Poweshiek CARES meeting: July 16, 2013

Poweshiek CARES will meet on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Drake Community Library.

This meeting introduces a new format, following through on the organization into committees that we have been working on at the last couple of meetings. Until these committees are established and running (through November, perhaps), we will meet as a large group once a month, then reevaluate. We will address members' concerns and questions at the beginning of each meeting, then proceed with reports and announcements. Our meeting time will be limited to an hour and a half. The committees' reports will be concise and to the point. (But do not hesitate to share -- our goal is to hear everyone's needs and get work done.)

Agenda for the July meeting

• Welcome: New attendees? Any questions or concerns?
• Committee reports
  • Partnering: local business amnd community partners; organizational allies; allies in other Iowa counties; in other states
  • Outreach and education: with farmers (holding panel discussions?); alternatives to current CAFO practices; public educational forums; presentations to local clubs and schools; the Web site; the Facebook page; membership efforts; letters to editors; alterantive, non-CAFO sources for meat and poultry; letters and factsheets for local business; follow-up calls; fundraising and grant writing
  • Legislative action: legislative allies; goals for 2014; lobbying efforts; working with local and statewide partners; letters and factsheets for legislators
  • Response, mobilization, and action: responding to requests for help in resisting the proliferation of CAFOs; review of master-matrix applications; monitoring new applications; generating options for response; mobilizing CARES members of rallies, shows of support and lobbying
  • Community impact: monitoring water quality; reviewing RUSLE2; master matrix compliance checking; preparing data and visuals showing the impact of CAFOs on environment, health, property values, quality of life, and mental health; coordinating environmental testing with local schools; working with EHSRC
• Quick reports (time permitting)
  • EHSRC Project
  • County policy push: cleaning up old hog confinement buildings
  • Emergency plan
  • Logo and letterhead
  • Non-profit status update
  • Participation in the Iowa Environmental Conference (October 11, 2013)
  • Jefferson County Family and Neighbors-JFAN (October 16, 2013)
  • Homecoming parade
• Dates of future meetings: August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19 (all at 7 p.m. at Drake Community Library)