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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-2014 DEM14-0011 Auburn International Farmers Market Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Friday, February 28, 2014 Auburn City Hall Annex Room #1 - 3:00 pm Mission Statement : The mission of the AIFM is to provide a forum for the purchase of a variety of healthy and locally grown products to area residents, a convenient marketplace for local farmers and artisans, and a vibrant gathering place for the community to enjoy downtown Auburn. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Trudy Ginther at 3:01 pm. Advisory Board Members present: Trudy Ginther, Maggie Greenslit, Linda Morris, Christian McLendon, Tren Walker, Ronnie Roberts. City Staff/Council present: Market Manager Joanne Macnab, City Council member Bill Peloza and Parks Secretary Julie Mehl. II. Minutes January 2014 minutes approved unanimously. III. Market Manager Report – Joanne Macnab Chair Trudy Ginther and Market Manager Joanne Macnab attended the 2014 Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA) Annual Conference at Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA. The conference was very informative and the class Joanne taught was well received. The Boot Camp Session was limited to the number of attendees and there was standing room only. Each attendee was asked to complete a class and session leader survey. The WSFMA will forward those results when they have been compiled. The WSFMA staff sent Joanne a very nice thank you and asked if she would consider being a speaker at the conference in 2015. If you are interested in seeing the PowerPoint presentation given at the conference, it is on the WSFMA website. Under “Conference Speakers and Presenters”, it is listed under Measurement and Data Collection presentation. You can also view biographies for all the presenters at the conference. 1 While you’re at the WSFMA website, scroll down to the “Recognitions” link. We were recognized by the American Farmland Trust as one of the top 100 most celebrated farmers markets in America for 2013. Classes that Joanne attended included: Seven Strategies for Making More Money for Farmers & Markets Farmers View on Washington Farmers Markets WSU Research Update Capturing Local Food Dollars: Emerging Models On December 26th, we applied for a grant opportunity with KCD. This is a grant in the amount of $15,000.00 to be used for marketing and promotion of the 2014 season. $12,500.00 for marketing and $2,500.00 for education and demonstrations. At the February Board of Supervisors meeting, KCD approved our grant request for $15,000.00. We applied for two grants for the 2014 season and we have been awarded the total requested amounts for both grants. A grand total of $17,000.00 for the 2014 season. To date, we have 12 vendors signed up for this year; 7 Farmers, 1 Processed Food Vendor, 1 Prepared Food Vendor, 3 Artisan Vendors Joanne had a meeting with Diane Sarr (AHS Graphic Design and Illustration teacher) th February 27. We discussed the opening day schedule for the art project and this year's potential poster. She has very small classes this year. 2- Drawing II classes, both classes have only 12 students and 1- Graphic Design class with 5 students. That’s a total of 29 possible entries. She is predicting we will have between 20 and 25 entries. Our 2014 poster has been updated and is ready for print. Joanne sent an invitation for the 2014 artist, Yuliana Palacios and her family to attend the opening day ceremonies where Yuliana will be introduced by her teacher and receive recognition for this year’s poster. If Yuliana is unavailable, Ms. Sarr will introduce a couple of participating students and have them talk about this year’s campaign. There was extra space in the City of Auburn spring/summer recreation guide, so our 2014 market poster will be featured in that seasonal publication. Also, our first five years of market posters are on display in the board room at the Administration building for the month of February and Ms. Sarr mentioned that when the new building is completed, all of our market posters will be on permanent display. The location is TBD. There is water leaking into our storage area and the City of Auburn, Facilities has sent a letter to the building owner asking him to review. We have 2 canning demonstrations scheduled. In June, traditional and low sugar jams and jellies and in August, canning, freezing and juicing the backyard fruit. These demos will be conducted by Mr. Hal Meng. He is the Master Food Preserver who did our canning demonstrations in 2013 and he will be paid using KCD grant funds. We are also trying to get Chef Baylor from Green River College to return. Chances are good he will return and there are a couple of new instructors at Green River that may be interested as well. We also have Ciscoe Morris coming on June 15th. He is the perfect way to start the season and remind our community that the market is open for the summer. th Marianne Binetti will return on September 7, which is our Vendor Appreciation Day. She wants to focus her presentation on some of the vendors that will be at the market that day. Her topic will be: How Does Your Garden Grow? – Best Plants and Ideas for Our Area! Ciscoe Morris and Marianne Binetti will also be paid with KCD grant funds. 2 All permits from the Department of Health have been applied for and the City of Auburn is working on renewing our license with Sound Transit which includes utilizing the bus lane. Joanne has also applied for the right-of-way use permit. This permit closes B Street between West Main and A Street and allows us use of the kiss & ride lot. The Mayors of Algona, Auburn and Pacific have been invited to attend our opening day ceremony. Joanne is continuing to recruit vendors, secure entertainment and finalize theme days. Four volunteer meetings have been scheduled for the preseason. One in March, one in th April and two in May. Our first volunteer meeting scheduled for March 13. IV. Council report – Bill Peloza Discussion about the cities of Algona and Pacific, perhaps the AIFM could have a booth at their community days events. Bill suggests we give them booth fees for that week, however they must participate financially at the beginning of the year. Bill will contact council of the cities. $15,000 grant from King Conservation District, they have a good rapport with Bill. The funding comes from taxation to King County property owners. They also grant funds to Mary Olson Farm. Volunteers – Very concerned about volunteer burn out, set up and take down is a very big chore. Julie Krueger has some Clean Sweep contacts we could call, perhaps Saturday church goers. We could donate our marketing dollars to churches in exchange for 2 or 3 volunteers each week. We could do the same for service clubs such as Kiwanis, Lions, Soroptimist. We need to get something lined up. Bill suggests we send the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe a market application. Bill thanks Linda Morris and Tren Walker for continuing on the board for another term. V. Correspondence/Public Input Board member Maggie Greenslit asks if the Neely Mansion Association would want a (non- profit) booth at the market. Maggie has given a band leader of a rock & roll band Joanne’s contact information so they can set something up for this year at the market. Maggie will contact groups for International Day. Power poles on Division Street have power at the top of the poles, but there is no water per Mike Miller at Parks Maintenance. The City of Algona website does not mention anything about the Auburn International Farmers Market, or volunteering at the market. Would like to get that included. Board member Tren Walker recommends the volunteer meetings be on week-ends for younger volunteers, Tren is in Bellevue and can’t make the meetings during a week-day. Tren will draft a letter to service clubs regarding volunteer needs. 3 IX. A volunteer coordinator could schedule set up, take down and other duties as needed. Will put on agenda for the next volunteer meeting. Board member Christian McLendon has investigated the use of an online application which includes a portal to Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and more. Once you build a community of followers you can track their demographics and target them for certain interests pertaining to their needs. The cost is $70 per month, and it can be set up in one hour, it’s that easy. Market Manager Joanne Macnab has added the question regarding adding three weeks on to the end of the market season to the vendor survey. VI. Old Business Bill asks how we are spending marketing funds? Facebook ads, two mailings. Board member Ronnie Roberts suggests putting a flyer in utility bills, kid mail through the schools, reader boards, raffles. Arts & Events Manager Julie Krueger and Market Manager Joanne Macnab have put together an advertising budget. VII. New Business VIII. Board Recommendations/Input Board member Christian McLendon asks if we should have an Algona Day and Pacific Day at the market, perhaps with a fundraiser. Regarding their lack of participation, Christian asks how it’s advantageous for their cities to donate funds. Bill replies the market advertises for their cities. Council Member Bill Peloza suggests we post a photo on Facebook of the high school market posters. We should also have just one Facebook administrator. The board selected Trudy Ginther as Facebook adminstrator. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:48 pm. The next meeting will be held March 28, 3:00 pm. Approved this ______ Day of _________, 2014 ____________________________________ Trudy Ginther, Chair 4