Informational meetings planned on agricultural commissions

A growing number of Massachusetts towns are establishing agricultural commissions to address issues concerning local farms and how those issues relate to residential, municipal, commercial and industrial interests. Now, federal and state government agencies and community groups are collaborating to help Bay State farmers find the resources they need to form an agricultural commission in their town.

Several public informational meetings are planned for central Massachusetts: Monday, January 10th (snow date, the 18th) 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Brookfield Town Hall, and Wednesday, January 26th (snow date, January 31st) 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Holden Town Hall.

The meetings will introduce farmers, local officials and interested parties to the benefits and process of establishing local Agricultural Commissions. Anyone interested in learning more about organizing a town agricultural commission is invited to attend.

A town agricultural commission is an appointed town standing committee that represents the farming community. Ag commissions are addressing local priorities such as farmland protection, agricultural business development, and public awareness of the benefits of agriculture to the community. Ag commissions also help farmers network with service providers and help resolve potential disputes.

The meetings have been organized by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) through a grant from the state Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and in cooperation with the Pilgrim Resource and Development (RC&D) Area Council, the Patriot RC&D Area Council and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

MDAR efforts under the CZM grant are focusing on communities in coastal watersheds, with the long-term goal of addressing agriculture-related water quality issues. Informational meetings were also held recently in southeastern Mass. and Essex County.

In Southeastern Mass., the Pilgrim RC&D Area Council, which has been instrumental in the formation of agricultural commissions in five towns in this area, has developed a resource to help others. “A Toolkit for Organizing a Town Agricultural Commission” is a package of materials on CD-ROM that will guide the user through the process of organizing an agricultural commission. It contains 17 sample documents that can be customized by the user, plus a brochure and PowerPoint presentation. The CD-ROM is available for $10 from the Pilgrim RC&D Area Council. Contact the Pilgrim RC&D Office at 508-295-1317, x131, to request a copy.

In Western Mass., the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) organization has been coordinating informational activities on forming ag commissions in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Other organizations that are offering farmers assistance and resources in organizing ag commissions include American Farmland Trust; UMass Extension; Berkshire Pioneer RC&D Area; the New England Small Farm Institute; the Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire conservation districts; and the Connecticut River Watershed Council.

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