Randy4ut

I was wondering if you could put an "About Us" place on here and give the history of this forum? I have been around for about 1.5 years now and often wondered how you got this started and a little more info about your background. I know I speak for alot of us that we find ourselves spending more and more time on this board and I often refer others to this board mainly because of all the hard work you have done. I would really like to know more of the history of this forum...
Thanks and keep it up,
Randy

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buzzwinder

Yeah, Randy said it perfectly, I find myself referring people to this board, not only for Bananas but to show them how incredibly helpful people can be and how a Great Board is Administrated-Administered, not sure which word fits. A history would be nice.

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Bill for my friend

MediaHound

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the kind words!
I really appreciate when you suggest the site to others that share the same interest. If it weren't for kind people telling others about the site, we wouldn't be where we are at now.
To give some insight about my personal background as you asked, I have a diverse background; work history in things ranging from: pets, veterinary medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, websites, domain names, real estate, construction, sales, and financing, and I'm probably forgetting some things!
I've been growing plants my entire life, but first started caring for my own banana plants in the mid 90's. I still have descendants of that first plant. When I had the opportunity to start the Society, I gave it my all. I had the knowledge of what it entailed and it made sense to press forward with the idea. The first obstacle was getting the domain name Bananas.org. It took a lot of determination and persistence but I was able to lock it up and from there forward I put the website together, made many additions and adjustments to it along the way, and it's been growing well ever since.
In four months it'll be three years since I sprouted Bananas.org - sometimes it feels like its been longer and sometimes it feels like it was just a year or two. I think we've got an amazing bunch of people that contribute here and stop by on a regular basis, and for that I'm grateful. It's turned into what I envisioned, so far the first phase of it was definitely a goal that was set and reached. I wanted to form a community of people that shared a love of banana plants and appreciated the plant's history, use, and overall benefit to our race (not to even mention the other animals in the Kingdom that use the plant). The plant has a big part in the history of civilization, and its an amazing thing to cultivate the land, grow the plant, distribute, and consume it. I think its an amazing thing and I enjoy and appreciate every aspect of it, and wanted to share this with other people that feel the same. And I wanted to give them the capability to do the same, as well. The official mission statement has always been: "IBS is dedicated to increasing awareness of the banana plant as a food source as well as it's ornamental use in the landscape."
The next goals are more long term goals but I would love to produce a print journal, something nice for folks to reflect on when they're away from the computer. I would also like to have localized arms of the Society and more regular meetups happening. There's already been a few, though. The journal will come when the time is right (or should I say ripe) , and the meetups are inevitable, the more members we have, the more frequent and possible the meetups will be.
If you have any questions about anything, I'd be more than happy to talk some more about it! Best regards and thanks for reading!
Jarred

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

mskitty38583

thanks for the history jarred! i wondered what made you start this...now i know. thanks randy for asking about it. i love this site, and thanks to all who make it possible, and for all the hard work that you do for the nana.org. i have learned a "bunch" since i have been a member here. i always wanted nanas and because of yall, i now know enought just to get me started. i grow all types of things and nanas was just the next step up. so thanks to all of yall who have made this site what it is, and heres to the next 1000 members. kudos!:woohoonane r:. nothin' but love!

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CookieCows

I'd like to add that I've learned alot about bananas from this site. Knowledge is such a great thing and having a place like the internet to create a gathering place like this is incredible. Especially to those of us that remember pre-internet life!

The hay shortage we're going through this year has us thinking about other sources to help out next year and because of that I can say that when we chop down my first crop of basjoos at the end of summer I won't cry because I know that our cows are going to be thrilled with the food. I'm starting to think of this as not only landscaping but a food crop for the livestock.

You're touching lives Jarred, both human and bovine alike!!

Many thanks!
Deb

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Randy4ut

Jared,
Thanks for the insights to the history of this forum. I truly wish you would post it somewhere on the board so it will not get lost and others in the future will be able to read it. As far as some of the long range goals you have, I am all over them!!! I would love to see a "regional" group that could meet at least once a year, as well as a possible gathering of a bigger group maybe every other year. I know I truly enjoy attending the SPS meetings when they are close enough and I can schedule the time to go. It is great to share info, plants, ideas on a personal level. Plus, it is great to be able to put a face with a name from the board....
As far as the printed Bananas.org periodical, I would love to see that happen. Have you ever considered asking for donations, memberships that are a step above the free one currently? Maybe have a yearly membership of $20 to help offset some of your expenses. This level of membership would be able to get the periodical and maybe some extra little incentive to coax folks to "up" their membership. I feel certain with all the positives everyone is praising you for, they would be more than willing to donate a nominal fee to help and also receive a periodical. Hey, I will be your first "next level member" if and when you want to start it. Just let me know where to send the donation/membership fee...

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john_ny

I, too, would like to be able to contribute something toward expenses. I think Jared has done a wonderful job. There are so many neat features here, that I don't find on many other boards ( although I still don't fully understand Banana Bucks; what they are, how I get them, and what to do with them) and many of the others are always looking for money. Shortly after I found this site, I asked about contrbuting, and was directed to a certain page. (I can't even find the page again, now) When I got there, I found an announcement something like, "We are currently not accepting donations. Save your money - Buy more bananas."
Being, also, a fish afficionado, I signed up for the sister forum, "Aquarium Forum". When I was having trouble with my password, Jared actually called me on the telephone, and walked me through the entire process. Where else can you get something like that? Thanks again!

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John

microfarmer

Add me to the list. I'd pop for a deluxe membership. Thank you for putting it all together!

And don't forget the storefront. A tab at the top header (right in front of User CP) and a full selection of gear for the banana enthusiast. Tshirts, bumper stickers, hats, and can coozies to start.

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My new hero...

hydrojeff

yes i would also like to say thank you for this site Jarred, and i have learned so much from all of you, thank you to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. i need a coozie too!!!

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microfarmer

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My new hero...

Bananaman88

An IBS journal would certainly be sweet! Of course, it would take a lot of hard work on our part but it would be cool to do it. Thanks for the background, Jarred. I've often wondered the exact questions Randy asked. This truly is an awesome site! $20/year wouldn't be too bad, but would that really cover the costs of producing a journal?

Randy4ut

I think there are quite a few members currently on the board now that would be more than able to submit various articles to include in a quarterly. You could even have a section for other tropicals/substropicals. I know with the SPS, we have articles from personal experiences, scientific articles, articles on complimentary plants, to meeting notes, etc. I have seen some societies that will even send a little "welcome" gift to new members in the way of seeds, small plant, etc.

One other idea, if you had an IBS, you could have a "seed bank" that members could donate, buy banana seeds from. I know someone that will be reading this that will not want any part of it, but he does a great job with the SPS seed bank. It would be alot of work, but it would be doable and is a great assest to the society....

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STEELVIPER

Corona for me.

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microfarmer

I brew my own beer.

My DW named my brewery...She told me to get my nasty a** beer outta her kitchen! Thus was born... Nasty Ass Brewing! (think 'burro')

I'm drinking a homade oatmeal stout right now. Make that a...'Nasty Ass Oatmeal Stout'

I have 20 gallons of CA Pale Ale, 10 gallons of English Ale, 5 gallons of Cream Ale, and 5 gallons of really hard lemonade fermenting in my spare bedroom right now.

P.s. she doesn't like anything but Budweiser

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mskitty38583

corona is the bomb!( as long as theres a lime in bottle reach)

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Richard

I'd rather have a pilsner. For imports, Brou-Czech is pretty good.

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Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

microfarmer

A beer shouldn't need anything (lime) to complete it, but should stand on it's own merits.

I like most imports, dark or light, as they still have flavor (American beers are bland and too sweet). American breweries (Sierra Nevada excluded) are run by accountants, not brewmasters...too many cheap adjuncts added (corn or rice) to replace other more expensive ingredients (like barley malt).

I also like the way I can dial in a recipe to get the taste to where I like it. I like a bitterness in my IPA's and Ales, and my stouts need to have a sour finish. I was using a sour malt but am using Summit hops now for the sourness (has a grapefruit flavor/sourness) in the finish. That allows me to use different malts for flavoring (chocolat malt, roast barley, black malt, 150L Crystal malt) without my alcohol going up with more malt additions.

I also like to brew stuff that's outrageously priced, that I would never buy in the store. My costs run about $0.33 a 16 oz. glass, with 5% ABV. Bigger beers will cost more, but I'm brewing 'session' beers, not 'Knock Your D**k in the Dirt' beers like I used to do.

I've also just started learning about Meads, Mellomel, and Hard lemonades/ciders, and am going to try a Saki soon.

Happy quaffing! Cheers!

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My new hero...

Randy4ut

I like the way we go from talking about trying to convince Jared to take his great efforts to the next level, to beer drinking. Sorry, but could you take the beer drinking to the Tiki Hut and stay on track with a post... Don't mean to be indignant, but this is where my frustrations lie when they were discussed a couple of weeks ago on a very laborious thread about people having problems on the board. Please forgive me, but I just had to point this out...

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Richard

Well, I like these ideas. On the other hand, my professional experience tells me that Jarred has been accomplishing things at a remarkable pace. I would also guess that his in-basket for ideas is overflowing. More ideas is good, but if it takes months or years to accomplish, the site is still outstanding in the meantime.

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natedogg1026

I think it's a great idea, but can I suggest a break for Jarred. I'm not trying to shoot the idea down. I'd contribute in any way I could. I just wonder sometimes how busy we keep the guy. It's just that spring is near and I'm sure he's swamped at home and trying to keep up with all that goes on here. Maybe just let the site cruise for a while. He's already done so much since I've joined last year. I just don't want to overwhelm him as well as the moderators. What do ya think?

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.