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jen judkins
ParticipantParticipantAdd to agenda a New Event: The Strolling of the Heifers Parade and Expo, June 2.
ParticipantWe have about 50 hens and a dozen muscovy ducks. I will agree with everything said in this thread so far. We DO have some predators, but I still allow my hens to free range. My long term outlook is that the hens that are smartest and fly best will survive and be best suited to our farm. Most of our new birds are born on the farm and are a mixed breed. I also run a few guinea hens with our chickens and have to say the predators do not like the sound they make…and we have lost fewer birds since having them. The biggest benefit (besides fresh eggs and meat) is their voracious appetite for bugs. With all the other livestock we have, this is a huge help. The only downside to free range chickens is keeping them out of my garden. I put up a lot of bird netting in the spring.
Participant@sickle hocks 34127 wrote:
I remember my folks use to get wooden ‘dummy’ eggs from the hatchery and leave them out…the idea being the chickens would eventually learn there was no reward for pecking at eggs. Not sure if it was effective.
I found a dozen or so egg shaped rocks at the beach one summer for that very purpose. As you said, I’m not sure it helps, but I think now we only lose an egg to an accidental cracking.
Participant@Robert MoonShadow 33609 wrote:
How about April 28th?
Wish I lived closer, Moonshadow…sounds like fun!
ParticipantWe have the same problem, Mitch. I used to fret about the chickens cannibalistic behavior, but it has not escalated…only a egg here and there. We also had a couple of crows that enjoyed dipping into the hen house for a bit of grain and would fly away with an egg as well. My solution is simply to fetch eggs a couple times a day, while they are still warm and no one has had a chance to get bored and peck at one. I also think making sure they have a clean source of oyster shell helps with the problem.
ParticipantThere is a tab above each post ‘rate this thread’. You can click on it and give a 1-5 star rating to the thread. Someone obviously used this option….I would think of it as a compliment, I think.
ParticipantMore from the Finance committee:
DAPNet FC Meeting – March 21,2012 Minutes
Cowdrey, Johnson, Mulder, Seybolt
Agenda
BoD Retreat – Reva collected everyone’s response to the dates from March 31- April 15th. Tim couldn’t come at all. We were going to be missing at least 2 others from every other date. After a discussion about whether to do it anyways and modify the agenda and/or have a full weekend retreat in the fall and do it right, we decided to cancel the idea for the spring entirely. Reva will inform everyone and will take the idea of a full retreat to the Exec Committee. Brad and Mark offered to help with the details.Jeffrey’s Trust – Through emails, Brad has been bringing us up-to-date on the possibilities for a grant application. Their process is very loose and we discussed which to apply for: the board retreat, operating funds, website upgrade, quarterly events, and the 2013 NEAPFD. Brad will get a better sense from his contact as to the amount they are willing to fund and will begin with 2012 projects. He will begin writing when he returns on April 2nd to get the application in by the end of April.
Other grants – Kenneth will follow up with the <$5000 Organic Valley grant after we finish the Jeffrey’s Trust as we can use a lot of the same info. The other fall and late summer deadlines will wait for now. Historic Data – We are waiting on Jean for the data that both Mark and Brad need to complete their applications. Reva and Mark will follow up. 501(c)3 – Mark asked about creating the needed 3 year projected financials. We supported him in creating numbers that felt right to him and that included a 2013 NEAPFD. He is also waiting for some info from Jean. “How Ask….” – Brad and Reva have written a very quick and basic version which Brad will send out to the whole Board with comments and suggestions to go to Reva.
Reva is working with Jen to get everything people need when asking on one place on the website.Next meeting: Wed, April 4th at 9 am
ParticipantI did not see Finance comm meeting notes…this is from an email…
FC March 14, 2012 Minutes DAPNet
cowdrey, johnson, mulder, seybolt presentWe divided up Lisa’s list of grantors to explore the feasibility of our applications, particularly ones with pre-fall deadlines.
Brad : NEGrassroots Environmental, Organic Farming, Farm Aid, Jeffrey Trust
Kenneth: Organic Valley, Jane’s Trust and NE SARE, New Farmer/Young Farmer.
Mark will push forward on 501(c)3.
Reva will get more history from Lisa re info for grant applications and to check out the feasibility of RVT letting us have access to some of the other grantors.
Brad and Kenneth will coordinate the writing.
We will need more data, requiring collection and analysis, on how DAPNet events/programs have impacted the participants’ behavior. The feds especially like this kind of information on grant requests.
Mark will read and edit drafts.
Reva will continue to work on short term sources of income re sponsorships and advertising. Brad asked if there was a way to generate more and immediate income from the Forum?
We would like to see a one day retreat for the board where we could look at our overall goals, create and begin a realistic funding plan that we all are a part of, and spend alittle time to get to know each other face-to-face. Kenneth will find a space in SVT/NH. Reva will check in about the former facilitator and talk to the exec comm. we are looking at March 31-April 15. Mark can do the calendar/doodle.
Next meeting 9am on Wed 21st.ParticipantMy understanding is that ONLY teamsters that are being PAID by DAPNet need insurance. Everyone else is covered under DAPNet’s plan.
ParticipantI’ll be there with Ripple and Reno. Ed will bring the scoot we built at the Farm School at the Athol event and we will get it broken in! Jennifer.
ParticipantI have a couple of events to briefly discuss or at least add to the least:
Donn Hewes Field days in NY
Joshua Kingsley’s Plowing day.I also want some feedback about an issue. I was going to go down to NYC this weekend to support Blue Star and the Carriage Operators there, at a 3 day event, but I have some concerns about associating DAPNet with this event and would like some feedback. 5 minutes. Thanks.
Participant@near horse 33677 wrote:
I wasn’t trying to get you riled up Jen but as I said, I was contacted by a couple of members who use both FB and this forum and expressed their concern so I thought I’d ask. That’s all, nothing more.
No one is ‘riled’, Geoff. Happy to hear any and all suggestions.
ParticipantTim is right. Activity here has not dwindled in the least. Activity on our Facebook group has increased recently, but it does not appear to be affecting the conversation here. I should know as I monitor both sites as well as the main DAPNet website. We are trying to develop a NETWORK, after all and that will mean many different resources for people to use.
ParticipantJared, I got an email from Raymond Wisner today. He has a very nice horse for sale.
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