Agricultural Commission, February 20, 2018
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
February 20, 2018
Attendance: Steve D’Aquila, Jim Dunn, Maleah Gustafson, Chris Hugo,
Eileen Charbonneau (@7:41 PM), (Tim Ethier BOS Rep)
Absent: None
Others Present: Amy Parker, Amanda Morse, Rick Evangelista, Sandy Evangelista
The meeting was called to order @7:36 PM
The group listened to and asked questions of Rick and Sandy Evangelista, long-time vendors at the Holden Farmers Market. The objective of the discussion was for Ag Comm members to get background on how the HFM operates, so the planned meeting with HFM vendors and management in March could be more productive. The Evangelista’s were not formally representing the HFM, but having been at the HFM weekly for many years were able to give a unique perspective on how the HFM has evolved and currently operates. The Evangelista’s first gave some history and background on the HFM. The group talked about how the market is organized and operated. The following are points of general interest from the discussion.
-Health inspection and permit fees levied by Holden are going up significantly for this coming season
-HFM is a member of the Mass Association of Famer’s Markets and gets insurance through that organization
-That group requires that each member market have a set of bylaws and a mission statement
-HFM pays dues to the Mass Association of Farmer’s Markets
-Vendor membership in HFM is limited by available space and multiple vendors for the same product is usually not allowed
-New vendor members must go through the process outlined in the bylaws
-There is a perception that the Town of Holden regulates the operation and location of the market and vendors at least to some degree, but the details were vague
-Some vendors get electricity from Town-owned outlets for free
-The fruit on the pear and apple trees in the area is cleaned up by the vendors because it is a walking/slipping hazard. They would like a place to dispose of it
-HFM is currently advertised mostly by word of mouth, with a limited Facebook presence, but they have had a flyer in the Town electric bills and do have a ‘sandwich board’ near the entrance
The Ag Comm asked the Evangelistas to consider what we could do to help the HFM be more viable and attractive to vendors and customers. Steve thanked the Evangelistas for coming and helping us learn about the HFM.
On a motion by Maleah, seconded by Chris, the minutes of the January 23, 2018 meeting were unanimously approved.
Eileen noted that Tom O’Shea, a soon-to-be new resident of Holden has the right background to become a member of the Commission. Mr. O’Shea is Director of Stewardship and Natural Resources at The Trustees of Reservations.
The cooking with Herbs educational presentation went off very well. There were over 30 attendees with 15 more signed up in a waiting list. Ms. Ross will work directly with the Gale Free Library to coordinate additions events.
Candidates for futures presentations were proposed; Growing Fruit Trees, Food Preservation, and Pruning. The Holden Grange and UMASS Extension Service may be sources of future educational presentations.
The Invasive Species Seminar is coming together. Jim coordinated with the Senior Center for Saturday use of the facility. We will propose April 7 and 14 from 10:00 to12:00 AM to Ms. Sullivan. Eileen will generate a flyer, Maleah will create a press release for the Landmark and put the flyer on Facebook, and Jim will get the flyer on our web site and a notice on the electronic bulletin board.
Jim reviewed the Chapter 61 property prioritization schedule and the three properties assigned each member for review before the next meeting. Future meetings will also have 3-5 properties for review, until we work through the whole list.
The next meeting will be March 20, 2018.
On a motion by Maleah, seconded by Jim, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted;
James Dunn
Acting Secretary