Lincoln Agriculture Commission
Draft MINUTES
Wednesday, April 16, 2009, 7:00 pm
Lincoln Town Offices
Commissioners Present: Lynn Bower, Kit Carmody, Ellen Raja, James Harrison, Ari Kurtz, Kip Kumler. Christy Foote-Smith, Beth Taylor, Nancy Bergen
Agenda:
Guest Speaker: - Pete Westover
Works as a contractor for MA Farm Bureau (under MDAR grant) with Towns all over MA setting up and getting AgCom started.
Ideas from other Ag Coms:
- Town-wide listening session
- Sending out letter to other boards informing about LAC function
- Include LAC in creation of Town Master Plan
- Farm of the month on Public Access TV (i.e. Adams, MA)
- Towns can vote to eliminate excise tax on farm animals and equipment – check with assessors on what is currently
- Water tax- agricultural rate? Over a certain volume, water price doubles. Farms currently exempt from increase if systems are separate.
Fuel for vehicles 10% discount? Administered by MDAR. Check website under “Energy tab”.
Workshops:
- Lecture series for non-farmers
- Estate planning for farmers (Hardwick, MA)
- Forums on land protection
- Gardening forums
- Rabies clinics
- Farm safety workshops
AgCom functions:
- Inventorying farms, farm land, retail operations and agricultural activities- see Covington inventory (very comprehensive).
- Food Policy- food security- “grow food everywhere”
- Raising the profile of farming
- Land Protection- Lincoln already has several other players
- Marketing
- Farm Energy
- Reviewing town zoning and laws- are there laws which negatively impact farms
- Right to Farm Bylaws- can require new buyer/ lessee sign off, the posting of signs (at edges of town, Town Hall, Post Office), a town mailing, etc. Right to Farm Bylaws include a definition of farming. Having a Right to Farm Bylaw is an advantage when applying for the APR program, grants, and other benefits.
- Making recommendations to other boards and commissions on disputes involving agriculture. LAC Members are not trained mediators- Mediation available thru Mass Office of Dispute Resolution.
- Farming/ school partnerships- Massachusetts recently relaxed its procurement laws making the Preferential Purchasing of local food possible. For example, in the City of Cambridge, schools no longer have to take lowest bid if they want to buy from local farms.
Other resources:
Ruth Hazzard from UMASS Amherst is chair of the Amherst AgCom and a great contact. The Amherst AgCom is very active in marketing and farm promotion.
Cheryl Lexstrom- Pete Westover’s equivalent in Eastern MA
Problems and questions brought to the attention of the LAC:
1. Lincoln town by-law- You can not sell agricultural products from less than 3 acres. Should compare with 40 A Section 3 of Mass Ag. Law. Will the by-laws need to be amended?
Help available from Farm Bureau- Bob Richie
2- How do Right to Farm Laws apply to farmers on Conservation land? Example- Raccoon killing. Will check with the ConCom.
3. Water rates: Work needs to be done on securing reasonable water rates for all agricultural endeavors in town.
Agriculture Commission membership - terms and roles
A review of Commission Membership-
5 full voting members
1 non-voting member
3 voting alternates
2 Lincoln residents currently engaged in agricultural endeavors
2 At-large members, with a demonstrated interest in agriculture
1 Non-voting member, who may be a non-resident currently engaged in agriculture in Lincoln
(3 alternates)
LAC discussed whether or not this can be amended.
LAC discussed whether Heidi Tafael, who has recently left Codman and moved elsewhere) can or should be replaced by a representative from Codman) likely to be Peter, the new farmer at Codman).
Decisions tabled given that LAC is still in research mode and needs to formalize membership before votes can be taken.
Agenda of next Meeting:
1. Speaker: Angela Kearney, Conservation Planner, Lincoln Conservation Department
2. Planning Session- next steps with Agriculture Inventory
3. Assessment of interests of commission members
4. Discuss outreach plan
Next Meeting 7:00 pm on 5/21 at Town Hal
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