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TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
September 8, 2010
PRESENT: Michelle Niedermeyer, Chairman; Kate Bogli, Steven Hayes, Ann Wilhelm
Lanie Neumann
GUESTS: Matt Garrett, MaryAnn Curling
Ms. Niedermeyer confirmed a quorum and began the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES, ON A MOTION Steven Hayes seconded by Lanie Neumann, the Commission voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of July 14, 2010 as written.
TOWN SANDWICH BOARD:
- There was a brief discussion about the sandwich board reiterating if there is a time where the board isn’t being used by a farm, it will state, “Support Granby agriculture”.
UPDATE ON WEBSITE:
- Website is up and running.
- Any additional changes or tweaks should be finalized this year.
- Ms. Niedermeyer asked Mr. Hayes if he would get a count of hits on website in Feb/March.
- Ms. Neumann suggested possibly adding a link to FaceBook.
- Reintroduce website for Spring 2011 relaunch.
UPDATE ON GRANBY SAMPLER:
- MaryAnn Curling gave update on Sampler.
- At this point, 25 people have signed up for the Sampler—including families in other towns.
- There are 23 farms that contribute to the Sampler.
- Two people have signed up for next year. Eight others are interested in next year.
- The grant for this program is $17,273.00. So far $5200.00 has been spent (only $600 of which didn’t stay in town.)
- Year Two of the Sampler there will be less funding and in Year Three there will be no funding.
- Ultimate goal in 3rd year is to accommodate 50 families.
- MaryAnn Curling will update Granby News.
- Should be put in Drummer next year.
- There was a discussion regarding what has been learned during the pilot year of this program. MaryAnn Curling has suggestions for improvement in year two, including: 1) offering a payment plan for consumers; 2) finding more sources on the supply end 3) starting much earlier next year.
- Brief discussion on the pick up point. Kate Bogli suggested that the pick up point varies around farm to farm. MaryAnn Curling noted it may be possible with much coordination and advance notice. Ms. Niedermeyer offered that changing the pick up point may be confusing.
- There was a brief discussion about non-food products the Sampler offers: Lanie Neumann suggested a coupon for “One Free” Corn Maze ticket included in Sampler.
- It was noted that the Recipe card in the Sampler reflects the ingredients presented in that particular basket.
- MaryAnn Curling is open to any and all suggestions or special requests.
- Ms. Niedermeyer suggested a potluck dinner for all farmers and Sampler subscribers.
- A survey for subscribers and farmers in the next few weeks should be acted upon collecting data for this pilot to wrap up the year.
UPDATE ON FARM MAP:
- Ms. Niedermeyer will email the Town Manager regarding land inventory.
- Need to obtain a new list from town regarding parcels of land that could be reclaimed as farmland and work on as a group. It was suggested that GO Mapping would help this process immensely.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS:
- Ms. Niedermeyer reminded all present that the next Agricultural Commission meeting will commence at 7:00 PM and continue at 7:00 PM until next Spring.
- There was a brief discussion on the recently passed Pickle Bill.
- Ms. Niedermeyer will write something for the Town Calendar with photo of Sampler, website and farm map information included.
- Lani Neumann suggested everyone attend the Granby Grange fair to be held this weekend.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Steven Hayes, seconded by Ann Wilhelm, the Commission voted (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Tappenden
Recording Secretary
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