May 11, 2017 - Bill Cook on the "Mushroom Farm"
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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
May 11 , 2017
THE MUSHROOM FARM - Bill Cook
Article by Susan Kealey
Photos by EJ Dieterle
Bill Cook, The Mushroom Farm and the "pot-abilities".
Campbell Soup's Mushroom Farm, at one time one of the area's largest employers, sold the farm to Money's Mushrooms Ltd. of Canada. Money's continued to operate it into the 90's as a Mushroom Farm. When it was closed in 2004, Bill was asked to represent the property for sale, he countered with the idea that the property is too special to sell. It's like it's own city with several buildings and infrastructure. When it was operating as a mushroom growing facility, horse poo was used as compost for the mushrooms in 1600 sf rooms. The massive infrastructure couldn't be duplicated today. The property includes the farm as well as a ranch totaling 750 acres of ancient grasslands, forests, water rights, etc. it even has non-native Canary Island St. John's Wort which could be put to use to combat depression...
The farm participated in an experimental project to grow certified organic quinoa for Lundberg Farms. It doesn't grow well in the heat, which makes our climate great. It is a Chilean plant, it is a basic staple there. Bill showed us pictures of all phases of growth. It is an annual plant with a 3-4 month cycle whose leaves are even edible. They grew 10 acres, we're eating some for lunch today. Lundberg was an active participant, visiting often and monitoring progress. Quinoa retails for as as high as $15 per pound, it sells for $1 wholesale. At the end of the season, the grain was harvested using a complex harvesting machine, rebuilt with the help of Dave from HMB Auto. The stalks get ground up and composted.
Q & A
What's next? Prop 64 passed...ever thought of growing marijuana? Bill's been learning about it and looking for ways to make it beneficial for the community.
How's the band going? I'm getting old.
Still growing mushrooms? There is some interest, especially in using mushrooms for environmental clean up, natural insecticides , mental health... Go online and see how mushrooms can save the world.
Are you running the farm full time? Bill is still in RE; the farm is like having 2 jobs, but he loves it.
Have you hosted artists to paint the fields? Not yet, but interested in the idea.
Do you know Steve O.? Yes, we are going to the same meetings.
Other events? Opera, is still running on the 2nd Sat of month. He still also does parties, but spends more time on the farm now.
When can we come down? Anytime. Several people expressed in a field trip to the farm.
They are growing pumpkins this year. They are also trying to disk under non-natives and grow rye grass to transition to native grass to harvest for hay. Will do grazing as well. Bill wants to emulate native grasslands. It is a scientific process. Time of year, species, etc need research. Gray Hayes, sure, use elephants!
Are there any conservation easements or pressure? We are already radical conversationalists, we are more radical than them.
Tourism? Sure, it'll help pay the bills. Need to research.
Gabriella, are you still selling eggs? Yes, they can be found at HMB Auto, but she mostly wants to enjoy the chickens as pets. Feel free to call.
Why no more quinoa? They produced more per acre than other experiential farms. They took care of it like a garden, which was not as profitable. Where they watered more, most of the other farms dry farmed. Moving on to other experiments.
The current ownership is an LLC, with two families participating. The major holder is an Indian family formerly from Kenya. This amazing family now is in Canada. Bill feels like part of the family and is impressed with their business acumen.
Water? They have rights to Gazos Creek. They monitor the usage and water level closely so as not to impact steelhead. They eventually want to develop ag wells.
Please visit. Rotary field trip!
Contact: Bill Cook, P.O. Box 282, Pescadero CA 94060 650-255-0055 bill@williamhcook.com
May 11, 2017 Meeting Recap
Article by Rose Serdy
Photos by EJ Dieterle
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Greeters: Past President Dianne Bobko and Mary Corcoran
Pledge: Ed Daniels
Inspirational Thought: Mary Corcoran read quotes from Mother Teresa
Visitors and Guests Susan Kealey brought Dennis and Mitone Griffiths brought John Muncie (Captain of the Sheriff’s Department)
Happy/Not So Happy News:
Kevin O'Brien just returned from Kauai and had a wonderful time with family. He and Debbie hiked through mud to view one of Hawaii’s magnificent water falls.
Mary Corcoran advised Kevin that she and Bill had their honeymoon on Kauai 32 years ago.
Kevin O'Brien reported that Dinner at Harley Farms, one of the auction items from Magic of the Coastside that many Rotarians went in on, was wonderful; and Kevin hopes to make this an event for our club next spring. Bonnie Dunham wanted to join the fun and brought a check for dinner as she is close to the Harley family. Dee Harley, the owner, would not accept the check; so Bonnie donated the sum to the HMB Rotary Club Foundation at the meeting today. Also, Dee was delighted to receive an honorary Paul Harris Award.
Mary Corcoran’s son was there with Bill and wrote a wonderful blog on Harley Farms.
Proud Mom, Mitone Griffiths, shared that her daughter Mia will be participating in the CCS swim competition tomorrow.
John Evans announced he remembers when Mitone would bring Mia to the Club events in a bassinet.
This past week end was our District Conference:
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President Liz announced the following awards and recognized the Directors of Service on her board and others who were responsible for each of the recognized areas:
Best Club Award - Congratulations to all Club Members and our President Liz for working so hard!!
Rotary Foundation - Kevin O'Brien and the ‘Raffle King” Wes Burgess
Club Administration - Renee Lewis, Director; Dwight Wilson, Treasurer; and Rosi Fontana, Secretary
Community Service – Rusty Rieley-Pond, Director
International Service – Joe Brennan, Director
Membership – Paul Wrubel, Director
Public Image and Marketing – Mary Corcoran and Dianne Bobko
Vocational – Warren Barmore, President Elect
Youth Services - Linda Crose-Andersen, Director
Our own Dr. Shapira arranged the entertainment over the week end with youth performing classical guitar. One youth played on a 12-string guitar.
John Evans brought along 3 exchange students including Caroline.
Dwight Wilson, our Treasurer, gave Liz the report from Magic that we netted approximately $29,000 which will support the HEAL Project Farm to build their new outdoor classroom as well as other important Club projects. Our Club Foundation Board has voted to donate to the new HMB/Coastside Library to fund a room - hopefully the Literacy Room.
The HEAL Project is asking for help on the 24th of May from 10:30-12:30 with planting at the farm. Part of our request of them was for ways to have members participate at the Farm in some way and not just only give them the donation for the classroom. SO THIS IS OUR CHANCE!!
Mitone Griffiths says this week end is the Cunha Festival put on by the Rotary Interactors (our group has a leadship role in this effort) with a goal to buy their own “Shelter Box”. Help and support from the Club members is requested.
Rusty Reilly-Pond announced that Relay for Life is on June 3rd at the High School opening ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. She asks that the Club supports this event; so make sure to donate or raise $100 each. She had posters to hand out to Club members.
Renee Lewis said entertainment for the event has been arranged by Kelly Morlock and should be a lot of fun.
Also fun event tonight for Relay at Nicks in Pacifica from 6-9 p.m. Bill Cook and wife, Andrea, will giving dance instructions. Enjoy wine and food.
Susan Kealey announced June 3rd is the Senior Coastsiders rehabilitation day. She needs volunteers.
Charise MeHugh and Mary Corcoran mentioned that Rotary at the High School is tomorrow. Mary still needs job interviewers in the early shift/first period; contact Mary. Rusty Reilly-Pond will be there looking for a student for a part time teller position.
Liz asked club how they would be celebrating Mother’s Day. Flowers, dinner, brunch and travels to San Luis and southern Cal were among the responses.NO LUCK, Steve! AGAIN TODAY - GREEN AGAIN! 
COMING EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
MAY
May 18 Shop Talk: Eric Shapira
May 25 Shop Talks: John Evans & Ed Daniels
JUNE
Jun 1 Speaker: Paula Hammack
Jun 8 Speaker: Ursula Schnyder, owner of Sweet55 who will be speaking on her passion
for chocolate and how she came to Half Moon Bay and opened her dream business!
Jun 15 HEAL...Rotary Foundation Funded NEW Classroom OPEN HOUSE
Jun 22 Speaker: Caroline Gossart/Exchange Student
Jun 29 DEBUNKING LIZ
PHOTO GALLERY
