Board Meeting Notes, from April 4, 2009

Mission Statement. The development of a vision for our enterprise will help to shape our organizational mission, which in turn will allow the Board to prioritize activities and strategically choose a direction for Wise Worm. Please check out the post from Friday, April 24th to add your thoughts to the list of words and phrases. At the next meeting, I will compile these for additional discussion.
Operations. We did get a price quoted to put the road in to the back field, where the operation will be moved permanently. We are considering building the road in two stages; the first stage will cross the mucky drainage the borders the field. We have made significant progress toward filing with the state: 1) thanks to Paul, we have a draft waste management plan; 2) we have a friendly rapport with the Act 250 office, and are in the process of writing our narrative for a possible permit; 3) we dug the test pit in the back field and it looks encouraging (3 ft, no water; 6 ft, no bedrock). We discussed purchasing a temperature probe at $110, and plan to do that shortly.
Incorporation. We discussed incorporating as an L3C (limited liability corporation with an educational mission). Suggestions were made to contact the following organizations for information and technical assistance: VT Composting Association and the Highfields Institute for sample bilaws; Clark Atwell, local business attorney; UVM Cooperative Extension Women's Agricultural Network; VT Small Business Development Association; NEKCA small business support center (Emily will provide contact info); Northeastern Vermont Development Association, the Charles Carter Center.
New Developments. A request for residential foodwaste drop-off was made by a local family to start in June; Marcus connected us with Burke Mountain Academy, interested in starting a composting program; four opportunities were offered for us to collect additional ammedment: two prodigious manure supplies, woodchips from Eric Davis, and shredded paper from Burke Recycling Center; the Town of Burke is interested in a community foodwaste collection site at the recycling center.
Next meeting: May 23rd. 6:00 pm Potluck at the LaPointe's house
Next Agenda: 1) up-dates on permitting, 2) Mission and Vision statements, 3) continuation of work on management plan, 4) educational program development for schools and community, 5) new opportunities. Please comment to add to the agenda.

New Windrow 09-01

Howdy! We just created a new windrow in the back field which will ultimately be the home of the whole operation. It is windrow 09-01, shown unfinished, upper left. It includes uncooked parts of our original windrow, which Matty and I are digging into in the photo below. We will move this older pile to make room for a road out to the field. Much of the pile is finished and will be screened for our first sales! The road will be a welcome development for Taloulabelle the Tractor and me. It is still mud season in the Northeast Kingdom.

Creating a Vision

Welcome! Wise Worm is building it's vision and mission. I'd like to use this post to start a community brain storm. What words or phrases do you think could provide direction to Wise Worm Composting?

Some that I remember being bandied about by the Board:
...educational... completing the circle... diverting food waste... supporting organic growers... encouraging community change...

Stacy said: "I just wanted to pass this along..I read an article a few weeks ago and thought it might be a niche for Wise Worm..."

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/%27Recession_gardens%27_replace_victory_gardens

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/01/recession.garden/index.html?iref=t2test_livingwed

Here's an article link from Libre, who says "I was speaking with a fellow at the bakery about composting, and what Emily told us about Daffodils. He said after you use the bulbs, and cut the flowers, you could dry the bulbs and use them as a fuel source, then you can have the ash tested to see exactly what they were leaching out of the soil. He seemed knowledgeable. He is planning on heating his home with Radiant/compost."

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2008-10-01/Aminopyralid-Garden-Threat.aspx

Wise Worm's First Post

The business is really born! Thank you to all of our supporters and detractors who have spurred our professional efforts to date. This is our first BLOG entry. Next, will be the minutes of the Board.