Gardeners Cooperative?

[pslamont]

I am VERY into the idea of the gardeners co-op. I would like to suggest we find a time and place for once a week meeting for two hours where we could simply exchange with one another with the rule that NO MONEY CHANGE HANDS. I would also like to ask if we could "barter" non-garden items produced at our homes (like farm fresh eggs, or loaves of bread that I bake...).

I see another Punaweb full activity coming alive. This could become HUGE

The idea of people from differing altitudes is very important and will provide us with (I hope) additional variety.

Is there a place at a public park or could we do something like the parking lot area near CU Hawaii?

I say we should be up and running by June sometime if possible. It would be a hoot!

Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Puna Kite Man]

Is there someone sharing ideas of the best place to get organic seeds. I understand there are corporations and entities that are trying to control the flow of the purest seeds.
Thanks, Vince

[mella l]

Posted - 05/01/2008 : 16:47:34
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""I am VERY into the idea of the gardeners co-op. I would like to suggest we find a time and place for once a week meeting for two hours where we could simply exchange with one another with the rule that NO MONEY CHANGE HANDS. I would also like to ask if we could "barter" non-garden items produced at our homes (like farm fresh eggs, or loaves of bread that I bake...).""

There is a fine parking lot below the soccer fields in Keaau that might be a good spot to meet and eschange goods once a week. Designate a day and time and swing by on your way to other errands. Once a schedule gets comfortable with everyone, then harvesting and such will fall into a schedule too.

There must be other spots like this soccer field also, however I don't know them, perhaps the field behind the gas station in Keaau another idea.

This idea appeals to me, however we're not there yet!

mella l

[JWFITZ]

I'm all for it, and Keeau is sensible. We should push on this. In this climate stuff planted today is going to be up in two months, so we got to be thinking hard now.

The microclimate thing is going to be key. I'm at 2500 feet, and I'm certain I can grow spinich, kale, bok chow, chards, and that sort of thing better than down the hill, as it won't bolt so fast. Likewise, you all will do better with fruits, tomatoes and such. On those lines, I'm planting at this point more of that stuff than I can handle, as I figure that will be the farm aspect. Also, I've got a lot of coffee and tea going, and while it's all a ways off, perhaps as not as far as I think, and if it worked out it's no big deal to hide another dozen trees on my 3 acres.

Let's get on it!

[JWFITZ]

Oh, and as far as I'm concerned barterable FOODSTUFF are completely fine. I don't want to see people showing up with deadshow arts and crafts and crap and expecting 10 pounds of spinach. We agree on that?

As well, expect the quality standards of the produce to meet typical grocery store standards. All culls should be donatable as far as I'm concerned.

Lastly, as for "organic" and that sort of thing, we should have standards on that claim as well. In the US the word doesn't mean much: I'd suggest to use New Zealands standards. In short, organic seed, no herbacides, pesticides, or elsewise, of any sort, organic or not, on soil virgin and never previously farmed. Those are tough standards indeed, and meaningful. If you don't make that standard, and few will as you may be building on reclaimed sugar cane fields, I'd simply suggest a honor bound full disclosure policy. In my case, I spray malathion under the house for creepy crawlies and mosquitos maybe once a month, and I use some bug bait around the base of trees. I use a little roundup here and there. So, I'm not organic, but nothing is explicitly used in the garden.

[pslamont]

JW, I am loving the way you are thinking. Just up front information. Again, if we are there face to face to do our trading then all questions may be answered. I don't know much about "culls" because I have not been doing this whole growing thing long enough but I believe it will work itself out, educating us all.

I also had the idea (completely unclarified) that maybe we should start this in someone's garage or yard so it is just the Punaweb Exchange at least to start. That way we are not interfering with the farmers market until we know how doable it is... Just an idea.

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Kapohocat]

We will be happy to have a free to a good home table at the PunaWeb party at our house 6/28 if anyone wants to bring any overages and share.

[pslamont]

E X C E L L E N T Idea.... I SHOULD have choke lettuce by then

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Liz]

This is coming together so nicely - very exciting! :-)

I'm not doing any new starts on vegies right now as we will be leaving mid-May for about a month. When we return end of June/first of July, I will really go for it! I'm anticipating that the garden will be quite a jungle by then, and I'll have plenty to trade. Hopefully we'll be back for the 6/28 PunaWeb party... we'll have to see how it goes - both our trip and the garden.

Anyway, this is way cool! I agree with limiting to any kine foodstuffs only, full disclosure, quality.

I also like the idea of taking advantage of our various micro-climates, soils, etc in our planting decisions so as to be able to have a wide variety over-all. I'll keep that in mind when it comes time for my summer planting.



aloha, Liz

"The best things in life aren't things."

[mella l]

This is really getting me excited! And I'm not there yet! LOL And haven't the foggiest idea of what I will be able to grow in plentitude, but I will find out in short order.

Culls, well any spinach or bok choy or especially chard culls make excellent chicken food! Just an idea that culls could be marked as such for people to pick up as animal fodder.



mella l