The Boring Bit

Or, if you prefer . . .

A Look at the Cash Flow of this Grower Networking Effort

Michael speaking now, one to one. Time to let go of that editorial "we" that I've tried hard to reflect in writing most of the other pages on this site.

What follows is apple accounting: honest, simple, and without guile. I need financial support to make a legitimate go of the Holistic Orchard Network. You in turn need to trust the story and not merely be taken in by the glitter. I'll post each year's finances here in this form until such time as more people give credence to "more normal" bookkeeping, if such can truly be said of non-profits and other bureaucratic twists and turns.

2004-2006 The orchardist pages on my farm website were initially financed by web sales of my Apple Grower book. Internet sales average about 60 copies a year, netting about $900 a year (after I in turn purchase books from my publisher and pay for shipping). These earnings covered the costs of site hosting and paying our talented webster . . . but I eventually came to recognize why I could never afford a decent orchard sprayer! My many hours of writing and research time were donated to aspirations of what might be.

Michael Phillips, organic apple orchardist, sets out for a day's work at Lost Nation Orchard (photo: Frank Siteman)

2007

Golden Apples is introduced as a means to share the costs with the grower community, very much like Public Radio does. Only we don't have pledge drives! Six good people are inspired to donate $200 total. This covers the costs of registering a separate domain name (GrowOrganicApples.com), site hosting, and a portion of computer costs. No research updates are posted as there's no additional funding for Sienna, our webster, to do the "voodoo speak" that makes it possible for you to see dazzling new insights on the worldwide web. I send out two newsletters and start saving for that sprayer.

2008

I spell out a very specific plea in the winter newsletter: The time has come to launch Grow Organic Apples but funding is needed for all sorts of page encoding on Sienna's part. Six very inspired supporters donate $900 immediately; this covers the bulk of the transfer and new page set-ups. Another six growers recognize the value of what's taking shape with an additional $360 of supporting membership donations by year's end. All direct site expenses are paid for the year, allowing me to draw an "annual coordinator's salary" of $10 for the first time ever. Whoopee! I bet I have as much time in on this project as I have contributed in all the past years combined. What's exciting is that we have achieved the goal of a genuine networking site filled with inspiration and real-time plans.

2009

Raising funds for this effort reflect the orchard year, in a sense. People donated $340 in the winter dormant season, another $1080 came in during the growing season, and the harvest season (when we all get overwhelmed!) saw a final $300. New memberships, renewals, business sponsors, and the occasional "apple lover" made the work accomplished on the site possible this year. Expenses accounted for $960; I allotted $500 for my efforts; leaving an account balance of $260 to start the new year.

2010

People have donated $1445 towards our budget goals for the year so far as the growing season begins. This pays for updates to the site and regular newsletters. We've also used funds to purchase a network digital camera to be able to share more images from Michael's forays to different orchards. Next up is a biologically-biased review of soil testing labs. Assuming one and all continues to do their bit. . . we have one heckuva year ahead!

Our Bare Bones Budget A base network budget of $6000 would realistically cover the costs of an active site and allow me to set aside interview and writing time enough to keep everyone intrigued. Infrastructure costs run about $500, webster time could easily be $1500 annually to post all sorts of info and research results, and coordinator remuneration of $4000 would enable me to zero in on holistic understanding on a regular basis. Frankly -- if employed as this network's Orchard Extension Agent for the Little Guy, so to speak -- I'd be able to dedicate more time delivering valuable information needed by orchardists wanting to grow nutrient-dense fruit for families in their respective communities. That would simply thrill me! Funding to cover such a budget comes down to enough people recognizing this vision of bringing health to the fore. Any funding beyond this base amount would empower holistic orchard research . . . which is where I hope a few resourceful apple lovers from local food movements might someday step to the plate to help us all.

Click here to find out about supporting the Holistic Orchard Network.