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CONSERVATION CONNECTION

Informational meetings on agricultural commissions planned

Four regional informational meetings have been scheduled to inform farmers and local officials about the benefits of town agricultural commissions and how to organize and maintain them.

To date, 89 communities in the commonwealth have created, or are in the process of creating, an agricultural commission (ag com). Farmers in these communities promoted the formation of an ag com to give agriculture more of a voice in local government concerning the many environmental, health, planning, and zoning issues that affect their businesses daily. Ag coms advocate for farm interests and work to improve communication with local government.

Farmers from communities that have an agricultural commission will be available to meet with folks who are interested in exploring what an ag commission does and how one is formed on the following dates:

  • October 17, 2006, 7:00 PM, North Grafton, Brigham Hill Community Farm, 37 Wheeler Road, 01536.
  • October 23, 2006, 7:30 PM, Petersham, Harvard Forest, Fisher Museum, 324 North Main Street. 01366.
  • October 30, 2006, 7:00 PM, Walpole, Norfolk County Ag School, 400 Main Street, 02081.
  • November 2, 2006, 7:00 PM, Littleton, Reuben Hoar Library, 41 Shattuck Street, 01460.

If you are interested in starting an Ag Com in your town, contact:

  • Irene Winkler, USDA-NRCS, Pilgrim RC&D (Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket counties) 508-295-1317 x130 irene.winkler@ma.usda.gov.
     
  • Pete Westover, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties) 413-665-4077 westover03@comcast.net. 
     
  • Cheryl Lekstrom, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources (Essex, Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester counties) 508-835-2452 clekstrom@mac.com. 

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