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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 2 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