 for this year’s nonprofit recipients: The Game Loft, New Hope For Women, P.A.W.S Animal Adoption Center,Veggies for All, and Waterfall Arts. Thank you all for your tremendous support of these great local organizations, and thank you for your continued support of our Co-op!
from co-ops to co-ops:
Deep, dark smooth chocolate sourced from Ecuador and Peru surrounds these sumptuous bite-sized truffle delights. Pure organic coconut oil sourced from Exclusive 8-Pack Truffle Box India combined with milk and cacao creates the silky-smooth, Available at melty filling. Only available at community-owned food co-ops, this exclusive 8-pack of Swissmade, organic, fair trade truffles from Alter Eco launches with two new flavors, Salted Caramel and Sea Salt, to accompany their wildly-addictive Black and Velvet Truffles. These co-op-exclusive truffle assortments are available for a limited time at food co-ops around the country, and are making their debut just in time for Co-op Month in October. Founded in 2005, Fortaleza del Valle Cooperative is the source for the rich, fruity cacao used in Alter Eco’s Black, Sea Salt and Salted Caramel Truffles. Located in Calceta, Ecuador, this cooperative of small-scale cacao farmers has been working to improve their farming techniques in order to enhance quality and expand market opportunities. The fair trade premium has enabled the cooperative to invest in infrastructure, processing equipment and pre-harvest financing for the 630 members. Through crop biodiversity, the farmers are now able to include the plantation of cacao, banana, coconut and timber in their fields, using this diversification to catalyze their business.
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from co-ops to co-ops: alter eco exclusive 8 pack truffle box available at belfast co-op continued from P3 Nestled along the river Huayabamba at the edge of the Peruvian Amazon, the farmers of the cacao found in Alter Eco’s Velvet Truffle survey a landscape that’s entirely different than it was 15 years ago. In 1994, a United Nations program made it possible for these farmers to begin replacing their illegal coca crops (used to make cocaine) with cocoa, releasing them from an oppressive, volatile and often dangerous relationship with drug traffickers. Located in the San Martín region of Peru, the ACOPAGRO Cacao Cooperative has over 2,100 members of small-scale cacao farmers. The fair trade premium has allowed ACOPAGRO to invest in a new office and warehouse facility, equipment and quality trainings for its members, and social programs such as access to medical services like dental and eye care.
mimics virgin rainforest. FTAK farmers grow a host of tropical products such as cashews, coconut palms, coffee, cocoa, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla and other spices on their small plots. The mixedcrop plantations play an important role in preserving local biodiversity and, at the same time, safeguarding the food security of the farming members. Alter Eco has taken their commitment to sustainability one step further with these truffles by introducing new eco-friendly packaging. Alter Eco has developed a groundbreaking wrapper — printed with non-toxic compostable ink — that will decompose in yard waste and will decompose in yard waste and at-home compost bins. “Alter Eco’s goal is to provide consumers with a decadently delicious taste experience, while never compromising our own values,” said Edouard Rollet, Co-Founder and President of Alter Eco. “With these truffles, we’ve taken goodness to a whole new level.”
Coconut oil is the perfect complement to antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. Besides the many health benefits, coconut oil is a sustainable alternative to the palm kernel oil often used in traditional truffles. Alter Eco sources its coconut oil from Fair Trade Alliance Kerala, on India’s Malabar Coast. Founded in 2005 Kerala has more than 3,500 members. This farmer-owned co-op practices jaiva krishi, a sustainable farming method that
Look for these delicious truffles and other Alter Eco products at the checkout counter. You can learn more about cooperatives at www. strongertogether.coop, and find out about Alter Eco at
www.alterecofoods.com
just picked
photo by Alex Chaplan
2014
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Phytonutrient Rock Stars
Maybe the most important nutrients in our diet are not vitamins but molecules that many of us have never heard of
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by John Bagnulo, MPH PhD
Our scientific knowledge of what is in fruits and vegetables grows every day, and many of us can identify the names of most vitamins and minerals. Whether our understanding of their importance stems from the dietary guidelines on the back of a cereal box or from a graduate course in nutrition, there is usually an emphasis by the more-conscious eater on meeting the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for these select nutrients. While these are still important, there is a growing body of evidence supporting an increasingly popular theory that suggests vitamins may be just the tip of the iceberg in the field of what humans actually need from their diet. Bruce Ames, PhD, at the University of California Berkeley was the first to postulate this Triage Theory, which suggests that the body can substitute many vitamins for what it needs but that there are preferred molecules (often absent in a typical modern diet) which would serve us much more effectively. An evidence-based example of this is the role of vitamin K in the body. While we can use the plant-produced vitamin K1, there is a great deal of substitution for a more effective, bacterially-produced vitamin K2. Although vitamin K1 can still help us form clots to stop bleeding, it cannot help us maintain artery elasticity or improve bone flexibility (less fractures) and these are obviously critical for optimal health. There are so many phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables, as well as a lesser amount found in everything from mushrooms to beans. Some have been shown to help the body produce a more effective defense against viruses and cancer, others have demonstrated a unique ability to direct a more efficient inflammatory response (less chronic and only when needed). There are phytonutrients that improve bone density, increase circulation in the body and protect neurons. These are just a few examples of the benefits various plants can offer us, unfortunately, many of these are not generally part of our daily diet. Here are a few of these exceptional nutrients which warrant a closer look and more attention by all of us:
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Isothiocyanate, found in kale, collards, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage, is used by the liver to detoxify our blood. Resveratrol, produced by plants that regularly fight fungus (grapes,Valencia peanuts, kudzu, specific legumes), protects our mitochondria, improves our circulation, and reduces inflammation. Ellagic acid, largely represented by berries, most types, is a true superstar with immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Note that the seeds of raspberries contain the most! Curcumin, concentrated in turmeric, may have more roles in the human body that promote optimal health than any nutrient discovered to date. It provides an anti-inflammatory, circulatory boost that has been shown to protect against almost all chronic diseases. Anthocyanins, found in most dark blue and purple fruits (blackberries, blueberries, eggplant skin, etc.) have the ability to improve eyesight and night vision. Lignans in flax seeds help us regulate the amount of triglycerides in our circulation as well as assisting the liver’s detoxification processes. Quercetin in onions and other alliums, as well as in the skins of most fruit, also assists the liver with detoxification, promotes better immune function, and is anti-inflammatory.
These few could easily be seen as vital as any vitamin, especially when we consider that inflammation is ultimately responsible for more than 80% of all modern diseases and appreciate the massive anti-inflammatory qualities of these nutrients. Only the window of time for deficiency-related symptoms is much larger. The diseases that are driven by inflammation happen later in life. Act now and eat vegetables at all meals, snack on berries, use more raw garlic in your life, and get your true Total RDA. Eat, love, and be well! John Bagnulo MPH, PhD, holds a doctorate in Nutrition and Food Science, is a faculty member of Kripalu Healthy Living Programs, and has a private practice at 39 Main Street in downtown Belfast. For more information, visit John’s website at:
johnbagnulo.com
OUR MISSION The Belfast Co-op is a membership owned and controlled organization that operates a retail outlet for whole natural foods and other goods and provisions. We strive to offer and promote the continued availability of a wide selection of products organically produced and locally sourced whenever available, at reasonable prices, to support healthy lifestyle choices for both our members and the general public. Our intent is to be a resource for information and action concerning health, nutrition, and the source of our products, as well as for building community. (Approved April 22, 2010)
OUR VALUES The Belfast Co-op is a member-owned market and café that seeks to foster community, support local producers and educate for healthier food production and consumption. To these ends we hold the following values: Transparency in operating our business. We work for an atmosphere of honesty, respect and inclusiveness, with open communication among members, employees and management. Encouraging participation, building an organization that acquires and transfers knowledge, promotes from within, and creates a positive work environment. Exercising ecological and social responsibility.
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photo by Jeremy Peskoe
meet a worker-owner
by Roger Quehl, BelfastCO-OP worker-owner
featuring
When Jeff Butler arrived at the Belfast Co-op in 2010, the friendship between us was immediate, due to my admiration for Jeff’s education and his experience working with children. Jeff began at the Co-op as a stocker and cashier, while still working at Sweetser, providing family-centered residential treatment services. Jeff’s abilities were quickly recognized by Co-op management, and he was eventually promoted to the position of manager of the meat and cheese department.
jeff butler
Jeff was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1976, and his family moved soon after to Connecticut. During his school years, he participated in soccer and hockey. After high school, he attended the University of Vermont in beautiful Burlington. Majoring in Animal Science, with an emphasis on large animals, he worked on the University’s farm and enjoyed the experience so much that after graduating, he stayed on to work there. Since high school, Jeff has maintained an interest in pottery and he worked in numerous pottery shops after college. He then went on to obtain his teaching certificate in Art from the University
of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. With certificate in hand, Jeff began substituting in local school districts. He fondly recalls the three years he spent at the May School, now the May Institute, in Randolph, Massachusetts, which was the first school of its kind serving children and families dealing with autism-related issues. The May Institute serves individuals across their lifespan with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, neurological disorders, behavior disorders, and mental illness to promote independence, choice, dignity, and respect. An experience that Jeff recalls was the time he and the children made holiday ornaments for the children’s parents. Jeff enjoyed his time at the Institute, but after three years he was ready to move on; there was pottery to be made. Jeff spent the next seven years in Cornwall, Connecticut making pottery. During this time, he visited his sister who had moved to Maine. Jeff enjoyed his visits to Maine and decided to make the move after finding property in the midcoast region. He fell in love with the area, but adds that some winters can be long. Jeff cites Todd Piker, pottery maker at Cornwall, as one of his mentors. His parents also figure highly as people who have influenced him through their generosity, love, and work ethic. In five years Jeff hopes that he has a pottery business up and running. When he has free time, Jeff can be found on the farm growing his own food, including livestock such as pigs and chickens. And yes, he maintains his love for pottery and has his own kiln. Fire it up Jeff!
October is Co-op Month
and co-ops across the state, encouraged by the linking group Cooperative Maine, are planning special events. Here in Belfast, the Belfast Co-op is hosting a presentation with Jonah Fertig and Rob Brown on Monday 10/13 at 6:30pm at the Belfast Free Library for Co-op Month on the topic of growing cooperatives in our communities. Jonah is a founding member of Local Sprouts worker cooperative and is currently working as the facilitator at Cooperative Fermentation, helping to establish co-ops across the state and around New England. Rob works for the Cooperative Development Institute and was the guiding force behind the newly established Island Employee Cooperative in Deer Isle; a business that converted from private ownership to a worker owned cooperative upon the retirement of the previous owner.
October 16 is International Credit Union Day, a good time to remember that credit unions are cooperatives. According to the website for the World Council of Credit Unions: “International Credit Union (ICU) Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history and to promote its achievements. It is a day to honor those who have dedicated their lives to the movement, recognize the hard work of those working in the credit union industry and show members our appreciation.” This year’s theme is “Local Service. Global Good.” Cooperative Maine is encouraging co-ops around state to schedule special events throughout the month. Larry Dansinger of Cooperative Maine sent out the following list of suggestions recently. * Host an open house or special event.
your farmer meet village farm in freedom, ME
by Betsy Garrold, ThePopulistFarmer.wordpress.com
On a busy Saturday morning at Village Farm in Freedom, Polly Shyka and Prentice Grassi took a few moments to talk about their philosphy of farming, their relationship with the Belfast Co-op, and what they consider their most important crop. With their family cows grazing in the background, Polly and I walked down the field to where Prentice and one of this year’s crop of farm apprentices were cutting broccoli for the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shareholders. As we walked, Polly spoke about thinking of their farm income as being in various buckets; the CSA bucket which distributes prepaid shares to their customers, both at the farm and at a drop-off site in Belfast; the wholesale bucket, which sells to retail outlets (such as the Co-op), restaurants, and through the Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative (COMOC) which distributes their produce around the state; the catering bucket, which supplies customers with fresh produce throughout the season; and a miscellaneous bucket that includes eggs and meatchickens, sold to CSA and other customers; seedling sales on farm and at the Co-op; and perennial plants that they grow to sell to Fedco Trees.
finally shift to full-time farming. Polly writes and works with women’s groups as time allows. Both feel that commitment to community is of the utmost value and have contributed time and energy to maintaining Freedom as the thriving small rural community that it is. As Prentice said “We get a lot of community support, and have over the eight years we have been at this, so we want to be supportive of our community in return.” They are happy with the farm business model that they have settled on after some trial and error. As Polly says, they harvest only what is already sold to either CSA members, wholesale customers or COMOC so there is little to no waste. They considered having an on-farm store, but decided it did not fit well with their business model. They also thought about farmers markets but decided that was too much time away from the farm, with their one exception being participation in the Co-op’s annual Community Appreciation Day, again confirming their commitment to giving back to the community that supports their farming business.
Both Prentice and Polly speak fondly of their first year in production, 2007, when they started selling CSA shares and wholesaling to the Belfast Co-op. The Co-op has continued to be a valued customer for their farm produce, which includes everything from early spring micro-greens to winter storage crops such as carrots and potatoes. They have their fields in a three year rotation; three years growing veggies then three years in cover and pasture crops. They grow their own winter rye to harvest at the straw stage and use as mulch. The chickens and cows add nutrients to the soil as they graze the land currently in pasture. When they are not farming; those few, short, slower months in the winter; they are planning for next season. But they also make lots of time for family, raising three active sons and spending time with their parents who live nearby. Prentice continues his interest in woodworking, an occupation he pursued as off-farm income when they purchased the land in 2001 until 2011 when he could
They both say, however, that their most important crop each year is their farm apprentices. They both are “graduates” of, and indeed met through, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) internship program and since they “came up through the system” they feel a genuine need to give back. They value the apprenticeship model which enables young people to try out farming for a season or two to decide if it is the right lifestyle for them. At the same time, they both enjoy teaching and treasure their ability to share with young, would-be farmers the nuts and bolts of running a farm business. As our interview drew to a close, Polly was off to cut flowers with a bride for her bridal bouquet after having already put together bouquets for the Grange supper that night. Watching the busy morning unfold it is hard to imagine anyone who wouldn’t be enchanted with a way of life that includes sunny Saturdays walking through the fertile fields that you have created with your own constant, thoughtful attention to the growth of healthy foods, healthy soils and the next crop of young farmers.
featuring
*Write an article about a cooperative business or structure in your community. *Host an educational event such as a film screening, speaker, library exhibit, or participation at a local festival. *Sponsor a civic project such as a community cleanup, voter registration, or blood drive. All of these are great suggestions that co-ops are bound to take up, so watch your local newspapers and other media outlets for news of co-op happenings across Maine in October. by Betsy Garrold, ThePopulistFarmer.wordpress.com
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brewer of Maine’s 1st Non-GMO Project verified beer
7pm-9pm friday october 24 7
Chelsea is certainly a farmer worth nurturing. An articulate and passionate advocate, she attended the NEFU fly-in last year to encourage lawmakers to pass the 2014 Farm Bill, and she flew to D.C. earlier this year as part of a group seeking to help lawmakers understand issues facing beginning farmers.
by Sarah Andrysiak, Communications Consultant, New England Farmers Union
Every September, family farmers from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., to talk with legislators about issues important to their livelihoods and to the land they work. Members of New England Farmers Union (NEFU) will join members from other Farmers Union chapters for three days of meetings and information sessions at the National Farmers Union’s 2014 Legislative Fly-In. Through personal stories and deep-rooted knowledge, NEFU members will educate members of the delegation about the issues confronting small and mid-size farms in New England. Last year, NEFU sent a large delegation to the Capitol to advocate for a farm bill that would promote local and regional food systems, create a dairy policy for New England, further conservation efforts, support organic agriculture, and develop beginning farmers. While the farm bill had shortcomings, it funded many of our priorities at record levels.
CO-OPcalendar
This year, one of NEFU’s goals is to ensure that beginning farmers are heard in Washington. NEFU member and New Hampshire beginning dairy farmer Chelsea Kruse will participate in the fly-in. A member of the 2015 class at the National Farmers Union Beginning Farmers Institute, Chelsea lives in Keene, N.H. and is striving to launch her own dairy operation.
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“Having the fly-in as an opportunity for a beginning farmer is an unbelievable experience,” said Kruse. “I attended last year for the first time and it was great knowing for certain that my voice was being heard by the legislators, knowing that this can be making a difference for beginning farmers everywhere.” Currently, Chelsea works with NEFU board member Beth Hodge at Echo Farm. You may have purchased the very tasty Echo Farm Pudding at your food co-op. Furthermore, Echo Farm Pudding could stand as proof of why it’s important to support beginning farmers. Another strong reason to nurture beginning farmers is that they are helping to raise the crops and animals that supply New England’s burgeoning demand for local and regional food. “Just last year, where I live, they put up an amazing new food co-op with local and regional foods available – and beginning farmers are providing some of that food,” said Kruse. By ensuring that beginning farmers are heard in Washington, D.C., NEFU will not only promote policies that provide opportunities for farmers like Chelsea. NEFU will also be supporting our growing supply of local food. “Making sure that there are policies that work for beginning farmers like me will help to build regional food systems,” said Kruse. “Beginning farmers help make local foods available, and the fly-in helps us assure that will continue to be the case.” Your membership in NEFU supports our efforts to participate in the fly-in and engage in other advocacy work. Please join NEFU today (www.newenglandfarmersunion.org/join).
september Round-Up for Community recipients: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Belfast Area Child Care Services Featured Artist: Jenny Rebecca Nelson 9/1-7 Member-Owner Super Sale Week 9/16 Wild Mushrooms; Foraging for Functional Food Tues. 6:30pm, Belfast Free Library – free introduction to the best edible and medicinal mushrooms with Maine mycologist and author Greg Marley 9/20 Guided Store Tour Sat. 10am, meet at Co-op entrance 9/26 Love LOCAL Day – Herbal Revolution handcrafted herbal product samples, lunch special highlighting local ingredients, 10% off all Maine-made products all day. 9/26 Wine Tasting & Art Opening Fri. 7-9pm, Café - free monthly sampling of highlighted seasonal wines & art show opening. Featured wines 10% off during tasting; must be at least 21 to attend.
october Round Up for Community recipients: Maine Association of Certified Professional Midwives, Waldo County Tech Center Featured Artist: Corlis Carroll 10/7 In search of the oldest apples in Maine Tues. 6:30pm, Belfast Free Library – free presentation with John Bunker. 10/9 Testing for Food Sensitivities with Dr. Susan Miller Thurs. 6:30pm, Belfast Free Library 10/13 Co-op Month presentation Mon. 6:30pm, Belfast Free Library – Jonah Fertig and Rob Brown of the Cooperative Development Institute will discuss creating cooperatives in our communities. 10/18 Guided Store Tour Sat. 10am, meet at Co-op entrance 10/21 John Bagnulo presentation Tues. 6:30pm, Belfast Free Library - free presentation with nutritionist John Bagnulo MPH, PhD. Topic TBD. Co-sponsored with the Library. 10/24 Love LOCAL Day – Peak Organic (Portland) beer sampling from 7-9pm, lunch special highlighting local ingredients, 10% off all Maine-made products all day. 10/24 Beer Tasting & Art Opening Fri. 7-9pm, Café - free sampling of Peak Organic Beer & art show opening. Featured beers 10% off during tasting; must be at least 21 to attend.