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Christof Chartier-Chairperson
Matthew Leclerc-Vice Chairperson
Carrie Novak-Clerk and Treasurer
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION RESPONSIBILITES AS OF 12/10/2011
Speaking for the farm and forestry community on town issues at Town Meeting and at other opportunities throughout the year.
Working to improve the climate of support for farming throughout the town.
Assisting the Select Board and other town boards and groups with farm and forestry-related questions.
Helping steer town long-range planning in a direction that is beneficial to farm and forestry interests.
Working to help protect and preserve farm and forest lands in cooperation with other town boards, state agencies, and regional and local land trusts.
Compiling an inventory of farmers and farm and forest land in the town.
Publishing a guide to local farms and local fresh produce for the town.
Working with Agricultural Commissions in neighboring towns to promote farming and maintain communications about farm issues.
Sponsoring farmers markets or community gardens to improve farm sales opportunities.
Assisting in solving disputes between farmers and neighbors.
Sponsoring town-wide forums and workshops on farm issues such as estate planning, agricultural wetland exemptions, farm safety, grants and other funding available to farmers, farmland protection, or animal identification.
Organizing town farm events-farm festivals, farm and garden tours, sugaring dinners, farm fairs.
Staying in touch with the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources, Mass Farm Bureau, and other organizations to obtain current information on farm and forestry issues.
Reviewing town zoning bylaws and other bylaws and regulations to be sure they do not inadvertently penalize farm interests. Promoting innovative zoning provisions such as Natural Resource Overlay districts.Taking on a subdivision-review advisory role.
Drafting Right-to-Farm Bylaws that put the town on record as being farm-friendly, create a mediation mechanism for disputes, and establish a notification procedure for residents that the town is farm-friendly.
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