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Agricultural Commission agenda and minutes 10 12 11 with attachmentsNorthampton Agricultural Commission Agenda and Minutes Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Time: 7:15 PM Place: City Hall, 210 Main Street, Room 10, Northampton For more information: Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Development wfeiden@northamptonma.gov (413)587-1265 Agenda 1.  Introductions (new Agriculture Commission member) 2.  Discussion and recommendation on gating the easterly end of Dike Road by Pleasant Street 3.  Update on the Keep Farming planning project, including agricultural economics and completed and planned surveys 4.  Discussion of local agricultural preservation restriction program 5.  Setting work plan for 2011-2012 Agriculture Commission Northampton Agricultural Commission Agenda and Minutes Date: Monday, April 4, 2011 Time: 7:15 PM Place: City Hall, 210 Main Street, Room 10, Northampton For more information: Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Development wfeiden@northamptonma.gov (413)587-1265 Agenda Any necessary follow-up to Keep Farming Northampton Continued discussion of Dike, Potash, and Manhan Roads Discussion of projects for which we should gather information for next fall’s Agriculture Commission meetings Discuss schedule of Agriculture Commission meetings (one summer meeting if needed, and otherwise fall after growing season) Other necessary business not envisioned when agenda written Minutes Members present: Chairman John Omasta, Rich Jaeske, John Balboa, Ben James, Chip Parsons John Omasta opened the meeting at 7:20 PM. Farmers Market Subcommittee: Ben James distributed the DRAFT October 26, 2010 Farmers Market Customer Survey Analysis and Conclusions, with the recommendations from the City’s economic development coordinator. Any necessary follow-up to Keep Farming Northampton: Nola Reinhardt reported that most of the surveys are in, and they are working on getting a couple of key ones in. Nola reported that some of the larger property owners did not respond, but still a good response rate. Grow Food Northampton Organic Policy: Annie Sullivan-Chin of Grow Food Northampton presented GFN’s April 2011 working definition of what their organic policy is. (A copy of this policy is located on the City’s Laserfiche Public File Cabinet.). She and Wayne Feiden gave background on the GFN lease with the City. The Commission supported the idea of a community gardens and an organic community gardens. Some members did not want to support additional CPA money for gardens that only allowed with 100% of the plots being organic and others were comfortable with this approach. Upon motion by Ben James and second by Chip Parsons, the Commission voted unanimously to endorse the use of CPA funds for the development of community gardens in Florence, although the Agriculture Commission prefers that a portion of the community gardens be allowed for conventional community gardens. Continued discussion of Dike, Potash, and Manhan Roads: Discussion of whether Dike Road can be closed without harming farmers. Rich Jaeske said that he agreed the there is a huge problem with trash being dumped supports the closing of Dike Road. Dike Road is probably not a viable road anyway for large machinery. He said that Olive Street provides a reasonable alternative access as a basic access, but is concerns about large equipment in the future. The Commission suggested discussing the options with Smiarowski and based on that conversation considering first blocking Dike Road in a way to leave options for the future, and then reexamining in the future. Discussion of projects for next fall’s Agriculture Commission meetings: Northampton State Hospital agricultural land management by Smith Voc-Ag. Keep Farming Annual winter Farmers Forum sponsored by Agriculture Commission, With a member of DPW to answer questions about road maintenance With a member of the Conservation Commission or staff to answer questions Next Agriculture Commission meeting: The Commission agreed that the next Commission meeting will be 7:00 PM in Mid-October. Farmers Market Subcommittee: The Commission should give preference to Northampton farmers and vendors when there is a vacancy, without threatening the diversity of products. Minutes of March 7, 2011 Upon motion by Rich Jaeske and second by Chip Parsons, the Agriculture Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 7, 2011. The Commission adjourned at 9:00 PM.