Co-op Meetings

Last Meeting: July 22, 2008
in Venables Valley. Attendance: Michelle, Ron, Jim, Dominique, Tim, Yoginath

Ecovillage zoning? we should align with current groups:
OUR Ecovillage
Yarrow Ecovillage

Potential partners will be here august 12/3 looking to create or join an intentional community

add to rules: abide by SVHI principal and rules

potential to buy lodge for health/yoga/nutrtional retreats to create local employment - access to facility by locals

need good communication with SVHI about co-op plans

Jakob from WD was in the valley for a visit After the feasibility study, we can apply for next phase financing

FCC is willing to finance pipeline project in 2 phases bridge loan would require signature from members the second phase would need subdivided land
could be collateral

Co-op will make a presentation at the next SVHI meeting in mid September

Meeting: July 14, 2008
Location: Venables Valley - In attendance: Michelle, Jim, Ron, Dominique, Tim

- need to build membership
- presentation of co-op reports/ideas at the next SVHI annual general meeting in September

WD funding for pine beetle composting project
-at the next stage
-first stage: gather data
-$29k is enough for only a feasibility study (hire a UBC student or project manager)
-will need $300k for a pilot project for higher loggers, contractors and heavy equipment
-Jim Lambert at the compost facility is offering his machinery and land
-they sell 'now certified organic' compost for $500 for a B train load
-John has the logging equipment

South End Growing Plan
-irrigation
-2 acres in 2009

separate website
-business plan is on website
-newsletter

loan/financials
- $10K loan paid back by Bala

Farm Credit Canada
-Subdivision Lots 18 and 19 -430 acres
-looking for an interim, unsecured bridge loan for subdivision -$15k (members would have to co-sign)
-interest only loan - year 1
-Jim met with Diane Murphy from Abbotsford
-will send assessor for the land value
-will fund business plans
-what is the yearly tax implications?
-need $100k for capital infrastructure for 50 acres (tractor, 10 inch pipe to swami mills, south end irrigation)

TO DO
-update of phase 1 development for co-op farm
-find out cost of subdividing and classification - what is tax status (forest management/reserve?) classification code vs agri/farm status land
-Ron will re-write co-op rules based on changes made by Marty

Previous Meetings

AGM January 15, 2008
In recognition of the 16 month anniversary of incorporation, The Venables Valley Producers Co-op is having its first Annual General Meeting on January 15, 2008. All co-op members are invited to attend.

Agenda
-Report from the 4 directors
-Outstanding Issues: water pipeline plan, food co-op, land acquisition, Not-for-Profit status
-Grant and funding proposals (outstanding and future)
-Board Elections: President: Michelle Fisher; Secretary/Treasurer: Ron Schnider; Same directors
-Business and Farming plans for 2008
-Updates to the business plan

June 10, 2007
Attendance: Michelle, Ron, Bala
-talk with Marty Frost about business plan and co-op funding
-co-ops can obtain funding from NDIT and BC Ag (biofuel) for business plan developement
-we need to expand Co-op Development Plan and write a formal community business plan
-An inventory of farmers, farm land and resources will be done by Michele
-we should connect with the another co-op farms in BC
-Marty can be contracted for $20k to write the business plan needed to secure further financing.
-there are similar projects: Keating Community Farm Cooperative in Duncan and the HORSE LAKE COMMUNITY FARM Co-op in South Cariboo
-Scope of Community Business Plan: feasibility study, environmental assessment, ownership model, membership agreement
-Co-op would manage the water distribution, maintenance, metering and billing (shared revenues with SVHI)
-Co-op currently has a food buying group
-Other functions of Co-op: business entity for development, facilitate financing, value-added processing kitchen, support to farmers, help create local economy, lease land (and vacant homes) for farmers, marketing products, writing 10 year plan for community
-Individual farm plans are needed: crops, water needs (feet of water/acre), in field irrigation (approx. $800 per acre)
-funding can be obtained from Northern Development Initiative (NDIT) to write a community business plan for organic food production (soil composition, growing charts, water engineering plan, economic rational/viability)
-NDIT can give grants or secure a loan (contact Jeanean North)
-funding from BCAA for $15-20K projects
-funding can be obtained from Ag Canada to write a business plan for a biofuel production plant and depot
-Ag Canada's Specialized Farm Business Planning Services and Planning and Assessment for Value-Added Enterprises
-once the the business plan is complete and the funding secured, the co-op will work on building the irrigation and farming infrastructure
-Next Steps:
1. Membership Drive
2. AG CDI funding for value-added and Biofuel (capital development, knowledge development and technical work)
3. Submit business plan proposal to NDIT in mid August
4. Inventory of People/Land/Resources
5. Crop plan for the valley

Meeting Archive
March 31, 2007 in Venables Valley
Attendance: Michelle, Ron, Dominique, Bala
-Leadership training and Co-operative Development Training
-Short term goals: Co-op networking, alliance with credit union, "kitchen meetings", seed saving, sponsor event at opera house, inventory of resources
-possible committees to form: fundraising, membership, policy, outreach to community

February 4, 2007 in Venables Valley
Attendance: Michelle, Ron, Dominique
-Incorporation certificate received
-Treasurer to open bank account for $240
-relationship with svhi / water project (discuss with bala)
-hire consultant to create a business plan (coop, valley, individual)
-clarification mandate
-application for cdi training: michele to get in touch with someone at Cooperative Secretariat
-more work on website needed

September 22, 2006 in Venables Valley
Attendance: Michelle, Ron, Bala
-Subscription form approved on the Co-op officially incorporated on September 15
-Cost of incorporation: $360
-Study of local Co-ops (i.e. Kootenay Co-op)
-Inventory of valley land, equipment and human resources