TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
December 8, 2010
PRESENT: Michelle Niedermeyer, Chairman; Kate Bogli, Lanie Neumann, Don Butler,
Ann Wilhelm
GUESTS: John & Erin Pirro, Matt Garrett
Ms. Niedermeyer confirmed a quorum and began the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES:
ON A MOTION BY Kate Bogli, seconded by Don Butler, the Commission voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of November 10, 2010 as written.
Sampler Update
- Kate Bogli was at a potluck for farmers and consumers alike. The event was well attended and Ms. Bogli received a lot of feedback about the Sampler from consumers---all positive.
- Michelle Niedermeyer reminded the forum that currently the AC has a grant to help support the Sampler. Next year that grant money will be less. The Sampler will increase in cost to offset the grant deficit. There will be a handling fee with approximately an 8% increase---roughly $5/delivery ($60/year).
- Next year the Sampler will support 25 more families in addition to the 25 it currently provides. To accommodate this increase, the 50 families will be split into 2 groups. Group 1 will have Sampler products the 1st and 3rd week of the month. Group 2 will be provided with Sampler products the 2nd and 4th week of the month.
- Lanie Neumann suggested the AC offer holiday gift baskets. These gift baskets would act as a ‘sample’ of the Sampler for families not necessarily already signed up for the original Sampler. These gift baskets would be a one-off, available only at certain times of the year.
- Michelle Niedermeyer suggested there still has to be an official survey conducted of the Sampler for farmers/consumers.
Town Land Analysis---Next Steps
- Steve Hayes put together a list of the land parcels. Michelle Niedermeyer had a copy of this list and it was passed around for each committee member to view.
- It was suggested that the committee look into land parcels less than 5 acres—between 1 to 5.
- It was suggested that perhaps Steven Hayes could put together a list of these 1 to 5 acre parcels; distribute said list to the commission and the commission could identify parcels as follows:
1) Absolutely not 2) Possibly 3) Don’t know: more research needed
- Michelle Niedermeyer stated that the AC must get on the agenda for an upcoming Board of Selectman meeting.
- Next step is for the AC to make suggestions to Board of Selectman/Town Manager.
Programs for 2011
- Michelle Niedermeyer and Kate Bogli suggested a few things the AC could get involved in for 2011 in addition to the Sampler and the Land Parcel Research project.
Ideas for 2011 include, but not limited to the following:
1) A Program in the late winter on Food Preservation---Canning & Freezing
- Have a few guest speakers in Feb or March. Potential date Tuesday, March 2, 2011.
- This program would include 2 guest speakers for discussion and possibly a demonstration later in the evening.
- The topic would be something like “Food Preservation”---canning & freezing with practical information for farmers and consumers alike.
- Michelle Niedermeyer asked Erin Pirro if she would contact and secure a ‘Regulatory Expert/Dept of Agriculture” expert to discuss The Pickle Bill.
- Ms. Niedermeyer asked Ann Wilhelm if she would secure a speaker for home food preservation.
- Ms. Niedermeyer asked Lanie Neumann if she would contact the company Ball about getting some canning products.
- This event would be possibly being held at the High School or Senior Center.
2) A Fall “Open Farm Day” either in conjunction with or in addition to the “Town of Granby 225 Year Celebration”.
- Michelle Niedermeyer will get in touch with Lauren Becker and invite her to the January 2011 meeting. Ms. Becker is involved with the Town of Granby 225 Year Celebration event planning.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Michelle Niedermeyer, seconded by Kate Bogli, the Commission voted (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Tappenden
Recording Secretary
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