Meeting Minutes

Canterbury Agriculture Commission

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Canterbury Community Center

I. Call to order:

a. Chairperson Dawn Pindell called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM

b. Recording device was unavailable to obtain audio transcript.

II. Roll call:

a. Members present: Dawn Pindell, John Baldwin, Christina Fensley, and Rob Tuttle (Alternate).

b. Chairperson acknowledged that a quorum was present in order to conduct this regularly scheduled meeting, and the agenda had been posted as required.

III. Review of minutes from previous meeting:

a. Minutes of the last official meeting held (January 2016) had been previously promulgated by e-mail, and were reviewed. No meeting minutes were taken in February because Canterbury hosted an Eastern CT Regional Ag Commission presentation that night. Motion by Rob to accept the January minutes as recorded, 2nd by Christina. Passed unanimous.

IV. Opportunity for Public Comment:

a. None.

V. Old Business:

a. Canterbury hosted a presentation in February (regularly scheduled meeting night) given by employees of the CT State Dept of Agriculture and the NRCS regarding grants and funding for farm projects, how to write grants, and how to submit/deadlines. John, Dawn and Christina attended the February presentation and provided a brief synopsis. Total attendance was 52.

b. Dawn continued a discussion on “Solar Farms” and the out of state company which has been approaching local land owners about taking 40-year leases of cleared farmland to install solar panels. Christina provided some additional information about which local landowners (herself included) have been recently contacted by the solar corporation. This old business issue stems from the January 2016 Ag Commission meeting where Tim Tyler reported the concern within the State Farm Bureau that much needed farmland was being taken out of cultivation and the impact on silage and hay production, and on livestock. Also discussed were possible pro’s and con’s for both landowners and farmers.

c. Christina continued the discussion on organizing a “commercial kitchen” and reported on the “Cottage Bill” which CT state legislators have under review. The bill would clarify requirements for public access commercial kitchen enterprises as well as for home kitchens meeting same requirements for production of food items sold to the general public. Discussion touched on some of the potential kitchen certifications and associated regulations.

VI. New Business:

a. Dawn lead a review of Commission membership. Lee Wrigley’s appointment ended in March 2016. New members needing sworn in are Deborah Plantamuro, and Tim Tyler (Alternate). Christina offered that Wendy DuPont may also volunteer as an Alternate. Terms of the remaining Commission members serve until:

John Baldwin, Kevin Lindell, and Dawn Pindell (Mar 2017); Christina Fensley and Rob Tuttle many

b. New member induction and election of new officers will occur at the April 2016 meeting.

c. Christina gave a report on the Killingly VoAg Program (as one of the Canterbury Advisors). She provided a recommendation that the Commission pursue establishing a scholarship for a Canterbury student (currently there are four) enrolled in the VoAg program, with plans to go on to college. Discussion followed, suggesting an annual scholarship of $500 or $1,000 that could be funded by fund raisers at local farms, or donations, or possible budget item from EDC or BOE. Christina said the need for this – based on feedback at the Advisory Board - is due to lack of sufficient family income to attend college, in many situations. Scholarship project would need to bring together various Canterbury enterprises, including farms, the EDC, and an associated 501C non-profit to handle the scholarship bank account.

d. The deadline is approaching for submitting Walktober applications to The Last Green Valley. Must be submitted by May 1st. Dawn will place this on the agenda for the April meeting, and members were encouraged to attend with ideas and suggestions.

VII. Other

a. None.

VIII. Next Meeting

a. Next official Canterbury Ag Commission meeting will be held April 28 at 7 pm in the Community Center.

IX. Adjournment

a. Motion to adjourn by Christina, 2nd by Rob. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm (no motion).