Hope to see you tomorrow at the 2019 meeting. Refresh your memory with last year’s minutes:
West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association
Annual Minutes
May 19, 2018
Meeting called to order at 2pm by President Rich Flanigan.
Tom Salvetti made a motion to change they By-Laws to elect officers prior to the election of Board of Directors retro active today. Paul Ronk seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Paul Ronk made a motion to add to today’s agenda under New Business the Cotton Candy machine. Seconded by Keith Heasley. Passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Cindy Martel to add to agenda the Legislative update, Event and workshops program and FDA – sugar. Tom Darnall seconded. Passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Keith Heasley to add a social media committee. Rich Flanigan seconded. Passed unanimously.
Mike Rechlin made a motion to accept the agenda presented with additions. Seconded by Keith Heasley.
Passed unanimously.
Minutes: Cathy Hervey presented minutes from May 20, 2017. Keith made a motion to accept the minutes. Seconded by Melinda Darnall. Passed
Secretary report presented by Cathy. To date we have 51 paid members. Keith made a motion to accept report; seconded by Britney Farris. Passed
Financial Report: Cathy presented members with a copy of the year financials audited by Tom Darnall and Keith Heasley. Mike made a motion to accept the financial report; seconded by Britney.
OLD BUSINESS
Logo – signs with new logo are available for $25 each.
State Fair – Brandon reported success of maple cotton candy and challenges.
Maple Days – Discussion weather effected turn out at some locations. Keith likes a two day event however Mark Bowers isn’t sold on splitting days. Visitors from NC, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland.
Maple Workshop – Rachel and Adam Taylor reported Jake Moser had a great workshop in Fairmont. Well attended.
Upcoming workshop per Mike…Tim Wilmot.
NASS Survey – The office received a good response from the Maple producers. The data collected will help with our grant work and keep us on the radar of being a maple producing State.
Specialty Block Grant -Mike informed the group of two grants. In 2016 the grant funded speakers and fall seminars.
Research projects – Mike is heading up and working with producers to collected data
2017 – Maple Grading School and they Research Symposium funded through the grants.
Future Generation is now copying and mailing our bi-yearly newsletters at a much lower cost.
Facility Review and label is done through the WV Department of Agriculture.
NEW BUSINESS
ACER grant provided members with a WVMSPA sign at a reduced cost of $25
Bottles: WVMSPA members discussed purchasing plastic jugs with the Association logo in bulk. Adam Taylor volunteered to reach out to Ohio and PA associations about getting our own labels.
Sept. 1 2017 ACER Grant through the USDA awarded. It is a very competitive grant. The grant is funded/managed through the WVDA and WVU.
The grant is funding maple in the classroom, the new logo Assoc. signs, Facility review book/webinar, Laurel Fork Sap Sucker research project with Tim Wilmot. Aug 24-25.
Mike Rechlin distributed flyer about this event.
Future Generation Luke Taylor-lde is the program director. Eight Maple Seminar Courses are scheduled throughout the State for Veterans and the general public.
Sept 28/29 Hosting Southern Syrup Research Symposium. Committee Mike Rechlin, Keith Heasley, Jamie Schuler, Cindy Martel, Deputy Commissioner Joe Hatton and Abby Van Den Berg.
Facility Review checklist was presented to the group by Britney Farris. Funding through the grant will allow for her to have a webinar to review all the checklist and prepare producers for the review process.
Deputy Commissioner Joe Hatton spoke about what the WVDA is working to do for the maple industry. They are here to assist with grants and the upcoming Symposium. Working with the Veterans group and individuals through Maple in the Classroom to help grow the Maple Industry.
WVDA has hired three Agriculture employees to assist folks with business plans and Ag questions and guidance. They are spread out throughout the State to better help WV farmers.
2018 State Fair
This year there will be little space for maple syrup education. Rich said it is important for all members to work the maple cotton candy booth as our fundraiser for the year. Consignment rate of 10% on cotton candy sales. The dates are Aug. 9-18th.
Brandon Daniels made a motion for the Association to pay fair admission for anyone working the maple cotton candy booth. Seconded by Adam Taylor. Passed
Rich will contact Georgia Luke and coordinate maple producers’ products for the Country Store. WVDA will have less employees at the Fair this year so it is important we have volunteers for the Cotton Candy Station.
Mark Kimble made a motion for the WVMSPA create a set of Rules and Guidelines for the State Fair. This will include what each member responsibilities is for the cotton candy machine and a schedule. Seconded by Keith Heasley. Passed
Brandon suggested that people sign up for the weekdays, as the weekends fill up quickly.
Adam Taylor made a motion to create a State Fair sub-committee of Rules and Guidelines for the Association. Seconded by Mark Kimble. Passed
Mark Bowers suggested having a video to educate. Rachel will check with Mike Rechlin to see if any grant monies are available.
Rich lead a discuss to explore the possibility of having a separate space for the educational piece. As an association our purpose is to educate the public about WV Maple Syrup and other syrups.
Cindy Martel reported the State Fair has revised the maple categories. Savory Maple division was added to the State Fair and sponsored by the WVMSPA. Guidelines is people must use at least ¼ cup of WV Pure Maple Syrup in their maple dish. Prize money will be awarded and the WVMSPA has the rights to the recipe.
Rich is going to contact Kelly about displaying maple syrup along with the honey and wine in the case.
Discussion held about storage of the Association’s equipment and materials. Rachel Taylor made a motion to store the cotton candy machine, display, unsold Assoc. signs, ledger sheets, etc. with Tom Salvetti. Seconded by Adam Taylor Passed.
A huge thank you to Tom Salvetti for providing free space for the storage of the Assoc. materials.
FDA – There is a lot a buzz about the FDA labeling maple syrup as to having added sugar because it exceeds the daily recommended amount. Rich will write a letter to Commission Leonhardt about sending a joint letter to the FDA explaining it is a natural product with nothing added. Rich will send a link to all members so you can contact Congressional, House and Senate Leaders. Cindy will provide that information for Rich to send out.
Cindy Martel provided the group with an update of the WVFMA cottage bill that will be addressed during legislation. Pro and Cons were discussed.
Also through FISMA there is an opportunity to get your Food Safety Training at a great rate of $175 with Dr. Williams on June 19-21.
Boy Scout Jamboree video clip was share where Boy Scouts were saying how great WV maple syrup tastes. WVDA had educational booth with taste testing. WV will host the International Boy Scout Jamboree 2019.
Mark your calendar
North American Maple Syrup Council will be held Oct. 26-29 in Concord, NH.
2019 Maple Tree Tapping will be January 30th.
2019 Maple Days The WVMSPA will work in conjunction with the WV Department of Tourism and Communication Department. Adam Taylor made a motion to select Feb. 23 and March 16 as 2019 Mountain State Maple Days. Seconded by Mark Kimble Passed unanimously.
Rich presented an action list
Regional Sugarhouse Reviews
Sugarhouse Maps
Producer Tours in the off season
TABLED – a work in progress
A huge thank you to Ed Howell for taking the time to check folk’s hydrometer. What a great service to provide to our members.
Social Media Director Position – Tina Barton has volunteered to be the WVMSPA social media person. She will be developing a website for the Association and working with Cindy Martel on our Facebook page. Thank you Tina, for helping the Assoc. move forward.
Communication- the group discussed a point person from WVDA, WVMSPA and a WVMSPA Board Members to make sure everyone is in the loops as to what is taking place.
Open Forum – Tina Barton will do an educational piece on maple sugaring at the Glenville Folk Festival and promote WVMSPA.
Mark Bowers volunteered to organize a bus trip to Vermont during their open house’s in April.
He will provide the information he gathers to members.
Committees
State Fair Chair- Brandon Daniel,
Sub Committee to set WVMSPA Rules and Guidelines Rich Flanigan and Adam Taylor
Maple Days – Keith Heasley and Cathy Hervey
Social Media – Cindy Martel and Tina Barton
Mark Bowers made a motion for Jamie Schuler to be our NAMSC Delegate. Seconded by Keith Heasley. Passed Mike Rechlin will be attending through the Acer Grant and represent WVMSPA.
A motion was made by Tina Barton to separate the Secretary and Treasurer duties. Seconded by Tom Salvetti. Passed.
Mark your calendar: 2019 Annual Meeting of the WVMSPA will be May 4, 2019 Motion was made by Brandon Daniels and seconded by Connie Howell. Passed
Connie Howell made a motion to hold our meeting at the EEC Building at Jackson’s Mill. Mark Kimball seconded. Passed.
Amended By Laws retro active at end of meeting for the election of Board of Directors to be after the election of officers
Nomination Committee is Tom Darnall, Tom Salvetti and Paul Ronk.
Nominations open from the floor– slate of officers presented
Mark Kimble made a motion to accept 2018-2019 of officers; seconded by Linda Zimmerman.
President Rich Flanigan
VP -Rachel Taylor
Secretary – Cathy Hervey
Treasurer – Keith Heasley
Board of Directors with terms
1st year 2018 Adam Taylor and Chad Trent
2nd year 2018-2019 Paul Ronk and Mark Bowers
3rd year 2018-2020 Tom Salvetti, Philip Lee, Britney Hervey-Farris, Mark Kimble
Fred Hervey made the motion to accept Board of Directors; seconded by Don Olson.
President Rich Flanigan apologies for the meeting running so late and offered to pay for everyone’s meal at the Dining Hall.
At the Dining Hall Mike Rechlin present Maple School Graduates with their Certificates
Steve Bowers
Nyoka Morey
Chad Trent
Jeremy Ray and family
Adam Taylor made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Brandon Daniels
Maple Competition results:
Maple Syrup
Golden Delicate – Family Roots Farm
Amber Rich – Frostmore Farm
Dark Robust – Maple Grove Farm
Very Dark – Frostmore Farm
Maple Sugar
Family Roots Farm
Frostmore Farm
Maple Cream
Family Roots Farm
Frostmore Farm
Maple Candy
Frostmore Farm
Bowers Maple Farm
Maple Dessert
Philip Lee
Britney Hervey-Farris
John Wayne
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Hervey
Secretary
WVMSPA