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HomeMy Public PortalAboutAgriculture Commission -- 2009-07-23 MinutesMINUTES of the MEETING of The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION Held Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. At the Brewster Town Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room B Present: Peter Herrmann, Heather Mangelinkx, Dave Carlson, Rebecca Howes and Stephen Brown Mr. Hemnann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes of the March 19, 2009 meeting were accepted and unanimously approved by the board. Julie Winslow from the Orleans Agricultural Commission came to the meeting to ask several questions about the agricultural commission: 1. How did we form? Approach having an agricultural commission as advisory not regulatory. 2. Do we have connections with the community garden and how do you find land available for the community gardens? For towns purchasing land for community gardens it must say the land will be used for passive recreation which gardening is considered. Purchasing land in the future it should say for agricultural use. 3. Aquaculture - do we include that in agriculture and do we have a representative for small scale aquaculture. 4. Do we have zoning for agriculture? The need to address small scale agriculture in small parcels. 5. How do we interact with the community -email, mailings, etc.? Leo Cakounes from the Farm Bureau came to update us on what they are doing. As an agricultural commission we can use them as a fund raising tool -they will help us sponsor events -use their name and logo. A percentage of the money raised will go to the farm bureau to promote agriculture, the balance is left for agricultural commissions use. Suggestions were for a farm tour day that the Cape & Islands Farm bureau could sponsor. Victor Staley couldn't make our meeting, he would like to discuss set backs -farms are treated the same as everyone else. The Agricultural Commission should change the by- law that more than 5 acres should have set back requirements waived. Fences are being treated the same as buildings. The Board of Health looks at is as a health issue but better farm management practices can solve those issues. Also need to define commercial and homeowners agriculture. Next meeting we hope to have Victor come to discuss these issues. In June the selectmen approved a farmers market for Brewster. However the local farmer's have not shown an interest in it yet. There is a Dartmouth farmer interested in coming to Brewster next spring -what point are there too many farmers markets on the Cape? Mr. Herrmann had information about the Earthworks program which will plant fruit trees on public lands for free. Perhaps the garden club may be interested in this program. Motion was made by Heather Mangelinkx to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Rebecca Howes, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Heather Mangelinkx Approved /U©'~ I :~ ~.~ ~' ~~ `%