Washingtonians

[ultasol]

Quote:
This was a bit of an issue and NOT with the club. See the guy with the burger stand just out side hasa rock solid deal that prohibits things that may basically hurt his business. That is (I was told) Why this club has no food. But WEwere just a group of friends sharing our lunch privately with each other and couldn't help it if others snuck in and got food too! I feel we had plenty and I didn't have any issue sharing. But I did tell those who ask what the deal was. I don't know of ANYBODY told they couldn't eat. That's MY BYC BUDDIES caring and sharing.

It's all good!! NO Worries!!! I didn't mean to start anything, just wanted to make suggestions for a more cohesive potluck!! (not sure if that's the right term) I'm excited about Monroe!!

Rustler- that makes sense,.. in which case it is a fairgrounds issue and has nothing to do with the club. At Stevenson the show committee provides a lovely lunch and takes 'donations' to help pay the cost.

 

[ultasol]

Quote:
That's kinda cruddy?? If they said we could bring our own lunch, why can't it be as big as we want???! LOL Do you really think your business was affected by the potluck?? hmm, I would think people would say, wow that guy must have some great stuff, look all the people over there!!

Can't be as big as we want because of space issues. They get charged to rent the building (I believe it is $1200, or maybe $900, a day? Something like that) and as you can see they didn't have a huge amount of extra space that wasn't used for showmanship or vendors, nor were there extra tables just sitting around. I think having it with Rob's stuff worked well,.. and I hope it didn't affect sales. Was so nice to see all of you there!

 

[ultasol]

Quote:
NO I'm totally down with that!! That is an excellent solution, and again, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but, look at it another way. It took money that I didn't really have to come up there, to spend the night ect, I spent money on food for that potluck for the people who are part of this forum ect, having said that, I would want what I brought to go to the people it is intended for, because I had very little left to go buy more to replace it. Now, my financial situation is of course my problem, but, at the same time I felt trying to sell my birds there, was not a waste of time or money and I met some awesome people and made some contacts that will benefit my business in the future! And it's one of those things, when times are better than by God I will contribute much more! OK, not sure if I'm making sense???

Heres what I think. First, if I were just a club member or showing birds and walked in the door I never for a second would think the potluck was for me the way it was situated. The show catalog said 'your on your own for lunch'. I may have brought fast food or something. I would not have helped myself to a potluck if the show catalog did not mention one.
Second, there was lots of good, specially prepared food there that people brought to share with BYC'ers. If all were invited it wouldn't have gone far and some BYC people may have been left out with the food gone. We planned the potluck to meet BYCers.
Third, if the show people and WFF members want potluck they obviously can plan their own. I'm not trying to sound like I wish to exclude them but we should be allowed to have our potluck without feeling guilty. We can encourage people to join the BYC Washingtonian forum. That way they will know about the potluck and not feel left out. Maybe after seeing our potluck and how fun it was future shows will plan their own for their members. If non BYCers and non WFF members show up to show maybe it will encourage them to join one or the other or both. If we get a few imposters, so be it. Not a big deal with me. I agree, we should come up with some kind of signage. JMHO.

They tried the potluck at a Stevenson show but because a bunch of exhibitors are from WAY out of area they also accepted donations, well, a bunch of people who were walk-throughs may have given donations, but they ate without contributing food and they ran out of food. This is why I signed up early for silverware, because I drive 4.5 hours on Friday to get to the show and I couldn't fit much more in my car if I tried, much less keep it at safe temps until Saturday. It's hard when many people are driving down Friday from quite a distance to show and might not have a place to keep food,a nd the club certainly doesn't. It's a lot of work to organize a show, and a potluck adds to the burden. I'm always grateful that the show comes off so well, sometimes things seem to pull together last minute, but it always works out. I am very grateful to everyone in WFF who helps out.

 

[pips&peeps]

I love the Stevenson Potluck!!!! They should put a sign up though that says lunch for exhibitors only so there is more food for me.

 

[pettec63]

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I forgot about the Wineries. Actually that's quite a good idea. Fresh cheese and of course soap would be a great seller.

My initial thought was to raise farm fresh eggs, lots of people do that here, but then, I found the Muscovy, a bug eating machine! Along with a good meat source as well. There are a small handful of people who have learned the cheese business and have taken their goat cheese to the wineries, farmers markets ect. It does take certification, which I would be willing to do, and learning to make soap to sell at some of these places as well. I don't know that I ever intended to be totally self sufficient, as in my husband would quit his job? He likes it too much. My intent was to make the land pay for itself. My thought was if I raise well bred goats, chickens and ducks, I could maybe make enough to pay for feed, irrigation, up keep. I could be dreaming, or way out in left field, because I am not an accountant nor am I good at numbers. I have tried to keep records of feed and supplies so that I knew what I was spending this year. We get a lot of people through this area that do have money. So, I wanted to tap into part of wine industry, as well as the specialty cheese market. We don't have the high property taxes ect that you have over there, I would consider it reasonable for the amount of land we have. I just know that I want to do something I love and be good at it and make enough to make it work???

I hear you! Me too. There is something else. In France, Barbary (it's what they call a dressed Muscovy) sells very well. Anyone who loves wine, would probably go for Muscovy breast. The problem is, and why we sell to the Asian market, is that you need to be licensed to sell dead poultry (but you don't need a license to sell live birds, and the Asians want them live).

Actually ,there is some problem with Muscovies. but can't find the info just at the moment.

Ah, the Wineries, you actually have a better "Potential" market than I do! Hey, if you need any marketing help in the spring, give me a buzz - I was in a marketing position in a big Biotech before moving up here.

I absolutely will! And will hold you to that!! LOL My husband told me there is a restaurant in Yakima that has Muscovy on the menu and one of the guys he worked with went up there and paid... I want to say like 210.00 for two people for the dish!! Can you imagine if someone came in and found out how much they paid and say came in just a bit lower? And say, they had to ship the duck in from Seattle ect... wouldn't a fresh farm only 25 miles away be a better alternative?? Now, having said that, it is just a matter of getting in touch with the I guess USDA and the state to find out the particulars?? And honestly... I am a long way from there at this point, but, it's an idea I've tossed around.

 

[ultasol]

pips&peeps :

I love the Stevenson Potluck!!!! They should put a sign up though that says lunch for exhibitors only so there is more food for me.

It's funny,.. Calesta and I brought a lot of chicken etc, but by the time I got over to eat and waited in line there was hardly anything left! Somehow I survived until the banquet (with the shall-not-be-mentioned cornish game hens- blech!). You think this derriere is self-maintaining? Gotta juice the caboose- just saying.​

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Ohhh, I knew there was a bit of a discussion with the club initially concerning our desire to have a potluck but in the end we were welcomed AND were allowed a space. Thanks Rustler for sharing and hope you won't be paying a price for it.

Thanks WFF for letting us be there. It was your show and very nice. I think we all had a lot of fun and were educated as well. By letting BYC in and have a potluck it brought more people to the show to learn and hopefully join the club and start showing! It's a win win!

I think Jules =:~) did a membership to WFF and I plan on sending in mine also. Hopeful that she (pettech) will do an entry next year and it was my first time entering. I have been a chicken show stalker for a couple of years and a BYC'r, tho non-posting, for many years. It was the encouragement of my friends and acquaintances on here that helped me through that gate. I was invited even if I didn't get up the nerve to post yet but chose to post first =:~) then p-a-r-t-y. Now, it seems you can't shut me up! The severe Dyslexia and speech impediment hide the gregarious nature of many. Just saying......

cyber hugs,

k/

too little time, too little $$$, not enough chickens

Look at you!! Miss I've already posted 10 times!!!

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Wow! No carcass will go to waste!!! Right on! you go girl!!! I want a BYC hat!!!

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
I forgot about the Wineries. Actually that's quite a good idea. Fresh cheese and of course soap would be a great seller.

My initial thought was to raise farm fresh eggs, lots of people do that here, but then, I found the Muscovy, a bug eating machine! Along with a good meat source as well. There are a small handful of people who have learned the cheese business and have taken their goat cheese to the wineries, farmers markets ect. It does take certification, which I would be willing to do, and learning to make soap to sell at some of these places as well. I don't know that I ever intended to be totally self sufficient, as in my husband would quit his job? He likes it too much. My intent was to make the land pay for itself. My thought was if I raise well bred goats, chickens and ducks, I could maybe make enough to pay for feed, irrigation, up keep. I could be dreaming, or way out in left field, because I am not an accountant nor am I good at numbers. I have tried to keep records of feed and supplies so that I knew what I was spending this year. We get a lot of people through this area that do have money. So, I wanted to tap into part of wine industry, as well as the specialty cheese market. We don't have the high property taxes ect that you have over there, I would consider it reasonable for the amount of land we have. I just know that I want to do something I love and be good at it and make enough to make it work???

I hear you! Me too. There is something else. In France, Barbary (it's what they call a dressed Muscovy) sells very well. Anyone who loves wine, would probably go for Muscovy breast. The problem is, and why we sell to the Asian market, is that you need to be licensed to sell dead poultry (but you don't need a license to sell live birds, and the Asians want them live).

Actually ,there is some problem with Muscovies. but can't find the info just at the moment.

Ah, the Wineries, you actually have a better "Potential" market than I do! Hey, if you need any marketing help in the spring, give me a buzz - I was in a marketing position in a big Biotech before moving up here.

A useful link for you pettec: http://smallfarms.wsu.edu/

and when next we meet we can talk about what little information I have on becoming a small farm processor. It's an inexpensive way to get certified to sell under a certain # of butchered birds a year- but you have to meet certain requirements. Hope some of this helps. Don't forget- utilize your cooperative extension people!

Hey thanks!!! I will!!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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FYI (don't kill the messenger) I did have several non BYC tell me that they would like to see a pot luck and they would like to see it go back to potluck at Stevenson rather than the Banquet. I see the potluck as too hard for most. Granted it was easy for me since here I close to home and at Stevenson I have the trailer to cook in but most are doing a room.

And yes she is right that thing looks like the drylander poultry clown car from with ^^^^ the psycho dryland clown at the wheel ! ! !