These are the minutes from the 2005 - 2006 season, starting with the general meeting on April 11, 2005.
Watauga County Farmers' Market General Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2005 7:00pm
Board members present: Richard Boylan, Susan Graham, Alicia Breton,
Jeff Thomas, Karen Bauman.
The minutes from the 2004 meeting were read. Jon Bost made a motion
they be accepted as read, this was approved.
Jeff gave the president's report. He stated that board members and
officers had resigned since the last meeting, along with the managers.
Susan gave the building committee report. The parking lot is to be
repaved. The state feels we are not open enough hours for large road
signs. Blake Brown with the Town of Boone replaced the smaller brown
signs within a week of her visit and will put out more. Chris Parsons
will maintain the bathrooms at the Horn.
Carol Miller gave the events committee report. A special event is
planned for the first Saturday of every month.
Karen reported on the advertising committee. The advertising budget
for 2005 was set at $4,000.00.
Jeff read the treasurer's report.
Richard reported on grants. New River Community Partners awarded us
$500 geared toward events.
Carol Miller made a motion that any new rules adopted for the 2005
season be tabled. This was approved by the general membership.
Sammie Sigmann moved the rules for 2004 be followed until the 2006
season. This was approved by the general membership.
Karen Bauman moved the By-Laws be amended so that officers would be
elected before board members. This was approved by the general
membership. By-Laws Article VIII Order of Business: Items 7 and 8 will
be switched.
Elections were held. The new officers are: Jeff Thomas, president;
Susan Graham, vice-president; Cheryl Piracci, treasurer; Karen Bauman,
secretary.
Board members will be:Alicia Breton, Carol Miller, Rebecca Kaenzig,
William Edmisten, Richard Boylan.
Fred and Helga King brought a request to sell hotdogs at the market.
A porta-potty on the grounds was requested.
Sheila Shermann has agreed to act as manger for the opening of the
market. A call for a permanent manager was presented to the
membership.
Dickie Jarrett made a motion the meeting be adjourned. This passed
unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.
WCFM Minutes 1/5/06 (revised)
Attending: Jeff Thomas, Susan Graham, Karen Bauman, Richard Boylan, Rebecca K. Cheryl P., William Edminsten, Alicia Breton, Susan Wright
Karen brought a copy of the website referral statistics.
Minutes were read by Karen for the 11/2/05 meeting.
The minutes were approved.
New Business:
Karen noted that Nancy Underwood has a meat handler¹s license and wants to sell meat at the WCFM.
This was approved.
It was mentioned that there needs to be a handout about meat.
Karen said she has not been able to get a hold of any set rules.
In reference to the lease; Cheryl said everyone with sheds and the WCFM needs to get 1 million dollar liability and 2 million aggregate insurance coverage, in order for WCFM to get lease with SAHA finalized. Cheryl is working with Freda Greene Ex. Vice President of SAHA. Susan G.: The craft committee met and came up with guidelines that were on the handout she gave us. (See handout)
All crafts will be juried each year.
There will be 5 people on the committee.
Karen: The approximate # of members needing jurying is 44 out of 132.
The guideline will be sent out to all members with general meeting information and a copy of the rules.
Susan G: We could limit the crafters to 45.
Alicia: moved to approve The Guidelines, Rebecca 2nd.
It was approved with a minor word change.
Richard: Moved to put Cheryl, Susan Graham, and Roger on the Craft Committee.
It was approved.
Susan G. Moved to put Rita Collie, and Mike Biczel on the Crafts committee as non-market-members.
It was approved
Jeff moved that Susan Wright be made Secretary. Rebecca 2nd.
It was approved
It was briefly discussed what to do about being short one board member.
There was discussion of county rules not following the by-laws. The by-laws now state Watauga and surrounding counties.
Susan G.: Moved to change the rule #2
Membership is open to the following counties: Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Wilkes and Johnson counties. Produce growers from other counties will be allowed non-voting membership on a case by case basis by written application to the board Those exceptions will be non-voting, but paying members. Alisha 2nd.
It was approved.
Next meeting we will discuss the 2nd space rules and labeling.
Susan G.: said she will develop the crafter letter and the county letter.
We will require the non-county people to fill out the basic application to apply to the board.
Next meeting is Jan. 30 at 6pm at the Ag. Building.
The 1st Craft Jury is April 8th 8-1pm.
The annual meeting is now set for 7pm, April 10th at the Ag. Building.
WCFM Board Meeting, May 17, 2006
Present: Susan Graham, Jeff Thomas, Karen Bauman, Richard Boylan, Sheila Eldreth, Cheryl Piracci, William Edmisten
Treasurer's Report read by Cheryl
Rent needs to be paid - $1500 due next week.
Minutes from last two meetings read by Cheryl. Approved as amended.
Old Business:
Need to find Assistant Market Mgr. Karen's son will be here until end of June. Jeff has asked Christof.
Advertising Budget: Annan Gabe submitted a proposal that is $221.14 over original budget, but includes weekly ads in High Country News, plus special event ads in Mtn. Times, etc. Jeff motioned to approve additional funds. Motion passed unanimously.
Rent: Jeff and Susan signed lease for $3000. Susan motioned to increase rent budget from $2500 (projected) to $3000 (actual). Motion passed unanimously.
Signs: Not enough people putting them yet (i.e.- the 8 in-town signs). We need to get someone who travels 105, to put signs up near bypass and at High School. Possible volunteers who travel that way include CHarles Church, Jon Bost, and William Edmisten. Karen will ask Charles first to help spread the work-load. If no one from Valle Crucis/Foscoe agrees to do it, we can also choose another in-town location.
Caft Jurying:We have approved all past craft vendors who are still eligible to sell (i.e.- not out-of-area folks), except for some basket-making folks. Karen has a waiting list posted on the web site, and we should promote it to interested craft vendors. There are still some vacant spaces, but that could be due to weather and slow produce growth. We are being stricter with new crafters as well. Craft jury will meet again when there are at least 10 vendors on the waiting list.
A quilt guild wants to sell raffle tickets. They can come once as a non-profit (if indeed they are a non-profit), but if they want to sell quilts, they need to join as a group and be juried.
Jeff was approached by Jerry Williamson with a rumor that we had banned the Democratic Party from the market. We have not done anything of the kind, but the group came to consensus that obnoxious, haranguing behavior from any group at any time.
Jerry Harvey's membership: Jerry Harvey has applied as an out-of-area produce vendor. He intends to come on Saturdays and Wednesdays for >20 weeks. Susan moved to accept his application. Motion passed unanimously.
Craft appeals: Board will still be final appeal, but current appeals will be eligible to resubmit to craft jury at next jurying session. If craft jury denies these crafts again, a more-detailed explanation of critique and needs for improvement. In the case of painted flower pots (Rachel, Susan B), they can be sold as "plants" if there is a home-grown plant inside them. Pots sold separately must be juried.
Market sheds need to be painted. Board voted unanimously to hire it out at $15/hr. Cheryl will contact painter.
Masseuse wants to join market. Such applications had been denied in the past. Board informally decided to let this precedent stand.