Meeting Information
I. Administrative items (Marlin Bates; 7:00 PM)
a. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
b. Approval of December meeting minutes
c. New member updates:
i. At-Large Appointee by Commissioner Gaughan—TBD
ii. Ag Producer, City Appointment—John Pendleton
iii. Sustainability Advisory Board Liaison—TBD
d. Discussion of 2016 Meeting Time and Dates
i. Consideration of 6pm-8pm; Confirmation of each Monday
e. Review Subcommittee membership and meeting times
f. Discussion of new member orientation
II. Food System Assessment Update (Helen Schnoes; 7:20 PM)
a. Review Statement of Purpose (attached)
III. Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant Update—7:30 PM (Helen Schnoes)
a. Announcement of consultant
b. Vote to send Market leaders to regional workshop in Olathe March 11: $160
IV. Climate Adaptation Report Overview (Eileen Horn; 7:40 PM)
a. Discussion of avenues for FPC action
V. Fresh Farm HQ Food Hub Update – 8:00 PM (Jill Elmers)
VI. Subcommittee Reports – 8:05 PM
• City (Crystal Hammerschmidt)
i. Urban Ag update
• County (Helen Schnoes)
i. Incubator Kitchen Postcard and website update
• Community (Carol Gilmore)
i. Communications Plan
ii. FPC Elevator Pitch
VII. Public comments – 8:40 PM
a. Trina McClure and Mary Beth Duda on Women in Food & Agriculture Conference
VIII. FPC member updates – 8:50PM
IX. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00PM
Present: William Vesecky, Jill Elmers, Ashley Jones-Wisner, Carol Gilmore, Marlin Bates, Crystal Hammerschmidt, Kim Criner, Jen Humphrey, Russell Mullin, Chris Tilden, Jennifer Kongs, Jan Hornberger, TK Peterson, Carolyn Wulfkuhle, Scott Thellman, John Pendleton
Absent: Tyra Kalman-Crouch, Pattie Johnston, Brady Pollington, Elizabeth Burger, Aundrea Shafer
Staff: Eileen Horn, Helen Schnoes
Public: Liz Blackburn, Mary Beth Duda, Lisa Thresher, Trina McClure
I. Administrative items (Marlin Bates; 7:00 PM)
Marlin thanked Jill Elmers for her service in 2015 as DCFPC Chair.
a. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval (Elmers, Thellman—all approved)
b. Approval of December meeting minutes
i. Gilmore noted need to clarify that Chefs Challenge was transitioned to Extension Master Gardeners.
ii. Tilden, Thellman—all approved
c. New member updates:
i. At-Large Appointee by Commissioner Gaughan—Joshua Falleaf Will pursue with Commissioner Gaughan. Falleaf works as Dean of Arts and Humanities at Haskell Indian Nations University and serves on the Lawrence Arts Commission and Lawrence Arts Center board, providing great new connections for the DCFPC in the community.
ii. Ag Producer, City Appointment—John Pendleton John shared that he and his wife farm between Lawrence and Eudora. They planted their first asparagus plain in 1980. Now they grow a variety of vegetables, flowers, and hydroponic tomatoes. John serves on the boards of the Lawrence Farmers’ Market and Growing Lawrence. They also sell at the Wednesday Clinton Parkway Market. The Pendleton’s operate a CSA, including sales to County employees.
iii. Sustainability Advisory Board Liaison—Michael Morely or Michael Steinel Neither in attendance, both serve on SAB and interested in FPC service. Helen will follow up.
iv. Move to recommend Joshua and John to Commissioners: Elmers, Gilmore—all approved
d. Discussion of 2016 Meeting Time and Dates
i. Consideration of 6pm-8pm; Confirmation of each Monday
ii. The group discussed potential changes to the time, consideration of travel across the county, accommodating various professions (growers need to take advantage of summer sunlight) and the desire to recommence community presentations before each meeting.
iii. Tilden moved to move meetings to 6:30pm-8:30pm, seconded by Mullin—all approved
iv. Group discussed anticipated conflicts with national holidays; Thellman moved to change meetings to November 14, December 12, and January 23, 2017; seconded by Peterson—all approved.
e. Review Subcommittee membership and meeting times <postponed below>
f. Discussion of new member orientation
i. Community subcommittee members presented their discussion of the number of new members for 2016 and newer members from 2015—about ten. Group considered aligning with February full council meeting.
ii. Decided Helen will consult with leadership and Community Subcommittee to determine path forward. Helen will send out Doodle poll to new members to schedule orientation before February meeting.
II. Food System Assessment Update (Helen Schnoes; 7:20 PM)
a. Review Statement of Purpose (attached)
i. Helen presented draft statement of purpose. Those that have comments or questions should contact Helen: hschnoes@dgcoks.gov
ii. Marlin reminded that we discussed last month that each member should review with their “sector hat” on. Carol wondered if agriculture should be highlighted more.
III. Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant Update—7:30 PM (Helen Schnoes; Marlin Bates)
a. Announcement of consultant—Marlin bates reminded that the County Subcommittee met with county FM leaders in December. County released a RFP, received 4 proposals end of December. Interviewed SCALE (from Virginia, conducted Food Hub study) and Community Roots (from Vermont). Selection committee decided to hire SCALE, who prepared a phenomenal proposal.
i. Helen will see if the SCALE proposal can be shared.
b. Vote to send Market leaders to regional workshop in Olathe March 11: $160
i. Marlin presented the idea to use FPC funds to send our county FM leaders to the regional training in March--$20 per registration. He reminded that funds remained at the end of 2015; full FPC budget is $6,800. Jill wondered if there was specific content on market governance (the answer is no) and Jennifer suggested the managers consider coming to present to the FPC as others have done with receiving FPC funds.
ii. Elmers moves to approve funding, Peterson seconds—all approved.
IV. Climate Adaptation Report Overview (Eileen Horn; 7:40 PM)
a. Eileen presented on the Climate Adaptation Report she prepared with her colleagues in the region and the state climatologists. (See included slides.) Key question was that the report mostly looks at impact on municipal services, such as landscaping changes, heat concerns for outdoor labor, building climate control changes, etc. However, the report didn’t give much consideration to the impact of climate change on area agriculture.
b. Discussion of avenues for FPC action
i. Jill asked how the DCFPC can be proactive, with a key focus on education—looking in and outside the community to maintain our local food system into the coming century.
ii. Eileen shared that projections show the “breadbasket” will move from KS to Manitoba; Helen shared that the Great Plains Growers Conference included presentations about how pest management will be changed by migration and lack of winter kill-off.
iii. Marlin noted that increased spring precipitation and increased excessive rainfall events along with longer, drier summers, irrigation needs could be addressed through runoff retention on the farm.
1. Could DCFPC advocate for additional funding for our Conservation District to begin supporting all farmers (currently have a 20-acre minimum); specifically helping them retain more water on the farm that could be used for irrigation?
iv. The group considered who at K-State, KU, elsewhere is working on this. Carol reminded that Kim Criner and Community Sub. are considering which local experts the FPC could reach out with relevant expertise. Jen shared that experts with KU Biodiversity Institute researching progression of invasive pests and zoonotic diseases. They are considering what can and cannot survive with temperature increases.
v. Group wondered who the right messengers are for this conversation/information. Potential for spurring workshops/trainings for all farmers in the county.
vi. Helen noted that this could take on a place in the Food Plan. Eileen agreed that elements such as Conservation District funding fall under local policy actions.
vii. Eileen will look at how other FPCs are working on the issue; How can we help our producers be more resilient? This is just the beginning of the conversation.
V. Fresh Farm HQ Food Hub Update – 8:00 PM (Jill Elmers)
Jill shared that the Food Hub “launched” at the Great Plains Growers Conference Jan 7-9, collected the names of 15-18 growers. Great opportunity for new director to meet the community of farmers. At the last meeting they discussed fundraising and financial outlook for pilot season. Hope to present at the Slow Money NE KS Entrepreneurial showcase to find investors interested in making loans for working capital. Pursuing work with Greater KC Health Foundation, too. The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant the group received operates strictly on a reimbursement basis. The food hub will soon have an application for farmers to become coop members. Will next present at the MO Organics Conference in Springfield.
VI. Subcommittee Reports – 8:05 PM
City (Crystal Hammerschmidt)
i. Subcommittee did not meet in January. Awaiting an update from Mary Miller to continue working on revisions following the December 14 presentation of the text amendment draft to the Planning Commission. Chicken slaughter for personal use and on-site sales in residential neighborhoods were two biggest issues of concern for Commissioners. FPC encouraged the Commission to revise the draft’s definition and regulation around an “Urban Farm.” Helen will reach out to Mary Miller to determine timeline and help with revisions.
ii. Eileen encouraged the group to look at areas where compromise can ensure big wins are achieved and we keep building a positive, trustworthy process with Planning staff and the Commission. This will set a good foundation for future engagement with Food Plan and other urban ag issues that arise.
iii. Eileen shared that the Common Ground applications will go out on January 21 and the City Subcommittee will review them in February. There will be two new site:
1. 815 Oak, formerly leased by JCCC Student Farm—now partnering with Habitat for Humanity who built a house on part of the site.
2. Holcom Park, with Parks & Rec, hope to create a community garden for neighbors in the area
County (Helen Schnoes)
i. Helen shared the draft design for a marketing postcard to distribute as part of the rebranding of the incubator kitchen at the Fairgrounds as “Culinary Commons.” Helen is working with the County Webmaster to build a webpage for the kitchen and communicate its features and provide resources. Marlin reminded the FPC approved $700 for this branding work and that we have received very impressive work by Millspaugh Designs.
ii. Marlin highlighted that the County Subcommittee needs a Chair.
iii. County Subcommittee will work with county FM managers to determine if they would like to join with the County Subcommittee to manage the developments with the FMPP grant.
Community (Carol Gilmore)
i. The group considered voting on the drafted Communications Plan, but determined to postpone into February. Eileen reminded that the bylaws include communications-related goals that should be in alignment with Plan.
ii. Carol shared that the Community Subcommittee is working on developing an “elevator speech” about the FPC to effectively and succinctly communicate the purpose of the DCFPC.
iii. Subcommittee members shared the idea of creating a mentorship opportunity among new and returning members. Newer members will consider what type of mentorship they would prefer.
1. Helen reminded members they can always follow up with one another about any type of topic or question. Will be sending out everyone’s updated contact information soon.
iv. Carol and Helen shared a suggested list of 2016 locations for meetings:
1. Lawrence Medical Hospital
2. Lecompton (new summer food program)
3. Lawrence Public Schools (highlight on new kitchen funded by the bond)
4. Baldwin City: Where?? Group suggested the Lodge with Peach Madl
5. Market on Main in Eudora
6. KU Student Farm? (Scott Thellman offered his farm as rain location). Considering a non-KU option, too.
7. New ag producer’s farm (Pendleton’s or Vesecky’s)
8. KU Biological Survey
9. Brenna’s farm
10. Haskell
11. KU Dining
Subcommittee members and meeting times
i. Eileen provided the background that subcommittees exist to get work done. Initially they were topic-focused, but now they operate by level of governance—City subcommittee works on city issues; county subcommittee works on county-wide issues; Community subcommittee works on outreach and with other partners. Each is the “face” of the FPC with that facet of local government to help get things accomplished.
ii. New members chose an initial subcommittee and they all met to set a tentative meeting time/location for the year. THESE TIMES/DAYS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!
1. City: Second Tuesday at 5:30 at the Lawrence Public Library
2. County: Second Wednesday at 8:15am at The Merc
3. Community: First Friday at 7:30am at The Merc
VII. Public comments – 8:40 PM
a. Trina McClure and Mary Beth Duda on Women in Food & Agriculture Conference
i. Mary Beth: FPC gave her funding for conference in Iowa. She shared that it was a really great experience, as she’s new to the agriculture scene; and, it was great to see women come together. She wasn’t focused on policy side, but got to meet Crystal who also attended. It was great to meet folks in the community and in others. Mary Beth as been a Lawrence resident for 5 years and she appreciates knowing there are other women and professionals who have questions similar to hers and an interest in finding answers. She also learned about Cottage
Laws, which regulate home and small-scale production of food and other goods for sale. She also met someone from KCMO.
ii. Trina McCLure: Her reactions were in line with what Mary Beth said. There was a lot of talking about the difficulties that women have in agriculture. They used a feminist framework. Keynote speaker was Dr. Kimmerer and she presented about botany and indigenous knowledge systems—very different than the traditional way these topics are considered. She shared that they didn’t go in there with knowledge of what the FPC “needed” or “wanted”. The conference had a pollinator focus, which a lot of people in Kansas are interested in, and how to diversify systems to support them. Ultimately, she said that if the FPC knows what it wants to learn then it’s advantageous to send people. With that said, she suspects there are conferences in KS that are just as good. Sessions were packed, fast, small, not a lot of time to network with people, which proved challenging. There was not enough focus on their various topic areas. Still, she appreciates the funds to register.
iii. Jill reminded that funding their trip isn’t about just doing the FPC’s work—offering a resource to support the community. Crystal noted that others could benefit too. One of Crystal’s big takeaways (she also attended) is that we do have strong women. Jennifer shared that the info takeaways were Iowa-specific, which was limiting.
b. Lisa Thresher and Liz Blackburn from EPA Region 7 attended, and mentioned that they were curious to learn more about the work of the DCFPC and see if there’s potential to collaborate at some point. The City Subcommittee shared it hopes to work on food waste in the coming year, a new goal of the EPA. They can be reached at thresher.lisa@epa.gov and blackburn.liz@epa.gov
VIII. FPC member updates – 8:50PM
i. Helen shared that at 4pm Wednesday 1/20 staff will present an annual report to the County Commission to highlight work of the FPC
1. Marlin highlighted what having a food systems coordinator has done to excel the work of the FPC and what it’s allowed Eileen to do more of in her job.
2. Jen mentioned that Commissioners have been impressed in the past by how members of the FPC show up. 3. Pattie shared (via Helen) that the Lawrence Public Library's seed library will open on Thursday, February 18th. Free seeds to anyone interested; variety of both flower and vegetable seeds. No charge but each person is asked to take no more than 10 packets. Honor system. Packets available at the cabinet next to the Ask Desk. Questions: contact Melissa a the Information Services desk, 843-3833 ext 113
ii. John Pendleton announced that at 6:30 on Wednesday 1/20 Growing Lawrence will hold its annual meeting at Hank Charcuterie.
IX. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00PM
Hornberger, Kongs—all approved
Time and Date