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Composting Presentation

Hosted by North Coast CAFF at the Spring 08 General Members Meeting

Presented by Rick Kaye - Sonoma County Compost Club Leader and Local Composting Expert.

Date: Monday, April 28, 2008

Time: 7:00 -8:00pm

Current Projects

Buy Fresh Buy Local comes to the North Coast!

How it works:

1. Farmers sign up to participate, which means they will be identified on the shelf at the market or are able to use the label and other materials on their own.
2. Retailers sign up to participate labeling local farms products in their stores.
3. CAFF creates tools like the Local Food Guides to help consumers find local food in their area.

Download our county-specific local food guides for several North Coast Counties!

			For local food in other counties, including Lake and Mendocino, visit our online guide!
Sonoma County Local Food Guide (PDF)	Marin County Local Food Guide (PDF)	Napa County Local Food Guide (PDF)

Upcoming Events

Spring 2008 North Coast Chapter Letter

Hi North Coast Chapter Members,

Spring greetings! At our annual meeting in December we reconstituted our Steering Committee as a Leadership Circle with various members taking on specific tasks. At monthly meetings since then several ideas have been developed. There is a high level of volunteer activity being spent on chapter programs now. Our spring 08 chapter meeting is scheduled for April 28 6:15 at the Environmental Center, 55 Ridgeway in Santa Rosa. Go west of college from 101, turn right on Cleveland, go 2 blocks and left on Ridgeway to 55 just over 1 block. After a short business meeting we will have a

Composting Presentation

Hosted by North Coast CAFF at the Spring 08 General Members Meeting

Presented by Rick Kaye - Sonoma County Compost Club Leader and Local Composting Expert

Date: Monday, April 28, 2008

Time: 7:00 -8:00pm

Rick Kaye will present and lead discussion on a broad array of aspects and facts associated with the composting process; including emerging resources and issues in the region, considerations for farmers and landowners to compost more efficiently, along with many other interesting and valuable elements associated with successful composting.

The General Plan 2020 deliberations by the Board of Supervisors are almost over after 6 years of meetings and hearings. There was progress on getting increased recognition for farming in the AR zones, an issue we have worked hard on. On the issue of riparian setbacks where we negotiated at some length with the Sierra Club and other groups to reach a common stand, a watered down version was agreed to at the meeting April 14 allowing roads and turn arounds within the riparian setback. Wendy Krupnik, Steve Schwartz and I spoke at various hearings representing CAFF and we attended most of the sessions when the Board deliberated.

We are supporting the Drake’s Bay Oyster Farm in their efforts to remain a sustainable farming operation at Point Reyes. The oysters clean up nutrients in the bay, keeping the water cleaner than it would be otherwise. Their lease is set to run out 2012 and they want to get an extension. National Park Service wants them out of the National seashore.

As a member of the Sonoma County Water Coalition, CAFF joined 15 other members and one individual in filing a Writ of Mandate over deficiencies in the Sonoma County Water Agency’s Urban Water Management Plan.   Details are on the scwatercoalition.org web site. A prime issue is whether the Water Agency will be able to obtain enough water to meet its commitments over the next 20 years. Following preliminary hearings and depositions over the past several months, a court date has been set for May 29. Our activities and tabling at events has increased chapter membership about 20% over the past year.

Farm tours are planned more often than in the past. Our first this year was at Clark Summit Farm near Tomales where pigs range freely and chickens range within large pens. (My granddaughter and a friend had the greatest time with piglets only hours old).

Other issue we are working on is cold storage for farmers to extend their season and processing facilities.   There is considerable interest in a local slaughtering plant that could certify meat. We have a grant pending to look at the need, existing facilities and possible funding for facilities.   We are working with other organizations and agencies on this.

How can you help? Come to the meeting on April 28th and get involved in an activity of your choice. The other way is to send a contribution towards funding a part time staff person. The funding the chapter receives now is $ 10 out of membership dues which about covers letters such as this.   To help, send a contribution to CAFF PO Box 363, Davis, CA 95616 and mark on the memo line: North Coast.

Please join us April 28

Terry Harrison, President

fresh@hughes.net