MAINE CHEESE GUILD

Next Meeting: June 16, 2003, State of Maine Cheese Co. Rockport

June 5 is Maine Dairy Day at Augusta -- the Guild will have a table with info and cheese samples. We could use some more help (and cheese). Let Caitlin or Cathe know, or just show up!


Minutes
April 25, 2003

Present - Caitlin Hunter, Deb Hahn, Scott Gardiner, Charles Hopkins, Jane Morosco, Anne Bossi, Cathe Morrill, Perry Ells, Jennifer Betancourt, Claire Mikolayunas, Jean Kuhns, Russ Libby (MOFGA), Gabe McPhail (Maine Farms Project)


Grant update - Caitlin announced that we got the Dept of Ag Marketing grant, which will be used to develop our"look" logo, survey, letterhead and website, and for the Maine Cheese Festival. The contracts for the grant have been signed and we have an ein number.

The web designer is ready to go, and we currently have a site up at
www.mainecheeseguild.org. You can also contact: info@mainecheeseguild.org. It currently forwards to Caitlin.

Logo - Gabe McPhail brought her laptop to the meeting with several nice versions of her logo designs for us to look at. After some discussion it was decided that Gabe will work further to incorporate our ideas and email the new versions to Caitlin who will email them to the Board members. (logo enclosed!)

Cheese Festival - Russ Libby told us our preferred date for the Festival of Sunday, October 12 fits with the MOFGA schedule. Eric Rector is the lead person for this and can be contacted through MOFGA. Festival will take place in the Exhibition Hall at MOFGA in Unity; expected attendance of 300-500 people with a small admission fee, to be decided.

It was decided that this will be a cheese and butter event and can include yogurt and related
products but no ice cream or fluid milk. Bread and crackers will be offered as a sidelight. This is an opportunity to present to the public what Maine cheesemakers are producing, it is not a competition. We will offer samples from both licensed producers and "amateurs"(not licensed). Those who are licensed can have a table for sales; there's space for 20 tables. There will be educational presentations throughout the day some of which will be:

buttermaking demo
cheesemaking demo
taking milk from the goat to cheese (kind of like a sheep to shawl demo)
milk tasting from sheep, goats and cows
history of cheesemaking in Maine
Slow Food
how to become a commercial producer
goat milk & cheese
sheep milk & cheese
cow milk & cheese

There is no need for a meeting of key Festival people until Fall since we have lots of good ideas and it seems to be coming together well.

In addition to the Festival, Kris Horton at the Portland Public Market says they are open to
hosting a cheese event.

By Laws - were adopted by the incorporating members (Scott, Caitlin & Cathe) as written.

Election of Officers and Board members - The following were elected as Board members:
Scott Gardiner, Caitlin Hunter, Cathe Morrill, Anne Bossi, Marj Lupien, Deb Hahn, Eric Healy, Pat Spinney, Charles Hopkins, Jennifer Betancourt, Perry Ells.

Elected officers (2 year term):

President: Caitlin Hunter
Vice President: Cathe Morrill
Treasurer: Scott Gardiner
Secretary: Anne Bossi

Survey - The survey is now posted in the website; 70 copies along with the minutes of the last meeting) were sent out; twelve have been returned. The goal of the survey is to see who is currently producing cheese and/or milk and who wants to in the future. Claire and Perry will call those members who haven't yet filled it out. In the future the survey will be part of the membership application.

Membership update - Annual dues are$25 this year and are due now. Make checks out to Maine Cheese Guild and mail to State of Maine Cheese
461 Commercial St
Rockport, ME 04856

Workshops - There will be a three day cheesemaking workshop with Peter Dixon the first
week of November, topics to be decided. He charges $300 a day plus $20 per hour driving time (from Vt), room and board. Details to be announced later.

Other possible winter workshops:
Cheesemaking with Margaret Morris of Ontario
quot;How-to-get-started in a cheese businessquot;
Beginner Cheesemaking
Cheesemaking with Josh Vandergroot who formerly worked for
Hubbardston Cheese in Mass and currently works at Standard Bakery
in Portland.

Resources - Courtney Haas of Nunsuch Dairy in New Hampshire has received a SARE grant to act as farmer/educator for small dairies.

Next Meeting - Monday, June 16th, 10-2 at State of Maine Cheese. Bring a bag lunch (and some cheese would be nice).

Minutes taken by Anne

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