All right. Um, I hereby call this meeting to order of the SAFK Agricultural Commission. It's a regular uh monthly meeting for December 17th, 2025 at 7 p uh 7 p.m. Uh, we do have a quorum with Deb Humphrey, uh, Jender
Petro, Sage Fury, and myself, Zach Barnett. >> Hello everybody. >> The meeting will come to order. Um, public comments. I don't see anyone from the public.
Uh, so I guess before we get into farmers forum, I just got a bunch of stuff about our yearly budget. >> Okay. >> Um, I think I gave you guys each packet.
Um, oh Cindy, are you able to help us with this when we need to go when I have to meet with people? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Budget sheet. Then I gave I think there's a another sheet that has how
much money we have in each account. >> So the spreadsheet. Yeah, there it is. This is the last page maybe. I have >> I think our budget's going down again next year. >> Oh, is it? Oh, wow. >> Yeah, I was going to say um and we me
and Zach had talked a little bit. Uh if we know what our advertisement is going to look like before all money is gone from this year, we should try and at least get them purchased in some sort of way ahead of time just
so we don't lose the money and that way we don't have to spend money from our money next year. >> Can we just go to like Southwoods and be like take this money and hold it for our advertising? >> I wonder. Uh, I wonder I wonder if they would set up something like that because
we are reoccurring for the same event. >> Yeah. >> So, maybe they would let you pay ahead of time because it's probably going to be the same set pay that it was last time. >> So, I'll just give them give them a down payment or whatever. >> I can call them tomorrow and ask them
>> what what they how they >> I mean, we still have we have till June 30th to spend it, but I'm just thinking >> thinking ahead because >> Yeah, >> I know it comes down to the wire every year. As long as it's started, I can carry it over. >> Yeah. >> But I just can't just carry over money
that's not assigned for yet. >> Right >> now. Is it just that budget that um account we have to use up? >> Um I know one of the counts is pretty low. Supplies. I don't have it in front of me.
>> Buies us. We have 650. Anything really I think except for our like donated money I think. >> Okay. >> We would lose like all of our funded money.
>> Okay. >> All right. We try to use as much as possible. Um and the garden stuff typically comes out of the garden budget, right? >> Yeah. But and then, you know, I just kind of
look at garden, the community garden. Yeah. But also the supplies line. I mean, I don't that's a lot of money for supplies. I don't need that many pencils and notepads, you know. >> No, I know. Um >> there's I feel like maybe we should be able to
use that for events because, you know, we need supplies for the >> Yeah, that's that's how I look at it. I mean like like the candy corn for um the farm parade. >> Yeah, >> that was But we also have a separate farm parade line item it looks like.
>> Yeah, >> we do. Yeah. And then >> and then I wonder if it would be worth to get rid of that because if someone directly donates to us and puts you know farm day parade we have to use it for farm parade whereas versus if they are donating just
to the south agricultural commission for no specific >> I'm curious where that even came from. I don't remember anyone ever giving us money specifically for a farm parade. >> It's not it's not our event. The first year that we had it, there were a couple
checks that wrote just right on their open farm day parade >> or farm. >> Well, there's two different ones. There's open farm day and then farm parade. >> Yeah. >> Or well farm open farm day rather. >> Yeah. I don't I mean the open farm day one we can easily spend I think but
>> the parade one >> I'd like to get rid of that one probably. really have to spend on except for the >> I don't know how that got funded though. I don't know how that >> what we throw out. I mean whether we do candy next year.
>> But that could come from supplies. It's a supply for one of our events. >> Yep. >> Yeah. As long as they let us put whatever we want under supplies. >> I think they do. >> I guess if we if we know it's it Well, we're not sure where it came from if it was a donation, but
>> Yeah. But if it says farm parade, we could use that next year on the stuff. >> We have to buy it before June 30th. >> June 30th. Yeah. >> Yeah. But if we do something like pencils or whatever we decided to throw other than >> that wasn't like candy. >> We could build we could do banners and
things, >> right? That kind of stuff we could use that for. >> And I'm sure Levita would let us buy like a gift card. >> Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking, too. >> Oh, okay. And then you could like buy the candy at a later time so it's not sitting around. I
>> mean, we could almost buy into the um the crop share thing, the CSA. >> Yeah, we buy into it every year. >> Yeah. >> I do. Yeah. >> And yeah, she supplies things for us all the time. >> Yeah. That's where the candy corn comes from. >> Yeah. Um Okay.
>> Stuff for like the um farmers forum. I think she usually donates that, but >> Okay. So we can have like a working session for this for the budget. >> So we need to be January 9th or something.
>> Yeah. January 9th we need to submit a packet >> a budget a new budget for 2026. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Whose day is that? Is that when we meet? >> Could be.
>> That's um Sorry. >> 9th is a Friday. No, it's >> Oh, it's a Friday. Okay. >> It's a Friday before we meet. >> Oh, okay. >> Um >> Okay. Cindy, do you know if we actually have
to do a five-year projection asked if like salaries and operation? We don't have all that. >> Yeah, I I don't think that that pertains to us. >> I mean, we don't have salaries on any of them. Even if >> Do we have a copy of last year's budget
or is this >> um I'm sure we do emails by email, I think. Okay. Yeah, that would be good to have and then we can work from it from there and see what exactly they needed at what time.
Does anyone get paid from the agricultural the vice or that >> Cindy's the only one that gets paid at all? But I don't think it comes from our budget. >> Oh, okay. >> Um, I don't think it comes I think it comes out of like a board secretary.
>> Yeah. Well, you guys, like for me, for the board of health, I get paid straight for I get paid from a board of health one separate from like the one that I get paid from you guys in. >> Oh, okay. >> We're basically only filling out capital
item projects. >> Okay. 500 for 27 capital. >> Oh, it is fiscical year 2026 or is the one we're doing fiscal year 2027 is the next one. >> Yeah, because fiscal fiscal year ends on
June 30th. >> Yeah. So, that's this sheet right here. You have Cindy, this is what we have to fill out, correct? >> Yeah. Um, I think they wanted you to print it out and fill it out, or is it more of like an Excel sheet where I fill it out? Oh, I'll do
it online. I just printed it out so I would have it at the meeting. >> Yeah, it looks just like that. >> I mean, I'm basically just going to copy the numbers from last year. I think >> much what I did the this past year, but I think we had changed something like
I remember there was a vote. >> How about when I come in to sign for Bert's um invoice thing, um you and I can go over this quickly. Okay, >> that works for you. >> Yeah. And I can try and pull up the one that I did last year.
>> Okay. >> So, are these separate accounts that we have? >> Yeah, I believe we have >> each is a different account. >> We have five separate accounts, it looks like. I don't know why we have a farm farm parade one, >> right? That doesn't account on there either. >> Yeah, I didn't see that on there.
>> The gift account has a different number, so they put it on a different sheet. It's got like a totally different than the rest of most of the accounts. >> It's weird that we have a different account for each thing. >> Yeah, it is weird. >> I don't but I don't get how the farm
parade one got funded, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Um I mean it's fine. >> Well, in public outreach, I mean, we do that with the community garden. We do that with open farm day.
Do we do it separate from those things too? I suppose if we did anything where we had to get supplies or something for like that thing we did at the school. >> Oh, right. Yeah. >> And the other thing we want to keep in mind is if we're going to do like
anything um let's say we do the seeding thing, >> you know, we might need >> Yeah, we're some supplies of some sort. And I don't know where that would be. >> Supplies is kind of like our general account. >> Okay. Um, but if it is specific, we should pull
from the specific account first. >> Right. Right. Um, >> I mean, I I'm not sure what would fall under public outreach. Something >> I think kind of like the thing you did >> like what you did with the school. It would be a perfect example because the
public health nurses do a lot of things like >> at the school. >> Yeah. Or the library or the senior center. That's That's like the public outreach part. >> Oh, >> okay. Which actually is a small budget. I mean, the farm parade is a bigger budget
than that. Twice the size. And we don't I mean, we don't actually do anything with that. Not too much. >> Yeah. >> Um >> wouldn't it be too bad to condense some of these? And >> I know. I wonder if we can.
>> I mean, I get the farm day one. We get donations every year. >> And community community garden. >> Community garden. we get money from people having an outgoing thing, right? >> Would it be worth it to combine the um the two and just have like an events?
>> Yeah, that would be cool. >> Even better because then if we changed events or added events, it would be Yeah. Versatile. >> We could use it for any event. >> Is that something we can do easily? >> Um I don't know if it's going to be easy, but I think maybe
>> it's worth trying. It could not be. >> I think we could definitely make the uh >> Yeah, that would be great. I don't know if we can just vote on and make that decision or if it has to be like something accounting has to decide if we can do or not. >> Okay. I mean, we can we can vote on it
that we want to do it and then they can approve it whether we can do it or not. Yeah. >> Because even even like the farmers forum, that's an event. >> Yeah. Right. It doesn't have anything here. We might spend money on it. >> Might need money. And if I do the farm hop next year, >> so we have three or four places
>> to like just donate to agricultural events like it doesn't event. Yeah, >> that would be great because then it would be more versatile for us. >> And I think I think public outreach is part of that too then. >> I think so. >> I would say yeah because advertisements and things like that. Um
you know putting flyers up and and reaching out to everybody. Yeah, I think we should keep we have to keep the community garden one >> and supplies >> and supplies is just like the default one. Yeah, >> that's where a lot of our budget money goes comes from. Um, all right. I'll
make a motion to, if possible, combine the public outreach, open farm day, and farm parade accounts into a eggcom events account. >> I'll second it. >> All right. Roll call vote. Zack Barnett, I.
>> Deb Humphrey, I. Jennifer Ditro. I >> Sage Fury. >> Hi. >> All right. The eyes have it. >> All right. >> Great. >> All right. Cool. So, um, when are you going to be in the office again, Cindy? I know this week is
kind of >> Yeah, I um, next week my plan was to do Monday, Tuesday. >> Monday. >> Tuesday. >> This week's kind of just a wash. >> Mondays are hard for me, but um, Tuesday I could probably do. Okay. Even if I made it up for you on Monday or Tuesday
and you couldn't make it in Tuesday, I can leave it there and you can and sign it and bring it down. Like you could just >> have them hand it to you and you could take it down, sign it, whatever. >> Okay, I'll figure it out. >> All right, cool.
>> Is it something you have to sign or can >> I believe you or her can sign? >> I'm available. I mean, I can down and sign. >> Okay. Either one. Yeah. >> Yeah. Maybe I'll make a group text message with the three of us. >> Right. And if you need me to go down and sign something and Cindy's going to be
there, fine. I'll just go down and I don't I'm not overly pressed next week with Next week is December still. No, I mean it's the beginning of Christmas week, but >> yeah, >> it's a short week. >> We're not doing Christmas at our house
until January 1st. Oh. >> Cuz that's when my son is coming in from Rochester. So, >> we're just nothing is happening at my house until January 1st. >> Well, you just had plenty of events at your house. >> Right. Right. Well, and that's I just like whatever. So, I'm going to actually
have be chill next week because I'm just going to be finishing up Christmas and what >> might that might be best if you can come down there. >> I could do that. So, you just need to nudge me and Okay. Tell me when to get myself down there and I'll sign whatever needs to be signed. >> Cindy, if I don't do it, can you just create a group message with us? The four
of us. >> Yeah. Okay. Cool. and we'll all be on the same page. >> Sounds good. >> Did you have your grandbaby yet, Deb? >> I did. I did. >> Yes. Uh December 6th, Brooklyn Rose
Humphrey was born. >> Oh, beautiful. >> And she's absolutely marvelous. >> She looked perfect, didn't she? I said, "Oh, she's perfect. Just perfect." >> All right. All right. We're gonna put budget stuff away and get into the fun
stuff. >> I'm gonna go ahead and scoot out if that's okay with you guys. >> Yeah, that's fine. I think we're good. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. Thank you. Have a good night, guys. >> You, too. um planning for farmers forum. >> Okay. So, January 28
and we do have the land use the land. >> Yes, that is reserved. >> Okay, perfect. >> Um Bert, I don't know if you saw Bert's email today. He forwarded some comments. >> Oh, that's right. This one here. That's great. We got a bunch of
speakers. >> Yeah, that's really cool. >> Amazing. >> That is very cool. >> That's going to be a good one. >> Yeah. And I didn't see too many people in the assessors meeting. So hopefully the whole town doesn't show up to yell
at the assessor. >> Yeah, >> because they had the chance tonight to do it. So, >> right. They had their chance. never quite sure if people actually pay attention to it or focus on it. I mean, it was on Facebook and I popped right on the first day.
>> Um, before I came here, I met up with Dan at his store in Westfield because it was his men's night and it's 50% off and I went down there just I went there last year and I I stopped in there quickly. Um, >> and Marissa was there. She used to be our um >> Oh, yeah.
>> our uh vice chair here. >> Okay. And she doesn't have Facebook or anything. She knew nothing about the assessor stuff, >> right? Oh, wow. >> Well, I didn't get a letter. I just >> So, she got a letter, but then she never there was no followup. >> There was no She didn't know that you could come down to the town hall and
look at the paperwork. Like, if you're not weren't on Facebook, you wouldn't know this stuff. >> Right. Right. I know. I I I actually texted three people that I know don't follow Facebook as close. My niece cuz she works full-time and two of my girlfriends. And I went on and I found their thing, their houses, and took a
screenshot and sent it to >> I downloaded all the documents if anyone needs a copy. >> Yeah. Cuz it it was handy to be able to go in and I popped on it the first day and I'm like, "Oh, these people are going to need to know cuz I know people that don't follow Facebook are close." And um >> I didn't think they wanted surprises.
>> I know >> there's going to be a lot of surprises. >> Um Oh, >> some houses didn't go up much at all. They must have been recently assessed or something. >> Um well, >> or sold, I guess, >> or they're newer. So that there's
>> my neighbor right down the street, they've been there for a long time, and I looked up their property because we had talked about it before this came out, so I checked their property and theirs only went up a couple percent. >> Yeah, mine went up a sizable amount. >> Yeah, mine went my the house I live in went forget the exact amount, but went
up a good chunk and then my my rental house in North Lake, I mean, it went up like 24%. >> Right. Right. That's ridiculous. I'd be down there getting that abatement as quick as possible because of the lake. >> Like I I live on Lake View in the north and >> but if you're not on the water, your your property's not worth.
>> We have like the access a little access. >> Oh, that's interesting. And mine didn't go up that much. Actually less than what the bank says. >> Even if you had guided access, >> it doesn't mean that you're allowed to use it because when we lived over bungalow, we had a problem with that >> because it goes through someone else's
property. >> Yeah. Well, but there it is. It technically isn't their property. It's a right a right of way. Yes. >> So that you can get at it. And yeah, we had the hardest time. We couldn't get >> those supposed to be a path all the way around the lakes. And those are closed off. >> Yeah. Oh, interesting. >> They've been closed off.
>> What is it? 10 ft from the water's edge. That is public property. 10. You go 10 ft. >> It's just like a public road. You don't own >> You do not own up to the water. Right. >> And there were people that used to put fences up and try to close it off cuz technically you should be able to walk around the entire thing. It's not their
>> yard. So, but we had the hardest time and I lived over on Bungalow for years and we could not we had to go to the next one. We have to we had to go use the next one over because and luckily we knew the people that had cut through their yard and they were fine >> because they wouldn't the people that owned it that area and had the right of
way refused to let it. >> Probably talking about the same people. We might be right at the end of Bungalow. >> Well, I'm on North Lake, but yeah. >> And yeah, we could not get through. They And that was we I bought that house in
1980 and been there for 14 years and we could not they now put up a barrier that you can't drive even on that was private property. >> That was terrible. >> Then rode for all those years >> forever. >> Yeah. So, yeah, I'm sure I when I saw that he got the assessor, I thought that
was good. But on the other hand, I'm hoping that that we don't get people that are carrying a different torch at the time. Um, you know, for at our farm forum. >> Yep. >> Um, but he did get another guy right
from the >> Yeah, there's three people. >> Oh, I missed the third one. I I know he said >> Randy assessment. Okay, that's the new assessment and Gerard Kennedy. I didn't see the Yeah. Gerard Kennedy, staff member for agricultural crime. What was
his department? Oh, >> director of assessments for the town. So, he's he's he's he knows a lot about the chapter 61, I believe, is what he said. >> The Jack Macko. >> He must Yes, he must >> chapter 61. I >> That's cool.
>> Love it. So, I guess we should open up like I sent this initial one out to you guys. Um and then I'm I'm really happy that Bert wrote on >> this. one you sent out or that he marked up. >> Um >> Um I Yeah, sorry. >> So I'm really glad he marked it up
because, you know, he's you know, he's familiar with the agenda and like timing timing is hard, you know, and especially with these guest speakers. >> Yeah. I mean, >> I think we should open that up a lot, you know, for them. And of course, there's going to be questions and
concerns that come up. Oh, I think I think people will have questions, but I think if they just did a presentation that explained the three types of 60 >> Yeah. >> the 61, the 61A, and the 61B, >> the difference between them and the thing I found the most important when I
was reading about it was like BC was asking here about forever protected. It's not forever protected because if you sell it >> Yeah. You can pay fair use >> but then you have to pay and I can't remember how many years. >> I think it's I heard like
>> I think it was five. I thought it was five in the thing that you had would have to pay >> the t the higher taxes that it should have been if someone uses it for something different. >> Interesting. >> Afterwards. So um >> so if a land developer came in, they could do whatever they want if they have, you know, deep pockets.
>> Okay. Yeah. They wouldn't care. That's not a big deal to pay the difference in the taxes. Um but yeah, I mean because I see that as the land that's right abut my property that that um the Joneses own and they technically could get a
development in there if they chose to because they have a right of way that a road could go on >> if they wanted to and they're the one for recreation, the protection for recreation. But if he sold it, then they
he would have to work out something, you know, with a developer or something uh to do that. But he could do it, >> right? >> You know, and and if it's only 5 years, it's not that big of a deal. >> Yeah. >> It's not like cuz he's had that under
recreation for I don't know 20 easily, maybe more. >> So, it's it's still a good savings for people. Is that the same kind of thing that they're going to put the historical museum property under? I wonder.
>> Yeah. >> They have all that property now, right? That they >> It's only 10 acres and it's not >> but it's over five. It needs to be five to be 61, >> right? >> I was just wondering. But >> but it also makes a difference how much you save in taxes on how buildable it
is. And that is not >> Well, that's when they assess it. That's not a buildable property because it's in a flooding area. >> It's like wet. Yeah, >> it's wetlands. A lot of it. So, there might not be much of a savings if it was in that. >> But does the town really pay taxes to
itself? >> No. I Well, no, I guess not because it's a it's under one of the >> I don't know how that works. >> I don't know either, but I don't I don't think it would matter for them. >> So, in the beginning here, sorry, Nata. Um, so we got the just people coming in,
welcoming everybody coming in. they can have snacks and beverages, right? And then for half an hour and then we just go into like what we've done for the year and I think 10 minutes is good for that, right? >> Um Dan Cook requested after we do like
the quick little intro he wants to say a little thing. He did it last year and he did the year before. >> I like that. Yeah. Oh, that's great. So we can put that. So um so just put in Dan. >> Yeah, put it right after intro. Sure. Dan Cook. >> Yep. Absolutely. I could put that in
there. >> Um, and I'll send it resend it out. Okay. >> Just like an announcement, I guess. >> Announcement. >> So, last year he did like a moment of silence, I think, or >> um was the president passed away.
>> Was it Jimmy Carter? >> Oh, because he was very agriculture. And then the year before that, uh, when he did I don't know, but he he likes to do it. He wants to do it again this year. So,
>> I like that. Yeah, it does. It definitely adds to it to the the whole forum. >> So, I figured I'll probably do the intro since I'm the chairman. Um, >> absolutely. >> So, I did a little outline, too. There was an outline that I did that was like
for our eyes only kind of thing. I don't printed that. >> Oh, that's okay. Um I could put names next to our use for everybody. >> Um and I'll have that ready for all of us. So I'll put names next to whatever we do. >> Um
>> figured Bert should pro since Bert's handling the um the guest speakers, he should probably introduce them. >> That's a great idea. Also, we need to have Bert coordinate with them who needs to go first or wants to go first and how much time they should spend.
>> Coordinate time. Okay. How much time? So, his suggestion was 20 to 30 minutes. Do you think >> it's a long time? >> Is it okay? >> I think 20 15 to 20 would probably be safer. >> Okay. >> I can't imagine. Yeah, I was going to say they could cover it all pretty quick. >> I would say 15 to 20, you know, maybe
that includes quick question and answers >> or I'm not sure that they're all going to speak, are they? Or is is all speak. >> I think they're all going to say something. >> Hoping they do. >> Yeah. >> Well, I didn't know if what somebody would do the presentation and then maybe somebody would funnel questions if that
was there >> on details. Maybe he knows more. >> I was hoping he'd be here tonight. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it would be kind of cool if if we had a >> because that is public information. Who has the 61? >> Yes. Who has it,
>> right? Who has it? It would be really cool to have like a map of town that had it listed. Who already has >> So, you can do that on the um the what is that the website thing you
did? >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, the outline or the >> No, the Massachusetts the interactive property map. >> Oh. Oh, yeah. >> Does it does it have Do you think it has that on it? because I think that would be really cool to have so that people could understand it
>> what kinds of property. >> Yeah. >> Already have it on it. >> Yeah. No, it's available. Um what was the name of it? >> It's a geographical information. >> Yeah. GIS. >> Yeah. GIS. >> So there's different layers on the GIS map and you can pull up the ones that are 61 and I'll find
>> Yeah. If we if we could come up with the even if it had all of them, the 61, 61A, and 61. I don't know if you can differentiate between the three different types, but you might >> I don't think you'd even need to as long as you could show that there is land in town that are and people could then think about, oh, that's a piece of
property that has it. >> I think I've seen it before. >> Yeah, I think there there was one printed out like on a >> old map. I mean, it's really old. >> And if I can't I know the person um >> Lisa was really helpful um when I was
doing my presentation. She helped me a lot with it. So she could probably point things out and >> right cuz to me that would be a a nice visual to have. People could look at it and go, "Oh, okay. So this is the kinds of properties that are being done." It would give them a a visual reference for
their own property if they were interested in it. >> They can um maybe if they have something too, if the presenters have something, they may have something too that they want to show as well. I don't know if they're going to ask for like the computer use, but we can >> Right. Right. >> try to do that. But but I can work on
that. Would it be in poster form or just on the put it up on the TV? >> It could just be on the TV, I would think. >> Like on the TV? >> Yeah. >> As long as you have it like ready to go. >> Poster Poster form would be nice, but I don't know. They'd let you print it out. >> Yeah. >> We'd have to spend money and we'd have
to get it printed pretty quickly. >> Okay. >> They have they have the printers. >> They have a large format. >> They used to do them right here. That's how I got the map. I got >> Oh, yeah. The assessor's office. >> They probably have map. They had APR maps. They had And the APR map.
>> They might already have one printed on it. >> Um, >> so we could talk to >> talk to them down. The one I have is >> maybe he could bring it. >> That would be awesome. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. >> There we go. >> We're on a really good visual. People would stand and look at it after if they
wanted to and, you know, dwell on it. song. >> That's funny. I like it. All right. Sounds good. >> Cuz knowing the information is good, but then being able to to connect it to their their own town is important. >> If he does bring it, we need some kind
of like easel to put it on. We have this ones from farm day. >> Are they in the There's just an easel floating around. >> There might be. I We have some, but they're not very big >> cuz the Landrew room usually has one in there. There's I've seen ones in there
how it must happen. >> There's stuff in the um the auditorium too, right? That's where they store a lot of stuff. >> Um let me ask really quick when I I love the email that you sent out as a save the date. >> Um was the um the all the boards uh
emails on there too or >> I forget who I >> I'm wondering if we should invite the people on the boards. Um I think I did but I might not have. >> I don't have that. >> Who are the emails bounce back is undeliverable. I don't remember which ones but >> Oh okay.
>> Um you're doing the the intake right? Like >> well I haven't heard I haven't seen anybody's >> but when people come in >> Oh yeah like to register them. >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> Try to like get names and emails and phone numbers. >> Yep. Definitely. >> I know some people don't like to share it but
>> yeah. Did we do that last year? if I have that. >> If we could just, you know, fill in the blanks of that spreadsheet we already have. >> Yeah, that would be >> very helpful. >> Yeah, because the people that showed up wasn't we didn't have that many people last year as we did the year before, but hopefully we'll get a ton of people this
year. Um, and I'm wondering if we should incorporate um >> So, I'd like to give you access to the email, too. I've been trying to organize it. It was all just dumped in the >> dumped in there since the beginning. Yeah, that's >> I've been kind of separating things. I I
created >> like um distribution list. So whenever >> Oh, that's great. >> I notic that >> whenever I email, you know, I'm trying to use that more than my personal email. >> Y >> um just to make things more professional and >> if someone else takes my role or
whatever, like it's it's more seamless. Like it's not just one person doing it. >> It's more organized. >> Yeah, it's a role. >> Um >> no, I like that definitely. I shared I did something that I never done. I shared the um PowerPoint of the
slideshow and I think everybody's able to edit it themselves. So if they want to add pictures onto it, I just sent it out today. So people want to just send me pictures, they have to be JPEG, but >> um I don't have a lot from the parade. I have the one photo you sent. Um
>> I don't have a lot from the um the different tables that were set up. I think maybe Bert was taking pictures, so I'll have to ask him to see if he has anything from the open farm day, you know, and things like that. But um yeah, that was just a side note. Um I just didn't know like I was thinking of
inviting the vice um vice principal of um the school um powder mill that we're like kind of put an invite out to him because he kind of extended. >> Yeah, we should invite to us. >> He might be interested. Like I mean if
if he or he knows anybody >> cuz um I was thinking of sending a save the date to him um including him. >> I wonder if we could put it on like >> the sign something either the one down.
>> Yeah. Bert usually knows how to handle >> near the mobile station or or on the sign that they put out like your taxes are due or your you know water bills do that one. if they had, you know, if we could put out there on it that said >> open to the public.
>> We just got to be careful. >> We have capacity. >> Um >> I haven't seen any emails come back from the the >> We didn't really ask anyone to RSVP, so >> Okay. Okay. >> We just didn't save the date. Um
>> Yeah. Well, I put out flyers, too. I put out flyers at um um for the open forum. Um it was just at the um tractor supply. Okay. You know, places where I thought
farmers would go, you know. Um >> IBS would be a good place to >> IBS too. Um maybe the auto part store, you know, things like that. Um I could put >> You made flyers? >> I did. I I sent one earlier. It had a picture of the cows on it. No, the
field. It was one I made up a long time ago. It had the pictures of field with the tractor on it and um I could put exactly what you had on the >> I think we need like a revised one now that we have guest speakers. Like that's a good selling point. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. So, >> okay.
Save the date. Okay. I don't know if we should really advertise it like >> to everyone >> to >> everyone everyone more like attention farmers and land owners or potential land owners potential farmers. >> Well, or we could say land owners with
more than 5 acres of land because it wouldn't be for anybody less than five acres of land, >> right? Five acres of extra land because it doesn't include where your house is, I don't think. Typically, you section off the 61A separate from
>> Right. Right. >> So, you it's where that's where I get the number six in my head because typically you would have one acre for your house and then five acres for your farm or whatever, >> right? >> Um but that definitely narrows the
amount of people down if if it's someone who's got to have >> Right. >> Yeah. Yum. >> Absolutely. You know, >> like a friend of mine, he's looking to buy, I think there's 17 acres up off of word finding. Um, and he's looking into
all six 61 stuff. So, you know, he'd be probably be interested in it. >> Yeah. >> Right. I mean, if there was a way that we could target it for that, you know, this is anformational meeting for people who might be interested in, you know,
getting the 61 status, uh, you know, whatever they call it on on your, you know, taxes. But, you know, it's for people who have >> Yeah. Just like maybe start it with do you have more than five acres of land in Southwick? >> Right. Right.
Do you know >> do you know about the you know the 61 assessments or something and and and that way maybe it would be it definitely would limit it to people who had more >> which really wipes out >> what do they say we have 3,000 and
something houses in town that wipes out a lot >> because a lot of them are in areas that there's no way on earth they have more than one acres. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> You know if you can create a little flyer then I can I can post that on Facebook too. Oh yeah, that would be awesome. Okay, so
>> when I got on Facebook last year, that's how I how I had seen it. >> They are speakers. So all three of them will be speakers. Okay, so add the three speakers onto the >> onto the um save the date.
>> This is our fourth annual third. >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> Yep. >> I've been on the egg a while. >> I know. I'm like I started in 2023. I remember >> I started February 2020. >> Oh wow. Yeah. Wow.
>> The world that just shut down. Oh, the world shut down like right after I started >> March shut down. Um now we have let's see on here um update and add. Okay. I put maybe something like new for 2026
guest speakers. I don't know. Something something captivating. Yeah, >> I'm not good with that kind of stuff, but I know how to use AI to >> I've been using AI a lot for stuff like that. >> I don't know how to do that yet. >> I didn't. Six months ago, I never once used it and then I just started using it
and it does make your life a lot easier. >> Yeah. I mean, I just used the Microsoft 65 365 for doing the PowerPoint and I'm like, >> "Wow, it saves it automatically. This is great. I don't lose anything." >> I think you have co-pilot on that. So, all you have to do is ask a question and
it'll it'll do everything nice for them. >> And that's the problem with people in school because I see how easy it could be to have AI write your stuff, too. >> Yes, it does. But it's going to bring people to the next level of being able to learn new stuff and more stuff. >> True. True. Yeah. There's definitely an
upside to it. I know. I I I get the whole of it. >> It I'm just >> I'm sure plenty of it's going to be used for bad, but >> it can also be used for good. >> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, >> um but I'm getting used to it. Getting used to it.
>> So, I'll I'll make that for Facebook, too. So, okay. And then um so so when we go through these different points like farm forum, community garden, farm hop um is is one person going to be talking
about them or >> Well, I mean I think you would do the farm hop. >> Yep. >> Um >> we don't have to speak about the farm form because it is we're there. We're in it, right? >> It is the farm form. >> We're in it. Well, we should talk about, you know,
>> upcoming >> how how things Well, maybe things that people would be interested in in upcoming ones because that but that would also >> I would move that to the end >> to the end. Okay. Well, and that could also fall under the master plan action thing because that's
one of the things we have to do is there's certain things that >> fall under you know >> that we need to have some educational things that we need to have >> um I think we should jump into open farm day early on. >> Okay.
>> Just because Were you here for the last meeting? the last farm forum or the last meeting I was here. Yeah, I was Yeah. >> Um and Lita was here. >> Remember that. Yeah. >> So, we need to just get ahead of um you
know, apologizing for some there was only two farms I think total that had any issues. >> Right. Right. >> Any major issues. Um we just want to get ahead like we know there was a few few hiccups. Um we acknowledge it. We're apologize for it. You know, just let's
just get it out of the way. >> Right. Okay. Um, and we will do our best. You know, we're not here to make your lives harder. We're supposed to be here to make your lives easier. Something like that. >> Um, >> okay. >> I mean, I guess I should probably do that as the >> because I don't know all the issues that
went on. Like I >> was basically staffing. It was just staffing. Staffing staffing and communication. Yeah, we didn't have enough volunteers. Um, >> so maybe I'll open with that. >> Okay. All right. Um, >> let's see.
>> First on that. >> Deb, would you want to um talk about the community garden? >> I could talk about whatever you want me to talk about. >> And the collaboration with Powder Mill cuz you were there, too. >> Might want to talk about the community garden just cuz he lives there. >> Oh, okay. All right. Okay.
>> But it's kind of like his thing, you know. >> Okay. I need more pictures. I thought we Did we take a picture of all of us when we were there cleaning this spring? I thought we did >> thought we did a picture. >> Yeah, >> but I don't I I got I was trying to look through all my text messages. >> So many of them
>> to see if um but I do did see one that we were in the newspaper um for one of them. One of the um I have a newspaper article that had us in the I forget which newspaper it was, but >> South Words.
>> Yeah, most likely. But so I'll try to see if he has any pictures to put on a slideshow for that. All I have is the the new gate that we they that was put up, which is a nice picture, and it has the picture of the older tanks and stuff. >> So,
>> um Okay. So, would you want to do the powder mill like update kind of >> and like talk about our future possible? >> Future Farmers of America. >> Yeah. >> Or of South. >> Well, even even our education our education. >> Yeah, that would be awesome. >> Yeah, we're trying to collaborate more
with the schools, >> right? And then do you want to talk about the farm parade, Zach? >> Yeah, Dan might want to do that. >> Okay. >> Um >> All right. >> Because he loves doing it. >> All right. >> I'd like to spread it out.
>> Yeah. >> Sage, are you going to be at the farmer's farm? >> I mean, I would like to be as usual, but my schedule is just impossible. So, I mean, I really can't commit to it. >> Okay. Well, if you're there, um, think
of something you might want to talk about. You could just slip in. >> Doesn't have to be anything too too big. >> Yeah, I'll think of something. I'll run it by you. >> Maybe maybe the website. You talk about that. I don't know. >> Yeah, that's not a bad thing to pop in
there. >> Yeah, I'll try. Just you know. >> All right. >> You know, you know my you know my job. Well, hopefully you can be there. If not, send your wife.
>> Yep. That's always a possibility. >> All right. Cool. >> Cool. Awesome. Um, then that leads us to Oh, so last we didn't do it last year, but the year before we had a raffle for >> I don't think we should. >> Okay. It's like too much. I
>> It's Yeah, I don't know. It just kind of makes it a little awkward, I think. Yeah, >> they get snacks. >> Snacks. Yeah. >> Yeah, they get they get snacks anyway. They all They're all winners. >> Yep. Exactly. Okay, we'll scratch that one off. I didn't know if we wanted to put it back
on the table, but Okay. And then So, you said about 20 minutes for the We'll put 20 minutes instead of 30 for the chapter. >> Well, that's going to be under Jack Macko, right? >> Yep.
It's also an assessor. >> Well, and I guess we might ask them what how long they think or >> what do they want to talk about? >> Yeah. What what is it that they feel would be helpful and how long they think it will take? >> Okay. >> All right.
>> Oh, apparently Jessica's been trying to get in. >> I hear the doorbell. >> Hi, Jessica. Hello. >> Are you there? >> Oh my goodness. Hi guys. I'm so sorry. >> Hi. Sorry. I never heard any
>> Oh, that's okay. >> Yeah, I didn't either until just now. >> Yeah. >> I was like, knock knock. Is anybody >> who's there? >> Sorry. >> No, no, you're fine. >> Um, we're talking about the farmers forum. >> Okay.
Um, maybe you could just talking about who's going to talk about what. Um, >> are you going to be able to make it to the farmer's farm first of all? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay, >> cool. >> Is there any particular topic you would like to, you know, say a quick few
things about? We we talked about um the farm parade. We might have Dan do that, but you were also in the farm parade, so maybe you might want to say something about it. Yeah, I would be fine with that. I can do whatever whatever you guys want or need me to do.
>> Because at least Jess uh Dan would be doing his little whatever he does. >> Yeah. And may maybe you do farm parade. Um I'm opening with open farm day. Um we're actually going to start with an apology to a couple of the farmers because apparently a couple of them were
a little unhappy with how things went. Um so I just want to get I want to get ahead of that. It was it was basically just, you know, we didn't have enough volunteers and >> Oh, okay. Yeah. >> Um, you know, to say that we're not there to make we we apologize. We didn't want to make their lives any harder than
they have to be because we know they're busy, but >> yeah, >> but I don't know. We'll just talk about the farm forum a little. >> I mean, not far from farm day. Um, Jen's going to talk about the farm hop.
Uh, we're going to have Bert talk about the community garden. Um, Deb's going to talk about collaboration with this the middle school and then we'll have you do
farm parade and then we have three guest speakers. I don't know if you saw that email. Yeah, I saw the email with in the uh tentative agenda and all of that. >> So, that's pretty cool. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I like >> even if one doesn't show up, we still have two, right?
>> If two don't show up, we hope we still have one, right? >> Still one. Yeah, >> that's a good thing. >> So, um I wish Bert was here because I I'd like to, you know, discuss how that's all going to work, but um I don't know. It should be pretty
awesome. I'm hoping. >> Yeah. So, we're hoping they're going to be like 15 20 minutes each for for each speaker, maybe less. >> I would think we could wrap up the ones for like where we each do our little
thing. I would think 10 minutes is >> for all of us. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. plenty of of time >> the intro and then going into our little talks about everything >> that Yeah, I think 10 minutes will be good
>> cuz the whole thing is what 2 hours >> and you know we got to figure at least the 20 to 30 minutes for the program the you know in the for the 61 program >> with whatever they're doing and
questions they might have and then there's always the time um you know where they get going in registration and whatever mingling snacks whatever the heck we start with. So that's a half hour right there. >> Yep.
>> So then if we go from six so right there that's 30. >> So we're planning on starting right at 6, right? >> Yeah. That's an hour right there after everything is done up to the charter 61. Um, so 30 minutes for the mix and
mangle, 10 minutes for the intros, um, and then 20 minutes for the speakers or should I just say >> total or is that each? >> That would be 30 minutes for the intro, 10 minutes for just the um just the
intros for us, and then 20 minutes. Well, should I should we put 30 minutes for 10 minutes each for them? maybe or I have 20 minutes. >> I don't know. Bert's still the one has talked to him. I don't what they plan on talking about. >> There's like a little write up I think he said,
>> but I can ask him and then before I put it on there. Um, >> so there are a lot of details to work out with these folks as far as who addresses what specific topics. We have the people lined up and they're enthusiastic. It would like to know what questions
came up last year about chapter 61. The top of my head, I just remember Roger Bezi being concerned about the definition forever protected and what that means if he wants to sell us chapter 61 land. So, >> well, I know Donna had some issues. She just wanted to get some updates on, you
know, what happens after, you know, like passing on to the generations, you know, things like that. But I thought >> I think I think I remember like just general people people asking questions of you know not fully understanding you
know what it was and how it works and just really just general knowledge. >> Yep. Pretty much. Yeah. >> Yeah. I guess as long as we come up with you know the the at the end
Is there usually, you know, time where anybody chats or >> Yeah, I mean at the end people talk go around talk to people. Um, >> so I mean >> so people are going to want to talk specifically like directly to these people at the end. I'm sure >> I would think so too. So if if we have a
2hour time frame, we just have to make sure we divide it up into a way that works for getting you know each of the and and you know because there's a lot of topics just in this 6 PM thing where we have each of us saying something.
>> Yeah, >> there's quite a bit in there. >> There is but it's only a couple few minutes each. >> I would just do a little talk about it what we've done over >> I mean basically how much you say about each topic. I mean, >> right. >> I tend to keep things very quick and short and
>> Right. Right. I guess that's the key is making sure we that we stick to a time frame each of us for that little section. >> Yep. I'm sorry. >> Two minutes each or something. >> Two or five at the moment. >> Yeah. Some >> Yeah, because I mean >> it all depends how much detail you want to go into things. I mean, >> right, >> you could talk about every farm you went
to for the farm. >> Oh, I could go into >> Yeah. >> And like Farm Parade isn't going to take >> No, Farm Parade's not much to say. Yeah, that'll be quick. Oh yeah. Y right. Yep. So I say two to three minutes each is a
good amount of time to kind of and it gets us to be seen by them so they know who we are because >> we've changed a little bit over the couple years. Um >> but um >> and then the in the intro and overview
of master plan actions. Um, >> should we put that in a different location on the on the >> Maybe that should be up in the first part. >> Okay. >> Just saying, you know. >> So, like before the charter 61 discussion. Yeah. Okay.
>> I mean, I don't want to make I don't want to make the uh just keep it too long. >> You could have it toward the end though because that's what we're >> that's what we're doing, right? we're working toward because the beginning of it would be
>> this is what we've done. Yeah. >> Right. This is what this is what we're do going into this for the year. Then it would be the 61 stuff which is this is our program. >> And then if you moved into the um more of the things of you know these are the
things that our goals are is the next thing. >> Yeah. Like that. >> Yeah. I think it's I think it's in the right order actually. >> Yeah. And then the only thing that we might want to switch is the coming events might go right after that. The master
plan action. >> We have coming events >> um down at the bottom. >> I know for those are from last year. >> We do not have well it was like in our in our discussions but we do not have anything scheduled. So >> reform day again. >> Yeah. >> I mean we'll I'll just talk about that.
>> Right. And that's part of our M >> that'll be part I'll put that in part of my speech like hopefully you know you guys are willing to participate again you know this coming year. So >> right and well and if there's anything that we do have of the coming events I guess it would go there and then have
the last thing how can we help you as farmers >> um I know when we go to the open discussion it's it takes a little bit to get people to talk >> right >> know >> and then some >> Mrs. caliber. She show she have something to say, but I'll learn that.
>> Right. Well, and then sometimes it's you might find a time where it's hard to get them to stop. >> Yes. >> So, that might be a good thing to have at the end >> being that it it would allow you you either have more social time or you have less social time because of that.
>> Lenita is not here, but maybe she would be good to get the other farmers talking because she is a farmer. Like, >> okay. >> You are too. So, I mean, >> she might want to public speak. I don't know. >> I don't know. >> It's not always your favorite thing. >> I'm sure. I mean, it's not my favorite
thing either. >> Doesn't bother me. But yeah, maybe maybe she could like start it off like maybe because she's seen a couple of issues during the lack of volunteers at Open Farm Day, maybe she could get >> Yeah, maybe she started or something.
>> She's not here to say no. >> Yeah. Well, and if if we just leave that last section as, you know, >> we're the a commission. We have our goals that we have because of the master plan. >> Yep. >> These are the things that we have to work on,
>> but what is it that we can do to help you? What as farmers do you think is important? What as people here at the meeting do you I mean, it doesn't be farmers. >> Say it just like that. >> I'm fine with that. Yeah, >> that'd be great. Some of the input was that they didn't have a lot of time to
get ready. Do we switch the date? You know, they didn't have >> But they bring that up when Zach's talking when he gives us his apology and we cover open farm day. >> They might actually cover that piece during >> We might during We'll see how it goes. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Because it's still at the beginning, so
people are still kind of like warming up to us. >> Exactly. But I think if we if we put that last piece as you know we are the ad commission and we have goals and we see ourselves as one thing what can we do to help you what can we help farmers
with how can we help to be a better agricultural place because I don't think it's just if you really read the egg stuff it's not exactly just for farmers it's for anybody in Southway. >> Yes. >> So >> that's why we have the garden. >> We have the p the community garden. We
have education for anybody in it. So I think that that's key that the people need to know >> that, you know, yes, we're a bridge between maybe the farms. >> I mean, we help make that garden behind >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes. >> your sisters, right? >> Pictures of that.
>> She does. Oh, yeah. She does. She sent me pictures of the garden. >> We could add that if you could send her a couple. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Put that in. >> That is part of what we do. >> Yeah. That was community outreach basically. >> Yeah, they can. Yeah, that would be great. I'll add those. >> No, we we literally created a garden. >> Yep.
>> Right. Right. And she Oh my god, she's eating like crazy out of the freezer. >> That's awesome. >> She She's She She froze and I mean, she really did a ton out of >> That's awesome. >> out of that garden. She got a lot. She shared it at a few community events that
they had at the depot thing. She um >> you know, she one of the watermelons. They have a meeting once a month >> and she brought the biggest, it was a 26 lb watermelon and shared it with everybody that was at the meeting. >> That's amazing. >> And so that, you know, that was another
thing. Yeah. >> So your work didn't go un >> No, no, it was it was it was a good thing and it it's helping. But I think that's the biggest thing is if we just ask all the people in attendance. >> Yeah. >> If there's something that because it might not fall under our thing, but then again, maybe
>> ask them what they're struggling with and >> Yeah. Yeah. Is there something we can do to help anybody when it comes to connections between farms and, you know, who knows? Maybe there'd be restaurant owners there or something who might want, you know, more input or I don't know. >> Yeah, I I think that's why
>> show up. >> That's why Bert put like um how can we make farm day easier for you kind of thing, you know? That's one of the major questions probably that could help. You know, >> I think we kind of already know the answer. We need more volunteers, right? Volunteers. I I think if people want
>> Anna wanted people like she didn't say it, but she um she was like, "Well, it's really hard to get this area cleaned up in time because >> I I almost think we need to have people come in the day before and help set up." >> That's what I was thinking because like >> get in their way again,
>> right? You know, you guys are going to get sick of us, but you know, >> I mean, I basically we have to do on a farm to farm basis and some people some people don't eat at all. >> Exactly. Yeah. Yep. I mean, >> like where I was, uh, Dwight's Tobacco, I mean,
>> we're just sitting at a barn waiting for people to show up. >> So easy. >> Well, I think by having open dialogue in that last section, >> it'll allow them to make comments and then some people might not do it publicly, but then when we are having
chitchat afterwards, they might notice a lot of that. they might come up to one of the members who they feel comfortable with and maybe have a conversation with them. >> So, as long as they're getting we're getting the feedback, it doesn't matter if it's as a big group or if it's in the social time after that we get that.
>> Um, >> that sounds good. So, how much time do you think we need for So, the intro to the intro to the master plan actions is 10 10 minutes or 15 minutes, do you think? Well, we got four four things to cover, right? In our
>> Yeah, but we're just going to say it. I mean, >> right. Right. >> This is what we're So, 10 minutes. You know, it might that might be something. >> The farmers forum is the main one. >> We already do it. >> Right. But I think with um >> it might be interesting to have that on
a poster or something where people could cuz when you say something, they're not digesting it fast enough. >> Yeah. They need to be able to see what we're talking But they need to be able to see it and then go up and look at it after to see what cuz it may not >> Those screens are kind of hard to see from the back of the room, >> right? That's why I'm thinking if it was
on a poster, it was one of those things they could go up and look at after too. >> Well, that's one of the things we can um have the Southwoods maybe put on a >> but like if we're going to have it printed though, want like to be reusable
>> like every year I would think. bother with I can just write it on a piece of paper. I have teacher handwriting. >> Do you have large poster board, too? >> Oh, I have that. I have I have large poster. >> I I actually have like the stuff with the lines. >> You can buy it out of a supplies account.
>> Well, I bought it for the um >> the paper with the lines on it that you put on a chart paper. >> I have it left over when I was teaching. I made >> But I mean, I can write on it. I can write what the things are right on chart paper and we can just have those. >> It's fine. I mean, my handwriting is neat enough that
>> Oh, that's perfect. >> Um, and and we could do that so that people could then if they wanted to look at it and see what it was because we're going to have the invasive species thing and that something they might be interested in. And >> that's actually right. >> Perfect.
>> So, yeah, there's no reason >> you just blow that up and maybe, you know, shortening it a little. Well, we have I have the poster board um that I used for the school when we did the open house for the school. >> Um I still have those that I can put up,
but um I can also try to >> I bet I can get that. I know I've got the paper and I can just you know write it out and as our these are our >> that the actions that we're lead on >> and and then >> we had talked about when we were going
to tackle the you know the things >> right >> so it will give them the heads up because some people who come for the 61 presentation might be interested in how we could handle invasive species and is there a way that we could get help and
they might come up to us after and say, "Oh, I'd be really interested." We'll be writing like crazy their names down to they need people to contact. >> Right. Right. Right. >> Later. >> Yeah. >> Um, you know, with people that might have ideas on >> I I keep seeing more and more invasive species every year.
>> Oh, it's tons better. >> Tons. I mean, multiflloral roads we battled forever. That's a horrid one in town. >> Um, I hate I mean, I hate the fact that fire bushes are invasive because I have them. I don't mind those. They they don't seem to spread.
>> No, ours don't seem to spread. But the Russian olives, >> I don't have those. I know what you're talking about, but >> they're kind of like a a greenish gray leaf, very thin and stuff. They plant themselves everywhere. I'm always getting rid of them. There's no olive that comes with it. It's just a pain in
the butt. >> Um I I think I mean I call them Russian olives. I think that's what they're called. >> Yeah. >> Um but it's their they plant themselves everywhere. But the bittersweet is the worst >> because it actually pulls trees down and kills them. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I have that in my woods. >> Um there's a ton of it over by the elementary school when you park in the parking lot near the old bus garage. That whole section of woods is just filled with >> taking the trees down the trees. >> My property I have to kill all the
>> We pull up the weed the roots and burn them. We I mean Oh my god. It's a never ending battle. Mine's all mixed in with poison ivy, too, which is an extra >> that was fun. >> I had that a couple years ago. >> But that's something I think people will be interested in is and what can be
done, you know, and and maybe they'll, >> you know, be if we have people that are interested in it, certainly they would be people we'd contact when we were going to do some if we were going to do a program on it or whatever. But I do think they they need time to be able to look at this. They need time to be able
to look at that. or do you have a copy? >> Um, can I steal it? >> Yeah, you got it. >> Okay. >> And >> are you talking about the I'm sorry. Are you Did you say you were talking about the Who was talking about the master plan um item? >> Deb's going to talk about it or she's going to put it all up on on big
>> so they can read it and >> Yeah, I guess any of us can talk about it, right? >> But at least this way we'd have a prop to >> Yeah, props are good. >> Um, >> did you want to talk about it, Jess? or >> I don't I was just going to offer I mean I did sit I I sat on the master plan um
>> would be perfect so I >> I'm fine with doing that if you needed me to be great >> perfect awesome >> yeah that's great >> that's kind of how I ended up here anyway so it kind of posters for you so that you've got a visual >> like a visual yeah that'd be great
>> perfect that's great thank you so that would be about 10 minutes or so you think 10 or 15. >> I wouldn't say go over 10 really. >> Yeah. No, I think Yeah. >> Yeah. It's just the four the four things that we have to cover. So, >> and I don't think we have coming events. So, um I mean I don't
>> know of any I mean there might be some at the library coming up. But >> yeah, unless we had something on already planned. I'm probably going to take that section out. >> Yeah, I think that's fine. >> Um >> we could ask if there's any workshops they'd like to see. >> Yeah, that's a good question.
I mean that could be in the that could be in the previous part though. >> Yeah, exactly. Yep. So questions. So so far what we have is 30 minutes for the mix and mingle, 10 minutes for the intros,
um which is all the stuff that we've done all year. >> Might have to do 15 for that. I have a feeling. >> 15. >> Well, by the time you introduce the members. >> Okay. >> And then Yep. And then Dan. Yeah. also >> three to five minutes.
>> Okay, it's gonna be fairly quick. >> And then 20 minutes for the charter, 61 speakers, 10 minutes for the master plan, and then the rest of the time for and
that's 30 minutes for um questions. >> Yeah, I don't even think >> things like that. master plan thing if we needed to like I think we can plan for just to give us extra time but I think I don't think it'll take that long. >> I mean we can expand we can expand on
each one what we plan on doing. I mean the first one we're literally going to be doing it as we're there right >> exactly. So we could do that. I mean whatever 10 15 minutes that's my >> Okay. So that goes so that's all
together 30 45 another 30 16 that that's take us that takes us an hour and 45 minutes for everything. >> That's not bad at all >> depending on how it goes which gives us
an extra five 15 minutes for >> yeah it's probably good >> other things >> having three guest speakers there people might want to talk to them. >> Oh absolutely. Yeah. So that's a good >> hoping they're they're willing to stick around. So, we have the room from 5:30 to 7:30. >> I think we have it till >> I thought it until the 9, but
>> I think we have it till 9. >> Yeah, we might have to kick people out. >> No, I mean, I think we can stay past that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> If anyone's going to want to >> Oh, we just have to be mindful of the person closing up, I guess. Yeah. But other than that, no. >> Pretty sure the doors lock behind us. So,
>> Oh, that's true. That's true. >> Okay. So now the uh the refreshment stuff >> that we do for that >> usually Lanita provides >> I believe she offered already. >> Yeah, she did the last meeting. >> I can also get a big Y gift card if we
need it. >> Oh, cool. >> To get waters and things like that. >> Yeah, I could probably get a case of water. >> There has to be a lot of leftovers. people. >> Well, I'm thinking too that I mean, this is the person who doesn't eat sweets
>> that >> I can only eat like one doughnut total. >> Well, I was going to say I can't eat any of that, >> you know. So, >> what would be a good alternative? >> Um I I think if we had um >> Well, one time Bert and um Juliet brought cheese and crackers.
>> Cheese and crackers is is a good thing >> because some people might not have had supper, right? >> True. So, if we had like a veggie platter and cheese and crackers, I have a feeling you'd get more eaters than just dessert because at 5:30, we're not We haven't eaten supper at 5:30.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I usually get up I usually work until 5:30. So, >> right. So, if we had something that was more >> substance Yeah. >> like healthier food, >> you plan >> maybe some hummus is a good, you know,
>> hummus. Yeah, that's a good one. >> You know, that would be good. or veggies with a dip. That would be fine. Any of those things would be >> certainly healthier. >> And I think, you know, yes, to have a few things of like maybe the um if Linda was donating,
you know, I know sometimes she does like the tea cakes, like a banana bread or something, >> but a >> those are better for afterwards. >> Her bread, her stuffed bread, >> people could eat that as a food. >> Oh, those are expensive. >> Are they? I don't I've never got one. >> Yeah.
>> I don't know if she's going to donate those. >> Yeah. >> Well, even if you you don't have to have a lot of any of it. Cut it up into little pieces. And you know, but I think if you had like a little plate with with >> I might be able to get Dan to donate. I I just had some really good bread that
he had over Oh, cool. >> at his store. >> Awesome. >> Um >> his store is in the mill pond. >> Yeah. I went over there. I got to get over there somewhere. >> The mill at Crane Pond. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Near the new bridge. >> Yeah. >> Oh, right. Right. Right. Yeah. >> So, you got to you take a left
>> and then you don't down in the park. >> No, don't go in the first park. You go around the around the back. >> There's more parking up there, right? >> That's where you got to park. >> Oh, I'm going to have to go over someday. I have >> It's pretty cool. >> I usually park cuz my cousin owns the brewery there and I went for that
holiday thing, but I couldn't figure out how to get to the other section. >> Yeah, there's a bunch of Okay. I was like, >> there's all different levels. Yeah. I mean, it's an old mill, so >> I wanted to check it out. But yeah, >> that's cool. >> But yeah, I think if we did something more where it was it was something like
appetizers because people, especially farmers, >> Yeah. >> you know, they may be coming and they certainly haven't had supper. >> Do you think we can get enough to get all this pizza? >> I know. >> Yeah. But you never know how many you're going to get. But some munchy things,
little bits of cheese, some crackers. >> Yeah, cheese crackers. I can make the platters and >> I was going to say you don't we don't have to buy platters. We just need the ingredients and then you know make them up there like that. >> I can get you the gift card. >> Okay. >> If you want to do that,
>> I can do those platters. >> I think the most I can get maybe 50 2550. >> I have huge like I keep you know I've gotten the you know the >> I save them too if >> I have like two of them. I could that
would be like one for cheese and crackers, one for veggies. >> Veggies and stuff. Yeah, >> that would be if you roll and do it. I'll get you the >> I don't mind. Yeah, I don't mind doing that. >> I mean, I think people are happy with water. Most people drink water. That's fine. And if we had some ordurve type things that >> I thought we were going to have coffee,
too, but I couldn't remember if we're going to >> Yeah, we have coffee. Not too many people drink it. I've noticed. >> I think water is I mean, if people have something to drink. >> Yeah. >> I don't like drinking coffee before it's speaking because it dries my mouth. >> Right. Right. It is pretty dry in here, too. I mean, >> it is very dry in here.
>> I think if we have water and we have >> um >> Oh, maybe a cranberry juice or something. >> I think Lenny usually brings I don't know if we >> It's usually cider there. I don't know if it's >> Oh, yeah. >> Big Y.
>> Cider would be an okay that's an egg thing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean, it's sticking with our >> Yeah. >> What we are. >> Yeah. >> You know, I think it would be nice to have things >> Yep. Even if it's not from our farms, it's things that would be made on farms. >> Yep.
>> Do they have apple cider at that time? Yeah, they do. >> Yeah, I think it's year round. >> Okay. >> Cuz they freeze the apples. >> I was say they usually have it at least through probably the end of January because the cider the cider >> You can always get apple juice. >> Yeah. >> Right. Right.
>> But I think that would be I think people would be more apt to eat the stuff. >> Yeah. >> If if it was healthy. >> Yeah. and instead of >> Yeah, >> I think this is a great start though. I'll redo the agenda um that we're gonna
we probably will just hand it out to people at the table when they come in, but then I'll make the outline for us for who's going to talk. >> You think 50 bucks is enough? I can get that as a donated gift card. >> Depending on how many people Well, if not, don't we have money on a budget? Yeah.
>> Well, getting the money to a grocery store might be hard. >> Oh, right. Right. Okay. >> But I can get it. I can get $50 donated >> where I can get all the vegetables. >> We can probably get I don't know. We could probably get some stuff at like I
don't know. Well, we have a we have a gift certificate to Big. I guess it makes the most sense to get it there anyway. But >> we could get veggies from Lanita. Yeah. >> Um she needs she needs to provide some sort of an invoice. It's been a hard day. >> I don't think she has that like she doesn't always have peppers and tomatoes
and >> No, she has what she has. Yeah. >> And she probably doesn't have dipping stuff that time of year. >> Yeah, >> cuz they don't they don't have their own at that time of year. So, >> yeah, >> that might be a little harder. But, I mean, Big Y, I think we could get enough cuz you just put it out. When it's gone,
it's gone. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Yes. It's it's a you know, >> first come, first serve, >> right? It's just a little snack if you want to have a little something. We got to get plates and little plates and hands. >> We'll slice the We'll slice the cheese really thin, you know, and little bits of things that they can have or whatever. And I'll give you a hand if
you want a hand with any of provided the plates, too. >> Oh, did she? Okay. Those little teeny >> Yeah, just a little dessert or >> the little teeny white ones or whatever. >> Possible that Bert might have some from other events. >> That's a very good possibility >> because we we usually bring our totes
for different things like the volunteer orientation. Yeah, >> the little plates, some inexpensive napkins, which if you want napkins, I'll donate them. I just bought another I realized I bought a 500 pack and I already had one. I just get the inexpensive ones. >> You have another regular meeting before
this. >> We do. Yep. >> I can come together. >> I'll help you, Jen, with the the food stuff. You know, we'll set up a nice table. I'm sure I have a tablecloth that would, you know, >> look nice or whatever on it. Yeah, usually we have a couple like I think
six foot tables against the wall, >> right? And I and we can set up a nice little food thing. Um >> that sounds good. Waters and stuff like that. >> Yeah. Okay, cool. Oh, yeah. Water. >> So that they'll have And that way they at the end if there's still food, they can get up and nibble on some other
stuff or whatever we get. >> Grab whatever. Yeah. So that sounds good. >> Awesome. >> And they can have their donut at the end. >> Exactly. Or a treat. Perfect. Okay, >> sounds good. All right,
>> it's like everything in there. >> Yeah, >> we'll try to bring that for you next meeting. >> Okay, cool. All right, thank you. >> What is next meeting? What's >> up? I haven't by January done yet. >> It's actually >> 14th.
>> Yes, >> second. >> 14th. Yeah. Oh, wow. Okay. Which is two weeks before the event, right? >> Correct. So, we have we have we could have a a work session if we need it. I don't think we will.
>> I don't think so. Yeah. >> Um, so for the forum, I will call Southwoods. Well, for the budget, I'll call Southwoods to see if there's like an open thing that they can >> Yeah. It just depends on their account. Um, how much would we think we would
>> put there? >> So, one thing I was thinking while we >> Oh, sorry. My mind was going in other directions. Okay. Well, because that's what it does. Um, >> so I'm thinking with with our budget stuff we were talking about. >> Oh, do you want to update Jess on what
we voted on? >> Oh, sure. >> Sorry, >> Jess. Um, before you came on, we >> we have right now we have five accounts plus our gift account. So, six accounts for different types of fun. Um, we have the
open farm day account, somehow we have a farm parade account, and we also have a community outreach account. We voted to combine all three of those into an events account so that way it's easier to get the money back out into different
things. We're hoping that works. We voted to do it. Um, a thought I had, they may not let us just combine them. We may have to deplete those accounts first >> then create and then create the new account. I think >> did that stem from the donations last
year where somebody like I remember people had filled out checks like and it would say like for farm day or whatever happened. >> So moving forward we want them to write a check for eggcom events. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So >> we don't have any way to put money into
events that aren't those couple of events like farmhop was an event you know >> but we don't have a farm hop account >> so instead instead of pulling it from our supplies account you know >> this is more of a general fund to for events which I think makes a lot more
sense >> um >> we have to get that approved through the town but through the um >> accountant or whatever So yeah, I mean it's not a huge rush on Southwoods. Just Okay. >> Just ask them the question. Okay.
>> What would be the best way they for them to do it? >> Okay. >> Because I'm sure it's been done before. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um I know my previous employer schools would have to use their budget by June 30th >> and they would basically buy gift cards. >> Oh, okay. >> Um
basically, you know, for future like service work like you just buy like a a chunk of time. Okay. >> Um, >> yeah. Oh, yeah. There's ways around gift cards like >> a gift card might work or, you know,
>> right that we could just it kind of puts the money there and lets us use it at later date >> to park there. I mean, >> okay. >> That way we're not scrambling to, you know, settle up settle up our accounts on June 30th. >> Okay. >> It' be nice to be ahead of it.
>> Sounds good. Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to derail you from what you were thinking. >> So, actually, I just derailed us. >> I don't meeting's going on a little bit. Um,
so I think we're pretty good, though. So, yeah. I mean, if we need to pull money out of an account for this, we'll just we just need to make sure we document it. Like if you buy something from Big Y, it's an itemized receipt. >> The problem with Lanita is her stuff's not itemized. It just shows numbers,
>> right? >> Um if we do buy from Lenita, we just need to have someone >> like even hand write an itemized, >> right? >> Receipt, >> right? Yeah. Because when they give the receipts, it just says the total.
>> Yeah. It just says total because I mean everything's basically taxree anyway because they do have gift cards, don't they? I thought it the CS CSA card. >> No, the CSA card, but they probably do have gift cards. I mean, what store doesn't? >> Yeah, I wonder if they have gift cards. >> We would be able to do it that way as
well. >> They they used they Well, I'm sure they still do. They used gift cards at first for the SCA. >> So, they should have gift cards. >> They should. Yeah, I would imagine they do. >> Oh, that's true. Yeah. >> So, >> okay. >> That might be one way of spending our
money without having to spend it instantly, you know. Mhm. >> And we can do different farms like this year we'll do, you know, we can kind of share the wealth or whatever. >> Different ones, but but yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, it'd be nice to support
all the farms. Yeah. Well, anyone that actually sells stuff, the >> Okay. >> Um, it'd be nice to get Ray involved. I don't they don't seem to ever want to do anything with us. But >> there was weren't the there was one representative that went to the
children's um >> she's the one that kind of manages things >> when I was there interviewing. She was she was very helpful and she if it was up to her >> I forgot her name >> and up to his >> wife. Okay. Yeah.
>> Then they'd be doing all kinds of stuff. But it's not. It's up to him. >> Yeah. >> Maybe a couple more years. And uh he just she they they both said at the same time he just doesn't like to change anything. He likes if it was his wife she seemed Heidi she seemed very game on
you know she'd love to change things and do things differently and the girl who manages it she's been there for like 20 years and she was the same way. I asked her about being part of the farm hop for next year and she was like, "Oh, yeah." You know, and I'm like, "Okay, but then
I don't know if I would be stepping on any toes with the with she, >> you know." >> Right. Right. >> But yeah, so just to get them back. >> I bet they would if if cuz I his wife Heidi seemed very interested in doing things.
>> He was just, you know, she said that he just doesn't he has very set in his ways and he doesn't like to change. Yeah. >> And if you talk to Donna, she has gift cards, >> right? Um I think they do. Yeah. I'm not sure. I'll have to ask. Yeah. Okay, perfect. They're currently closed
though, I think. Right now. Yeah. Yeah, they're current. >> Yeah, makes sense. >> But any events during the summer, I guess, you know. >> Yeah. Open Farm Day or >> Yeah, something like that. Um >> I don't know how many more events we can
really handle in a year. >> Yeah. Well, I think if we have just just some educational things that are small little things like library type stuff, >> right? Right. Maybe do the seed planting thing or some other things. Actually, I was saving I was I cleaned out my shed
the morning of this the first snow because I needed to get things in it and I didn't have any space. And so I got in there and hauled out tons of pots. >> Oh. >> That you know, we save pots when we we don't throw them out. And there's too many of them. And I said, "But for a
seed thing, if we were doing a seed thing, you know, I mean, the getting the donation of pots so that people could plant things in pots if they didn't have them when they came." That's funny. >> Um, and I'm like, I'll bag them all up. I just got to get them. They're sitting on my front porch now waiting to be bagged up
>> and um it's been too cold. Oh, yeah. Go out there and do it. But I'll get them organized so that it's supposed to be warm. >> No, not before Christmas. It'll come in January. >> Hey, January. January thaw, right? Is that what they call it? >> And and then I'll bag them up because if
you know and I was looking at other stuff we had and I'm like, "Oh, I'll save that." Plus, we have some extra seeds that are, you know, ones we probably won't use all of them. That kind of stuff. And that's the kind of thing that, you know, if we got enough stuff donated, it wouldn't cost that much out of our budget to do the seed
planting thing. If we did one or two of them in the spring, whether we do it with the library or we do it at at a different location like the meeting house or something, wherever we do it, >> um, I think it wouldn't be that expensive. It wouldn't be a huge event
to do, but I do think it's something that we should try to >> get out there to the people and >> or if we did something with the the schools. >> Yeah. >> You know, we're helping with them. We've got pots that we could donate for that and help the kids get
started earlier in the spring. >> That's perfect. Yeah. >> Um, so I definitely think that's something one of the things I know I'll work on is is doing some of the education stuff there because I think that's a key. >> Yeah, it's definitely in your wheelhouse.
>> Yes. Yes. Well, and I think I I just see that a is, you know, if we're gonna if we're gonna keep it the town like it is as much as possible, then >> if we're going to survive as a species, >> you know, I the town I think we need to
we need to have people in the town that believe the same way. Yeah. And >> absolutely. >> Um it isn't always the kids and the farmers that do that. Mhm. >> Cuz a lot of times they're like, "We're out of here." >> Yeah. >> And they're gone. So, you know, it's got to be the next little generation that
comes along, kids. Now, that maybe >> It doesn't just have to be kids either. I mean, >> anybody that's interested. I think there are people that I think we just need to keep pushing and and keep at it so that they >> Yep. make ourselves known, >> they recognize it. >> Get them to join the egg con. >> Yeah, I know.
>> Oh, that's going to your next one. Yeah. Awesome segue. I love it. When I spoke with Marissa tonight, I asked her if she knew anyone. She said she'll ask around. >> Yeah. >> I usually try to ask someone at least once a week. >> No, that's people that often, but I can
see that would work. >> Can we put something on Facebook like as an announcement? Yeah. Like >> I just my time has been especially this time of year I'm strapped. It's just been hard to >> like make something like we make the >> a flyer flyer. Okay. A flyer for
>> Hey, join a Do you like social media because we need you >> and then we could just put it on Facebook as like like for all Okay, that'll be good. >> Sage, is there anything on the website for people that might want to join?
>> Um I'm trying to think. I I I think there's a snippet somewhere on there that says uh there's an application or whatever. just give us an it just goes to our email to say, "Hey, I'm interested." But I don't think there's anything outright
stating it. So, um, if we had something I can put on the front page, I can post it. >> You think you want to create something, Jen? >> Yeah, I can. >> Yeah, just my I'll put it on Facebook. You can throw it on the website. >> Yeah. >> Cool.
>> Yeah, because extra I mean, if we have more events, it is nice to have extra people. And can we put it? >> We have to we have to start talking about I mean open farm day because we need to get more. >> Right. >> Well, I like your idea about going to like what was initially but >> it was definitely idea. Yeah, I think
she you were spot on with that. We need to >> go into the >> especially conservation committee. >> Right. Right. Yeah, I think so. >> We need to get on their agenda at some point. Probably >> early spring. Yeah, late winter, early spring.
Um, >> yeah, >> let's get Farm Forum out of the way. >> Well, I I know that our first two farm days, we like marketed it like crazy. >> We did >> and we also started very early.
>> So, I mean, this this >> this one was kind of a hit a hit or miss because we kind of waited too long. >> Yeah, I think we kind of just kind of coasted from previous years a little too much. Um, >> yeah. So yeah, we we definitely got to put a little more effort into it this coming year.
>> Well, it'd be good if we could find other >> farms that would be interested in >> too many other ones. It raises one. >> I don't think there's ever too many though because yes, maybe everybody isn't hitting every farm every year, but they don't already, >> right?
>> It's too there's too many to hit. >> But that's okay. >> Oh, it's definitely okay. It's a good problem >> because that way if you have a farm drop out, it's fine. You still have farms. think Bees might drop out next year. >> Yeah. I mean, there's ones that are looking and it's like if if you having
new ones that maybe people haven't seen >> and I don't know about Second Eden if they're coming back or not. >> I don't know. I mean, she was so >> Sound like they lost everything. So, >> that's too bad. >> Well, she was just she's working. Yeah. >> So much that she doesn't have really
time to to put into it. >> Um I mean, there's a couple other horse farms. at least three other horse farms in town, too. >> There's one about that. >> There's one on Coast Hill. There's the one on Vining Hill, >> right? >> More finding. And then Oh, there's one
actually two on Vining Hill. >> There's two on Vining Hill. Yeah. >> Um I mean, it's not really egg, but >> it is >> horse. We don't drink horse milk, but >> Well, but it's still it's animals. You're >> It's animals. Yeah.
>> Agriculture was raising anything. plants or animals caring for them. I mean, >> so yeah, >> we could push again to see if we could get the mushroom place. I never could get him back to answer. I mean, they seemed his work person seemed really
interested. >> Where's the mushroom place? >> The one up the that was the old black rabbit farm up that would be great place. And I tried to get him for the article and his the his worker Mike was really interested. I talked to Eli a couple of times and then he was just
like, you know, disappeared. >> Is that place up and running or >> Oh god, they've been up and running for almost two years. They do a huge online business. Oh, >> okay. That's >> And then they sell stuff at Blossoming Acres, too. >> But I mean, they would be a great one to
add because it's different. >> It brings you to a different section of town, too. >> What's the name of the business? >> To No, wait a minute. And don't forget you do have bee farms in the town.
>> Yeah. Toad stool hill farm north three. >> The problem with um >> Billy C's well two problems now but um he doesn't he wouldn't work on Sundays, >> right? And I'm I'm not sure what
>> I don't know what's going on now. >> I have no idea what's going on now. I thought I saw that the they had bought the call it the swimming pool place the house in town that used to be the >> Oh, Jelly Bellies. >> No, it used to be the wilderness experience.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Billy C own owned that >> and they were going to turn it into their office. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah. >> And I I'm not even sure they're going to keep it. >> And I think there's 413b too, >> which we do though. That's part of
>> Right. Yeah, they do. Solex. Um there must be other B there's a there was a B place on Hill. >> Um um it'll come to me. My brain sometimes is very slow.
He lives right next to um a little Congam Plaza and he has I was talking to his wife the other day and she said he's got like 30 something hides now. >> Oh wow. Um cuz I talked to him I talked to her about maybe if he wanted to put
some up my place. I was fine with that >> cuz his bees fly over to my place anyway. >> You want to spread them around, right? >> Well, he does. He has he likes to put them out different places rather than have them all in one spot. Um and his bees fly to my fields right now. Your fields.
>> It's a it's a it's a flight for them. They got to go up over the trees and get into our area, but they do come. >> Interesting. Um because I see them coming in from that direction and then I >> That's pretty cool. >> Well, I get his and then Gordon Jones down by Milliey's has they're back in the woods there and they have bees. Oh
yeah. >> And I get them from that direction, too. So I have tons of honey bees and I don't have any. So and those are the two closest bee farmers. >> Um but I mean >> yeah, if we get some of them, we have to worry about people getting stung. >> Yeah.
>> And you have epipens on hand. I mean, there's a ton of bees at the sunflowers last year. There was I mean, an excessive amount of bees last summer. >> I Yeah, that was one of the issues during the farm hop cuz she offered um she cut some for us to bring with us and
one woman was like, "Can you make sure all the bees are off?" I'm like, "I don't know if I can cuz I'm allergic to >> But I know some epipens plummeted." >> That's what I heard, right? Yeah. >> For like 40 or something now. Oh, wow. That's good. >> That's really good. Yeah, I heard
something about that. >> Um, but I mean I think if we really look around maybe, you know, I mean I don't think there's there would ever be too many farms. I don't think I mean I know Calibri said, "Oh, we don't want the competition or something, but because we want to make sure people come to ours, but
>> but the whole thing is about awareness. >> Yeah. And if people are interested in a particular farm or a particular kind of farm, then it's nice to have that available for them to go see. or maybe they've already seen one place for two years and they'd like to go to a
different one. That's okay, too. >> Um, you know, I think that the idea is educating the people on all the different farms we have in town. So, um, you know, I think that's a I mean, I'd even think it was interesting if we had
somebody that was doing like a lumber business or something or a you know, wood cutting business or something. >> I mean, even the mill down on >> It's interesting. I think people are interested in it and might be interested in seeing it. And it's not all about are there free donuts or free this or free
that. Some people just want to go and see what tobacco farms and people come there just because they want they've never they've never seen tobacco. Yeah. >> And I think that that's kind of the thing >> the process of it being >> the process. People are interested in the process. It's not something they already understand.
>> I tell you that was Arnold and and the sunflowers was one of our biggest. >> Yeah. People love it. besides the horses, you know, with coin view. But yeah, it was awesome. >> I just think it's I think that's part of it is them getting an education. >> They don't always see that
>> what's in town, what's available. That's why I said if we could get the mushroom guys, I think that would be great. It's totally different. It's not something that >> I think we should reach out to other towns like advertise in other towns cuz we people came in from Springfield or like the cities like >> Yes.
>> They were amazed by some of this stuff, >> right? Cuz they don't see it at at all. >> Um, >> okay. But definitely there I think that we can expand. >> We don't want to put all our budget into Southwood's end, >> you know, maybe get it into a bigger paper like
>> Republican or whatever. >> Republican. Yeah. >> Get it somehow advertised on like >> most of the people that I talked to that were from out of town knew somebody in town. That's how they heard about it was word of mouth.
Um although Facebook is everywhere, >> but this past year we did >> a Facebook event. >> Yeah, Facebook is everywhere. People catch on and if it goes into the events like you have to have an event set up. Yeah. >> Right. All the >> But we need to get our Facebook account straightened out because I don't know
which one's which. We We have one with a ton of people, but that's not supposed to be our main Facebook account, >> right? >> Yeah. we had it if we could put ourselves in the event things because I know there's always stuff popping up, you know, craft fair >> and we have been the last we have had
that. We were in the event last year. We were previously as well. >> Angie used to be really good at that. >> Yeah, she was really good at that. >> But I think that would target other areas people, you know. I mean, it it throws a big net out there for all the other towns >> and it doesn't cost
>> um >> No, Facebook's free, >> right? It doesn't cost us anything, which is great. Yeah, for advertising, >> the whole Facebook thing. Um, the one with the flower is our actual account. The one that was before that was the official one, the first one that was established, right?
>> But it has the email under someone who's not even in our town anymore, right? >> And we can't get them to get rid of it. And I found that even if somehow they got their name off of it, it would close. >> Oh, it's not going away. Yeah. >> But I mean, that one people follow that
one more than any of them. Yep. The newer account I don't think has more than maybe 20 followers. So, >> well, >> that's where we need like social media person. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I mean, you really got to build through
it's basically building a brand. >> You got to get followers and all that stuff if you really want to reach a lot of people. >> Yeah. >> And I don't have time for that. >> To have somebody do that for free. I mean some people love being on social media high school may have somebody maybe they might
>> I mean 20 year olds you know even took over for Lanita one of Mo Shay is took over her social stuff cuz she she said >> can we get Mo on the egg >> she's in scouts too she's big into scouts so I don't know if she'd be
>> she'd be good because she's >> well if you see her mention it >> I will this morning >> one thing you could do too I mean we do have a We have people looking for extra credit >> that is technically working for the the town.
>> So, I mean that could count as extra credit on if someone needs it. So, why don't you see it? Why don't we see if we can uh get someone from a school to do it? >> Well, they're also trying to ban kids from social media to say >> um well, we get someone that's like, you
know, just about to be out of high school or something to at least establish it. Problem with that though that we we only get them for a year at the most and then we're gone. >> Well, unless they decide to stay in town, >> you know. >> Yeah. >> I like what they're doing. >> It's not a lot of those.
>> Not like it used to be. People try to get out now. >> Some people stay, but >> Well, we'll have to definitely work on getting somebody because that there's so many things that could go through the social media part of it. back when Angie was doing it like it was awesome.
>> It was Yeah, it was >> Yeah, because Lenita didn't used to post very often and now that >> Mo does it. I mean, I know she makes up all the posts and she >> I see him all the time. >> She's busy, you know, cuz that's not Lenita's thing. I don't think, you know, and and even Katie didn't do a lot with
it, but Mo seems to like it. That's good. I didn't realize Mo was doing that. She Yeah, she took over the um we were talking about it at the thing at the middle school. >> Um she was saying that she had, you know, and I knew she had taken over some
of the duties of it, but she posts all the time. She's got stuff going all the time on it, which is really helpful. >> Well, can we hire her? >> Um she she might do it. I mean, I'll I'll see next time I see her, I'll ask. Um but I do know she's big into scouts
also. >> What about her husband Mike? Does she do any of that? >> I don't think so. I think that's a her thing. >> Um, but I know she does scouts because she does it with my sister's daughter's
significant other person. Keeps being in scouts and they do it in Sfield. >> Okay. >> He's he's in Sfield and she takes her kids to Sfield cuz he is >> they go everywhere. They just did a trip this year to Iceland. >> What? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. They've they've been to
Italy. They've been to Iceland. They've been he takes them hiking all over the world. He plans these trips and Oh, yeah. >> So, she joined that group over in Southfield. Um, >> that's smart. >> Because he's so active. >> What do they do? Raise money for all
these trips. >> Yes, he does fundraisers all the time with these kids. They're constantly doing fundraisers so that they can go. It's a It's a >> And they have both boys and girls in his group. Yeah. >> Um but yeah, he does. >> I think all Boy Scouts do now.
>> Yeah, they do now. Yes. But he does he happens to have a pack that has both >> in it. And uh Oh, >> Girl Scouts are still just girls, right? >> Right. >> I don't know how that works. Um, but yeah, he it's very his name is Jacob Lavali and he's I mean it's he grew up
in Sfield even though he lives in Windsor now some Winds are locked sort of near the airport >> and but he does that and Mo joined his group so she's very active in it. I think she's like co-chair or something
now. So she's active in scouts with him. mother. >> Thor doesn't watch very well >> than that. So, yeah, >> can't hurt to ask. >> Um, but if I see her, I'll ask her if she interested because she is good at, you know, she seems to like the >> posting stuff and
>> maintaining stuff and >> it's worth a shot. >> Definitely, >> that'd be great. Yeah. >> All right. So there would there be an event for the USDA farm USDA farm to school grants is that
>> um no that's more of a grant thing. I mean eventually yes it would be events I think >> like some like a um a forum or something or something that >> I don't even know what I mean that's definitely an ongoing thing. We'd have to first secure money. Well we'd have to have a reason to secure money.
>> Okay. >> For the grant. >> Yeah. And then we got to write the grant. >> Yeah. You have to write the grant. That's something I think we should look at. >> Bert says he used to write grants. >> He did say he's written some. So >> that's something like we can do after we find out if the kids are interested in
farming, you know, when we do the >> Well, I think if we have the money, then we would, you know, we would be attracting people, children, kids to do that >> to do that. Yeah. >> But if even if we get in connection with the school, the school could write the grant. They have a grant writer. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> And it sounds like the school could write the grant for something like that. and then we could assist them in implementing the grant. >> I'm also thinking this one way we could get it if we got the money then you know >> all of a sudden we'd have a ton of money to use for events
>> educational events. >> Yep. >> Yeah. It's it's >> I don't know if we want that kind of money that kind of responsibility >> competition is huge competition any of those grants. >> I'm wondering if it would go school or would it go straight to a town fund or
something? I think the the ones we were looking that that one I forwarded last meeting. >> Yeah. >> I think we could actually get but we'd have to win it, >> right? That's the hardest part >> is winning it. >> We have to really prove it. >> But like if if the schools wanted to do
something in conjunction with the ad commission so that it would be a joint effort >> that is something that >> I mean we are a regional school. we might have the benefit of especially if it was being overseen by two things, the school and the egg
commissioner. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Um and because what you >> it seems like a lot of money, but it really isn't because you usually have most of grant money for that kind of educational thing is to pay somebody to implement to to do
>> Well, that's what I'm thinking cuz that's going to be too much for a volunteer on a >> right. They don't you don't you would pay somebody to do that. Somebody would make money who would be knowledgeable and would would be in there making sure that the curriculum was made and making
sure that the the um whatever you were doing with the group. >> It's definitely a parttime job >> we had. Yeah, >> it is. And that's what that's what most of the grant money for things like that goes to is to pay a person >> cuz they require that you have an expert
person, somebody who is qualified to do it. >> Okay. >> For most of those grants. >> So they would probably need like a teaching degree, right? Which >> yes, I do have. So, >> but I mean that's the kind of thing that you can hire. I mean there's people that do it. They there's people that have or or they've have enough experience.
they're a master gardener or there's something where they have some sort of credentials that you'd hire that person under the grant to implement the program and that's >> seems like we would have to have a program first to be implemented. >> Yeah, that's why we're in early stages
of even discussing it >> with a person who can create a program or who already has some kind of program that they've done because Springfield schools gets tons of that. I mean, we had tons of grants that they were constantly getting. And the school I
worked in got more than the average school because we were an international balorate school, which is kind of a weird program. It was the poorest school in the entire city, the poorest elementary school, >> but it was they we we were under this
thing where it it's a it was a it's it's a global international baloria is a global thing. And I was sent to because I was one of the teachers that was big. I mean I did a lot of stuff with it. They sent me all over the place. I was
in California. I went I mean I would go on these three or four day conventions and they would teach you how to >> become more globally aware as a school. And so we got a lot of grants to do stuff with the kids. And we did get some ones that had to do with farm stuff,
vegetables and eating things and global issues. But that's because of the school we were. But Springfield gets a lot because they're, you know, they're poorer. And then they have STEM schools, >> too. Yeah. They're >> a lot of stuff like that. So Springfield
calls those in >> the magnet schools. >> Yes. A lot of that stuff gets gets in a in a city like Springfield because they have the need. They have special programs. But it doesn't mean that a small regional school like ours
>> couldn't try for stuff like that. you know, they certainly could and it would be beneficial >> if they say, "Oh, we work with the agricultural commission to do this." We can back them, >> right? And that's kind of >> we have the farms, >> right? >> We have the farms and and that's, you
know, kind of an important feature. But >> yeah, >> um it certainly is something I think that if we read some of the grants and saw what the criteria was and then to see if it was something we could work with the schools, >> Yeah. Um, I would think that, you know, we could probably work with them. And
>> we should find out who the grant writer is, see what kind of grants they're already working on. >> Yeah, I don't know. I don't know anybody down that way anyway. It's probably It's probably in the superintendent's office, I would imagine. >> Yes, I would think so.
No. >> Okay. Grant >> and then master plan action items. >> I'm ask my mother too. writer at school. Yeah, I I'm not There used to be a woman who was who used to write the grants years ago, but I'm sure she's long retired.
>> Um, >> you never know. My mom's still working. >> Well, I know. Yeah. But it definitely is something. And then then maybe we could look up grants and see what if they saw any or if we saw any and work work with the school on it because I think that
would be the the way we >> we could, you know, bring up this one that came across, >> right? We'd probably be most likely to get one if we worked with somebody like that. >> Is there any way to bridge this to one of our um
master plan items? >> Oh, let me read the master plan items again. Well, organize regular free workshops on innovative and regenerative agricultural practices >> possibly. >> Um, I mean that's something that
>> if that was the grant grant. >> Well, and we could look for grants that because we have time because we're not doing the invasives. >> Probably a grant for invasives. >> That's what I'm thinking. >> That's our third one.
That's the third thing. So, we'd be doing it. We would be doing it in our next >> We can do them in different orders if we find that it's necessary. >> I was going to say if we're going to get try to get a grant for it, though. It's going to take time. >> It's going to take a while. Yeah. >> But that one we could do as an egg
commission, we wouldn't have to go through the schools. We could if we had an invasive species one. >> I just found our um our little thing for the second annual. >> Oh, nice. So, I remember the cow um I was at Solex Farms,
>> but I could try to find this template again and maybe post it in those different areas. >> I don't know how many um we got from that that year, but it was a little bit more than last year, so I don't know. >> But like maybe Yeah. Should Did you
think we should post it on that sign outside or we should be careful about who knows about the Um, I mean, we could You're talking about town crier bank. >> Yeah. >> I would say, yeah, farmers forum. I mean, it it specifically says farmers in the name.
>> Yeah. >> So, I don't think we're going to have too many other people come because of it. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Well, and if they wanted to look it up, they could look it up and see if if the criteria Yeah. They would know what it's called. They could look it up. >> People are just going to show up for no reason, >> right? >> But they could look it up and see what
we were doing and see if it was something they're interested in. >> Yep. Okay. I'm wondering if maybe at Westfield State the biology department would know anything about grants for invasive species. >> I'm going to put this on my I'm going to do after Christmas. >> Okay.
>> Maybe after. >> Great idea. >> But I'll start looking at >> u >> Yeah. I mean February, March, it's usually kind of a downtime, >> right? Right. I can look up who does grant writing at the school if there's anything. I mean, even an educational program where the kids could be involved
in the invasive species things would be interesting, >> but Westfield State, I mean, their their biology department is big. >> And I mean, that's where I learned >> on things. We did outings and they they're they have professors there that
belong to the Westfield wershed, which we're part of, which deals with invasive species and stuff. So, >> and even bigger is UMass. Yeah. Although they we're kind of on the outskirts. >> We are, but um >> I tried to get into the pick program and
I I I >> shared an email today that came from you, Mass. >> Oh, I didn't look up the email today. >> The way it forwarded was really weird because the town website or town email has this like anti- like fishing fraud thing built in.
So, you click that click the link on it. Okay. I don't know why it forwarded like cuz the email I forwarded was just a regular email. Yeah. >> And then it came through like that. No idea why >> like the trust thing or I did that which I was like okay >> some kind of security feature the town
network has. So >> Oh yeah. It says external >> after because I I sent I sent it from the main ad when I'm on the distribution list so I also get the email. Right. So I'm like why did it come through? >> Yeah. Well I can try Westfield State first. >> Absolutely. They're right down the
street >> and and see because it it you know that would be it would be so cool if they had grants available on for anything like speakers on it or >> if we could get you know some >> Yeah. We could do a workshop. >> Yeah. Or some group that would come in
and and you know help us organize a big like a townwide event. >> I mean even up at the community garden there's tons of invasives. >> Right. Right. And that's something we have property like Sophonowskis that >> I don't see I mean the conservation commission would want to get rid of
invasive species. >> So that's a property that could be taken on as a challenge to clean up things. There could be you know a day where we did something host an event. There needs to be at least one day a year, you know, where these properties get maintained, >> right?
>> Because we keep, you know, the town keeps >> getting these properties >> and all the properties should be checked for invasive species so that we don't end up with a mess on any of them. >> Then you have the the wildlife reserve
and I mean we're just picking up tra people pick up trash there every day. >> Right. Right. Yeah. But I mean the advances maybe there's who knows maybe there's grant money out there that covers that kind of stuff or programs that cover it. So that'll be my Februaryish. >> Cool. That's awesome.
>> That would be great. >> I'll call >> I signed up for that um thing for tomorrow. Oh, you did? >> Yeah. So I'll be looking at it. That's pretty cool. >> I liked it. So thanks foring that. >> All right. >> Yeah, I think we're good. That >> was pretty neat. Um other matters now. We took care of the other matters
already which was the budget. Um, next meeting is January 14th. >> Um, and possibly a work session on the 21st if need be. >> 21st. Okay.
>> Which probably not. Um, >> I think if we have all our stuff done, I bet we'll be organized. >> So, you're going to draft up like a >> I'll draft agenda. >> Yeah. I'll do an outline for us like to say who's doing what and then I'll do the agenda so we can pass it out to everybody. >> The agenda is also going to get posted
on it's going to be an official meeting. So, >> Right. Right. >> We'll make that the actual >> Yeah, I'll redo this one >> and then you just need to get a hold of Bert so he can talk to those three people. >> Yeah. I mean, we'll we'll be able to talk to Bert at the next meeting as well. >> If he's busy and wants to pass it on to
me, I'll call the people and ask if he >> I think he just I think after today he'll feel better. So, I think he'll feel actually a lot better because >> after he gets those injections, he's good to go. >> You feel like human again. >> Just hopefully he doesn't overdo it. >> All right. >> Um, but yeah, that's as long as we we
know what their time frame is and what they need. I think we've got the rest of it pretty well organized. >> Yeah, I'm planning on getting together with him anyway or at least having a discussion with him about a few things. So, I'll bring that up. >> Okay. Um,
I think that's it. >> Yeah. So, what uh what we're signing on Tuesday is just basically the thing we have to submit for the budget review. Is that what she asked us? >> You have to sign something, right? Or >> Well, that's No, Bert has a Bert turned
in a a receipt that he needs to get paid for and that has to be signed off. >> Oh, that's what the Okay. >> It's really quick what you have to do. Um, but if you're there and you want to talk to um Cindy about um and basically just fill out the
budget form that we got um she's going to have the copy of last year's this paper right here. >> Yep. >> Um we don't have another meeting before this is due. >> Okay. >> I know Bert didn't get it in on time
last year, I don't think. Sorry. It's not like the end of the world if we don't get in on time, but they really want it in a time. >> Well, if she knows what we have to do on it. >> Yeah. Do that. If you could just sign off on it, let's get it out of the way. >> Um, >> so it's basically this one and that one. >> But I think this would be also where we
change the accounts. >> Oh, right. Yeah. >> So, I I don't think they're going to let us combine them. They might, but >> it depends on where >> I think we might have to deplete those three accounts, >> but any future monies for events needs to go into a new events account. >> Right. Right. So that
>> have checks written to a agriculture >> egg events or whatever. Um >> okay. >> So maybe that account gets created next week. Might not have anything in it, but >> Okay. I got that for Tuesday. Check on the budget thing. It's in
>> Yeah, she says she'll be there Monday and Tuesday. I think she I think she usually comes in around 10. >> Oh, Monday. Okay. >> Monday or Tuesday? >> Okay. >> I think she said she's going to be there both days. If you're in town, then I don't have to leave work. >> Yeah. No, there's no reason.
>> Thank you. >> Only three miles down the road. >> All right. So, I think that's it, right? Anyone else have anything to say, Jess or Sage? >> Nope. >> Still awake, Sage? >> Yep. Nope. Just got the kid in my ear.
>> I see her. All right. Um, I'm going to motion to adjurnn. >> I second that. More sense. >> All right. All in favor? I >> I >> I >> have a good night.