MTCherries

FLATHEAD LAKE CHERRY GROWERS, INC.

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – 7 p.m.

Directors present:  Bruce Johnson, Mitch Jones, Ward Marshall, Rod McRae, John Nasgovitz, Brian Peterson, Mark St. Sauver

 Absent:  Mike Bonner, Henry Hooker  

Meeting recorded by Barbara Hammons

Meeting held at Hammons’ residence

Rod called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 Minutes for the meeting held March 15, 2023, were approved.

Checking account balance as of 4/18/23:  $101,837.24

                WFCU balances:  Regular account $5,700.23

                 TT security deposit $5,323.90

 

Moving funds into a CD discussed.  Various options considered.  Mitch will look into the best CD deal for the co-op; First Interstate and WFCU will also be checked.  

Discussion of budget for 2023.  Unused line items will be deleted; a few will be adjusted to cover current costs.  Upon motion duly made by Mark St. Sauver, seconded by Ward Marshall, and unanimously approved, the directors accepted the 2023 budget as discussed.   An updated budget will be distributed at the next meeting.

 Rod –  Spring meeting summary.  Income $2110; expenses $4038.   Expense breakdown:  Speaker fees $700; hotel $418; mileage for speaker $555.44; caterer $2065; misc breakfast, water, etc. $300.   

                 Directors felt the meeting went well; agenda and speakers were interesting.  Bernardita Sallato has a link to the material she covered which can be made available to members.

                 Dave Brink, Mineral/Lake County extension agent, arranged for several attendees to receive applicator credits for attending the meeting.  Brian Campbell was thanked for emceeing and putting the meeting together.

 Rod – Red Lodge Ales agreement has been signed. 

                Fisher Painting bid accepted; painting start date depends on temperature in the warehouse.

              

Mark – warehouse –  main issue is to let TT know when warehouse repairs (painting and hydrocooler removal) are scheduled so they can remove their product from the area. 

                Ward Marshall – FSA Report  –  Ward discussed at length options available through USDA/FSA revenue loss programs, PARP and ERP, and also expense reimbursement through the Food Safety Certification program.  Information will be made available to members via a Quickcom message.

Quickcom message to be sent to members re FA/CPR, boxes, date for shareholders meeting, and Rod’s Lapins.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 Next meeting will be May 17.

 

 

 

.

FLATHEAD LAKE CHERRY GROWERS, INC.

 MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 7 p.m.

 

Directors present:  Bruce Johnson, Ward Marshall, Rod McRae, Brian Peterson, Mark St. Sauver

 Absent:  Mike Bonner, Henry Hooker, Mitch Jones, John Nasgovitz  

Meeting recorded by Barbara Hammons

Meeting held at Hammons’ residence

Rod called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes for the meeting held February 15, 2023, were approved.

Checking account balance as of 3/11/23:  $102,033.29

                WFCU balances:  Regular account $5,700.23

                 TT security deposit $5,323.90

Budget for 2023 to be determined at next meeting.

Discussion followed on moving some funds into an interest-bearing CD.  Ward offered to look into an appropriate CD for around $20,000.  Directors agreed this could be done before the next meeting. 

Rod – Red Lodge Ales agreement has been signed.  Rod assured the directors that even if we had an unusually large crop, Rod Lodge would be in a position to take all the culls.  They are set up to handle 25,000 lbs a day and 300,000 lbs of culls would not be a problem.  In any case, Monson is prepared to take any overage at 10 cents a pound.  Red Lodge will pay .25 this year and they understand the price is likely to go up next year.

 

Rod – painting of warehouse by Fisher Painting LLC.  Most of the inside will be painted including the cold room.  Temperature has to be 50 degrees or better for the painter to start.  Might be June for the project or sooner if heaters are brought in. 

 

Rod – removing the hydocooler equipment; adding a water tank.   Rod is waiting for a callback from Bryan Zimmerman on the removal project and a cost estimate.  Pacific Steel is interested in taking all the metal. 

                Adding the water tank and replumbing will run around $4,000.  Upon motion duly made by Mark St. Sauver, seconded by Ward Marshall, and unanimously approved, the directors agreed that Rod should move forward with the purchase and plumbing of the water tank as discussed.

                Rod brought up replacing being the cherry delivery door as a future project.  It will cost around $6000.

 

Ward Marshall – PMA Resolution update – Ward has had difficulty reaching James Raymond for an update and comment on the material Ward presented in answer to the commissioners’ questions.  Ward will continue his efforts to contact Mr. Raymond; Rod offered to follow up with a contact he has among the commissioners.   

 

Spring Meeting – tentative agenda discussed. Brian Campbell will be the emcee.  The agenda draft was approved as presented with the addition of an update by Ward on the PMA situation and pending resolution.  Henry Hooker offered 4 or 5 door prizes for the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

 Next meeting will be April 19.

FLATHEAD LAKE CHERRY GROWERS, INC.

 MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 – 7 p.m.

Directors present: Mike Bonner, Bruce Johnson, Henry Hooker, John Nasgovitz, Mark St. Sauver

 Absent:  Mitch Jones, Ward Marshall, Brian Peterson, Rod McRae  

Guest:  Brian Campbell

Meeting recorded by Barbara Hammons

Meeting held at Hammons’ residence

Mark called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes for the meeting held October 19, 2022, were approved.

Checking account balance as of 2/22/23:  $102,638.57

                WFCU balances:  Regular account $5,700.23

                 TT security deposit $5,323.90

Budget update Jan–Dec 2022 distributed.

               

Mark asked if anyone had any questions about the budget.  Suggestions made on transferring some money from checking account into some type of interest-bearing account.   Discussion on setting aside funds for a bad year; in years past around $50,000 was kept in WFCU as a cushion.    Budget for 2023 to be discussed at next meeting when Mitch is available. 

 

Mark – Fisher Paint LLC – painting of warehouse.  Mark described the areas to be painted and the type of paint to be used.  The bid is for $13,504.  Directors felt it was a good price for the extent of the area.  A motion was made but set aside briefly for a question raised by Bruce concerning the hydrocooler removal project and whether it also would be scheduled for this year as it would be two expensive projects.

 

 Mark explained the options for dealing with the old hydrocooler, moving it and if so, to where, and disposal of scrap metal.  Bryan Zimmerman will likely be contacted to cut out the equipment and scrap metal will be sold to Pacific Steel.  A bid from Zimmerman has not been received yet; a rough estimate might be $7000 to $10,000, but doesn’t include other cleanup work that might be involved.  Discussion morphed to coordinating projects with Tabletree because of their food safety programs and inspections.  Mark reported on discussions with Gussie of Tabletree with regard to working around an “unscheduled” food safety audit that Tabletree is subject to possibly in March.

After continued discussion and upon motion duly made by John Nasgovitz, seconded by Mike Bonner, and unanimously approved, directors agreed to the bid for painting areas of the warehouse by Fisher Painting LLC in the amount of $13,504.00.

 

Brian Campbell – In answer to a request for applicator credits at the spring meeting, Brian reported that to get certification from the State, the agenda and information about the speaker and topics had to be submitted 30 days in advance for approval.  Depending on speakers, if they speak anything about pesticide use, spray application, or spray use in general, the most we could get out of it is one or two credits.  Presentation must be by a qualified agent.  A class for up to six credits will be available in October according to new Lake County Extension Agent, David Brink.

Spring Meeting topics discussed – Ryan Wilbur from Fish & Game is ready to be a speaker.  Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk from UofM re honeybees has been lined up.  Other topics might be bird control/damage, and general horticultural topics, soils, ground covers, pollination, etc.   Brian is continuing his search for a keynote speaker.  Another idea was to bring back Norm Gutswiler; Brian will contact him.  (He has presented at past spring meetings in 2010, 2012, and 2015.)    April 15 is the preferred date.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

FLATHEAD LAKE CHERRY GROWERS, INC.

 MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 – 7 p.m.

Directors present:  Bruce Johnson, Mitch Jones, Ward Marshall, Rod McRae, Mark St. Sauver

Absent:  Mike Bonner, Henry Hooker, John Nasgovitz, Brian Peterson

Guest:  Brian Campbell

Meeting recorded by Barbara Hammons

Meeting held at Hammons’ residence

 

Rod called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes for the meeting held September 17, 2022, were approved.

 

Checking account balance as of 10/19/22:  $56,883.52

(Of this balance, $12,785.75 is culls payment from TT and will be distributed to members.)

                WFCU balances:  Regular account $5,643.33

                 TT security deposit $5,270.76

Budget update Jan–Sep  2022 distributed.

                Payment for culls from three other buyers will be coming as soon as trucking costs are determined.

 

Harvest expenses – cooler shut off Monday, October 17.  TT took 55 bins of cherries to the dump.  TT will sanitize and clean the bins prior to pick up by Monson’s trucker and will pay shipping costs to Washington.

                Rod reported that the MVP bill was higher than anticipated due to overage in power usage estimates for cooling equipment.  Will be rectified next year.

 

Rod – Tabletree – lease payment to go up 3% retroactive to July 1 of this year.

 

Cooler removal from the plant.  Sale of the scrap metal is being considered.  Rod also reported that the old chiller system might be moved from the back of the plant to be closer to the hydrocooler out front.  According to Monson’s representative, the rented chiller and tank can be relocated to the front of the warehouse. 

                Rod will meet with Monson the end of October to discuss industry charges and the contract which will be in its last year in 2023. 

 

Rod and Comfort Systems – Comfort Systems finally figured out the glitches.  Rod noted only one compressor should be running at a time but the current setup always runs both compressors adding to the power cost.  This will be resolved next year.  They are due to close up the system the end of this week.

 

Surcharge for 2022 – Directors discussed the surcharge, other income sources, and potential expenses.  Upon motion duly made by Mitch Jones, seconded by Bruce Johnson, and unanimously approved, directors set this year’s crop surcharge at .02 per gross pound.

 

PMA and Jack Stivers’ retirement – Bruce questioned whether Jack’s arrangement with the County regarding PMA follow up of orchards will transfer to the new extension agent.  Jack is commonly referred to as the Lake County Extension Agent but he refers to himself as the MSU agent.   Bruce will call Jack and discuss the situation.

 

Brian Campbell – Brian reported on a conversation with a tribal fish and game agent who would like to do an education program on bear management geared toward cherry orchards. Brian will try to line her up to speak at the spring meeting.

                Brian also reported he will attend the January cherry growers meeting in Washington and will look for speakers for the spring meeting.

                The subject of sharing pruning workers and finding housing for them came up.  Some discussion followed but no decision made.

No meeting in November.  The next meeting will be in December; date to be determined.

FLATHEAD LAKE CHERRY GROWERS, INC.

 MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 – 7 p.m.

Directors present:   Mike Bonner, Bruce Johnson, Rod McRae, John Nasgovitz, Mark St. Sauver

Absent:  Henry Hooker, Mitch Jones, Ward Marshall, Brian Peterson

Guest:  Brian Campbell

Meeting recorded by Barbara Hammons

Meeting held at Hammons’ residence

Rod called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes for the meeting held July 20, 2022, were approved.

Checking account balance as of 9/21/22:  $57,036.43

(Of this balance, $12,785.75 is culls payment from TT and will be distributed to members.)

Actual balance available to FLCG:  $44,250.68

                WFCU balances:  Regular account $5,643.33

                 TT security deposit $5,270.76

Budget update Jan–Aug 2022 distributed.

 

Payment for culls from three other buyers will be coming as soon as trucking costs, if any, are forwarded from Monson. 

Brian C. – crop review.  Brian commented that it turned out better than expected, and that it was an uneventful year with no complaints.  Two violators of the 80% rule were discussed but since both have a significant number of Lamberts, no action will be taken as growers are not required to deliver Lamberts.  A question came up with one orchard who was on the schedule to pick but couldn’t because pickers were on loan to another orchard who was not scheduled to pick for the co-op.

                Brian explained that trucks are closely scheduled to immediately return with a full load to avoid the expense of having a trucker spend the night.  Directors agreed the importance of truck scheduling will be a subject for the next preharvest meeting to be sure growers understand why they must pick as scheduled.  Brian noted that 110 bins equal a truck load.  Rod will talk to the growers involved.

Rod – Mission Valley Power Charge – billing is higher due to a reactive power charge now being assessed.  Rod will discuss the charge with MVP.

Bruce – Drone demonstration review.  Bruce reported that the drying demonstration was accomplished by Bill Webster thoroughly wetting down a portion of his orchard.  The drone dried one-half acre on one battery in 8 minutes.  The demo truck had two generators and 8 batteries charged or charging.  So, 4 acres could be dried in one hour using the 8 batteries.  For drying, the drone tank is weighted down half-full for control.  The drone has a camera and slows down when it perceives a barrier.  The extent of the actual drying was comparable to what the helicopter did.  The drone cost is around $35,000; the additional items (generators, batteries, etc.) would bring the total cost to $50-60,000.    Discussion followed on ways the drone might or might not work in its present configuration for drying and spraying cherry orchards, taking into account the tall trees and canopies.   Full coverage is questionable, as is the practicality and cost of the unit.    Directors suggested there is a potential for the drone use, especially for some crops and certain pruning systems, but in its present form it doesn’t appear a good fit overall for cherry orchards.   Desirae had been invited to visit the board again when she had more information and will be welcome to do so.

Mark – FSMA audit – Mark reported on a FSMA audit during picking.  Their main issue seemed to be the dirty bins, buckets or boxes.  

Rod – Fruit Fly Orchards –   Rod reported that he turned in two orchards (non-members) with fruit fly problems that are not being addressed.

 Bruce – Bears shot in orchard – Bruce explained who and what happened in a neighbor’s orchard.  The incident took place in the Pinkerman orchard; not a co-op member.   The co-op received four complaints from the public erroneously blaming FLCG for the incident.    

The meeting adjourned at 8:40.

Next meeting October 19, 2022.