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TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
April 13, 2011
PRESENT: Kate Bogli, Steven Hayes, Stanley Hayes, Ann Wilhelm
GUESTS: Bob Brockett, John & Erin Pirro, MaryAnn Curling
Ann Wilhelm confirmed a quorum and began the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES:
ON A MOTION BY Ann Wilhelm, seconded by Kate Bogli, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of January 19, 2011 as written. Stanley Hayes abstained from approving the minutes as he was not in attendance at the January 19, 2011 meeting.
Celebrate Granby 225
- The Agricultural Commission is in the process of nailing down firm ideas for Celebrate Granby 225. The past few meetings there has been discussion of a variety of possibilities, however the commission has narrowed it down to the following:
- Five different presentations given by Granby farmers: First presentation starting at 1:00, then another at 2:00 and so forth. Topics would change each hour and include: Vegetable, Eggs, Meat, Honey, Milk (diary)
- A few ‘filler’ demonstrations on the half-hour, such as sheep shearing, soap making.
- A Main table with “Ask a Farmer”
- Kate Bogli will ask Historical Society about the use of antique farm tools. If permissible an area will display historic farming tools, their uses and if the public can guess how/what the tools are used.
- Ongoing ‘farmers’ market. All farmers able to sell their goods that day.
- The Ag Commission as a whole will have one large designated area for all farmers. In this area all the Granby Farmers will be able to set up their own tents.
- It was decided a few electric outlets would be useful. One specifically for a PA system.
Preserving Lecture
- In place of the regularly scheduled meeting on March 9th, the Agricultural Commission presented on Tuesday, March 8th a lecture on Preserving held at the Granby Senior Center. The lecture was well attended—about 35 people joined in. It is the hope of the Ag Commission that Diane Hersh---who was one of the guest speakers at the Preserving Lecture---will come back again for a hands-on workshop in the future.
Sampler Update
- Improvements that Sampler participants will see this year include the following:
- An Insulated Bag will replace the ‘baskets’
- About 5 days or so before the products are available participants will receive notification of what to expect in their upcoming bag that week. This will enable participants to work in their Sampler ingredients with their other grocery needs.
- Increased variety with this years Sampler, including green beans, bulb fennel, more fruits.
- Participants are divided into groups by pick up date---some pick up on a Thursday, the other group on a Saturday.
- The first Sampler will be available on Saturday, June 11th, 2011. The first Sampler will include: eggs, 2 lbs hamburger, strawberries (and/or jam), rhubarb, goat cheese, spinach, a 16” herb planter and more.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR NEXT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Bob Brockett discussed with the Ag Commission an Open Farm Day or Farm Appreciation Day. As a way to raise money for the Granby Grange this Farm Appreciation Day would include tours of Granby Farms and end with a Chicken Barbecue at the Grange. The Commission will follow up with farmers who would be interested in participating. Mr. Brockett proposed the end of July or early August for this day. It was suggested that a proposal to the Board of Selectman is made so a date chosen would be an “official” Farm Appreciation Day.
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Steven Hayes, seconded by Stanley Hayes, the Commission voted (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Tappenden
Recording Secretary
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