In chronological order—with the most recent events at the bottom—are most of the projects and events Skookum has initiated:
April 2010:
- Skookum coordinated the bulk purchase of eight hand-cranked oil expellers, allowing purchasers to get a better price than if they ordered on their own.
May 2010:
- Salt Spring Island’s Apple Luscious Orchards Harry Burton’s “All About Apples” public presentation and workshop, to help us pay for Skookum’s apple cider press.
June 2010:
- We bought a Happy Valley apple cider press for use by our members and by the general public.
July 2010:
- Tatler BPA-free canning lid bulk purchase: Members got together and purchased about 1500 reusable BPA-free canning lids to help us can our produce. The bulk purchase reduced the cost; besides, the lids are not currently distributed in Canada. Donations went to the cider press fund.
April to October 2010:
- Experimental Oat Patch: We borrowed some land, bought some seeds and grew some oats. Most of what we amassed will be used for seed next year.
September, 2010:
- Tomato Canning Work Party: Nine Skookum members got together and purchased 200 lb of tomatoes, brought their jars and lids and engaged in a group can-a-thon with direction and instruction from Will Langlands and Nicole Narbonne.
- Skookum hosted the first ever 50-Mile Haiku contest with prizes coming from Skookum members to the haiku voted in as the best: http://pr50.wordpress.com/haiku.
October 2010:
- Co-Op week celebratory BYOA (Bring Your Own Apples) ‘Press-Off’ apple cider event at the Community Resource Centre 4752 Joyce Ave. Winter Farmers’ Market (Oct. 16, 10:30-12:30). A Skookum community outreach/ celebration of the 2010 Co-op week (Oct 17-22) and cider press fund-raising event.
February 2011:
- Skookum brought Carol Murray up to Powell River to spread the word about cooperatives, what they can do, and how to get them going. Carol is the Director of Co-op Development at the BC Co-operative Association. Read the story here.
April-May, 2011:
- Nola Poirier ran two very successful mushroom log workshops for members and the community. Read the story here.
Summer 2011:
- Skookum ran the Skookum Gleaners project. Read the story here.
September 2011:
- Skookum members hold an apple press-off at the Powell River Fall Fair, 2011. Read the story here.
- David Parkinson headed a members-only bulk nut/fruit order via Rancho Vignola. Read the story here.
October 2011:
- Skookum Partners up with The Urban Farmer to off a local Permaculture course. Read the story here.
- Jacqueline Huddleston lead a dehydrating workshop in her home. Read the story here.
November 2011:
- Skookum conducts a survey to determine member skills and interests. This will be followed up at Janurary 2012′s Skookum Social. Read the survey here.
December 2011:
- Skookum helps Farm to School project press apples for James Thomson Elementary School! Read the full post here.
January 2012:
- Skookum will feature a pot-luck members’ social event to celebrate 2012, UN International Year of the Co-op. Read the story here.
