TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
December 9, 2009
PRESENT: Michelle Neidermeyer, Chairman; Stephen Hayes, Stanley Hayes, Ann Wilhelm
ABSENT: Don Butler, Jason Bogli
GUESTS: Kate Bogli, Kevin Riggott
Chairman Neidermeyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 11/12/09
ON A MOTION BY Stanley Hayes, seconded by Ann Wilhelm, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to approve the minutes of November 12, 2009 as written.
ON A MOTION BY Michelle Neidermeyer, seconded by Stephen Hayes, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to change the agenda and add Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Reports to the agenda for discussion.
CONNECTICUT WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORTS: Ms. Neidermeyer reported that Shirley Murtha donated copies of Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Reports to the Commission. A thank you note will be sent to Ms. Murtha and Ms. Neidermeyer will contact the library to inquire if they would be willing to store the copies.
ON A MOTION BY Michelle Neidermeyer, seconded by Stephen Hayes, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to change the agenda and add the Agvocate Meeting to the agenda for discussion.
AGVOCATE MEETING: Ms. Wilhelm attended the Agvocate Meeting in Coventry. There were two speakers at the meeting: one from the Connecticut Farm Bureau and one from the American Farm Land Trust. The meeting consisted of representatives from mostly eastern townships. Ms. Wilhelm felt that Granby is ahead of most other towns in that we already have an Agricultural Commission in place and have conducted a survey to assess needs, etc.
UPDATE ON WEBSITE:
There is no new progress to report at this time.
GRANBY SAMPLER: Granby Sampler is the name given to the grant which was discussed at the last meeting and was written by Ms. Neidermeyer and Ms. Wilhelm. The grant was submitted and we will be notified in March of the status.
FARM FORUM:
There was a discussion regarding the farm forum which the Commission voted on at the last meeting. The main purpose of the forum is how to link up farmers with consumers. The framework of the forum will be as follows: introduction, opening comments, list of ideas, break down into groups for discussion, recommendations from groups and how to implement those recommendations. An outline will be given to the groups to assist in their discussions, such as 1) define proposal; 2) next steps and 3) obstacles. It will be recommended to have a facilitator and recorder for each group. At the end of the forum, names will be taken of any individuals who wish to assist and to continue discussion. It was decided to hold the forum on February 10th, with a snow date of February
11th. Ms. Neidermeyer will contact the Town Manager to provide an update and will also look for a venue. An article will be placed in the Granby News to notify the public of the upcoming forum. When there are more specifics available, additional articles will be placed in the Granby News and the Granby Drummer.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT MEETING:
- Farm Forum: Create Invitation List & Outline for Group Discussions
- "The 100 Mile Diet"
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Stanley Hayes, seconded by Ann Wilhelm, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Kane
Recording Secretary
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