Ag Commission Steering Committee Minutes

Ag Commission Steering Committee Minutes (Amended)

7 Feb 2010

Effingham Historical Society

Attending: Eve Klotz, Avril Davis, Bill Piekut, Susan Slack, Paul Potter, Deb Goodwin Potter, Sheila Jones, Paul Bartoswicz, Joan Sullivan, Arthur Surrette, John P. Davis, Paul Davis, Barbara Thompson, Tom Thompson, Henry Spencer

Absent: Carol Pfister, Dave Nicholson, Michelle Elliot, Annmarie Sargeant, Bob Fishman, S. Cragin, Gretchen Large, George Bull, Jan Graham

Eve called the meeting to order at 2:05pm

Bill and Paul B. announced that both the warrant article to form an Agricultural Commission and the warrant article to provide a $250.00 budget are successfully petitioned and will be voted on at Town Meeting on March 13, 2010.

Next step is to educate the community about Agricultural Commissions and encourage attendance at Town Meeting to vote yes.

Arthur expressed concerns that an Agricultural Commission (AgComm) is an additional layer of bureaucracy and regulation in town. A discussion ensued.

• AgComm is an advisory body, similar to the Conservation Commission
• AgComm might advise on matters of food safety, agriterrorism, and zoning issues.
• AgComm could build an Agricultural identity in Effingham.
• AgComm could be a unified voice for Effingham Agriculture
• Grant Money is available to support AgComms in New Hampshire
• AgComm helps protect rural agriculture
• AgComm could work with the Grange
• Concern was expressed that other Agricultural Organizations exist: Small & Beginning Farmers, Farm Bureau, etc. and AgComm may be too much
• AgComm would help guide Master Plan
• Currently, New Hampshire has ten AgComms, at least four in Carroll County, with two more (Sandwich, Effingham) under consideration
• NH has grants for energy conservation for agriculture, AgComm could help publicize these opportunities

The conversation turned to the makeup of the AgComm, which can have three to seven members and any number of alternates.

Again, the conversation became why do we need an AgComm in Effingham?

• Agriculture Census, to measure how much agriculture is in Effingham, as an aid to town government
• Emphasize the definition of agriculture, which in Effingham refers to RSA 21:34a, and includes Ornamental Horticulture
• Show the diversity of agriculture in Effingham
• AgComm, as a government entity, would have access to resources such as Local Government Center, Lakes Region Planning, and UNH Cooperative Extension, and NHDAMF

After some discussion about the number of members needed, the committee agreed that Tom Thompson will move an amendment from the floor at Town Meeting that the AgComm have seven members and five alternates.

After an AgComm is formed at Town Meeting, the Steering Committee will assist the Board of Selectman in compiling a list of at least thirteen Effingham residents interested in serving on an AgComm, to assist the Board of Selectman in appointments.

Meeting Adjourned at 3:40pm

The Steering Committee thanks the Effingham Historical Society and Paul Potter for their generosity in allowing use of the Historical Society's hall, and opening it to the Committee on a Sunday afternoon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Avril K. Davis

Secretary