Cost of Maintaining DAP

Carl,

I would resubmit my thought about publishing some of the more informative and constructive threads on this great board in any of the Draft Animal Pubs that would pay a small fee for them, similar to the fees they pay for an article submitted.

A normal article (say two pages of text) can pay about $125.00 so if you put one in each quarter or possibly even more often for a magazine that published bi-monthly – that could generate $500.00 which would help with the cost of DAP site.

One thing for sure is that this site is a public service to the community of interest in Draft Animal Power and should be supported by that same community if possible.

However as we experience operating a 501c3 non-profit serving the public good through a small community of interest (numbers wise) there is not allot of extra money available from that community. I am sure you experience this personally being truly a member of this community and living the sustainable lifestyle you and your family do.

So that is just a suggestion. I invite the use of anything I contribute to DAP being used to support the site through the printed media.

I am not sure how one could collect data about how many readers of the printed media don’t have computers to access this site, but I suspect there are more out there than one would think. Many people don’t have a computer for all sorts of reasons, but they would like to read the discussions on this forum. Most of the print media is hungry for articles and information so maybe there is a match there.

If just collecting random threads from a public forum doesn’t seem appropriate maybe you could conduct online interviews with individuals that frequently contribute to this site in such a way that the responses are not a matter of public forum and then offer them to the printed media as “first run” words on the issues of this community of interest. I would gladly participate in such a
discussion group in support of this site.

I can’t respond to this question without expressing a sincere appreciation for what you and Lisa have done with your wonderful event in the northeast and the creation of this site to be available to the world. This small effort is a great one and enjoyed by many folks at all sorts of levels. One amazing thing is that this is an unedited site that for the most part has been very civil and
constructive in the development of the culture of animal power in the modern world. From your position as host – this is a brave expedition into the unknown every day you click on DAP. Your bravery and determination is to the benefit of everyone to the degree they understand the culture of modern Draft Animal Power.

We at Healing Harvest Forest Foundation thank you for your efforts, they are instructive, educational and inspirational. Hopefully you can figure out a way to keep it going without flashing ads, or the typical distractive aspects of the internet.

It is a refreshing site in that regard and hopefully it will continue to grow to serve as a path on the information highway that has animal tracks along the way. If there are any droppings along the way some enterprising farmer has appropriately scooped them up and added them to the compost pile of
thought….

Thanks Carl and Lisa.

Warm Salute,

Carl, Lisa and all, I suggest a yearly or twice yearly fundraiser. Just like Public Radio, be annoying to your users two weeks out of the year. I think the week or two following the NEAPFD, whenever someone signs onto the forum, they should be redirected to the donation page…until they pay up…whatever the forum is worth to them. I’m guilty….mostly because I am not reminded regularly that the forum costs money to run…and that I need to contribute. Weak excuse, but it is a fact of life…folks will do what is easiest. I certainly do not mind contributing….I just need a nudge here and there. I’ll bet your webmaster knows how to make that happen. Jennifer.

I am in favor of any idea that keeps the site available to any, at no cost. I like Jason’s idea of printing some of it – I am afraid it requires a new layer of effort in order to fund our ongoing conversation. Feel free to print my words if it helps. I like the idea of a linked page of advertising. Unlike most advertising, the SFJ chooses which ads fits its overall message. That makes those ads incredibly useful. Which of us hasn’t picked up an SFJ to find BW Mcnair or I&J Machine. It was fun getting together with other Dappers this weekend at NEAPFD. Donn

Carl, probably a dumb question but is there a mailing address posted here somewhere? Also would it be okay to send a check rather than donating online?

i follow another online forum about keeping a family cow… it is hosted by Proboards and they have adds that are not very obtrusive. i have even found a few interesting items for sale!
but the idea of contributing as we can afford is also good. “from each according to his ability; to each according to his need.” i am willing to pledge!

As a proponent of naturally based equine nutrition, I frequently talk with folks about the differences between value and cost. You can spend money on fixing problems, but the real fix is understanding what is truly valuable….which may cost more up front…but saves money in the long run.

I have spent thousands of dollars on horsemanship clinics, lessons and camps over the years and have been rewarded with a good understanding of horses and their way of communicating. But my point is this…I have learned many valuable lessons right here on this forum….for ‘free’. I have no problem contributing to a community that gives sooo much back. It is a pleasure and to be honest….a bargain! I am totally getting my money’s worth and more.

So, for all those ‘lurking’, who lets be honest, are benefiting from others and me putting my greeness out there for critique…put it out there! This is the green, draft power public radio! Pay up…even if its a buck or two. Jennifer.