HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2026-01-27
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Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6:00 pm
In Person at Ithaca Town Hall (Aurora Conference Rm) and via Zoom Video Conference
Final Minutes
Members Present: Christianne White (Steep Hollow Farm) & Lee Ginenthal (Der Rosenmeister Nursery).
Claire Forest (Forest Family Farm) via Zoom.
Member Excused: Matthew Stalker (AJ Teeter Farm)
Town Representatives: Mike Smith (Senior Planner) & Diana Sinton (Town Board Member)
Guests: none
Diana was welcomed by the committee as the new town board liaison.
1. Farmers Round Robin – What’s happening on your farm? How is the season going/went?
Issues/concerns? Announcements?
Lee Ginenthal, Der Rosenmeister Nursery, reported cuttings and stock are wintering over. Website
work and zoom lectures have been ongoing. New Ontario wholesaler will be sought, tariffs
dependent.
Christianne reported that Steep Hollow Farm is rebuilding the chicken flock this winter and keeping
the young birds warm with solar power has been difficult with the weather. Fall chicks will be
avoided in the future. The farmland is being used for January hunting through the NYSDEC
Tompkins County Deer Management Focus Area program. Participation in this program has been
helpful to control the growing population of deer in the area. Icelandic Sheep Fleece are being
exchanged with the Cornell for the Human Center Design Program. The instructor has been in
contact and is interested in more local fibers, visiting the farm to have hands-on experience with the
process. She also noted she is traveling to a conference/meeting for Partnership for Regional Invasive
Species Management (PRISIM) meeting. Cayuga Lake Watershed Committee is involved with the
meeting presentations, and a lot of resources are being brought together. Mike added that the
Conservation Board works with PRISIM for Invasive Species week annually for a local event. Virtual
Attendance at the upcoming Northeast Grazing Conference is anticipated as well to gain knowledge
on raising sheep.
Diana Sinton introduced herself as the newly elected town board member and the liaison for the
committee. She briefly explained her work experience with GIS and how some of her past has
intertwined with forestry and vegetation while more recently plant, soil, ag and crop science related
to mapping.
Claire Forest, Forest Family Farms, shared a story of a recent property damage incident where her
fence and a tree was damaged in the night by a motor vehicle. She filed a report on the damage with
the local authorities who provided the name of the vehicle owner and insurance provider whose office
is in Pennsylvania. There has been no follow-up by the insurance company or settlement to repair the
damage. The large amounts of snow and winter weather have also been hard on her farm.
2. Persons to be heard- none.
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3. Coordinator (Mike) reports / updates:
Mike reported the continuation of the town Deer Management Program, beginning on February 1st.
The annual Richard B. Fisher award given by the Conservation Board is open for nominations. Mike
shared that the website has a list of all the previous recipients along with the nomination form. He is
not aware that there have been nominations or awards to town farms for the environmental or
conservation efforts yet and would be something different if anyone has any ideas.
DEC Forestry cost share grant called Regenerate NY which helps private property owners in areas
like planting trees, removing invasives, reforestation, installing tree protection, etc. He will share the
information on e-mail with the committee. The deadline for this year grant applications is August 27,
2026.
4. Ithaca Town Board (Diana) report:
Diana reported recent town board action on hiring an engineering firm for concept design plans to
extend the South Hill Rec Way trail from Burns Rd. to Banks Rd. Mike added that a Friends of the
Trail work group has formed and holds workdays for trail clearing.
Diana’s final mention of town board business was receiving the annual year-end report from the
Ithaca Fire Department Chrief. The next 3-year contract was approved for fire services as well.
She offered to answer any questions the committee had or has in the future and looks forward to
serving on the board and committee. There was also a question about the relationship between the Ag
Committee and Conservation Board. Mike noted he is the staff representative on both and provides
respective reports and is available for any questions.
5. Acceptance of minutes: Claire moved to accept the November 25, 2025 minutes as presented. Christianne
seconded and the minutes were accepted. Appreciation to the staff taking the minutes was given.
6. Other Business:
Resolution-Recommendation of Chair and Vice Chair for 2026.
Resolution-Approval of the 2026 Meeting Schedule.
March 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. was agreed to be the next meeting when the remainder of the
schedule and recommendation of chair and vice chair will be presented again in anticipation
of a quorum of committee members.
Training/Educational Opportunities-
Mike continues to forward the training and educational opportunities to the committee as they
come. There is a town budget for some amount of training if anyone is interested.
7. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer