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Potato House directors ready for a new year

The Potato House Sustainability Society is ready for another year following a sampling of interesting potato inspired dishes.
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Surveying the unique pot luck supper buffet of potato inspired dishes are Potato House Sustainability Society members

The Potato House Sustainability Society is ready for another year following a sampling of interesting potato inspired dishes at their annual general meeting last month.

The society directors work to raise awareness about sustainability in the community in a number of ways, first and foremost by creating a heritage designation for an old house down town known as the Potato House. Executive director Marin Patenaude is the reason the Potato House site is no longer a weed field, says president Mary Forbes.

“She does everything from turning compost, compost coaching, garden planning, social media, to grant applications. People can contact her with questions at spuds@potatohouseproject.com.”

As a third year director, society founder and president Forbes works with Patenaude to ensure programs are meeting the society’s goals. She also assists in community outreach and making grant applications.

Treasurer and second year director, Chris Hutton, brings his experience as a city planner for the City of Williams Lake and has been essential in creating the new urban chicken and bees bylaws the Potato House wholeheartedly supports, Forbes says.

Second year director and SPIN (Small Plot INtensive) Brianna van de Wijngaard cultivates a small part of the Potato House landscape to grow edible goodness for local farmer’s markets.

Pat Teti is a third year director, founding member and the treasurer. “Pat keeps us organized, registered, up to date on the society act, grounded in our constitution and keeps out website up to date,” Forbes says. “As an added bonus he takes great photos and does beautiful woodwork.”

A third year director and founding member Chris  Hornby is the community outreach specialist. She hosts the used book and Potato House product booth at the summer and winter Farmer’s Markets where people can find calendars, Potato House Project up-cycled-recycled shirts, memberships and garden information.

Richard Case is also a third year director and founding member who manages the  Transition Town Williams Lake group activities such as film discussion nights after the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Centre board meetings.