Busy, Busy, Busy

This week I have had to meet with a new member of the team, write a survey, get IRB Certified, plant seeds, work out problems with the hiring freeze, and fix a problem with our media used to plant the seed. That is the short version.

The longer version, I met with Sarah Ratermann about the possibility of the surveys we need done working for her Master's Program. We think it will, just not this semester. So, that puts the onus on me to write a survey. As this progressed I found out I need to be IRB certified. I still have paper work to fill out to be a student group, and for an EBT machine grant so we can take food stamps.

Sally, Brad, and I planted seeds on Monday afternoon. We are using soil blocks. This is relatively new to people here. Nobody seems to have heard of it. The problem we discovered was that the media we were using was for bedding plants, not germination. Yes, lots of LOL. It's either that or cry. So, Friday I went to Morgan County Seed and got the right stuff. I made the fertilizer mix for the soil block mix on Saturday. Green sand was the limiting reagent.

Also this week, went and talked to some people who could help me understand the hiring freeze. It is negatively affecting this student project. I went to schedule an appointment with Bryan Garton, the Interim Associate Dean and Director of CAFNR, and got right in and talked with him. I am grateful he took the time for us. I hope he can help the way he thinks he might be able to help.

This next week I have to have a rough draft of the survey to the board by Monday night and, finish the paperwork for the grant. When it comes to the paperwork for the student group, I am wondering if maybe we shouldn’t join Sustain Mizzou. Maybe that would be the best for all. I don’t know yet. I will be thinking much on this topic as I fill out the paperwork. I will still need to help plant seed this week, on Monday and Friday. Oh and then there is school and all the work that goes with it. I have a test and a paper due. I also have to have my graduation plan done before I see Dr. Spain on Wednesday morning.

Busy, Busy, Busy,

Andrew

Olivet Christian Church

Today I went and gave a very fast presentation to the members of Olivet Christian Church on what exactly is a CSA and their part in it. I had less than 30 minutes to tell them all and answer questions. I had quite a few say afterwards that the presentation was just what they were looking for. I hope so. I like the atmosphere of their church, it is very friendly. Now, I just need to get a rough draft of the survey to them by the 23rd so they can approve it. No pressure...lol Oh well, it will work out. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that I don't have to have all the answers all the time, if I am patient, they will usually show themselves. Here's hoping I don't have a blind spot this week.

Andrew

Germination Mats & Starting to Bloom

Well yesterday I went down with my wife to Morgan County Seeds and purchased some germination mats and 28 different varieties of tomato seeds. They were out of four others that Tim wanted, but maybe next time. These seeds will help plant the tomatoes for the Tomato Festival at Bradford Farm. Personally, we bought a pH meter that you have to just stick in the soil, no wet kit. I hope it's reliable.

Sunday I will make a presentation at Olivet Christan Church at 10:30, I hope it goes well.

Sally and I talked about planting dates and it looks like we are getting started on Monday February 16th, 2009 from 1-5 p.m. We will be making soil blocks and planting seed.

We've been working on trying to solve our labor problems, especially for the summer. I was talking to Adam Saunders at the Sustainable Ag Breakfast at Cafe Berlin and he mentioned he had contacts who might be willing to help with the CSA.

I meet with a graduate student in Rural Sociology this week to see if we can work together on some survey's that need to be done. We need to get a survey out around the 1st of March!!

That's all for now, more as it comes.

Andrew