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Interest in agricultural commissions is growingFebruary 2005 -- Interest in organizing local agricultural commissions is spreading across the state and more than 30 communities are holding discussions about by-laws that will give agriculture a voice in their local government. Recent meetings in Worcester County and western Massachusetts drew participants from across the region and resulted in more communities stepping forward. More informational meetings are planned in western Massachusetts. "Ag comms" are committees that are formed at Town Meeting through the passage of a local by-law. Each town can decide what the duties and responsibilities of the ag comm will be and these are outlined in the by-law. As of December 2004, 14 towns across the Commonwealth have established Agriculture Commissions. Town agriculture commissions can serve as a local voice advocating for farmers, farm businesses and farm interests; provide visibility for farming, work with other town boards about issues facing the town; helps resolve farm related problems or conflicts; protect farmland and assist with natural resource management. Additional informational meetings about how to organize an agricultural commission have been scheduled in western counties, organized by CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) with funding from the Trustees of Reservations and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Speakers will include state Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Douglas Gillespie, Nathan L’Etoile, President of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, and farmers and organizers from local ag commissions. All of the following meetings run from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
For more information on the western Mass. ag comm. meetings, contact Jennifer Williams at CISA, 413-665-7100 Additional ag comm contacts and informational resources:Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources ag comm. information line: 617-626-1726 MDAR ag comm website: www.mass.gov/agr/agcom Mary Greendale, MDAR consultant, 508-429-2813. A CD-ROM is also available to provide all the tools needed for organizing an ag comm. The CD contains sample documents that can be customized. The CD also contains a PowerPoint presentation that you can use when speaking to local groups. To order a copy of the “Organizing a Town Agricultural Commission” CD-ROM contact:
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