Three cheers (or more if you feel inclined) – the bunny problem is under control and the plants chewed by them previously are recovering strongly. So thanks to all who have been there – entering and leaving via the door - the system is working.

The [...]]]> July 22, 2010: Update

Te Matuku:

Three cheers (or more if you feel inclined) – the bunny problem is under control and the plants chewed by them previously are recovering strongly. So thanks to all who have been there – entering and leaving via the door - the system is working.

The 2500 garlic plants are thriving and a good harvest looks likely. The broad beans and brassicas are doing well and we will have an almost continuous supply of beetroot and leeks for some time. A large planting of turnips was completed recently. Plantings of red cabbage, green cabbage, broccoli, onions, carrots and bok choy are planned during the next month.

We are half way through our first winter at Te Matuku and in the process of a useful learning curve. The culvert has made a tremendous difference, allowing us to visit regularly to monitor the condition of the land after rain. We have identified the wettest areas and are working out ways of coping. The great news is the land is very fertile and almost all of it should be usable even in the wettest weather.

Putiki Rd:

Five beds have been prepared and two planted out. Further plantings are planned during the next month. We hope to organise an ‘official’ opening/planting day soon - so be prepared. We will also clear land and prepare more beds further down the section.

If you’d love to meet the land at Te Matuku or Putiki Road (and can help with a bit of work at the same time), especially mid week, please let Brian know on 372 7662.

Task Teams:

The Task Team Group (Pete, Glenda, Louise, Graeme, Sally, Marta, Colin and Brian) has been hard at work and have made good progress on the eight task descriptions. Some fine tuning is required but they should be ready for signing off by mid-August in time for the new subscription round.

Task descriptions are the framework for the formation of the Task Teams, (hereafter TT. The Task Teams were referred to briefly in the last newsletter. As a reminder, they are Growing, Governance, Produce Distribution, Putiki Road Development, Fundraising, Internal Communication, Finance and Administration and Promotion.

We feel pretty sure some of you are just dying to join a Task Team. Feeling shy or uncertain? Please don’t! Think you don’t know enough to help? This is about learning for all of us. We’re all really nice people and work in a cooperative and supportive way.

So pick up the phone and call Pete Russell on 372 5090 to discuss how you can fit in. We’re looking forward to seeing you.

A members’ meeting was held on May 31 which looked at lessons learned and the way forward for the Waiheke CSA.

Take a look at single page of outcomes and future plans for the next year or so.

TE MATUKU UPDATE: A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OPENS

At Te Matuku [...]]]> June 2010: Update

MEMBERS’ MEETING: FEASIBILITY OUTCOMES

A members’ meeting was held on May 31 which looked at lessons learned and the way forward for the Waiheke CSA.

Take a look at single page of outcomes and future plans for the next year or so.

TE MATUKU UPDATE: A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OPENS

At Te Matuku on Sunday May 29 the weather was fine and the culvert (mentioned in the previous newsletter) was completed (see below). As aresult Robin, Jennifer and Brian, in three hours, achieved a mammoth planting of scores of brassicas, kale and broad beans. A large scale planting of garlic is still to go ahead as soon as the weather is suitable. We look forward to having more members take part.

Following a CSA Management committee meeting on 29 April, Rob and Graeme looked at the 10 Putiki Road site to decide what needed to be done to get it ready for planting and to plan an access pathway from the road.

The site is able to be [...]]]> May 2010: Update

PUTIKI ROAD SITE DEVELOPMENT, May 12:

Following a CSA Management committee meeting on 29 April, Rob and Graeme looked at the 10 Putiki Road site to decide what needed to be done to get it ready for planting and to plan an access pathway from the road.

The site is able to be developed in stages, with the first stage being the 3 beds nearest the road. Rob cleared this area of weeds and rubbish, and Brian and Graeme checked on the condition of the soil underneath the weed matting. The soil is very compacted and the beds will require careful preparation before they can be planted out. This preparation may take some weeks to complete.

At the time of the first planting, which is likely to be in June, it is proposed to hold a Putiki Rd event to which we could invite the wider community.

Several tasks have been identified where an hour or so volunteer labour is needed in the next few weeks, in likely order:

• preparing the first raised bed as a trial, including adding soil, mulch and manure.
  ( to be done during the next week or so)
• clearing, and removing the matting from the remaining beds.
• building a ground level frame (if needed) for a tank.
• moving the tank on site (Claire has a spare water tank that can be relocated and used for watering.)
• forming an access pathway from the road
• constructing compost bins
• preparing the remaining 2 beds assuming the first bed trial was successful.
• planting of winter crops to proceed when bed preparation is completed satisfactorily

While some tasks might require working bees, others only require one or two extra pairs of hands for an hour or so at a time.

If you are able to help in any of these tasks, please phone Rob (8885) or Graeme (6211). (If you don’t get one, ring the other).

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Kirsten Anderson, the owner of 10 Putiki Rd, for letting us use her land. Her generosity is greatly appreciated.

TE MATUKU REPORT, May 5 2010:

A small and industrious team can do wonders in no time at all. We did that yesterday when Jennifer, Robin, Lincoln and Brian visited the Farm. Weeding the leeks was the main task – and they are doing so well despite the rabbits.

We also cut down some long grass in preparation for today’s (Wednesday May 5) roto tilling of the whole site. And all of this was achieved in two hours. The sun shone and the site looked fabulous.

The latest crop of beetroot is amazing and the new Rebar netting tunnel tells the rabbits we mean business. See photographs.

Jennifer and Brian spent time talking to Rob Fenwick. He continues to be very positive about and supportive of the project. His purchasing of an annual membership adds to the list of generous gestures on his part. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. Our discussion with Rob ranged over cash crops, membership, future prospects and winter access.

A culvert is to be installed later this month which will make this year’s winter access so much easier. The Trustees are also about to finalise a formal agreement with Rob for use of the land over the next five years.

Click here for an update from Jennifer Fountain on the progress of the feasibility study.

2. Pumpkin Harvest Day, Saturday April 10:

Pumpkins are ready so come and pick your own!

Harvest, sausage BBQ and mingle with fellow CSA crazies.

Saturday April [...]]]> April 6 2010: NEWSLETTER #5:

1. Feasibility study update:

Click here for an update from Jennifer Fountain on the progress of the feasibility study.

2. Pumpkin Harvest Day, Saturday April 10:

Pumpkins are ready so come and pick your own!

Harvest, sausage BBQ and mingle with fellow CSA crazies.

Saturday April 10th: 11am – mid afternoon. BBQ from 12ish.

Car pool leaves Onetangi Ratepayers Hall at 10.30am sharp. Returns from 1pm. Otherwise make your own way down to the Te Matuku plot.

Rob Fenwick kindly providing the snarlers, so please bring a bit of something else to share around.

See you there!

3. Red Shed clock auction

Rob Vaassen, a member of the CSA management team with unflagging energy, created a wonderful fundraising event on Saturday April 3rd with the Red Shed clock auction.

The event was a great success with well known Waiheke artists creating clocks for the auction and I’ve heard that several thousand dollars were raised, of which CSA will receive a portion.

So big BIG thanks to Rob. Your energy and enthusiasm is amazing. Thank you.

Two main things to cover here:

1. CROP UPDATE AND HARVEST TOTALS TO DATE:

As at March 1, 2010 the amount of food to come out [...]]]> MARCH 7 2010: NEWSLETTER #4:

Apologies for such a long delay since the last website update but hopefully Sue Connor’s informative emails to subscribers throughout February have kept everyone in the loop!

Two main things to cover here:

1. CROP UPDATE AND HARVEST TOTALS TO DATE:

As at March 1, 2010 the amount of food to come out the ground at Te Matuku is as follows:

Beans 150kg
Courgettes 154kg
Marrow 122kg
Potato 33kg
Beetroot 88kg
Cucumbers 220kg
Corn 75kg

That’s a big ol’ barrow of food right there so high-fives all round to Claire and the guys who’ve helped to feed us this summer.

In other crop news, Claire has planted leeks and more beetroot last week.

PLANTING HELP NEEDED!: On Tuesday March 9 (early) a team plans to go out to Te Matuku to complete netting and plant more crops led by Claire.

WEEDING HELP NEEDED!: Brian, Robin, Jennifer and Jerry (thanks guys!) picked and weeded on Friday March 5. Another weeding effort is planned for Friday March 12 led by Brian.

If you are available to help with either of these sessions please email info@waihekecsa.org.nz

Meeting: held Monday March 1^st, 7.30pm, Community Education Seminar Room

Present: 37 people, including CSA Trustee/Management members – Brian, Sue, Louise, Rob, Graeme, Richard, Claire, (grower), and Glenda (minutes)

Louise opened the meeting with a welcome to everyone.

Sue spoke of the need to remember the CSA project is at a crossroads and thanked those who have supported the undertaking in so many ways.

Brian reminded us it has been a 6 month pilot project. There have been problems and some issues remain still to be resolved (e.g. shortage of Trustees and pressure on volunteer help.) The crop harvest on the whole has been great. Before progresing further we need to establish a sound financial base. We need also to resolve the issue of volunteers versus paid assistance.

Sue gave a financial summary. We have more weekly outgoings than weekly income and this cannot continue. There are 8 people waiting to join but a cap has been placed on subscriptions because of lack of crop available. Harvest received has been valued at $212 per full member over the first 8 weeks.

Brian spoke of the 3 options in front of CSA;

1. ‘Run away’ Option: – an option none of the Trustees or Management committee want.

2. ”Pause Option : - pausing (between April and August) will provide the opportunity to secure the required number of Trustees and extra Management Committee members needed. It will also allow time to (a) access funding and improve our financial position and (b) attend to urgent short and long term planning. Current members will receive produce free through to September when the next membership round starts with new crops. The produce will be harvested from crops to be planted during autumn. A feasibility study is to be actioned immediately. The study will examine this and other options.

3. The ‘Opportunity’ (Putiki Rd) Option: - this option includes the Pause Option mentioned above but also involves the staged development of two sections of land in Putiki Rd. Its implementation will be dependent on the outcome of the feasibility study and will be considered at the next public meeting of members in April (date to be announced).

Claire said there has been over half a tonne of crops harvested. The beetroot is at the top end of nutrient density value and the nutrient value of other crops is improving. She thanked all the people who have supported her and the project and is enthusiastic about the future. Te Matuku is the second biggest ‘nutrient dense’ farming project in NZ.

Sue said we must remember the vision of Waiheke CSA which is to produce items other than vegetables. In the long term this could include eggs and meat.

Brian said we want to retain Claire’s services and this is the reason for the immediate start to the feasibility study.

Questions and Comment. The following is a brief synopsis.

• CSA workers must avoid burn-out over winter in attempting to achieve full value for members.
• General comment was that members expected a 2–3 year period before reaching full monetary return for subscriptions paid.
• Many people are in CSA because they wish to support locally grown food. They are also aware of the threats of climate change and peak oil. Members have a strong desire to reduce food miles. There is also a strong belief that the nutrient quality of produce received is more important than the monetary value.
• CSA is seen as an investment in the future, not just a weekly produce box.
• Various other suggestions were made e.g. extending the subscription period to one year; hiring a project manager; and having the feasibility study include consideration of paid labour costs.
• There appears strong support for not wanting to pause the project or to stop paying Claire. We need to retain the farming capacity. But it was pointed out that we are not covering costs and our money is soon to run out. We were reminded again that the project has to be sustainable.

Claire stressed that members must say what they want grown or Trustees and Management committee will need to make the decision.

Feasibility Study. Members are invited to provide input into this study. Meetings will be held for this purpose, and the first one is planned for the evening of Monday March 15 . Changes at short notice may occur because of the need for flexibility in the process, but you will be kept informed of dates, times and venues. If you wish to take part please contact Sue at info@waihekecsa.org.nz

See also below a note to get people thinking about what a CSA is and can be*

To end, a quote from our Minutes’ Secretary: “What a wonderful meeting. Such enthusiasm is contagious, don’t you think? “

—–

* The following abridged extract is from a recent online conversation about the nature of money. The extract refers to a CSA farm (producing a range of plant and animal products) in the San Francisco Bay area of the USA. It gives an interesting and rather different insight into how people might support a CSA operation in their community. It provides ‘food for thought’ as the Waiheke CSA engages in the feasibility study during the next few weeks.

“The shareholder-eaters commit for the year and make a deposit for their share. The food comes over a seven and half month period, but the farmer is actually supported for all twelve months. The food itself is not a commodity, because the shareholder is not paying for the food but rather [is paying] the real cost of the farmers’ living and all that it takes to grow the food. The farmer’s labor is not a commodity because there is no direct way to tie the work and winter rest to the farm income. The farmer grows virtually all the feed the animals need, uses the manure for compost to renew the soil, and then from the soil grows the food and feed. There are no imported inputs, no externalized costs. The farmer works constantly on building the fertility of the soil rather than thinking of the land as nothing more than a vehicle to produce food. Being supported by the community, the [farm] operates completely outside the market economy. ”

Corn, beans, courgettes, cucumbers, beetroot, pumpkins, kumi kumi, potatoes and kumara were [...]]]> DECEMBER 3 (PLUS UPDATED DECEMBER 15), 2009: NEWSLETTER #2:

1. PLANTING DAY AND OTHER GROWING INFO: For pics go to the gallery or look below! On Friday 13^th November, 23 volunteers and friends joined our grower, Claire Mummery, to plant out Waiheke CSA’s first crop of vegetables.

Corn, beans, courgettes, cucumbers, beetroot, pumpkins, kumi kumi, potatoes and kumara were all planted out during an afternoon’s hard work. At that stage, unforeseen technical difficulties resulted in only half the prepared land being covered with netting. It was, in fact, still being erected when the planting was getting underway!

By the end of the day, all but a few of the pumpkin and kumi kumi plants were safely under netting. The survival rate of each group of seedlings is between 90 and 95%, which we are all very happy with.

As of December 15 the poles and netting are in fantastic shape courtesy of Claire’s work with Will, one of Rob Fenwick’s farm workers out at Te Matuku. Will, by all accounts, is a LEGEND. So thanks Will. The pukekos will be kept well and truly at bay. The remaining unnetted areas are coping pretty well anyway without pest-protection.

At this point Claire is thinking there may be something ready for subscribers in early January.

2. IRRIGATION: The irrigation system was collected and installed on Wednesday 18th Nov. Again, some teething troubles have arisen but steps have been identified to finalise the system as soon as possible. As at Dec 15, all the plants are getting the water they need and action is underway to add a fertilising tank to the land to get some nutrients out there.

3. DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE TO SUBSCRIBERS: The plan for distirubtion is being worked on and more information will follow in that. If you have any questions then please email info@waihekecsa.org.nz

4. AUTUMN/WINTER CROPS: More seedlings are being grown at Claire’s base at Flourish. These will eventually be planted in the other half of the prepared land at Te Matuku Bay. Land suitable for winter crops is in the process of being identified and discussions with owners are under way. More news in future newsletters.

If you have any preferences for autumn and winter crops post them below or email info@waihekecsa.org.nz with “Autumn/Winter crops” in the subject line. The plan at the moment is to grow leeks, garlic, beetroot, cauliflowers, broccoli and cabbages but keen to hear from subscribers!

5. FUNDING: A local charitable organisation, The Next Step Trust, has granted the CSA $2,700 for the purchase and installation costs of irrigation equipment. The CSA Trust would like to offer their sincere thanks for this generous offer.

We also have been loaned $10,000 to help us through tight times. However, we are still very keen to enrol additional subscribers. The Steering Committee asks each of you to try to enrol one new subscriber! New subscribers need to contact Sue Connor at info@waihekecsa.org.nz or by phoning 372 6183.

6. THANKS: Many individuals have made contributions above and beyond the call of duty to get the scheme to its present position. Claire Mummery has worked her butt off and deserves special mention. Others to do so include Simon Harvey of Business Lab, Lloyd Canham and Rob Vaassen, Charlie and Will, as well as Rob Fenwick.

7. TRUSTEES NEEDED: The Waiheke CSA Trust needs between two and four more trustees. If you or someone you know has a little spare time and is committed to the ideals of CSA, contact Sue Connor at 3726183 or Meriel Watts at 372 2034.

PICTURES HERE: