[Mark Cowdrey]

Here is the March P&E committee report:

March Board of Directors Report from Program and Events

Teamster Compensation:
Tabled until next month. Tim and Jen are working on proposed rates for all levels of event participation and will report back to the board.

Upcoming events:
US Forest service, pleased with the budget, with the exception of the filming cost. One thought was we remove the filming from the budget and we come up with the money other ways, sponsors and the like. The US Forest Service is willing to pay all hard cash and DAPNet would “pay” for all in-kind work. Questions were asked if we could even have a filming crew on the other side of the bridge in the actual project. We could do it with still photos in the wilderness and filming action shots on this side of the bridge. It is doubtful that it will get done this winter. Which will allow us some more time to figure this out? Ed is willing to respond to their latest email to let them know that we need some more time and will present it to them for us doing this next.

No news on Shelburne Farms, Jean will have more information at the next meeting.

Addison County Field Day is another option for us to work with GMDHA.

Blue Star – No events planned other than NEAPFD in 2013

Jen will come up with some verbiage for naming events and what the process is.
Plow Clinic at Sam Rich’s, Kevin met with ECDHA and had a lot of positive words on the event. People said they would send in their registration. We think we can do it with 4 people. So far we only have 2 signed up. Ted Russell will come down and help and Pat Palmer will also come down and hopefully bring a plow. Jen will put in the enews this week. Sam does have funds to pay for someone to attend this clinic for free. It would be nice to give this to some young farmer or an intern at a farm. If you don’t have a team then you would be an auditor. Once we know we have people signed up then Kevin will go and visit the farm.

Spring wood bee – May 19th with a rain date May 20th. Wood lot adjacent to an older couple’s farm. Jay is looking for help pulling out some logs and do some sawing. Social event with potluck. No money will be made there. Great opportunity for us to get some positive press around the event. ed has contacted NH Chronicle and NH Public Television.

Farm demo at Chuck Cox – Ed has talked to Chuck and both felt a Fall event would be a better fit for all. He will be picking up a pioneer homestead and wants to do an event at his farm. He has a lot of other horse drawn equipment. Our calendar is getting pretty full. Maybe we could move it into September. One day event. Plenty of room to park. Social event, no room for serving meals. More of a roughing it type of event. Don’t want to do something, unless we do it right. Awaiting a response from Chuck for a Fall Date.

Annual meeting – Jen spoke to Neil and he has some vendors that he has in mind to attend. Neil will get back to her about what else he will need for that event.

Basic Driving Clinic – Jen will be teaching a 2 day clinic at Ladd Farm. Will be teaching basic ground skills, ground driving, possibly hook a horse to a cart. Jen wants to make it a DAPNet event. Participants pay $200 for the 2 days and $20 for auditors. Will try to have logo by then with a new banner.

NEAPFD – We have our location, September 13 – 15th 2013, at Blue Star Equiculture in Palmer, MA, Jean will gather information from FD’s in the past and scan them to get out to group.

Sponsorship:
For next month pick 4 sponsors to work with us long term. List is on the forum. This is very important as it will help us get money and establish long term relationships for future events.

Ben Grossup, NOFA MA Summer Conference, would like to have a small group of draft horses at the conference. Mules will be there. Wants areas where people will be working on projects though out the day. Not workshops. Money has been set aside to pay teamsters. Jen will get more information. Brad said he would watch the booth.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ed Thayer
P&E Chair

[Mark Cowdrey]

BOD Agenda 3/11/12:

Minutes – Mark – 2 min

Committee reports – 30 min

Nominating committee – Jen/Reva- 10 mins

BOD term assignments – Jen – 5 min

Mark/Brad 501c(3) narrative – Mark/Brad- 10 mins

DAPNet Assets –Reva – 10 mins

Membership Levels Ethan – 5 mins

Insurance – Reva –

Administrator job description – Reva

Other business as needed & time permits

[Mark Cowdrey]

Under the 501(c)3 item we will also be reviewing the Conflict of Interest letter I sent out last week.
Please review.
Thanks, Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

BOD PRELIMINARY agenda 3/11/12:

NOTE: meeting is at 7PM; what phone line are we using??

Minutes – Mark – 2 min

Committee reports – 30 min

Nominating committee – Jen/Reva- 10 mins

BOD term assignments – Jen – 5 min

Mark/Brad 501c(3) narrative – Mark/Brad- 10 mins

DAPNet Assets –Reva – 10 mins

Membership Levels Ethan – 5 mins

Other business as needed & time permits

[Mark Cowdrey]

Tristan,
I really like that rig. Are they being produced commercially?
Thanks,
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Scott,
Agree on the chain brake snagging issue in my experience. Also weighing the vertical vs. angled orientation, ease of storing/removing vs “compact” “footprint”.

Carl,
When you get a chance, what are the other dimensions of the box & would you change any? Ht. from the ground? A;; steel construction? Solid bottom?
I’m thinking a box might bolt on the existing dash right above the pole.
Thanks,
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Thanks all for the thoughts and observations.
I probably should have said this up front, I am contemplating adding one to the PiggyBack Arch in order to make it a more complete tool. The tray on Les’s cart is excellent for carrying and accessing not only a saw but other gear. I have a plywood scabbard mounted on the right side of the dash/guard that works OK but, as Carl mentioned, is awkward getting the saw in & out. I have even contemplated building a new “dashboard” that is straight instead of curved so that a tool box could be incorporated simply. Whatever it is, it needs to be simple to fab, fairly inexpensive, rugged, versatile, useful and good looking! I have thought of wood but am reluctant because of life span issues. I’ve got 2 or 3 doodle sketches of different possibilities, including a “hanging” arrangement. We’ll see.
Again, thanks for the input.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Lanny ,
I’ve seen that type but am looking for something that is “drop in and pull out”.
George,
Looking for something a little more elegant to incorporate onto the next generation of the you-know-what (PBFWA).
I’ve got a couple ideas but figured why re-invent the wheel if you could steal, pardon me, appropriate it!
Thanks for the ideas guys,
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Could it be as simple as fidd-le? Fairly similar shape. Fairly common instrument back in the day.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

George-
Rim pads are made of something like “silicone rubber” (I’m sure there is really no such thing), a hollow bead about 3/8 to 1/2″ OD that conforms to the indie of the shoe. There is a flange of the same material that extends under the shoe, between shoe & hoof, to hold it in place. The flexing action of the bead as the foot is placed & lifted prevents snow balls from building up on the bottom of the hoof when the snow is sticky. following my farrier’s suggestion, I use them on the front only, the theory being that the more circular configuration of the front hoof makes it more susceptible to snow-balling. I’m not sure how that logic would hold up under rigorous testing, but anecdotally it works for me. What is key to me is that the entire sole is open.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

George,
Check out this thread for several caulk options, inc. what I use;
http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?829-Show-off-your-Horse-Shoes/page3&highlight=borium

I have not had any injury problems, knock wood.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

George,
I predict if you shoe your horses for winter work w good caulks you will be tickled & wonder why you didn’t make it happen sooner. You & your horses will love it.
I do.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Ed, Nice looking setup. What size rig & head tank are those?
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

Thanks Andy, fascinating as usual. Makes me step outside my box to think of “dry” soil as a fluid.
Mark

[Mark Cowdrey]

njfarmer,
Check out http://mapletrader.com/community/index.php for a forum with lots of in depth maple info.
Looks like a runner here in NH today, we’ll see. We are still not all tapped out (1100 total) but will get some more done today.
Ya Mitch, this is weeeeeeiiiiirrrddd weather.
Mark

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