HomeMy WebLinkAboutAg Com Minutes - 04 04 2011_201402041643085011 1
Agricultural Commission Minutes
April 4th, 2011
Town of Nantucket Building – Conference Room
Attendance:
Present:
1. Dylan Wallace – Chair
2. Morgan Beryl – Secretary
3. Dane DeCarlo
Absent:
1. John Bartlett
2. Steve Slosack
A. Vote to Approval of Minutes . Morgan moves to approve March 3rd minutes & Dane seconds, all
in favor.
B. Update on Sustainable Nantucket Farmers and Artisans Market
Cooler regulations for eggs and other PHF’s.
Update: The use of coolers have been approved on short-term basis by the Health Department for
egg sales with Sustainable Nantucket testing.
Frozen foods must be kept between 0-10 Degrees.
Fresh foods must be kept between 33-41 Degrees.
Approval for PHF’s kept at the aforementioned degrees through the use of coolers have not been yet
approved. Testing in process by Sustainable Nantucket & individual vendors.
C. Review of 2011 Agriculture Day Paper
Act to promote farm viability: “…creation of a review panel of Public Health and Agriculture
experts to review all BOH regulation impacting agriculture, and work with BOHs to develop
sound regulations.”
Act to strengthen the MA Ag infrastructure relative to meat and poultry production and
processing: “…move state oversight of slaughter from DPH to DAR, and allow DAR to enter
into an agreement with USDA to take on federal inspections (USDA would pay for half the
costs).
Act to promote economic stimulus in natural resource based small businesses: “… would
extend the credit (3% tax credit) to non-incorporated agricultural and fishing operations, and
stimulate the economy…”
Act to promote the care and well being of livestock: “…would create a Livestock Care and
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standards Board which consists of farmers, humane groups, veterinarians and other interested
parties – all from within the commonwealth. The group would have the ability to promulgate
regulations on any aspect relating the humane treatment of livestock.
Act relative to the distribution of raw milk: “…would allow farmers to deliver raw milk to
customers, many of whom have difficulty in visiting the farm on a regular basis. The bill would
also charge DAR with ensuring deliveries occurred in a manner ensuring the safety of the milk.
Legislation of Concern: “An Act relative to agricultural zoning – this bill would repeal a law
passed less than a year ago which extends protection from unreasonable zoning to farms of 2
acres or more.”
D. Review of Ag. Commission Work Plan
Various edits made
Dylan to revise and send updated version to committee members for final review.
Per final review, work plan will be place on the Ag Com website.
E. Review of Survey Results
A few surveys have been returned
A few surveys indicated wrong address – Morgan to review and resend
Morgan to continue with mailing and reach out to fisherman.
F. Next Meeting:
July 11th, 2011
12pm
Town of Nantucket building – downtown conference room
G. Agenda for future meeting should include:
Ag Com picnic planning
Brochure production
Update on Market cooler regulations
Plan for MPPU Health Department education
Plan Nantucket farm field trip – to coincide with picnic?
Adjourn