TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
November 12, 2009
PRESENT: Michelle Neidermeyer, Chairman; Don Butler, Stephen Hayes, Stanley Hayes, Ann Wilhelm
ABSENT: Jason Bogli
GUESTS: Bob Brockett, Kate Bogli
MINUTES:
ON A MOTION BY Stanley Hayes, seconded by Ann Wilhelm, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of October 8, 2009 as written.
UPDATE ON WEBSITE:
There is a now a prompt on the website so individuals can e-mail the Commission. The goal for the next few months is to get all other farms on the website.
POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS:
The Commission is down one member, possibly two if Jason Bogli resigns. There are a few people interested in joining the Commission and the process is in place to have one new member by December.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR 2010:
ON A MOTION BY ANN WILHELM, seconded by Stephen Hayes, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to change the meeting to the second Wednesday of the month beginning December 2009.
GRANT APPLICATION:
There was a continued discussion from last month's meeting regarding the grant application for Granby Feeds Granby. The grant is due the end of November and the money is to implement the program. A decision would be made in March and if we receive the grant, it would begin in June as a pilot program. Individuals would buy a share and would pick up food provided by Granby farmers either monthly or every other month. The number of shares would be limited and the farmers would know up front what they need to provide. There was some discussion regarding the possibility of using the Grange as a pick up point. Ms. Neidermeyer has contacted the Town Manager regarding intent to apply for the grant and she is scheduled to speak at the Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday.
FARM FORUM:
Ms. Neidermeyer distributed a draft for a possible Farm Forum to be held in February. The purpose of the forum would be to find out who is interested in different programs, (i.e. a farmer's market), get input on issues and to get people vested in and have ownership of events. She will bring this idea to the attention of the Board of Selectmen on Monday. If approved, a location will need to be determined and an announcement placed in the February Drummer regarding a Farm Forum to be held on February 25th. For a future forum, Ms. Bogli suggested bringing up the topic of the food provided at the schools and the idea of a school garden, linking up with local farmers, etc. ON A MOTION BY Don Butler, seconded by Ann Wilhelm, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to proceed with the proposal for
holding a Farm Forum.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT MEETING:
- Ideas for library display case in May
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Stephen Hayes, seconded by Stanley Hayes, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Kane
Recording Secretary
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