MMSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
NOVEMBER 8, 2001

President Haigh called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. Minutes of the fall Board and general membership meeting were approved. The Treasurer's report was distributed. A few corrections were noted. There was discussion about designing a reimbursement form. All expenses would be listed on the form and receipts would be attached. Steve Youdes will develop the form. The Treasurer's report was approved.

Craig Arnold reported on the fall tour. There were 75 attendees. A suggestion was made to have porta-potties at each location. Next year’s fall tour locations were discussed. Craig indicated that pictures were taken at this years fall tour. Each family hosting had pictures taken at their sugarhouse. An album will be created and brought to the January meeting. Craig was thanked for an excellent job.

Mary Douglass gave a report for IMSI. The Board reaffirmed their goals of helping to maintain the integrity of pure maple syrup. There will be random testing, 10-20 per year. Selected producers will provide one sample. Another goal is cooperation amongst all the players, i.e. producers, packers, suppliers, etc. IMSI plans to set up a web site and hire a part-time staffer. Denatured alcohol has been a topic of discussion to replace the pills, as Quebec feels they need to have something.

Larry Haigh gave a report from NAMSC in St. Cloud. There was a lot of discussion about research and the penny per container contribution. Lou Staats from Cornell University has retired and there is concern that Cornell does not intend to fill his position. A letter from NAMSC was drafted to be sent to Cornell expressing the need and desire for this position. Next years conference is in New Hampshire. To promote Michigan attendance, a display will be prepared for our January winter meeting. Another topic discussed in St. Cloud was the printing of the Digest in two languages. Canadians would have to contribute to the Digest to assist in the cost of printing and postage for a French version. The Maple Syrup Producers Manual is undergoing revisions and updates and is expected to be available in 2003.

There was extensive discussion regarding the program for the January meeting. Randy Heiligmann will be our guest speaker in the morning, plus he will do a breakout session in the afternoon. The topics and time schedule were reviewed. Russ Kidd will compile the agenda and do a mailing for registration. The Honorary Member was discussed and it was moved and seconded that Sophy Carpenter receives the award. Jean Maday will contact her regarding her participation at the January meeting. Motion carried. Tim Boonstra is the nomination chair and he will be contacted to provide a slate of candidates for the meeting. The syrup contest will continue with Steve Youdes as Chair. Ron Kistler will be in charge of vendors and door prizes. Craig Arnold will handle registration Pre-registration will be $20.00 and registration at the door is $25.00.

There was discussion about our web-site status. Roger will be contacted for an update. The MMSA logo for shirts was discussed. R & J Screenprint in West Branch will be sent a contract for our logo use. MMSA will receive $1.00 for each item stitched with our logo.

Ron and Deb Thomas have talked with their State Representative regarding MDA rules. He is willing to introduce legislation to ease the burden on the maple syrup industry. This will continue to be pursued.

At the St. Cloud NAMSC meeting, a coloring book depicting the production of maple syrup was advertised. Four MMSA Board members were in attendance and decided to purchase a large supply for the Association. After extensive review of quantities and cost, it was moved and seconded that MMSA would buy the books at $.27 each and give each member one book in their registration packet at the January meeting and sell the remainder at $50.00 per case (96) or $.75 each. Motion carried.

Larry Haigh commented that Indiana is having their membership meeting on December 1, 2001 in Gaston. A letter received from a Michigan producer regarding sugarhouse property taxation was reviewed. The letter attempts to define an agriculture operation and food processing operations. The food-processing portion of the operation is not viewed as exempt from taxation. Although the Board commented on the technicalities and its potential impact on other producers to have "processing" portions rezoned, they could not see where MMSA could do anything to assist the producer in avoiding personal property taxes. Larry Haigh will respond to the producer.

Larry distributed a notice of Public Hearing from MDA. The proposed rules to conduct a grant program will be reviewed. It was decided that we would not attend, as it did not apply to maple syrup.

Members present: Craig Arnold, Mary Douglass, Larry Haigh, Ron Kistler, Jean Maday, Steve Youdes, Ron Thomas and guests Deb Thomas and Russ Kidd

Members absent: Tim Boonstra, Roger VandeBunte, Cathi Bates
The next board meeting is January 18, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Doherty Hotel in Clare.

Meeting adjourned 9:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Maday, Secretary