Ag. Commission's putting down roots
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Agricultural Commission spent a large part of their second meeting laying out their goals for the upcoming year, and members have decided to focus on a rightto farm bylaw, and beginning a community garden.

The Commission, which was formed with permission of town meeting, is trying to develop a set of goals for the next year to 18 months. They are trying to create a list they think they can manage both with the help of town officials but also with the five-member group that they are.

One of the things the group would like to help start for the community is a Community Garden, where residents would be able to farm small parcels of land for their own use.

"I think it's going to be desperately needed in the near future," said Susan Nickerson, a commission member.

She thought it would be good for people how need to lower food costs and for others interested in raising their own food.

The Commission's first step is to take an inventory of the possible land for the project as well as begin to discuss the legal liability issues, which could be associated with the project.

Cheryl Lekstrom, of the state Department of Agricultural Commission, said she could help the local group find other towns or cities that have developed the gardens recently.

The members also discussed people how could help them out in moving some of the projects along by doing research and legwork, such as other farmers in town.

"I think if you got (the garden) done for next year, you are doing well," said Bill Foster.

The right-to-farm bylaw was also a priority for each of the members of the group, who either farm for a living or as part of their hobbies.

"I think it's not only a priority for us but a priority for the town," Dean Johnson, the commission chairman, said.

A right-to-farm bylaw would have to be approved by voters at town meeting before it would be incorporated into the laws of the town. The bylaw, which the commission does not expect to present before the fall town meting at the earliest, would help spell out the rights of farmers. Many of the town's farmers believe this is necessary because of the changing demographics in town. Town officials are supportive of it not only because of the help it would provide to farmers but also because adoption of a bylaw would help the town procure state grants.

The goal of the bylaw would be not only to help farmers of vegetation but also animals and forestry groups.

The members of the commission are reviewing bylaws that have been adopted by other communities before beginning to write their own.

The other two activities the group wanted to work on were a booth at the Town Benefit, which is held annually in August, as well as begin to identify and survey all of the farms in town.

The commission members also discussed not only reaching those with direct ties to the agricultural lifestyles but also those with indirect ties, such as those in the community that work for the government in related fields or former farmers.