Welcome everyone. This is the uh regular monthly meeting of the Southwork Agricultural Commission. It is April 8th, 2026 and 7:01 p.m. Uh we do have a quorum with myself, Zach Barnett, Jen Ditro, Deb Humphrey, Dan Cook, and Bert
Hansen and no one on Zoom. Um we have some guests tonight and pretty large agenda to go over. >> Yeah. >> So, uh let's get right to it, I guess. I don't see Becky here. So maybe
>> Becky and Laura. Yeah, they're not on Zoom. She was supposed to be on, correct? >> Yeah, she might be able to run in a little. >> Okay, so that's fine. Um, >> well, we can move forward and have like invite her, I guess. So, >> yeah. Do you guys want to come up and sit here? >> There's room here.
>> Why not? It is. >> I don't think we're too scary. >> Hi, Angie. >> I'm just not contagious. Hello. Miss you guys. >> Miss you. >> You gonna rejoin?
>> Yeah. >> We We need you. >> All right. >> So, at the moment, um Becky, who's presenting the farming protection plan, isn't here at the moment. So, we'll just push that. >> Yeah, we'll just push her down the line
if she shows up. >> Yeah. Um, you're a local guest, so we'll let you go first. You want to state your name and your address? >> Oh, Janice Pry. Um, my property is at 275 Granville Road.
>> The Hannah Family Trust that I'm in charge of as trustee. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> And you're with the uh South Lake Land Trust, right? >> Yes. Okay. Trust, >> right? >> Yes. Okay. and you're >> Dave Mc Williams for Pinnacle Drive with the South Lynch
>> and they're here to hear what Becky has to >> Okay, so we will >> along with Angie. >> Great. >> Um so Martha can speak of her um action items if you want to. Um so to talk a little bit now. >> Yeah, I might as well. Um
>> well, >> just want to say your name and address. >> Okay. And then just wait till you tell me to say more. >> Oh, we have someone coming up the stairs. Oh, it's Wendy back there. >> Lenny is here. >> We have more chairs.
>> We have another >> So, I'm Martha Kane, uh, secretary of the Open Space Land Management Committee. >> And do you need my address or? >> Uh, I think legally, yeah. >> Okay. It's 75 South Lumis Street in
South Jump right in with a question right off the bat. >> Yes, >> I there's an article in I think the Westfield News. This is the >> so about two open spaces now. So there's one >> part of conservation and then you guys
are separate for >> we're open land management committee is a permanent subcommittee of the conservation commission. >> Okay. >> And there are only three of us on this
committee so far. I think conservation commission would like there would be five. >> How many seats? There's five seats available. >> I think it's what they they wanted. >> So, all three of you have to show up for Yeah. None of us can be sick or whatever. >> Yeah. >> And this what happened was
>> we originally when we started in November, this past November, >> we were the open space management and planning committee >> and the conservation commission wanted us to write or revise the open space of
recreation. Um >> and uh the select board um wanted a broader committee to actually uh devise the plans. >> Okay. >> And wanted that to be an ad hoc committee too that could be dissolved
once the plan but the conservation commission didn't want us to be dissolved. they they need a little arm of themselves that can go out there and manage Sophenowski and Luminsky and the gorge and other other things. So um so the way the select board uh chose to
handle it was to call us the open space land management committee which would be a permanent committee not an ad hoc committee under the conservation commission and then there would be another committee which they're putting together now uh called the open space
and recreation planning committee which specifically would their only duty would be to revise write the new open space and recreation plan >> and they're also under conservation. >> Yes, I think so. I think so. But the
select board has to appoint. >> Gotcha. >> So I think conservation commission last I heard and and select board are still working on who they're going to assign. So, they're going to take our whole committee, Phil, Connor, and me, and we're going to be in the thick of it with in this broader committee uh with
maybe somebody from um the planning board and and somebody from parks and wreck and maybe somebody from agricultural commission, you know, a little bit broader because this open space and recreation plan, it doesn't just cover conservation concerns. It is
broader. it gets into the farming uh goals and some of the parks and recreation goals and so it's much broader than just us. So we really do need other people to provide a lot of feedback to write a plan that really works. And
then of course the other problem we've got now is that we have the new master plan >> that's got all these action items in it. Then we've got our old open space and recreation plan and it's got action items in it. So, you know, and having a broader committee to do that, I think,
is is very wise. So, um, the three of us have just been trying to get as much leg work done as possible. We submitted a grant to the land conservation assistance uh it's a land conservation assistance grant hoping to get money to
get Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to help us write the plan >> and redo the maps particularly helping us with any public forums and the survey and stuff like that that Phil Connor and I don't have expertise in. Now maybe in the broader committee we will find
somebody but we don't know. So, and then the other piece was um um sending that letter out to all of you that the agricultural commission got a letter to saying this is what was in the action plan in our current open space and recreation plan that was assigned to you
guys. Does it make sense that you know have you done any of it? Was anybody here seven years ago when that was written, you know, and know what this is all about? >> Yeah. >> And should we even continue with those action items? So that's why you guys got the letter. We're just trying to do some
leg work. So once we get the big committee, >> I think we can help each other because, you know, some of yours, like I was going down the list. This is the actual one that you sent us. >> Um going down the list, I'm like, "Okay, we do a farm forum and you know, things
like that." And um so they kind of work hand in hand with each other. Um and those are our action items. I >> copied them out. Thank you for sending master plan stuff. Yeah. Yeah. >> So that I can understand and you know if I could continue to sit in and just
listen to how you talk about the master plan stuff I think that'll help me >> to then help the bigger committee once we get to that point. >> It looks more than it's I think it's it's but as we go along and we're like hey we already do that. Hey, you know we have this we include people and we're
collaborating more which is great that you're here and you guys are here too you know. Yeah. And excited about the open farming days and things like that, helping you guys out with that. So, >> yeah, we definitely need some volunteers like I mentioned, too. >> Open farm day.
>> Yeah. So, um definitely looking for that. But um yeah, so um so basically we um went to I went to her meeting um a couple weeks ago and they basically were just wanting to see if you guys were um
okay with us kind of working together on these, you know, um and um that's basically, you know, >> I mean they're kind of >> help. We need help. >> Yeah. >> And we do too. So a collaboration that >> we don't want to do something that turns
out that it's not what you guys want, you know, >> right? Yeah. >> We don't have a plan that ends up that way. >> So >> So do you have action items you need to complete or are you too new for that? >> Um when you say action I for the master
plan. >> Oh, for the u for the master plan. >> Yes. But we the um the the one of the um action items was actually the select board did that I saw was also in your thing
about creating Forgive me for the cop drop. I >> Oh, it's okay. >> It's allergy season and I've been out at Sonowski yesterday running around and I've just been ever since it says establish. Oh yeah, was on page well
might not be your same page. >> Establish a permanent open space committee to focus on land preservation, passive recreation and sustainability and to ensure implementation of priority actions in the in the 2020 well >> so creating you was an action plan. >> Got it. Mhm.
>> And then there were other things that were assigned. You could see lead organization. Um like some of them organized regular free workshops on innovative and regenerated agricultural practices with experts from local and regional organizations. Invite farmers blah blah blah. >> Yeah. 32.
>> Phil and Connor and I looked at each other and went, "We're not farmers." >> No, that's on that's on our list. >> We have that one. >> But it does say open space, doesn't it? >> It didn't say. >> So it's a different chapters. Okay. That one shows up here on e economic development. >> Oh, interesting. I would say
>> just the way they signed them. Right. Right. >> It's kind of confus confusing. I think >> I think it's because it all kind of crosses over. >> Well, there were leads and then there were other people. >> Yeah. Supporting supporting conventions and it is. >> So, yeah. So, >> these are the ones we were leads on.
>> These are those are the top four. >> Yep. >> And then we had one or two that didn't make sense for us. So, we went back to them and it got reassigned, I believe. Yeah, I believe they >> the first one was >> the first one was reinstein the one we highlighted. >> Yeah. Yeah. We don't do taste of Southwick. >> Yeah.
>> That's more of economic development. >> Um but yeah, the first one we were doing is 1.4 which we already do is the annual farmers forum. >> So okay, >> that was pretty easy for us because we already do it. But we just have to finish we
>> Yeah. So, this is um on completing the actual action items. We have to kind of type up a a letter um stating all of these items and I'm working on that current currently, but I'm not sure if we should include the open space on that one saying that it's theirs too, but I'm
not sure. >> I think it's just that's a chapter in the master plan and then it falls under it was assigned to us. Okay. >> So, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what chapter it's in. >> Got it. Okay. So, yeah, I'll complete that this um we'll stay when Yeah, this week. Okay. So, and I'll forward it to you. >> Well, do we need to vote on that?
>> I think we have I I don't know if we have to vote on it. We just have to submit it for Janu June 30th voting matter. >> Yeah. >> Um so, yeah, once you get it done, I'll take a look at it. >> Yeah, because I editing like Bert knows. >> Edits very well, too.
>> Is asking you this? >> No, the master plan committee. >> The master plan committee is asking all the committees to kind of do this format. Um they sent an email >> recently but um but I forward them >> by asking where it is. It's not due yet,
but he wants >> Yeah, I think it's due by June 30th. >> Yeah, we have plenty of time, but >> he probably wants us in the next one, >> right? Oh, yeah. I'm sure. I'm sure. Um >> which is fine. >> So, yeah. And then we also invited you
here also because um Becky is here to talk about the um this is Becky Bash. She's talking about she's from the um the talking about farmland protection program. Um and um you know she's if you don't know if we want to move on to that
or if you want to um >> Yeah, I think we should move on to that. >> Yeah, because it's going to be a >> You said it's about a half hour. >> Yeah. Um yeah, I just wanted to sort of give you an overview and talk about next steps. Um yeah, so I'm Becky Bash. I'm principal planner with Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission. Um and we uh are working on a project. Um it's through the MDAR farmland protection program. Um they put out a a grant for um to implement their farmland
protection plan. Um so we're doing a regional project with um Franklin Regional Council Governments and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission um to develop um a template for farmland protection plans. Um and each regional
planning agency is working with two communities um to develop farmland protection plans over the next two years. Um and so since you guys had an active agricultural commission and you know have had recently done the master plan we thought it would be a good match
um we're also going to be working with Hatfield um which is in a similar place um and you know Hampshire County Hampton County um different types of communities you know you guys are a little more suburban they're more a little more rural but still with you know
development pressures um So, um, that's sort of what we're doing. So, I I wanted to make sure, you know, we tal we met with Jennifer and Nicole last week, um, just to to propose it and want to
make sure you guys are interested. Um, and if so, and it sounds like it would be good timing actually with if you're working on the OSRP, right? um to kind of figure out how to do them together because I think that's actually what they're doing in one of the towns in
Berkshire County. Um and the committee that we would propose to put together would represent, you know, not only the agricultural commission but also open space and conservation. Um and then potential committees in town, I don't
know, planning board, I don't know, someone from the select board would want to be part of it. Um and then we also want to invite farmers and um underresourced farmers and there's a whole US def USDA definition for that
because part of the >> the goal is to to figure out you know as farmers are getting older you know what some secession planning um who could potentially you know keep farming if there's people looking for farmland or
what are the tools that towns can use to to make that happen. Um so in terms of um timing on this um if we do involve farmers um we thought
summer wouldn't be a great time to have meetings. >> No it's not. So >> what we're doing now is kind of looking at examples of other farmland protection plans in other states um and coming up with a potential template of you know what are all the elements that could be
involved um and so then we'd start meeting in the fall but have you guys think about who would who would be good to have on a committee um and I brought um we developed kind of a one-page description
of what a farmland protection plan would involve. Um, if you want to electronic copy, >> yeah, if you could send it out to folks. Um, >> did she already send that?
>> Did she already send that or no? >> Uh, yes, I have that. Sorry. >> We have in our email. >> Yeah. Y um, >> that was the one I was following right now. >> Okay. Yes. Was it two pages? Yeah, they're just examples.
>> I think you have that. >> Yeah, >> I brought some um examples of like just tables of contents from other communities um if you want to look at those. Um, and we can also send those
out. But we found one from North Carolina. Um, Ammeris, New York. Um, there's some incess she's going to send. Um, so yeah. So PBPC is working on on the
template of the farmland protect protection plan. Um BRPC is working on um types of maps that would be included. So we did include five or six maps. Um and then uh her cog is working on
um a prioritization matrix. So, like if if you have farmland that comes up for sale, you know, how does a town exercise a right of first refusal? You know, how do you prioritize property that you really want to keep in farmland? Um, and
so that's kind of what they're working on. Um, so I guess that's an overview. Um, there any questions or or initial thoughts about, you know, things that you'd want
to make sure would be included? >> Yeah, I I have a question. My name is Dave McWills. I'm with the Suffic Land Trust. >> Um, when we worked on the master plan, was one of the things that we came up with an action item was to have the town go back and rep prioritize critical properties
um that should they become available, I think, take a look in purchasing them. Do you know if we've gotten anywhere on that? Have you heard anything about that? >> I haven't heard >> I've heard it mentioned before, but I haven't heard anything. >> Yeah, there was a list, but the list was
>> 15 20 years old. Yeah, maybe. >> Maybe. Um, and the expectation was to go back through because some of those properties may have cycled through, priorities for the town may have changed, you know, uh, and to refresh that list. And that would probably be what you're talking to me about when
you're saying, "Hey, what properties are kind of critical, particularly in the agricultural standpoint." What have we looked at as a town? And I don't know if we've gotten to that point. I know >> we had recommended >> open space plan. Do you know or was that >> it was part of the master plan that we
put that I believe we put that in there. recommendation, but I think that was supposed to be like a collaboration between planning um black for pride concom uh and I don't know if there was anybody else that was on that.
>> I would think we'd be on it too. >> Oh, didn't I say? I apologize. >> But maybe you did. I don't know. >> You guys were absolutely >> okay there. And that older list, wasn't it only like a handful of farms or maybe 11? There's
some reason that sticks in my mind. >> I mean, there's forested land, there's agricultural land that's not forest agricultural, but regular agricultural that was on there as well as just open space parcels and for various reasons.
But I don't know how current or if any new work has been done on. Do you know um how so you said it was prioritized? You know how was it prioritized or >> I had spent so long I don't recall what they used. It was predated me the
previous list >> and I was on concom and the master plan and I was on con for at least 10 years and it was before >> me. So what their criteria was for
>> you may know this more about this than I do, but I read recently that the the state senate approved a farm bill. Now I don't know if it has to go through the house now or where it stands for all that. They're redefining what a farm is >> and making the acreage smaller as to
standing. >> Yeah. Yeah. that'll help more um you know larger communities or more urban communities to um to adopt agricultural >> you know become agricultural communities. Um but yeah and I think
that also included something about ecoourism for for farming. So that would be something to think about also in terms of the economics of farming um or you know farm viability. Um,
so yeah and yeah, definitely we'll we'll look at that. So >> would that change like section 61 sizes? Yeah, I think so. Great. So Laura um who I've been working with
on this who's our new deputy director of land use and environment um she's been working on a template um and so some of the things she has in there like existing conditions um you know regional overview um land use planning context natural
resources farmer demographics farm labor availability um farmland inventory um so protected and unprotected farmland, current agricultural production, um policy and program context in
Massachusetts. So you know what's this current sway laws um um operations and then opportunities in terms of zoning um climate adaptation resources farm viability agurism
um and then challenges um goals and strategies and then recommendations and implementation strategies. So, um, well, this isn't ready to for prime time yet. Um, you know, we'll we'll definitely go over it with with you with you all and see what
makes sense for for Southwick and what um >> I had a question regarding funding for the plan. Is there funding needed for the plan or does the plan include trying to get funding for projects for the
protection of the land or >> That's a good question. Um I think there is funding through MDAR. So um I think part of this is you know to help them see what what community priorities are
for for a land preservation. And so um you know if if funding comes up they can help with that. Um but not for this specific project is just to develop the plan and develop the kind of list of priorities and look at what's you know
what farmland you have and if there's any other you know farmland soils that you might want to try to protect in other ways or or re you know get back into farmland. >> So it's not just it's um farmland and um trust and um preservation land as well
um in town. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's mostly farmland, but but looking at farmland soils, you know, so even if if if you have soils that are designated as as of state importance, but it's not actively farmed, you know, you might want to look at that, too.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, I know Nicole that this would some be something that would be beneficial to us, but I don't know exactly if that's something that would be beneficial for the Southwick Land Trust. um as putting
a plan together or the open space. Um >> well, I I you know, I would think that we're all kind of rowing in the same direction here, right? >> Which is the protection of farmland. >> You know, any from our perspective, from a land trust perspective, we're open to
protecting farmlands as much as we are woodlands, wetlands, >> wetlands, what have you. You know, it's all about maintaining open space. And part of it, if you go back to the, >> you know, the wording of the master plan is to maintain the rural character and
farmland, agricultural character of the town. And so we are in lock step with that, right? And if there's ways that we can come in and help protect farmland, we want to do that as well. >> And if there's ways for us to get funding through any of these programs that allow us to go out and purchase
farmland and protect it, we are absolutely looking to do that. So, you know, we may not be able to get all the state funding that the municipality can or what have you, but we certainly have an interest in making sure that everything's protected as much
as anybody else in this room. >> That's great. Yeah. Seems like we're all on the same page for that, you know. >> Yeah. And I, you know, there's there may be parcels that have some wetland and some farmland, you know, that combination or have a forward interest.
Um, yeah. And then we're also working on a regional housing plan. So, you know, that how does housing fit in the mix? You know, where where do you want housing versus where do you want farmland? >> Sure. >> Don't wetlands protect themselves, though? We can't nobody can touch those.
>> Well, so point. Yeah. >> Yes. Um, but there's certain I mean there's I think everything is compromised, right? So wetlands are inherently protected through the wetlands protection act, but that
protection falls further and further down to the municipality as to how they manage their wetlands, and that could be totally different than what the state does and what the the US government does. We're actually Southwick is a little bit more stringent than state guidelines. So we have a better
protection of our wetlands and what the state mandates. Uh but that's not everywhere, >> right? Um, so are they inherently protected? Yes. But people get around that all the time. All the time. And a lot of times the town will look at it and say, "Well, why
do we want to, you know, invest in a wetland?" Because it's protected anyways. And you say, "Okay, let's not do it." And >> next thing you know, a developer comes in and gets a permit and gets variances and that wet land disappears >> or surrounded always
>> or or capsulated. Exactly. Yeah. So, as much as I'd like to think they're permanently protected, that's not necessarily the case. It's tough. >> So, you just have to keep an eye on your resources. >> Yeah. I wasn't sure. I I couldn't find
the implementation plan on the website for the for the comprehensive plan. Does that um I was and what you guys are working on for >> the master plan. >> The master plan. >> Oh, okay. So, our town website is currently going under a whole renovation. There's
actually stuff that wasn't there yesterday is on there now. >> We should send you the email, but I do have a copy of what we >> some of it's coming back. >> That's great. >> Yeah. >> Like the boards and commission back. >> I did find the master plan. I just didn't find the implementation part of
it. But maybe >> the search function has always been awful. >> Your office said you guys should have a copy of that at your office. you guys. >> So these >> the ones on this sheet are ours and
these are for the open space lands. >> Those are just copies. >> Where did you apply for funding for the open space? >> Oh, the land conservation assistance grant that land you have a section >> um in that land conservation assistance
grant where >> they will fund you know we're developing the plan our fees. >> Okay. And so, um, they do a lot of other things with that land conservation assistance grant, as you probably know, but one of the possibilities is to use
that money for have having someone like you >> help us write it and do the maps and, you know, >> Yeah. >> and the public forums to get the most from the public. um you know, we're not that good at at knowing how to forum so that we get good information from the
public, >> you know, whereas that's an expertise that that you >> Yeah, we often help communities with the um district local technical assistance program um that comes up in November. So, if you're not successful there, well, you know, it it's good to know
that you're looking and wanting to to update it if So, we do have a farmers forum every January. >> That might be something. >> It would be really beneficial if you guys like we want to start having more and more like guest speakers at it. >> Yeah.
>> Um, >> we had a guy was he from Ender? No, he was from >> uh >> Yeah. He was Jacob Mechco. You know, my chance. >> He's from Hatfield back then. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. He he was our guest speaker at the last one. >> Okay.
>> Um talking about chapter 61 programs. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So yeah, >> he was mostly a forester. He said more than anything else he dealt with forestry aspect of the 61. >> Yeah. >> But he knew the other pieces. >> He he made it specific that forestry was
his concentration of area. >> Yeah. And the other um great thing about this program is there they gave a lot of grants out to um implement the farmland protection plan. So and we're all going to meet as a group. Um so we'll hear
about what other groups are are doing, other grantees and um you know there's a lot of other tools being developed. Um so I think a lot of this is just kind of making sure farmers know what tools are available for for land preservation and secession planning.
to >> I think when Deb went and visited all the f, you know, a lot of the farms last year with your articles, you got a sense of what they needed. Do you have like a kind of a sense of things that they were concerned about?
>> I know Lanita was one of them. >> Yeah. I mean, they didn't have I guess they weren't really specific on on all the things that they needed. I mean, of course, you need, you know, business is always the key that you have a continuous business and and um but
nobody really gave me ideas of what they were looking for, you know, for like needs. >> Um >> I think that our open farm day is a is a really good tool. I think as a farmer,
>> it's great to preserve and my land is under APR. >> Um, >> but we can have all the land available to us in the world, but if people in the town and don't value local produce, local businesses, and support those farms,
>> then we can't keep going. >> The cost of inputs is insane >> right now. Um, and we're trying to hold our prices to what could compete with any grocery store or other other
avenues, but it's hot. >> I got oil for the green houses last week almost $6 ago. >> Yeah. >> And it's gold and I can't turn them down or nothing will make Mother's Day. And I think that, you know, making it so that
there's avenues for for agricultural commissions or whatever to really reach out to the general public and encourage them to support. is a huge >> Yeah, I'm actually working with another group in Springfield that's looking at
um a food hub kind of idea for bringing in local produce and and selling it to um institutions. So like colleges, schools, you know, so that it's all kind of keeping it local and especially as the fuel costs increase, you know,
you're not bringing your food all the way to Harford and then having them bring it back, you know, right? So, um, that's something that's >> that's a that's I was a teacher before and that was something I used to think was the craziest thing is all the food I taught in Springfield in West Springfield, but in Springfield all the food,
>> no matter where you got it, had to go to Rhode Island where it was all packaged in little plastic containers and sanitized and whatever. So, it was of no benefit to have a farm here producing the food if it's got to ship to Rhode
Island and then be back. And I'm like, that's nuts. >> Yeah, it makes for a really large carbon footprint for sure. >> Yeah, it it's definitely not it. It's not what you're looking for >> in a system, but you have to have I
mean, because they require >> them to have, you know, special sanitation for schools and that kind of thing. Um, I think part of what I would think that farms would need a lot more of in this area is
um, we don't have anything like that that would allow us to process foods for um, institutions in this area and we have lots of I mean hospitals and schools and colleges and all kinds of stuff that could be sold to, but nobody's going to want to ship it and
then have it come back. So that and the other thing that they have I know up in uh the Northampton area or I've seen it in the past where they have like a it's not really a kitchen but it's a kitchen
>> and it's that small uh farms can use if they want for like canning things or a processing facility for that you rent or you you know use the space And I I know there's yeah, they have
ones in different places, but >> it's too far for for this end of >> we're way at the bottom down here. We're not anywhere near that. And so farmers aren't going to do that. Small people who might go, "Hey, if I had a place to package this and put it up, um, you
know, if they wanted to do whatever, small things, homemade pickles, I don't know, whatever they want to do." We don't have a place like that. And I don't know how >> there's a void in this area. It it's Yeah. It's like we just >> Sounds like a business opportunity to be honest.
>> Yeah. But I think some of those are funded by somebody. >> I don't think they're just straight commercial businesses. I think there's money that comes into it through funding to help agriculture. And I think that, you know, that was the biggest thing
with the farms that I interviewed is it's just business. They need business. They need people that shop at their places. And you know, unfortunately in the economy, everyone is looking for a great deal and rather than gez, we
should support our farms. Um, you know, I I had seen a thing on Facebook, a gentleman from Connecticut who uh broke down the if you have like say 20 or 25 beef cattle, which is a small farm, and pasture-raised,
you know, the broke down all the figures on it and gave how much it would cost and then how much he would make on it. And for the whatever it was, $3,000 profit for a year's worth of keeping 20 or 25 beef cattle. That's what it came
out. Well, there's no point. And if we don't find that kind of stuff where we could help in a way, you know, yes, protecting the farmland is important, but a lot of farmers have their land. They just don't have means to um sell
enough of their stuff or package it in different ways or um you know, some sort of um selling stream that they need. Mhm. >> Uh I I think that's a huge piece. >> Um I mean cuz Southwick we have several
farms, goodiz farms >> where some towns have none. >> Um but it's still, you know, you've got to have customers to purchase all the things. >> Um you know, I think some of the farmers may be up toward Hatfield in that area,
they do more commercial to sell to grocery stores and things. >> They're more special. River Valley Co-op and they have a lot of right >> a lot of products that are local to them. >> That's a good idea. >> One of my nieces works in the East Hampton one and it's Yeah. I mean it's
it's great but we don't we don't have that >> you know >> a sell a definite way of helping the selling stream to get so that they have because they're they've been farming forever and they do a great job. It's just that we you know we need to help them find ways to sell more.
Can I because I agree with you about the schools. A buddy of mine have been talking about that for years. I mean, part of it with the schools is when prime growing season is happening, the schools are out, right? So, you're not feeding you, you know, growing happens
during the summer and they're gone. But there's a lot of restaurants in town, too. >> And, you know, I love when I go to a restaurant where it says, "We get our beef from this farm, we get our eggs from this farm, we get our vegetables from this farm." And it's all about by local and you know our town we have a
economic development committee we have a rotary committee we have an agricultural committee and I guess my question is is there any coordination or cross communications between those because I would love to go to pick I'm not going to name a particular
restaurant but a restaurant in this town and see that I'm eating locally grown food. >> Yeah. >> And maybe some of it happens but if it is they're not showcasing it >> right. I don't think it happens very often. all comes in on trucks. >> We grow a lot of stuff here. We feed a lot. >> Why not come out the middle?
>> One of the >> guys >> ones for that was tuckers in. >> Yeah. >> Tuckers was really good. >> But there's others that you know, why not, >> you know, we really we create particularly breakfast. We cook a lot of
breakfast things. There's a lot of breakfast places. Um but why couldn't we do local? I mean >> EDC should be pushing that the most. >> Yeah, but I agree. But there should also be some sort of summit between the
farmers and the restauranteers or restaurant tours. >> I mean, I'm sure they all have contracts, too, but >> they have to break contracts. >> We change vendors all the time. >> Yeah. >> I mean, even Westfield State, it's a huge Yeah. And they took they took
several years back they they took back their their rep. So it's not it's not um under uh >> contract >> well yeah a contract company anymore. They took it from what I had read in the paper they took it back. >> And so um and I know they do some but I
don't know if they only do Westfield farms or if they >> do but I do think that we that's something that would be super helpful >> if we had something that would would help you know, public publicize or, you know,
because that's a huge job for a farmer to go out and try to solicit, >> you know, hospitals or >> there's red tape you have to go through and that's not something farmers have time to do. Well, >> you like something for the economic
development committee or >> Yeah, it definitely would be a I would think I >> mean we should definitely be supporting that braces would like it too if somebody went out and said hey we have more markets or raise said hey we've got people interested if you know
>> I know Chucky farms in Awam they they sell the big Y quite a bit >> right well Calibra is sell calibes sell to big Y too >> what's your farm >> blossoming acres And my uncle owns a restaurant in Graanby, Mass and he serves with farm
fresh, but it's hard for him to find, you know, he finds asparagus there, tomatoes there, you know, and especially like you were saying during the seasons that they're not, you know, it's hard to find. But, um, so that's one of his issues out there because they don't have
the farms that we have. I mean, they have farms, but they don't have them like we do here. So that's one of the issues that might be one of the things, but it's a great idea to have the restaurants supporting that too since they're so close, you know. >> Well, and I do think cost is another
issue, too, because if you're buying >> things that are raised, pasture-raised, you're going to they're more expensive. They're not the the cheap stuff that you can get at, >> you know, a wholesale food distributor. You're not always getting >> the quality is not always the same. And
you know that's convincing a restaurant that you know paying a little bit more but to have something that's local and we know where it came from. >> But it's also seasonal. So >> yeah good frozen. >> It's charming but it might be hard with
contracts to have six-month contract or something. >> There's a lot of good frozen food now though. Even better sometimes than the fresh. >> Sure. But that's where we need one of those one of those kitchen things that people could get and they could have a some equipment that might freeze it.
>> Um, you know, flash freezers or something. It's stuff that everybody can't afford to buy unless you're really putting out a huge amount. >> Um, but I do think that it's something this part of the state could use. >> You really don't have a co-op anywhere.
Southampton, I think, is the closest to it. >> Eastampton. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Closest co-op. >> That's the closest one. I can't think of >> We used to go Southwick had a food co-op.
>> My parents joined it when in 1972 and it was at the Graange and we used to go down as kids. We'd go down. You had to put your hours in and we ordered things from big distributors and um yeah, we there was but that was boy that
was a long time ago. Um, but it wasn't from local. It was as much as it was from >> you bought uh >> bulk >> in bulk together because there was no Costco backyard. So you you had to kind of go hunt your own things and you brought your own jars and you you know
you get they'd get a big thing of honey or they'd get big things of oil and you brought your own jars and you filled them and um you know and and everybody kind of worked at it. Um, but I do think Southwick's population,
we have more affluent than we used to. >> And that should be a tipping point. One would think that if we have more affluent, then they would be able to afford um better quality >> if they were interested in better
quality. >> Or are they affluent because they don't get better quality? >> No. at the houses and and you know I mean a lot of the houses that are going for sale now that have been built they're not for us no >> that grew up here
>> but their kids only eat ramen. Um, yeah, but I think that that's the, you know, I mean, there's definitely a a way that we've got to somehow connect with them in a in a way that says, "Hey, we do have the things that some of these other communities have."
>> Um, you know, I mean, like up in Ammerst, Northampton, it's everywhere >> and they they've kind of progressed to that point. And it's not because they're all affluent. It's just a choice. And they have the CISA, a lot of CISA activity up there, too.
>> Yeah. I guess it's, you know, those are things that I think would be helpful. >> Yeah. Well, that's helpful. Yeah. >> Because saving the farmland is a must. Yes. But we also >> liability. Yeah. >> Have to be able to have people work it and sell from it. Yeah.
>> And make a living. And it is I mean unfortunately with electric costs and things it is I mean we we're putting ourselves right out of being able to produce anything in this state because the costs are just too
high you know for that. I mean electric fuel all that stuff is outrageous. So you the farmers have to charge more. >> Um >> could energy be part of that plan too? energy um issues and things like that like
>> I think so. I mean that's all inputs, right? Yeah. Yeah. That's a that's a huge it's got to be >> energy saving >> water. Yeah. >> Yep. Irrigation. >> Yeah. >> Those are some things. >> I mean irrigation's on our master plan
for most of my fields. >> Okay. >> They're paying the same rate. >> But we pay the same rate as if there was a pool or >> Yeah. be >> I agree. >> Is there anything prohibiting us from selling into Connecticut? I there's tons
of I'm down in in I lived in Simsbury for quite a while and there's all kinds of restaurants in Simsbury and Avon and >> I mean if there's a demand I'm sure >> they are expensive. I mean you know $50. I think we can cross state lines without
forms like that would be to >> the hard thing with restaurants is that they usually ate they wanted to deliver they they really don't take a lot in the grand stand of of >> meat sending a crew out to pick and >> well it sounds like a business for
somebody some person in town could have a business >> does seem like there's a lot of business opportunities here person >> make a pick up from you and deliver down there >> and a lot of the restaurants are struggling they're struggling also to >> to turn a profit. So you can't blame
them for wanting >> no a cheaper >> more affordable cheaper more affordable product. So that kind of like the hardest thing to control because it rots quick, right? >> Yeah. Products. >> Well, then you need to freeze it. So
>> yeah. Well, and I've always thought of that even at the end of your season. I mean I we have grown always. We have a a large garden and we freeze all. >> Yeah, we freeze all the time. Whatever we can't eat. >> All the fruit and vegetables were frozen for the winter, >> right? But it's I mean on a small scale
like on my homestead, being on a homestead, it it's fine. I can do that. But if I was going to do it, you know, like a lot then you need to have machinery to to make it >> faster >> and you need a place to do it. >> And you need a place to do it, a certified kitchen that you could do it
in. And you know, something like that would be >> Yeah. if people had extra produce and could find, you know, if there was somebody who wanted to say, "Hey, I'll buy whatever is left over from the farm and I'll quickly put it up, >> you know, and but they'd have to have
some place to do it >> and it's not affordable that kind of money. >> Oh, maybe somebody like Stop and Shop and Big Y, maybe some of them could help fund something like that >> possibly >> as an investor or something." I don't >> maybe I was going to say they get their
stuff from all over. Uh, I had seen a thing several years ago that the stop and shop tomatoes are all grown somewhere out in New York State and it was a 12 acre greenhouse. >> Whoa, that's pretty big.
>> That Yeah, I mean that's >> I mean Big Y does their best to buy as local as possible. Stop and Shop I don't think cares. >> Well, I think they have more like that where they they link up with a farm that is big that can do it. But I mean that the 12 acres for just tomatoes. I was
like astounded when I had read that. I couldn't believe that that's a lot. But think of all the stop and shops, >> you know, and that are doing that. So they found a farm that had the infrastructure or was willing to put it in. >> Um but then you're talking big money.
You're not talking small farms anymore. >> Okay. >> Well, I don't want to take up too much of your me. >> No, we appreciate you being This is all good stuff. We do appreciate >> helpful. >> We have a lot more stuff to talk about extra.
>> Yeah. No, you can have those. I can email them to you, too. But um we also have action items from our farm forum that I can send to you too that came up during our meeting that everybody thought was um you know important to
them. >> Um I just don't have it here. It was like written down on a whiteboard and took a picture of it. It's not official, but um so yeah, but thank you for help, you know, being here with us and coming
out and explaining it and um I know I would love to be, you know, on the board or, you know, planning. I don't know if anybody else wants to be um on it, but you know, I would love to be able to help with that. Um but you know it's
open I don't know if it's open to everybody or is it you're just looking for a couple. >> Yeah. I mean um ideally you know different boards would be represented and farmers and and underresourced farmers but that's um you know that's as
far as we've gotten. So um you know I think anyone who's interested we could you know to see what the representation is. And >> what's your timeline? Um, so we're working on the template now and and I think we'd probably start meeting in the fall, you know, whenever it works for
farmers. Um, okay. >> We have budgeted up to five meetings with the committee. So, um, you know, it might be monthly starting in the fall or whenever, like late fall. Um, yeah, late fall is probably better. Um, you know,
and we can send you our template ahead of time and sort of to to get comments. Um and then we go through October 2027. So >> um we have you know good amount of time to work on it.
>> All right. Great. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you. Appreciate that. Um so the next item says uh I don't know if we needed to like you
said vote on closing out that action. Did I don't think >> I don't know if we need to close out. >> We need to we need to write a letter of completion for action. I don't think that's >> I can send it out to everybody once it's >> so Jen's going to draft it, approve it,
and send it off to Norm. >> Pretty much closing out the action item of um the farm forum, which is the um 1. 1.4 um organize an annual open forum uh to
connect with and educate land owners on options for permanently protecting their farmland. Um there's another one in here that actually um it was on their open space plan that
talked about forums too. So it would they would be able to close that one out on that one too. >> There was 1.4 support, right? >> I think >> on the master plan. >> Yeah, that's that's our that that got assigned to us. So, >> yeah, I think so. >> Yeah, that's the master plan. I don't >> you might have been a supporting group.
I don't know. >> Um I think it's number 3 something. >> Um >> OSRP that there was something similar to that. >> Sorry, I didn't make >> institute. Yeah. 3-2 J institute farmers
forums and coordination between commission and agriculture. >> So if they joined with us then they would >> Right. Yeah. We're all working together on it. >> Yeah. I think we'd have to vote to collaborate. >> Okay. >> Um maybe when it gets closer we'll discuss
it more. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> It's still quite a few months out. >> Okay. >> We have a lot of other things to deal with for this. Um, okay. So, next you met you mentioned CISA. Um, I met with um and we met Bert
and I met him at the um round table agricultural commission roundt um Stephen uh Tranto Tran Tranto. um he is from CISA and um I asked him about certain things that he might be
able to he mentioned about technology that he can offer to farmers um and he brought me information regarding um so some of the things uh about being a local hero um we're
talking about local hero membership like if the icon was a me a member of the local hero >> so our commission put a member as Yeah. And then we could get like Yeah, exactly. We can be a member and we can get um you know advertisements, things
like that, but we can also um um get assistance for farmers. Um he says u regarding the technical um environmentally related services. He offers um direct technical assistance for free on some practices and can also
help pay for thirdparty consultants um or farmer mentors. Um uh in-house we can work with farmers to do an extreme weather risk assessment of their farm and identify and prioritize v vulnerabilities that needed to be addressed. Um there
from there and depending on vulnerabilities we can provide technical assistance to address them. Um help find consultants and identify grants that may be available to help cover costs. Um we can also conduct farmer uh farm work
healthy and health and safety assessments to help farms safeguard their employees from extreme weather events like flooding, high temperatures, and wild smoke um wildfire >> smoke. Um and then also we can help
farmers interested in perennial cropping systems like chestnuts or other tree crops designed um buffer zones for waterways and things like multi multi- species hedge hedge grows and windbreaks.
>> So they can offer all those um >> and they they can provide funding for some of those. um they they can find funding um for us to actually and they offer tools and right >> they would offer us the funding or the farms directly.
>> No, it would be like through it would be not to us but to the farms. Yeah. To the >> so um >> facilitate it. >> They don't have to be I believe we have we can be a member to help them. >> Okay. So, um, and so basically Stephen
himself offers the technical assistance. So, um, there's funding out there and he knows how to get it. So, we can >> Is there a deadline for any of this? >> Um, no, I don't. Let's see. The last thing he sent recently, he says, um,
just today he sent we also have small climate change adaption adaption grants available up to 2500 per farm. So if a farmer has a pro project or needs a consultant or a farmer farmer mentor or
help with crop planting um he has a form that we can send. So that's the other thing. I wouldn't know what farms need what, you know, but we can send this as a general. Um >> I think you'll find a lot of the farms are members members have a Yeah. Yeah.
And they have a sliding scale. You know, if you're if you're small, >> they suggest memberships, but they don't, >> you know, based on your size of your farm and stuff, but they're not >> okay. >> So they're very >> You're part of that, right? Okay, that's
what I thought you So, you have their funding and and their help that they provide >> provide anything programs. Um, >> yeah, they're very good. Yeah. Yeah. >> Do you think it would be worth it for us as a commission to join?
>> Yeah, I think so. >> Um, I would say we should hold off though because I don't think we've heard back. They might be reducing our budget this year quite a bit. um because the town >> asked about that, but she didn't have a full answer. >> Yeah, I haven't seen an answer yet.
>> I don't know what they would charge for something. >> She has$50 >> $50 a year for the um >> probably different tiers, right? >> Different I think >> I have a QR too. But if you want to take a look at >> $50, >> this is all the
>> Yeah, I think we should just get our budget set before we spend. >> Yeah, I mean we could probably we have to spend money by the end of June 30th, then we can do it. But just want to make sure that we don't have nothing next year. >> The town's in quite a deficit at the
moment. Yeah. >> But they do have programs like there was a one time there was a big storm where I lost three green houses in one storm and they would there was low or no interest loans that you could get to them to put
them back up quickly and a lot of you know stuff like that. They're they're on the ball. That's great. That's good to know actually. It's good feedback because I I wasn't too sure, but I'm I'm familiar with it. I I thought that you guys were
part of that, but that's great. >> So 150 is a lotus lowest one um for organizations. You can go you can donate as much as you want or be a member >> donation or >> um well it's a it's a member cost. So it's starter kit and networking
opportunities. >> What is CISA? Is it a >> It's a interested in sustainable nonprofit or is that a state? >> We work with them around food access. You know, they're very active with
program. >> Great website for finding farms. >> So, but that's basically it. But we have a representative, so whenever we're ready, we can >> Okay. Yeah, I think we should probably wait till we hear back about the budget. >> Yep. Good idea.
>> I think that's all and then the rest of the agenda, I guess. But Stephen wanted to be here to talk about it, but he wasn't able. He was at another meeting. But if we want him to talk about it another guest we've had in a while. >> Yeah, I know.
>> Come on, let's have a meeting. So, what about things like farmers markets? I know Westfield has one. Northampton's got one. >> Whenita goes, she does a bunch of them. Oh, really? You go to them or >> I sell that. >> You sell that portrait area one in.
>> You go down into Grandby or Connecticut anywhere or they just do it all in there? >> Uh, it's No, I used years ago I did a small one in Granby. Um, and then I've done up until this year I've done Long Meadow. Um, I'm going to do Long Meadow this year. So, I'm just going to do the
one one day of these. Um, are you suggesting for like Southwick or >> Yeah, should Southwick had his own >> We've talked about this quite a bit actually. >> To have a farmer. I I wouldn't pack up and go to a farmers market in my own town. >> Oh.
>> Um, it just doesn't really make >> sense because the amount of work even to set up a small one. and we go we the one in B from the Birkshire I'm running 15 or 20 10 10 by10s myself when we do it it's what's going on the road but to
just go for a little bit it's just not really worth it >> so I mean it depends on the size of your phone >> so um but we started something this year that Jen was was a big part of where they bring um seniors to the farms
>> so that that worked out really It was a big hit. >> Yeah, >> we call them farm ops. >> It was really fun. It was fun. >> How often does that happen? >> It was uh once a month for four months, the producing months, you know, June, end of June,
>> July, August, September. Um so end of se so end of each. So it would be hitting the end of each growing um produce like each there was different things being grown. So it was really cool, you know. >> And you speaking center, right? Um, was that >> you you use the senior cent's van?
>> Yeah. Yep. Yeah. The they have volunteer drivers and you know they would just drive us I would pick two places and then we'd go to lunch afterwards. So it would be like >> that's great helped a lot with setting
up a lot and then Zach you helped me with the tobacco farms and everything. It's something like with them like a farm share, right? Where they would I don't know you want them to pay, but they could pay and then they in
collaboration with the farm share the revenue from whatever they pay and each trip they go around and there's certain things they can get at that farm as you would with a regular farm share. Right? We do the one up in >> East Hampton. We go up to the one in
East Hampton and every week you go there. There's only certain things that are available and that's what you get >> and you're, you know, you're allocated how much you can get. But if you could do that with like the local like the senior >> that might work for
>> the seniors that live at like the um it's not American in >> the villages. >> Yeah, the villages. A lot of the seniors go to the food pantry and get free food,
fruits and vegetables. Um, I know that some sometimes people will buy a share of yours >> and then donate it to the food pantry >> so that there's >> Jim Putnham buys one a large one each year from us >> for the food
>> and they come and get stuff that that then goes to the food >> because then it sits out at the um there's tables and there's areas that you can pick from that are like uh fruits and vegetables also. So other people in town from their gardens
donate. >> Um because a a large portion of our seniors that live at their homes and that live at the the elderly housing, the two units that we have, like the subsidized ones, um I mean they they
shop at the food pantry for a lot of that. I'm sure the people that are up although they have dining at not at wind not at the windfield but they have it at the villages. I think they have dining that they can actually purchase the their meals.
>> I don't know what change when it was the previous iteration. >> Um I'm just thinking it's it's something to get out and >> you know these farm shares are kind of really cool. And and you're right, we
either have to go down to Graanby or we have to go to East Hampton, but there's nothing in between. >> And maybe >> we have farm I mean there's several farms in town have farm. >> Yeah, I have one.
>> If it wasn't for me, she'd only have 300. Truly, I didn't know of that. >> Ours is um our you um you get a card like like a like a gift card and you can come in at any time. We don't pack up and have you take what you want you
wouldn't want. You come in at any time and get with your card uh any of the vegetables we grow. We have meat. We we grow pork. We grow beef. We have a bakery. So, you can get any of that with I've been in your store. I didn't know. So any of that farm you buy it early.
>> Oh yeah. >> And then eight times through the season we send out an email with whatever we're picking a lot of or whatever and it's completely free and we give them a week to come get it in case you want to freeze or can time to get ready. So
>> So do you have room for 400? >> It's definitely worth it. >> It is definitely >> shorter drive. >> It's true. But up there we get to go pick some stuff too. That's kind of >> that's a nice another one and we'll be stamping it >> that one. Mountain view Mountain >> Mountain
that's a nice >> CISA actually also has a program to subsidize farm shares for seniors. So they work with a number of senior centers and and local farms and you know they'll bring >> food to the senior center and then they they divide it up but they're it's like $10 a month or something.
>> But I think the share idea for the farm club is a great we could figure that out. >> Yeah. >> Have that included. Well, the other thing we do is uh with the farmers markets is that's one of the things that the open farm day does. It's presents all the farms all in one day. So, you
can see how close they really are. They're not It's kind of like, you know, you drive right down, you can get produce here and other things there and they're very close together. And that's one of the things that the open farm day kind of presents because it's all in one
little town, you know? It's kind of like treating it like a farmers market, you know. But >> yeah, >> there was somebody that we had talked to from a land trust perspective a couple years ago. Well, we only been around a couple years. >> Um, you know, the church that's for sale
on the way down towards the big Y. >> Yeah. >> Somebody was talking about buying that and turning it into like a a food co-op >> and they did get bought. >> Yeah, Joe. Uh that's the Methodist church about the Russian church
>> because that's the hardest thing with that property is >> selling that now. >> Oh, they have been a year. >> They moved the shoo up. >> Yeah, >> that would be perfect for that. >> Well, they wanted like a farm share or like a a farmer's co-op. They wanted to
do educational programs. There's 32 acres that come with that up in the back. >> Wow. >> Um >> it's very wet. >> That that borders my land. >> Oh, it does? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, >> and you know, I don't think through, but I was sitting there thinking, why not do
something in conjunction with UMass, >> right? If you're going to do >> educational programs, right? There's really nothing from a UMass standpoint, from an educational standpoint, agricultural standpoint this far south. >> Right. >> Right. So maybe if you can get some that
wants to use part of that building from an educational standpoint, the other part as a co-op, >> you know, that would be fantastic. says they're asking a sizable amount for >> it's one point. >> Yeah, I knew it was >> almost two. Yeah, that's a lot.
>> But that's both buildings and >> it's it's >> I think it was both buildings that were part of that deal. >> Is it That's a big building. But then there's another church right next door. >> That's not part of >> Oh, okay. I don't know why I thought the
one is huge and it has a big kitchen cuz they had a school there, too. The only thing with that is I I've always heard and I don't know that it's true that they slid under the radar as far as the septic that the septic is really not big
enough for what the building >> and somehow they enabled it because it was a church even though it was also a school. >> I mean one grades one through eight with a with a big kitchen to feed children and everything. open society. >> Well, probably because they started it
as a church and then maybe added on the school >> after they'd been there a little while and maybe that >> was something that popped up and I always thought that was anyways the building already exists. It kind of looks >> well. It can be used for almost nothing
else cuz it's aggra. It would have to be it's residential. I believe zoned. I don't think it's zoned business in any way cuz a church is one of the few things that you can plop anywhere. Church or a bank, you can put pretty much any place you want in a town.
>> And so I think that they >> Yeah, I think that zoning wise to sell it is almost impossible. >> They can't use it as a school. now because it would have to be probably zoned differently than what it is. They could use it, right? They could use it
as church or a bank or agricultural part. >> No, because agricultural could pretty much is that the one that says out front. >> No, it's the one next to it after that. >> Yeah, look back there. >> But yeah, that's been up for sale for
over a year. Um, >> but it they're going to be restricted on what the town would let them use it for. But >> well, unless you got a resone. >> Yeah. >> I don't know. They're not so big on it. >> No, but if it's it's for the right
purpose, you might be >> Yeah. Well, and if it was used for agricultural stuff, Yeah. they might be able to get away with that. >> They might be part of the master plan, >> maybe. >> Right. Right. >> But I think we're contracting. Oh, we do
this all the time to ourselves. >> Well, it depends how long you want to spend. >> No, I mean I really >> Yep. So that's >> we're the friendly commission. >> Well, we sp we still have poor Janna. She's been very patient.
Very good. Found out all kinds of interesting things. Huh. We talked about the three main things. >> So, you said you were interested in joining. >> Yeah. >> Our commissioner. >> Yeah. >> For real. >> Oh, yeah.
>> We've had people need to subscribe. >> Okay. Good to see you, Dave. >> Thank you so much for coming. >> Well, we had someone come to our last meeting and said they were going to join and then they texted me a week later saying they couldn't. So, interest. I'm on the Democratic
committee and we're trying to >> branch out, get involved in other committees. >> Cool. >> Um yeah, we meet once a month. >> So >> yeah, we typically meet once a month. Um second Wednesday, >> then we reserve the fourth Wednesday if we need to do a work session or
something, but that's mostly around open farm day when we're trying to prepare for that. >> Okay. Um maybe preparing for open uh the farmers forum won't we might meet once. I don't think we even did this year. >> I don't think we did this year. We did when we first started it.
>> Yeah. I mean we've got things down pretty well. Um so but yeah, if you want to join uh right on the town website. >> It's a new website now. So >> new website. >> No, it's actually right on the It was on the front page. Oh, cool.
>> Right. I think it's applications and forms. >> I believe that's it. >> And who's um coordinating um applications for commit? >> It has to be you have to be appointed by the select. >> So >> you just make a little letter.
>> We have usually >> letter of interest. >> So you just go to this you go it's two clicks off the main. It's right on. put your name and address in and which one you want to >> um agricultural and then they want you to select like a runner up so you could
pick like conservation or >> Oh, I did open space. >> I I I just I only wanted egg and that's what I put and I didn't put a second choice. >> Then don't give me the option to move me where I didn't want to go. >> I thought they required a second one.
Yeah, it does say indicates a required field, but if you just type in agricultural commission. >> Yeah, twice. >> We have more than enough room for you. >> So, um but yeah, it's pretty easy. Then, uh
I'll probably get an email from >> Diane Gail um saying you want to join and I'll be like I already know. Um then they just have to appoint you. probably sometimes it takes them a long time, sometimes they do it right away. >> Um I would
I think we have one full member seat available and two associate. Um if you do the full member, you only have to do all the paperwork every three years. Associate, you have to do it every year. >> Okay. >> So,
depends how much you like paperwork, I guess. And then whenever we were on the agenda with the select board when you know one of us or two of us will go >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> cheer you on. >> Yeah. >> You have to go to the meeting where they thrill you. They make you sit at the
table. >> I mean they they've appointed people. I mean I never had you go to one. I think I was on I think I was a member before this all started. >> Oh, I was going to say when I got on last year they had to go. >> They invited me to the meeting and that's where they you know to ask her a
couple questions. Well, >> yeah. And that was it. And then they're like, "Okay, like >> y >> you want it." >> And then later you they swear you in town hall. >> Yeah. You got to go down the clerk's office. >> Okay. Isn't there the open meetings law?
>> You have to do open meeting line. You have to do the um >> Yeah. the the conflict of interest thing. It's all online. >> You just have to click a bunch of buttons basically. >> All right. It's all pretty easy. >> Yeah.
Well, that's great. That's great. >> I feel like you've volunteered for us before though in the past, right? >> Well, I I worked at farm day. Yeah, that was a couple years ago. >> Okay. Yeah. >> No, I hadn't I don't think I'd done anything else >> since then. >> I have been to other meetings. >> You come to a farmer's forum, right?
>> Pardon? >> Have you come to the farmer's forum? >> No, I don't think so. >> Okay. >> I grew up on a farm in Southwork. >> That's that's more qualified. Yeah. We welcome you with open. >> Your last name is Pryy now. >> Yes. And it's still Priy. It's always
been Priy. >> Oh, it's always been Priy. Okay. >> My father had the dairy farm on Klein Road. >> Yes. You were you were um Pandora. >> Po? >> Yes. Yes. >> He is my bus driver. >> Oh, he was >> he was he was when I I lived on Fred
Jackson. >> Uhhuh. >> And he was my bus driver. And he was such a nice me. >> Small town. >> It is a small town. Yeah. Well, they used to have the Pioneer Dairy, but they don't have anything like that anymore either. >> Oh, no. >> No,
>> that'd be a good place to make a packaging plant. >> Yeah, that would be like that place. >> That building needs to be torn down and the whole lot has to It's condemned. Most of the buildings are condemned now. The little red the red squares went up with the X on them and Well, the build they've all fallen down.
>> Oh, yeah. The ceilings have been collapsed for years. >> Yeah. Well, the location it's still >> Oh, it's great location, but >> they could do that over at the the church, the Russian church. >> The church is probably in way better shape. >> Yeah, it would make a great processing place.
>> Find somebody who wants to buy it >> or rent it >> and and uh >> at least like lease it at least part of it. >> Yeah, but who the heck is I mean it's going to be expensive. >> But if you have a business, you know, that makes Bonnie angle. >> I guess >> you bring packaging to Southwork. It sounds like there's a total void in this
area for it. >> I mean, why are we shipping our food, >> local food out of state just to bring it back, >> right? >> And that's that seems like a conflict of interest right there. >> Um, >> I agree. >> I wonder if I can look up maybe I'll try to find out the one in Greenfield how
they got funded. >> Yeah. I mean, you probably have to become a nonprofit or something or an NGO and figure out some government funding. I don't know. apply for lots of grants. I mean, >> I'm I'm gonna poke around and see if I can find that.
>> There's so many grants out there that people just don't even know. >> I'm sure it was a grant-based thing. They must have started it that way. >> I think so. Yes. >> Um for But something like that, a place like that could be one of the things that did in it. I mean, it's a good
piece of property. >> If it's in the interest of the town, then we can get the town to, you know, possibly back us >> in some way. But that that would be probably more helpful than anything else. Plus, it would bring in farm people from
surrounding areas that would want to be able to use it also. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that's part of what they're looking into in Springfield, too, with the food hub would be a commercial kitchen and, you know, >> Yeah. But it's nice to have it in Springfield, but that's not where
>> that's not where the food is. >> That's not where the the food is. >> It's got to be trucked into Springfield and then >> Right. Right. >> Actually, I noticed PBTA is in town now, right? They have a PB room. >> Yeah, they come through town. Yeah, >> I think they come >> They used to a long time ago was young,
>> which brings people into our town. >> I think it's more for people that work out of town. >> Oh, >> I don't think into town that way. >> I'd be curious to see if anyone goes on it. I think they put it in though more for seniors to be able to get to the cities
and stuff. I think that's why they were trying to drum it up so that people could who didn't drive >> because they walk through Feeding Hills I think then go out through Westfield. >> Yeah. It's a long route. >> Oh yeah. >> It used to be It used to be a long route when you if you got on but they only
used to come once a day but in the afternoon >> if you're retired what else do you have to do? >> I know stuff around you know. I was going to say most of us are busier in the kitchen. >> Um, but I I'll look into that to see how
that Greenfield kitchen started because there's probably >> that would be a really cool >> cool addition that would be super helpful probably to lots of farmers in the area, >> not just South Farmers, but >> No, you they come down from Granville, Holland.
>> I was going to say there surrounding us there's a lot >> Westfield. best field is still closer than going up to grain field and >> you know even Connecticut ones um >> Graanby Connecticut has a lot of farms
>> um and if we're trying to promote um having more even small niche type farms that do certain things um >> which I think is I mean if you're going to have a a really good food stream then you have to have all kinds of stuff in
your area >> um if you're going to make it so that you really can if you had to purchase all your stuff fairly locally. >> Um I mean that's I'm sure that in the next maybe 30 years they will have overhauled
the national food stream somewhat and hopefully made it more localized. >> That's wishful thinking. >> It is wishful thinking. >> I mean that is the plan if if if we're saving farmland and we're trying to get um you know egg commissions going and
things. It's it is to make it so our food stream is more local. >> Well, with the fuel costs too. I mean trucking things in from Mexico. >> Well, yeah. It always used to be cheaper because they could produce them cheaper, but then there was transportation and with transportation being so expensive,
it makes it a more level playing field for >> um it's still tough in the Northeast because we have so many expenses. We're so much more expensive than when you have to heat the green houses. I mean, >> Gotcha. >> Yes. Although there's there's some
things you can grow in fairly unheated. >> Yeah. Well, like what Len is saying. I mean, she's running them right now. >> Well, yeah. She fuels them. Yeah. I mean, we're looking on ours when we put ours up. Uh Mark wants to put in geothermal underneath it before we put the greenhouse.
>> That's a huge expense, though, too. >> So, well, he's going to do it himself because he's got an excavator and that kind of thing. So, he can dig it. >> Perfect. >> Um Right now it just would be a fanned thing. So that just, you know, if you do
uh tubing underneath piping >> or deep um you got to go down at least four or five >> below the frost line. >> And if you do that, you put a fan on each end, it's a very it's a rudimentary, but it does work. >> Keeps it above freezing. keeps your
greenhouse a little warmer and then in the summer it keeps your greenhouse a little cooler. Um because you're constantly leveling it with just just simple fans that you can run on solar. >> Oh, you're running them off solar. >> So that's what you >> What about at night though?
>> Um you don't a lot of it it will work itself anyways once you get it's almost like a convection current once you get it rolling. >> Mhm. Um, so I mean that's the eventual. We have a greenhouse, a used one to put up and it's um, you know, he wants to put the geothermal underneath it before
we put it up because once you do that, you're not going to you're not going to put it under. >> Can you dig that deep? >> Oh, yeah. He's got a midsize excavator. >> No, I mean like my yard is like bedrock 3 ft down. >> No, we we have a lot of rock, but it's not bedrock. It's just rocks.
>> Just rocks. Although it's really funny when you said something about farm um having soil things and I was wondering if they were going to be doing testing for that. We >> there is a soil map. >> Yeah, but you're right. It has to be, you know, to really get an accurate
>> because we had a guy come out and do our neighbors we bought 11 acres from our next door neighbor and before we did it, we had no idea how to price it. They didn't either. >> And they're like, "Well, we want to be fair." And I said, "Okay." So we paid to have a guy come out who was a land guy
and he came out and and walked it and figured out and actually it was considered good farm soil which you would not think. We're on the ridge >> that's between sheep pasture and college highway. We're up on the top of the ridge there and we were listed as
farmland. And then I talked to one of my neighbors who uh he was friends with a Mr. heart who passed away years ago and he's like back in the 1930s potatoes were grown on the land that I own
>> which you wouldn't think it's a hill >> it's rocky >> it's I don't know but they grew potatoes there apparently the whole top of it and when I moved in it was a dense forest it was like you were in the black forest uh
it was you know huge pines and everything but >> prior to that It had been a potato farm. >> Wow. >> Interesting. >> Which I I thought was really cool because it hadn't been I mean a forest had grown up and >> so we're we're working our way backwards
into creating a farm again, >> digging out the stumps and all that stuff and digging out the rocks. It's a neverending thing. >> I'm sure. Uh, but I thought when you thought I thought of that because sometimes it's I mean you do you have to
pay somebody to come out and really give you a soil assessment or you know he did all kinds of tests and checked on water flow and all kinds of stuff. So >> um on to another one. Yep. >> It's up to you if you want to go through
all of these here. >> The eggcom logo. >> I like what you said. Yeah. Good. I think it I don't know if it would fit >> good. >> But if it's if it's said right to farm, a right to farm community
>> where it matches all the other signs in town. >> That's true. That's a good point. >> But this part is so long. I know. It's gonna be all letters all around. Yeah. I don't know. >> Can we see? >> Oh, sorry. >> Yeah. Um, we're just trying to figure
out get a logo. So, this is Diane Gail has been trying to get us to have a logo for >> Yeah. So, we have a few that, you know, Zach put together with AI and then some from Southwoods. >> So, I just was fooling around with this one the other day because they they all
say agricultural trust and heritage. We're not sure where that came from. >> That's just AI doing that. No, that is that's a wasn't what I put in. >> So I said, okay, let's say South Agricultural Commission right to farm and Zach is saying a right to farm community >> because we have signs all around town
that already say that. >> So we got to over here suggesting corn on this side. >> And then we got the cow. >> I like it. >> But there's some others uh you know these
>> I do like the one showing the fields with the Like a I keep thinking I'd like a field and I would love a Most of our barns don't look like that. They look like >> No, tobacco barns. >> Tobacco barns and they're used for just about everything, but they're tobacco barns, >> right? >> I would love to see a tobacco barn and a
field and maybe a tractor. >> You know, something as simple as that. >> A factory. Did you say >> tractor tractor tractor >> because then it would cover it would be more universal to just about any farm. Almost all the farms not all but a lot
of them and and the land that people see have tobacco barns on them. >> Um we don't have Mary I mean Waterman's was one of the last dairy barns that >> collapsing >> that collapsed. I mean, they don't see the one like uh Subrasca's.
They still have a dairy barn. >> Okay. >> But there's no dairy um for that even though it was huge dairy. When I moved here as a kid, it was huge dairy. I think there were eight or nine dairy farms >> and it was huge. But it's not anymore. And >> you know, we don't have those. But we still have tobacco barns.
>> Yeah. >> And we have lots of open fields. That's what people see is open fields either for hay or for, >> you know, they're in between in between planting or for tobacco or vegetables. It just was to me more uniform if we
went with something that was kind of general cuz we don't really have dairy anymore. I mean, it was a historical piece. Yes, we did have dairy, but >> it's kind of cute to have a cow. >> It is a cute cow. I was trying to think of what it represents in our community.
Maybe we do a baby cow. >> Yeah, >> have a little calf. >> Some cows left in town. >> Yeah, >> I was going to say >> I do like the whole seal around it. I It is wordy, but I do like having that.
>> Yeah, I like how simple I like how simple these two are. Yeah, >> even this one, >> there's just not a lot I don't want too much going on. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't think we have to decide anytime soon, but >> we've never had one. We don't need one.
>> I just would think it'd be nice to make it so that it really >> We do a lot of stuff around town with signage. It'd be nice to have, you know, our our mark on it. >> And we're we're thinking of doing business cards, right? So maybe having something like card, too.
>> Dan, these came from Southwoods, right? You saw that one came from me. >> Yeah. No, those came from uh Yeah, >> the Southward one. >> Those were all AI. Those three right there are AI. >> I think they're all AI. >> Yeah. So, did any of these Oh, this is
Southwest, right? >> Yeah, that's probably AI, too. >> Use AI yet. But, and I don't have a computer. I just have a phone. Dan, can you make it so that it would come up with a like a tobacco bar >> and a field? I mean, what do you understand? >> Yeah, you just tell AI do exactly what
you want. >> Leave the Holstein cow in and put a tobacco barn in the background. >> We can have a peeking out. >> Because it's the history of South is whole. >> Well, that's why this is it doesn't matter. >> The land trust logo that's being >> Yeah. It's nice and simple.
>> Yeah. All right. It's very symbolistic. It's >> Why does it look black and white though? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. A lot of our stuff >> wanted brighter colors. >> A lot of our stuff gets printed in black and white. Yeah. Yes. Exactly. >> We talked about of course the fact that
on a banner the logo would be this big >> and the back of a brochure it would be like Yeah. >> This one's busy. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was like the first one I did. >> Can I see that? >> Yeah, that one.
>> And I like the um >> You got it in there. Maybe if you put a holing on there, >> I would hire someone to >> the tobacco. >> Yeah. >> With everything on >> tobacco leaf off to the side,
>> you know. >> It's pretty cool. >> Yeah. And in the soil, you're seeing the the animals and things like that. I like underneath the barn. I like that, too. Actually, that one popped out to me, too. >> The top one or >> the bottom one? >> The bottom one. I think though when you
shrink that it's just going to look >> Yeah, you shrink everything then it's going to be little dots right in this little >> I think if you shrunk this one it would look okay. We could turn it maybe turn that into a >> Yeah, I was going to say the one you just showed it could be too small because
really change that should be a little mark. We should we probably should have something farm day advertisements >> probably ready for like the advertisements when we do the open farm
day but we have time like you said >> it comes up quick though >> yeah it does >> I mean it's already April >> so >> when is it is it >> it's the third Sunday of August so this 18th I believe this year >> and you said it's also the same weekend
as the 250th >> we're sign you up is a volunteer. Put her down. >> What farm do you want to be at? >> Yeah. Sunday, August 16th. >> Yeah. >> And Saturday the 15th is our 250th
>> parade and fireworks. >> Did you find out if we're going to have both parades? >> They want to. They said that's their hope. They're trying to do both. >> Okay, >> that's cool. >> I haven't talked to Dave yet. Um I wanted to talk to him in person. He was outside the gay before I talked
to you and I haven't seen him since. >> Are you related to Dave? >> Dave >> Yes. >> Okay. We were Alex doesn't want to do the 250. So, Alex usually does our >> No. With his truck >> farm the farm parade, >> but he doesn't want He doesn't want to
do the 250, but we were gonna ask Dave if he would do it. >> Well, >> so if if you run into him >> No. No. >> Thank Thanks to Alice. Alex, how was the bite on it? >> We by have by far the biggest float in the farm parade.
>> Yeah, it's pretty cool. >> Flatbed train. >> Yeah, we load it up with chickens and tobacco leaves and >> straw bales and all kinds of produce. It's pretty cool. We th we throw candy and
>> candy corn at people and it explodes. We're going to do that differently this year. >> Yeah. >> You know, my youngest brother doesn't relate to the rest of his family. So, it Alex does, but >> David doesn't. So, >> this sheer water balloons
>> air catch >> candy corn inside him. Oh my god. Imagine last last year how cold it was a water balloon. >> Oh my god. It was freezing. That was freezing. November 1st. >> Yeah, it was late.
Actually, are they going to do it before Halloween this year? I don't know. No, it's been following on Halloween. That's >> on Halloween. >> Saturday. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> In that case, um,
>> yeah, Saturday, October 31st. >> 31st is I wonder if they'll double it up. I mean, they did the trunk the same time. And it's Dan's birthday that day. So my birthday have a big birthday cake and
hand. >> All right, we're getting off topic here. >> What do we got left? >> Yeah, business cards. We're going to wait on the logo. >> Um, open farm day, South 250. We just talked about it. uh recruit new adcom members.
>> We did it. >> We did that. >> Uh farm to school grants. Any updates on those? >> I haven't seen any. I did go I'm still working on the greenhouse issue. Um because I went to measure about panels.
Yeah. And >> when I really got looking close at the panels, >> I can see why they're not working. the ones that they replaced because the panels >> that they used, it's such an old greenhouse >> that I can't find them anywhere because
they're not the two panled insulated >> corrugated type stuff. That one it's they're not that. But that's what they used to replace them. What they were was uh a very thin
panel slides into a slot and then it bumps out a little bit from the thing. And I've never I mean I haven't seen >> some kind of custom >> well or it was such an old design that they don't make them anymore. But the slot to put the panel in is about the
size of a piece of paper. >> I mean that's about how much room you have to slide it in. And what they've done is they've taken the thicker stuff which comes in two it comes in two thicknesses. They look like they have the thinner of the two, but there's nothing for it to
stick into. And that's the reason that some of the new panels are falling down in it. >> Maybe we should be on the lookout for like a used greenhouse just to replace it. Some of the ones that I actually looked on online on Amazon for the same
size, they're under $1,000. >> And if you're going to replace all those panels and try to do that, especially if we can't find a panel that actually drives with that particular configuration. >> So, I haven't called Chuck back because
I was hunting and hunting to see if I could find panels that would replace these and I >> sound too feasible. >> I can't seem to find any that would work. So, you mean $1,000 for a whole greenhouse? >> Yeah, it's a tiny greenhouse. It's not a very big one. It's I don't know, maybe 6
by 10 or 6 by 12. No, it's wider than six. Maybe it's >> You might be able to find something on like Facebook Marketplace, too. So, getting rid of it or >> Well, they have I haven't checked Harbor Freight, but they used to sell them at Harbor Freight, a similar design, but
they're the ones that actually like the one I have, which is almost 20 years old. It has the slot that that the double pane thickness can go in. >> So, those can be replaced, but this one doesn't have I mean, I don't know what you'd fit in that slot. It It's so tiny.
>> Um, >> do you take any pictures of it? >> No, but I did the measurements. I have those at home. I measured the panels to see what it was. Plus, the one of the vents was completely gone. >> The whole frame of it was gone. >> Sounds like it might not be salvageable.
So yeah, when I I thought cuz when I went back I took David back with me and we looked I got the custodian to let me in and I really looked carefully at all the things and I'm like how does this slide in here? And then I realized it's a design that is so thin. That's why the panels that they put in aren't working
is because there's nothing for to hold it. >> Um I mean the frame isn't in bad shape. It's it's a metal that doesn't rust. Some of the paint's coming off of it. That's not a big deal. But I was thinking if I talked to the school about
maybe doing an article on wanting to redo the thing and maybe a a way to get a fundraiser going >> uh class >> too thick. >> Yeah. >> The slat is I told you it's about the size of a piece of paper. Maybe maybe
the cardboard. I mean it was so the slat was so >> No wonder it's missing and broken or whatever. >> Right. So, it's probably not worth fixing. >> That frame was greenhouse plastic. >> Well, I had thought about just putting it over the top, but I'm not sure what
you'd anchor it to or with. >> You roll it up with the wood. >> That's what my buddy does with his. >> Right. But you got to get the top. The top is missing a lot. So, you'd have to get the top and then you've got to have the two flaps that open for ventilation
and not have that like fall apart. cuz I thought about doing that and I'm like what the heck would you ever cuz even to screw into the frame is not it's the metal's not very thick. It's fairly it's not like a a regular one. Um we've done
a couple things where we had to put new Mark put a an opener on the back door of ours and it's it's very thin and it's really hard not to break the metal because it's only about an inch wide the frame. >> So you got to use skinny little screws. If you're going to have kids playing
with it, sounds like they're just going to destroy it more. >> Um, well, I think it's just going to be a hard thing to do. So, I was trying to figure out something. So, I thought, well, if if I could do an article and maybe come up with something where we could get the public involved, maybe
someone wants to donate, >> right? Or or enough donations. >> What happened to all those green houses up on the hill behind that old plant place that doesn't function anymore in the south end of town? the husband died and they use those, don't they? Forbes.
>> They're still doing Yeah, they're still doing some work there. >> They use a few of them for tobacco. And the rest are maintained in pristine condition. >> Oh. Oh, but not used. >> No, that's nice. If you have money, you
can just do that. They're not >> only Oh, I knew there was a ton up there. >> Maybe they want that. >> But that's a big huge greenhouse, too. when the courtyard isn't big enough for something. I mean, they >> they're doing their spring concert in there soon, so >> in the courtyard.
>> Yeah, kids. >> Um, >> maybe we could get pictures of them if you can. >> I can probably get pictures this week with my mom's subbing there. >> I did go get a Corey so I can get in and out of there myself cuz >> Yeah, I need to do that. >> David and I both got Corey so we have
access to >> because you can't Yeah, >> you have to have be with somebody the whole time if you're there. So, I went down and filled out a Cory thing and so did he. So, we could get in and out as need be. >> Um cuz I'm also taking our baby chicks to a first grade classroom. >> Oh, that's awesome.
>> On Friday, my sister volunteers in as a >> she volunteers full-time as a parah. Yeah. >> Um but it's a volunteer thing >> and um so she's in a first grade class and she's like, "We're doing spring because we can't do Easter." And she knew I had chicks.
Um, Friday I'm bringing the chicks >> down to her the first grade classroom. So, >> cool. >> Oh, which class? >> Um, Mrs. um conceris. >> Okay. My daughter's a miss clearance class.
>> But I guess you know that was where my sister was and she wanted me to do it. So I'm like, okay, I'll take the chicks down. We're going to do it outside. It's >> cool, >> you know. Anyways, so that you know. >> So where is this courtyard field? what used to be the old high school or no middle middle school.
>> The middle school. It's um they it's a big huge courtyard and they had wanted to kind of revamp it again. So I went >> the one we we was a high school at one time. We I remember graduating there >> a long time ago. Yes, it was. >> Yes. Okay. That is a good size courtyard. It's huge.
>> Every 10 years or so, someone takes it on themselves to like renovate it. >> And there's a science teacher that's interested in doing it and so is the vice principal. He wanted to get it going. >> Yeah. My mother did it years ago when she was a teacher. >> So I said, "Well, if we could help as an
ad commission to kind of get it >> them, you know, rolling >> um, >> you know, to to help." And I thought maybe we could even do a work day where we could get public, you know, to come in on whatever. They'd let us in on a Saturday and maybe help. >> Probably have to be worried, right?
>> If it's on a Saturday, if the kids aren't there, you don't have to be cy. It's only if you're there when the kids are in the building. So, >> but they're interested in having some helpful >> getting it more usable the courtyard.
Um, >> and we want to be more involved with, you know, kids. So, people actually want to go into agricultural when they get older now. >> Right. So, we're working on that with them to >> maybe spruce up the courtyard for more
>> $600, >> right? That's the kind of thing. And that's bigger than the one they have. So why do we need a thousand to fix it? That's six. >> Wouldn't be I mean I said for a thousand you could get a big one. >> Oh yeah. >> I don't think it would cost It would probably cost a few hundred to fix it,
but it's not going to work. >> It's not going to last, >> right? It's going to have to be plastic or like regular plastic, not hard plastic. And >> they're not that outrageous. And I think if we if I did an article, we might be able to get some people in town
interested to make donations or something to it. And I talked to the teacher about maybe if they did um we were thinking of doing a perennial drive for perennial plants if people are cleaning out their gardens because they would like to put more perennials in
there to get more pollinators in. And uh so the kids would see it more as a working um you know and it has to be things that because of course you don't you can't really have kids farm because the summer
they're not there. >> So you have to find things that will overdo. I mean I was a science teacher so I mean that's what we did. And you have to find plants that you can plant in the fall and then they'll come up on their own in the spring. And you know, I told him we could do garlic, we can do
spinach, we can do a lot of things, even potatoes that you can plant in the fall and then you can watch them come up in the spring >> and you get the it's just the other ends of the cycle. It's not planting and then watching it grow through it because the summer's when they're not there. >> Yeah. No one's there.
>> So, we wanted to do more with perennials and the science teacher is a young woman and she was interested in ideas and I thought, well, if we could get donations because she said, well, can't you get businesses? I said, "Why ask businesses? Why not just ask people?" >> Just remember though, our budget's being cut because the school needed more
money. >> Oh, I know. >> But yeah, that's uh, you know, we thought that if they if we could get >> homeowners I mean, I clean my perennials out sometimes and just give them to people. >> Yeah, absolutely. There's always leftovers. So, it'd be one of those
things that maybe we could really spruce up the courtyard and, you know, kids could be part of it, learning about >> perennial planting more than annuals. >> So, >> all right. Well, looking at that,
>> that's just about it. We Cindy got us some of the minutes, but I don't think we have time to go through them right now. And plus, I want her to get us all the minutes. >> Yeah. Yeah. And then we can just look at them. >> I'm hope Yeah. I want her to email them all to us so we can come in here ready to go. >> Right. At home read them at home and
circle put it on the agenda to be kind of >> and then the last item I was working on the letter to close out open space 1.4 but it's pretty much ours. So these are the um action item completion. Um so
submit a paper to um the um master plan um committee um that has the following include items included. Team lead submitting the request uh chapter and action item of the request. Actual written action items. A synopsis of what
transpired to get you to this point. Evidence that supports groups were involved in the process. Is funding required and has it been secured? What is the plan to keep it progress sustainable? And then if the if they approve the request and forwards it to
the select board for final approval. >> Okay. So process. >> So write I'll write the letter and I'll send it out and then we'll send it out to everybody once it's edited. Yeah. And then we'll go from there and then we'll submit it. >> Norm that one's supposed to be closed out by June 30th. So we have
>> I'm not sure why he wants it so soon, but like it's coming up quickly. So, but and I was thinking of the garden. Like, are we gonna work on the garden? The community garden? >> Yeah, we got it. >> It's probably still pretty wet up there, right?
>> Well, it's not too bad. >> Yeah, there people are. >> There's some gardeners in there. Is Ron gonna till it? >> I don't know. I don't know if we should till it this year, actually. Think Ron would be able to till parts of it. And >> can you do it?
I mean, I can help you out. >> Oh, I know. I I could do it. Just saying. He'd be like, "What are you doing?" Take him to trap. >> Yeah. Well, I'll talk to him. You can sit on >> We could probably get them up there open. >> Yeah. As
>> get tired out quick. There's more and more people who want no tail plots, which is fine. >> Yeah. >> The spots that don't get used, the the weeds and the vines and the grass get pretty thick. So, I have a walk behind. It's a small one, but if we need it a
couple of them done, I can go do that. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we're David and I are going to go over to Depot and >> for 100 bucks an hour >> and and um and do the adventures >> to the depot garden. >> Cool. >> My sister asked me to come up and and
rode itself >> because it's only been done the once. Yeah. >> And were there a lot of rocks in there or no? Well, because it didn't dig deep last year because a lot of the rotoilling just took off a lot of the thick grass and stuff. So, we found more because we
went over partway through in the spring and and rotoilled a couple of spots um for her and we did find but didn't seem like a lot. Certainly not like my house. So, I figured >> So, what did you have a walk behind or >> Yeah, we have a walk behind. >> Yeah, >> we have a walk behind.
>> We used the midsize one. Um we have three. I just have a little one. >> Yeah, I got a small one. >> But after I plow and harrow, then I do it. Right. >> It's all swoops dirt. >> I was going to say Mark does it with his big huge He has a plow walk behind plow.
Then he has the walk behind huge roat tiller. And then if I want to finish something up, I take the mediumsiz one in there and and do that. And you can't get anything much bigger because they've got they still have like BMS on the depot one. They kept it that way to cuz it's on the hill and it was the only way
to keep the water from making >> washing it all over. >> Um, and there's a lot of water that runs down there. There was some bowl holes and she took a video of it and you could literally see streams running underground. Got down that hill there was so much
water. But we're going to go take care of that probably in the next couple of weeks. in that community garden, the side gate. >> Um, it doesn't close, I've noticed. >> So, it's it >> Oh, yeah. I just wanted to make sure you
knew. >> Yeah. So, we would probably pick a date to go up there and >> do we still have more posts? There's 14 fence posts that need to be We have to climb, right? >> We have uh seven. >> Okay. >> So, uh >> I think the price on those the things
that go on the ground have gone way up. >> Oh, okay. And we can invite the people who signed up for it too for you know I didn't t >> we were we were talking about getting a different possibility
>> or more batteries I don't know right >> um like a bigger more powerful battery they might be in the same >> yeah they that came with the absolute smallest battery they had >> I just don't know how much water >> I don't want to invest a bunch of money
And you know, we buy five batteries and it only fills up one of the tanks like a third of the way. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So maybe add it to the um the agenda for next meeting. We can talk about like coordinating a date or something um to
kind of go up there together. >> So we got 12 more posts. Yeah. Go. >> I think we need 14. We have seven. and what is >> so we could either do it end of April or end of May or you know I don't know on a
I don't know if Saturday or Sunday works for best pe for people >> I think we've done Sunday >> Sundays are okay >> May 10 to
Yeah, >> I think that's it. That's all we have to talk about. I think because I was wondering if we were going to do a cleanup, you know, as a group or if we're just going to go up there individually. I can do some things. I just don't know
what not to touch, whose plots are whose and things like that. You know what I mean? >> I'm working on that. I reached out to all the people who were there last years and a couple of them haven't gotten back to me yet. So, I want to >> keep keep at it.
And you saw the emails Cindy saw, right? >> Yeah. Okay. Y >> are you thinking of having community gardens other places in town or just >> we so we have the one at the Sonoski property and then we kind of did one last year. >> Yeah, we just helped them get
established over at depot court for the >> um >> We don't have enough fence folks, ma'am. just go to >> but yeah that's the only the other because that's for the tenants >> but I mean it's kind of town it's kind of a community thing
>> it is for any any well anyone >> anyone who lives at the depot court can um my sister and one of the she's on the >> tenants >> they started a tenants thing even though it's a subsidized housing
>> um and they uh one of the guys that's on the committee um I He helped Scott Seagull. >> He helped to get it so that they could actually put one in because they had to use years ago they used to have one. >> So, and then they offer it up to whoever
wants. There's, you know, the all the plots. There's eight plots and they offer it up to anybody who wants a plot. >> Um, last year there's my sister and this one other guy. Those were the only two that wanted to do it. So my sister, seven of them, >> she filled an entire freezer of
>> her subsidized. >> They got a little test freezer and she put up all kinds of vegetables so that she has um >> which was the idea. So that I mean we have people that can't travel, a lot of
them don't have cars. and she hasn't been able to really get them motivated to um get off their seats and and do something >> um >> because it does take time. >> Absolutely.
>> Yeah. But she likes that because in the summer she has she's not volunteering at the school so she has time and so she needs to fill it and they might. >> So out of your budget so much money and by the fence posted it
>> everything if there is a community garden it's coming from your budget right >> correct. Yeah. >> We already >> the one that doesn't have fencing >> doesn't have fencing doesn't need it I guess. Well, it probably someday could use it because there are predators that
that would come in and eat it. But she's, you know, hoping that they stay away. >> Speaking of predator, I got that moose on sunny Sunday. That's pretty cool. >> He went to West. >> I mean, that's not a predator really. >> I have a feeling it'll be in my chicken.
>> Everything else gets in my chicken coop. >> That's pretty cool. >> Why not a moose? It's getting closer and closer. >> It was It was right around Westfield State a few days ago and now it's report from Southwick. >> I'm playing. >> There could be a whole family. >> Yeah, might be down by my house pretty
soon. Could be. >> I bet you it's just sometimes they travel this time of the year. >> It doesn't look like it's pretty looking for territory or >> Yeah, it's been a pretty rough winter, too. Well, they'll
>> hundreds of miles looking for a mate, especially if they're not the >> the lead guys. >> They sometimes have to go a long distance and they end up down here wandering around in their own 10t May >> as we've had them down by the Westfield
River several times. They've had them down by the They'll follow the river down. >> Oh, May. May third. No, you're right. You're right. May third is >> But a lot of times the young males get run out. It's been getting cited for a couple months now. >> I don't know if it's a male or female, but I I would
>> Maybe it's going to college. >> The date >> May 3rd. >> May 3rd. Okay. Sunday or >> Sunday? Sunday. Sunday. Okay. >> I think that works for me. Yeah. >> So, what do we do? 9 to 11. 9 to noon. >> I think 10 10 to noon. We say
>> you can get you get there whenever you want. Oh, the pancakes and then we go pancakes. >> So, what time? Like uh >> 10 or 12, I guess. Yeah, >> bringing the donuts. No, I'm just
kidding. >> Yeah, we'll have to refresh again. Let's see. Okay, sounds good. This is from >> Okay, we all set.
>> All right, make a motion to I make a motion to return. >> Second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I don't hang. Say I >> I >> Good night everyone.
>> Thank you for coming. >> Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.