BOD 7-21-11

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Gold Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>CL& P</B></div> <div> <B>Yankee Gas</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. Dev. Assoc.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Bronze Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>E. J. Murphy Realty</B></div> <div> <B>Litchfield Bancorp</B></div> <div> <B>Litchfield Inn</B></div> <div> <B>NW Community Bank</B></div> <div> <B>Parker Productions</B></div> <div> <B>Union Savings</B></div> <div> <B>Winvian</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Patron</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bill Baxter</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    </B><B>|</B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northwest Connecticut Economic Developme"><B>home</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="bod_1_20_11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOD 12011">BOD 1-20-11</A>   |   <A HREF="bod_3_31_11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOD 33111">BOD 3-31-11</A>   |   <A HREF="exec_4_21_11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Exec 42111">Exec 4-21-11</A>   |   <A HREF="bod_5_19_11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOD 51911">BOD 5-19-11</A>   |   <B>BOD 7-21-11</B>   |   <A HREF="exec__8_18_11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Exec. 81811">Exec. 8-18-11</A>   |   <A HREF="bod_7_21_118d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOD 92911">BOD 9-29-11</A>   |   <A HREF="bod_7_21_118e.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOD 111711">BOD 11-17-11</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOD 7-21-11</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="708" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1667 WIDTH="708"><div> <B><U>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</U></B></div> <div> <I>333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790</I></div> <div> <B><U>860.567.2204 - info@nwctedc.com - www.nwctedc.com</U></B></div> <div> <B>Minutes - Board of Directors</B></div> <div> <B>Thursday, July 21, 2011</B></div> <div> Freund’s Farm Market, East Canaan </div> <bR> <div> <B>Attendance</B>: Tim Abbott, Susie Clayton, David Dean, Fran Delaney, Dan McGuinness, Ted Murphy, JoAnn, Ryan, Win Smith, Doug Parker, Roberta Willis, Bill Pratt, Gina Scherbner, Sue Voghel, Shelley King, Mark Harran and Jay Harran </div> <bR> <div> <B>The meeting was called to order at 8:05 am by Doug Parker. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Topic: Sustainable Agriculture </U></B></div> <div> <B>Guest speakers</B>: Matt and Theresa Freund, owners of Freund’s Farm Market </div> <bR> <div> <B>How long has your family been involved in agriculture? </B></div> <div> The farm has been in the Freund family for multiple generations. The current business is operated by Matt, Ben and Theresa Freund. Additional acreage and adjoining properties have been acquired to expand the farm’s operations. The farm now consists of 450 acres (an additional 200 acres is also managed). </div> <bR> <div> <B>What are the major products grown or made at your farm? </B></div> <div> The business is divided into three parts – dairy, farm market and CowPots. Matt and Ben manage the dairy operation and production of the CowPots. (Theresa manages the financial aspects of the market & catering enterprise, the dairy & CowPots are managed by Matthew's brother Benjamin.) They have three daughters and son who have also been involved with the business since their early years. </div> <bR> <div> The farm market features products that are locally grown or produced on the farm. The market features produce, milk, baked goods, ‘prepared’ foods using farm products, flowers and floral arrangements. It is estimated that 80% of their customers are part-time residents or weekend visitors. A decision was made to not seek certified organic designation primarily due to the high cost. Instead they opted to be designated as a ’locavores’ market applying pest control techniques based on effectiveness, product quality and cost. They use an integrated pest management system without pesticides and frequently use beneficial insects.</div> <bR> <div> <B>How has your farm operation changed or evolved over the years? </B></div> <div> A $40,000 Farm Enhancement Grant was used to help build a $175,000 greenhouse. The greenhouse is also used for events including weddings and class reunions. Another greenhouse is used to grow a wide variety of tomatoes year round. The addition of radiant heat in the greenhouses was considered a wise choice and has proven to be highly cost effective. The greenhouses total 15,000 square feet.</div> <bR> <div> The dairy operation currently has a herd of 265 cows. Matt and Ben use a systematic approach to continually improve all aspects of the dairy operation. The low stress environment features free stalls and constant attention to creating the most comfortable conditions possible for the cows. Milking takes place at 12:00 am and 12:00 pm every day. Every aspect of the milking operation has been analyzed and modified throughout the years to maximize production while enhancing the quality of life for the cows. </div> <bR> <div> The CowPot operation grew from a need to lower the impact of manure on the surrounding neighbors. A grant from the USDA supported the development of a manufacturing facility to create ‘CowPots’ from manure. The CowPots can be used with seedlings and placed directly in the soil. The nutrients in the cow pots enhance the growth of the plants. </div> <bR> <div> This unique process of using of manure to create the CowPots has been featured nationally. Matt and Theresa were interviewed by Larry King on his show in Los Angeles as a result of a segment on the Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs" hosted by Mike Rowe. Production has increased from hundreds to thousands as they continue to refine the manufacturing process. While they are currently meeting market demand, they are always exploring options to expand the operation if deemed profitable. </div> <bR> <div> Matt credited CT State Representative Roberta Willis and CT State Senator Andrew Roraback with supporting efforts to expand farm operations on multiple occasions. State and federal grants have been used to build greenhouses and the facility for the production of the CowPots. Another grant was used to insure that the water quality of the stream running through the farm was not polluted. They have received grants from USDA, DEP, SBIR, SARE and Rural Development. All of these grants required a major financial commitment from the Freund family. Matt cited that the water is actually cleaner after the farm than it is before reaching the farm. Local high school students have helped to substantiate the high quality of the water during field trips with science classes. </div> <bR> <div> <B>What are the challenges of earning a living in agriculture? </B></div> <div> While the Matt and Theresa Freund have been able to support their family with both of them involved in agriculture, it is consumes a great deal of their time to monitor and maintain the daily operations. They are hopeful that their three daughters and son will stay actively involved with the business. Their constant attention to detail and improvement have helped them to build a sustainable agricultural enterprise, but it has required a great deal of time, effort and money. </div> <bR> <div> <B>What are your future directions toward sustainability? </B></div> <div> Matt and Theresa would like to have their daughters and son take a more active role in the operation of business in the future. They have been involving them in the decision making process since their teenage years and they hope to increase their role in daily operations. The CowPot enterprise continues to grow and expand. Expanding sales to new markets and continuing to expand sales to existing markets is the long term goal. </div> <bR> <div> There are currently 10 full time and 3 part time/seasonal employees. They have partnered with horticultural departments at numerous colleges and universities to share their ‘on-farm’ experiences. The close attention to detail and desire for continuous improvement were highly evident throughout the tour. </div> <bR> <div> <B>The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. </B></div> <bR> <div> Regards,</div> <div> Doug Parker</div> <div> President/Executive Director</div> <div> <B>www.nwctedc.com</B></div> <div> <B>info@nwctedc.com </B></div> <div> (860) 567-2204</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NWCTEDC Minutes"><B>Back to Minutes</B></A></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>