HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2018-03-27
Agriculture Committee Members and Associates (*)
A.J. Teeter Farm (Debbie Teeter, Chair), Casper’s Farm (Michael Casper), Forest Family Farm (Claire Forest),
Ithaca Equestrian Center (Russ Wedemeyer), Lance Ebel*, Laughing Goat Fiber Farm (Lisa Ferguson , Vice-Chair),
Steep Hollow Farm (Christianne White), Sweyolakan Farm (Jamie Baker), Tree Gate Farm (Sharon Tregaskis)
TOWN OF ITHACA
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Aurora Conference Room
215 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(The rear entrance is handicapped accessible)
607-273-1747
AGENDA
6:00 pm 1. Daniel Welch, Business Planning Director, NY FarmNet
- Discussion of services NY FarmNet provides (financial analysis, business
planning, farming with family, personal well-being, retirement & estate
planning, business transfers, and outreach programs)
6:45 pm 2. Persons to be heard
6:50 pm 3. Member announcements and concerns
7:00 pm 4. Chair (Debbie) and Coordinator (Mike) reports / updates
7:10 pm 5. Ithaca Town Board (Bill) report / update
7:20 pm 6. Approval of minutes – January 30, 2018
7:25 pm 7. Discuss the creation of a sub-committee to review the goals and
recommendations in the Town’s Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
7:35 pm 8. Regular reports & updates
- TC Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (Debbie)
- TC Soil and Water Conservation District (Alan)
- TC Farm Bureau (Debbie)
7:50 pm 9. Other Business
8:00 pm 10. Adjourn
Please call (607-273-1747) or email
(msmith@town.ithaca.ny.us) if you cannot attend
Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 27,2018
Final Minutes
Members Present: Lisa Ferguson, Michael Casper
Town Representatives: Mike Smith (Senior Planner), Bill Goodman (Town Supervisor)
Guests: Dan Welch, NY FarmNet
Members present decided to start meeting at 6:20pm.
1. Dan Welch, NY FarmNet: Dan gave a brief Powerpoint presentation and summary of what NY
FarmNet is and how it can help. It is a 100%free and confidential service for any farmer. They can
provide help with topics like—financial analysis and decision making, business planning, family business
management, retirement and estate planning, business transfers, and personal well-being. The website
for NY FarmNet is www.nvfarmnet.org and can be reached at 1-800-547-3276.
3. Member announcements: Michael Casper said that his farm was approved for one of the licenses to
grow hemp. He attended the recent conference at Cornell on Hemp. He has ordered seed and is getting
ready to plant this spring.
5. Ithaca Town Board Report: Bill mentioned the recent news of Emerald Ash Borer being found in the
Town of Newfield and the City of Ithaca.
Lisa offered to try and contact a few farmers that didn't respond to the questions about deer impacts on
their farms. Mike will email Lisa contact information.
Adjourn: 7:07pm
Minutes drafted by Mike Smith.