Today was a Zoom meeting with 35 folks on line.
CHAT TIME:
Reuben DeMaster, our speaker today, was om early. He was sick last week, but has recovered and looks forward to today’s meeting.
District Governor Bob Hobaugh was also on early. He has had farming in his family for generations.
Gail Micca said that Reuben has been a great supporter of our garden.
Barbara Kistler has known Reuben and his wife for many years.
When asked, Ernie Boll said that they will be back here on April 5 -- he needs to do their taxes.
Len Salines continues to heal. He has a few more weeks of rehab.
Marlene and Gary Heller are heading to tour Arizona.
GUESTS ON LINE:
DG Bob Hobaugh, Kutztown RC; Dr. Ethel Drayton-Craig, friend of the club; Janice Kelsey, former speaker at AWRC; and Kathy Rader, guest of the club.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca rang a real bell at 7:30 to start the meeting.
Tom Friday gave a very nice invocation.
Then Pres. Gail led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. She then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
PDG Bill Weber delivered today’s story about the Group Study Exchange program.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of February member celebration events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD BANK:
Jean Masiko said volunteers are needed for this Saturday’s distribution.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE:
DG Bob Hobaugh said we have 3 dynamic speakers coming. There will be entertainment, golf, games and dancing.
AWRC 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
This event will take place on Friday, April 29th at Madeline’s at 1250 Turnstone Dr, Fogelsville, PA 18051. Start time is 6:00 P.M.
ROTARY DAY OF SERVICE -- APRIL 30:
DG Bob Hobaugh explained how this effort to support the environment also is a way to get non-Rotarians involved and to grow membership.
AWRC MEETING SITES:
Pres. Gail said that we will hold face-to-face meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in March and April at the Community Library. For April and May we will be at Madeline’s. The latter may continue.
AWRC received a $200 donation from the George Ikeda family to have a sign made for our meeting places.
AWRC GREEN THUMB GARDEN UPDATE:
Pres. Gail complimented Tori Morgan for her hard work with the garden. Seedlings are on order and planting of the 8 raised beds will happen in April.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:
Karen Rodgers along with her husband Billy and son, Owen, packed 150 bags of produce for families who came to the Parkland CARES Drive Through Pantry on Sunday, Feb. 6th.
SNACK PACKS:
The next packing will be February 16 at Parkland H.S. Also that date will be snack packing at Northwestern Lehigh. The Interact Club students will be there to help.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
This program is going well. Volunteers still are needed.
KINDERGARTEN KINDNESS PROJECT:
This new project will start to present books to kindergarten children in the Spring. Planning is going well.
AFGHAN FAMILY SUPPORT:
Amir Famili reports that the first family is settled in. The second family has the wife , but her husband got sent to New Zealand. We are asked to support their needs.
SHOWCASE TUESDAY:
Many members saw this presentation and complimented Nick Millward on his performance.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill Palmer is happy to recognize Ralph Witcher as one of the best Program Chairs AW has ever had.
Gail Micca agreed with Bill.
Barbara Kistler thanks DG Bob Hobaugh for the D7430 Showcase Tuesday events.
DG Bob Hobaugh thanks the AW members who work to make Showcase Tuesday work.
Tori Morgan is happy that Kathy Rader joined us today.
Gwenn Carr thanks Nick Millward for his well [resented story.
Jill Kearney thanks Gail Micca for taking the time to deliver her Rotary pin to her home. And then Gail discussed Rotary to the meeting that was going on.
Jill also thanks Ralph Witcher for his welcoming call and help with an issue.
Ralph Witcher says he wants to be a “Newbie” again.
He also is happy that their son, Seth, will be 23 years old on Saturday.
Amir Famili is happy that AW members supported the Afghan family.
SERVICE PROJECT:
See the left side of this bulletin.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday February 16 via Zoom starting at 7:30 a.m. Come on at 7:15 and chat. Our program will be Dr. Jim Elliker, President, Leading People, Inc. Recreating Leadership.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher, introduced Reuben DeMaster, Owner - The Willow Haven Farm to provide an overview of the farm.
Their website says: “Local farm food that fits into your life.
Farmer Reuben custom packs and delivers organic produce, grass fed meats, dairy and more to fit your schedule and your tastes.
Reuben DeMaster signs his communications as “Farmer, Willow Haven Farm. Delivering our family farm's organically grown food to busy families in the Lehigh Valley”
He also says: "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." - Masanobu Fukuoka”
The topic today is, "What can an organic farm offer to a community?". Reuben gave us a pictorial tour of the farm and then talked about some of the farm products. The farm has tangible products such as vegetables and bread and cheese but it has much more to contribute. People who come to the farm learn many lessons and he shared some of these with us.
Reuben and wife Tessa DeMaster have been farming at Willow Haven Farm since 2009. From the beginning they had a vision for building a diverse, organic farm that would produce excellent food for their friends and neighbors.
Along the way they realized that a farm was meant to be shared and more and more people starting coming to visit, to work, to live, and to be a part of the Willow Haven Community. Last year, Willow Haven Farm produced food for over 600 households and donated food to many food pantries. They think that They are just getting started and are eager to share the next steps with OTHERS.
Reuben said that they returned to Tessa’s family farm. Their family has grown and they all help.
The farm consists of 80 acres , and 10 are used to grow vegetables. They grow their own hay to feed their animals, e.g. sheep, goats, cows, etc. They have cats there.
They started with one cow and now milk 10 cows each day. The milk is used to make their own cheeses. The cheese making also led to the preparation and baking of sourdough bread, now another of their products.
Their products also include a complete line of fruit. Some are grown locally, and some are sourced elsewhere. They also have chickens and sell eggs and meat.
Reuben says that farms have smells, tastes and sounds. And they have people. Over the years they have had many visitors, some farming interns, and some trainees who lived there for years.
Reuben said that farming is hard physical work. One of his goals is to train – and keep -- a manager to do a lot of what he does.
Reuben said that they have Pizza parties each month, and an annual Farmers’ Dinner. And at Easter they feature chicks and ducklings.
Reuben said that the farm can always use volunteers. He also said “Sustainability is key.” They also have an e-mail list for folks to then receive timely info. And they have a website.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best.”, rang the imaginary bell and adjourned the meeting.
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