MANSFIELD AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

APPROVED Minutes of March 24, 2009 meeting

Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building

Conference Room B, 7:30 p.m.

1.  Acting Chairman, Al Cyr, called the meeting to order at 7:35.

2. PRESENT:Al Cyr, Charlie Galgowski, Vicky Wetherell.  Also attending: Kathleen Paterson, Larry Lombard, Kerri Landeck, Mary Bacon, Anne Wiant-Rudd, Jennifer Kaufman.

3. Minutes of the March 4, 2008, meeting were amended and approved.

New Business

4. Committee Projects in 2009

The committee discussed upcoming activities.  The “Mansfield Country” brochure was reviewed, and revisions and potential places for distribution were considered.  A letter to those listed in the brochure will request their revisions to the brochure.  The 2008 brochure is now on the Mansfield website.

Jennifer mentioned that the Town could apply for a state Agricultural Viability grant (if available this year).  The committee will discuss this at the next meeting.  

Larry explained upcoming referrals from PZC, including subdivision regulation updates and revised zoning for the Pleasant Valley area.

Vicky suggested that the committee consider additional ways to promote local foods.  Possible activities related to the Storrs Farmers Market and other venues were discussed.  

Old Business

5. Town Council Referral:  Feedback on Mansfield 2020: A Unified Vision

The committee reviewed the proposed “Action Steps” for working farms.  A draft of the committee’s comments will be circulated for review, then forwarded to the Town Manager’s office.  For consideration as part of the committee’s review, Charlie summarized the USDA’s 2004 Agriculture Resource Management Survey, which reported the status of farms in Connecticut and Tolland County.  The committee will complete their comments on items in the “Action Plan” section at their next meeting.

6. The committee will contact Rebecca Canfield about drafting a letter concerning the state’s spending limit for special vendors that provide local food to UConn.   

7.  The meeting adjourned at 9:20.  Next meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.