Meeting Dec 3rd, 0'08

Unity Garden Meeting Notes                                          December 3, 2008 6:30pm

UVC

Community Center

 

In attendance:  Carl Lewis, Lane Chandler, Rob Robinson, Tom Lee, Drayton Riley, Alberta Boccaleoni, Stan Slaughter, Linda Chubbuck, Pete “Gerald” Peterson, Anna Marie England, Bob Foster, Sharon Mason Foster, Shirley Faris, Dick Faris, Judy Best

 

Opened with a prayer by Sharon Mason Foster followed by a brief outline of the current garden movement and Intro of Tom Lee.

 

Tom answered various questions re: land, water, electricity, funding, etc:

Tom will get back with us as to what land might be available and if under contract, when that might expire.

 

It was agreed we need land by a lake (such as that along north side of Colbern east of campus).  Suggested to ask Fred Hulen for aerial shots of various options on the groups.  Judy Best will contact Fred.

 

Also agreed we need an area that we can “grow” into (as our volunteer group and gardens grow). 

 

Suggested use of land at no cost could be “funding” provided by the Institute.  Again, Tom will check with the school once we have a solid plan for him to present.

 

There are no greenhouses on the land currently.

 

All currently schedules Nehemiah retreats are for repair of the institute’s fixed assets.

 

Rob Robinson put out the suggestion that perhaps the Chapel could fund a garden retreat.

 

“The right proposal to the Institute will include a short-term/long-term plan as well as funding”.  Next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for 2^nd week of February, 2009.

 

Round of introductions of attendees expressing interests (orchard/gardens, etc) and a sign-up sheet was sent around with various topics to be addressed.  These info will be posted to the website for further review/discussion (unitygardens.info)

 

Some local associations that might be interested in collaboration:  kcfoodcircle.org, the Greater KC Community Gardens (sell seeds are wholesale) and the city of

Lee’s Summit

,

MO

(which has free compost and an interest in community garden as well).

 

Pete “Gerald” Peterson showed the website he had created for the group (unitygardens.info) and explained how we’d all be able to log our comments on the various topics on the site, emailing Pete directly if it was agreed that an additional topic needed to be added (pete@lingerimpressions.net)

 

Agreed next order of business is to create a business plan/proposal for possible presentation in Feb, 09.  All those interested in drawing up this proposal are invited to meet next Wednesday, December 10^th at 6pm – bring your dinner or finger food/something to share.

 

Meeting closed with a prayer by Tom Lee at 7:45pm.

Comments

[Judy Best]

Meeting Minutes December 10th, 2008
Meeting opened with prayer at 6pm
Gerald Peterson, Anna Marie England, Dick Faris, Shirley Faris, Linda Chubbuck, Stan Slaughter, Carl Lewis, Drayton Riley and Judy Best were in attendance.

Discussion surrounded development of short term and long term business plan to be presented to Unity Institute Executive Board (and feasibility of Feb vs May 09 Agenda).

After much discussion it was generally agreed to present if possible at the Feb 09 meeting (Drayton will contact Tom Lee) with the idea that if this is not possible (due to the agenda already being full) that we would aim for the May 09 meeting.

Short term plan would be for creation of a market stand at a visible location on Colbern, with the intent to re-sell local produce (purchased at wholesale), build interest and gather subscription members and/or fruit tree pledges while amending and preparing about 1/4 to 1/2 acre of land (with room to grow near water source and not too far from the road/parking area). Select crops may be able to be planted around July (pumpkin patch) and should be ready to plant cold weather crops in the Fall. At this same time, the orchard will be planned/prepared based on number of pledges/trees received/purchased. Fall planting of the initial trees is invisioned for the 1st year as well. This method would allow for self-funding of most up front costs and build a community awareness of the project.

Years 2-? Actual planting of Spring Garden and amendment of additional garden/orchard space based on number of people available to work both the garden/orchard and/or market stand. After the first stage in a more controlled environment, thoughts were to open the gardens to the community since there appears to be a strong buy-in from the city of Lee's Summit, MO

The focus of this meeting was to come up with a strong business plan. Additional input will be solicited from those unable to attend that have experience with orchards.

A sub-committee (Carl Lewis, Drayton Riley, Linda Chubbuck and Judy Best) will meet for a couple more hours on Sat Dec 21st to solidify the plan.

Next full garden/orchard meeting was set for Jan 7th, 2009 at 6pm - location to be announced.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm