19 February 2009
* Welcome to all the first time visitors to a NCFN meeting – there were 8!
* Many packets of seeds were distributed and there are many more available
* Susan & Todd Hoffman of Wild Hill Herbals in Chelsea contributed some Echinacea purpurea seeds, purple coneflower – the one that grows tall and is best used by gathering and drying the flowers at the height of blooming or making into a tincture
* There was renewed interest in a NCFN table at local farm markets, so that each vendor does not have to go to each market
* It was suggested that Vershare could construct a farm stand for local farmers and gardeners to use informally, perhaps as a construction project for the summer camp or Mtn. School
* Interest in a cider press and community bread oven was discussed
* It was suggested to advertise NCFN meetings on the Vershire list-serve
* A spring workshop on extending the season with Pete from Pete’s Greens was suggested
* We discussed the NCFN role in local community, Transition Initiatives and sustainability in general
* Dawn is willing to earn Permaculture certification through Earth Activist Training this summer in Maine and then come back and present what she has learned; there is a line item in the Heifer NCFN budget for Permaculture training that could cover some of the tuition
* Simple hoops with plastic over them were suggested to melt snow and plant early
* Next Soup Night just might feature a kale salad along with the soup, to give folks an idea of how to enjoy this lovely but somewhat unusual vegetable
* The Vermont oil seed growing project was discussed
Please feel free to contact me if you want more information on any of these topics – a lot was discussed and it’s hard to get every detail down! Also…if you would like to scribe at meetings so I don’t have to try to get everything in my notes, that would be wonderful…please let me know.
Dawn Hancy, Coordinator
Washington / Orange Co. Chapter
North Country Farming Network
802-685-7752