What's Happening: 2007- 2008 Regional AgCom Gatherings

What's Happening:  2007-2008 Regional AgCom Gatherings

Click on links to see results of:
AgCom presentations and discussions (Dec. 1st Meeting)
AgCom presentations and discussions (Dec. 8th Meeting)
AgCom presentations and discussions (Jan. 12th Meeting)

December 1, 2007:  Western MA AgComs, Hancock, MA
Agenda

• Welcome and Review of MDAR Programs             
  Scott Soares, Assistant Commissioner
• Additional Welcome and Brief Remarks
  Rep. Denis Guyer, Dalton
• Ag Business Training Opportunities
  Rick Chandler, MDAR
• Agricultural Marketing & Farmers Markets
  Kelly Coleman, CISA
• Energy Efficiency & Alternate Energy Systems
  Glenn Cook, Cider Hill Farm and Darlene Monds, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D (Farm Energy Program)
• The Value of Agriculture to the Town Economy
  Bill Martin, First Pioneer Farm Credit
• The New "Planning for Agriculture" Guide for Municipalities
  Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust
• Roundtable Discussion-Reports from Ag Commissions
• Educating the Public about Local Agriculture
  Lenore Paul, Mass Ag in the Classroom
• Chapter 61-61A Changes
  Nathan L'Etoile, Mass Farm Bureau
• Handling Ag Disputes Part II
  Loraine Della Porta, Esq., MA Office of Dispute Resolution

December 8, 2007  Northeast and Central MA AgComs, Marlborough, MA
Agenda

• Welcome
  Mary Jordan, MDAR Ag Development
• What AgComs are Doing
  Irene Winkler, Coordinator, USDA-NRCS Pilgrim RC&D
  1.  What are AgComs Doing?
  2.  What are AgComs Planning to Do?
  3.  What Issues do they need help with?
  AgCom representatives present their information in one minute.  Facilitated discussion, Resource Provider Introductions: name, service description, location.
• Local Agriculture Inventories & Value of Agriculture to the Community
  Jon Jaffe, First Pioneer Farm Credit
• Conflict Prevention & Resolution Skills
  Loraine Della Porta, Esq., MA Office of Dispute Resolution
• Farming in Wetland Resources Areas
  Dan Lenthall, District Conservationist USDA-NRCS
• Zoning & Planning By-law Assistance-How to Develop Enforceable By-laws
  Frank DiLuna, Esq., Murtha Cullina LLP
• Animal Welfare Regulations
  Doug Gillespie, Acting Ex. Director MA Farm Bureau Federation
• Farmers Markets & Farm Stands Cost Analysis
  Jeff Cole, Mass. Farmers Markets
• Alternative Energy
  Gerry Palano, Renewable Energy Coordinator, MDAR
• Next Steps
  
  

RESOURCE FAIR BOOTHS & INFORMATION

American Farmland Trust- "Planning for Agriculture in Massachusetts, A Guidebook for Municipalities," Chris Coffin, New England Director
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom-Marjorie Cooper, President
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Farm Viability Enhancement Program-Craig Richov, Regional Planner
APR (Agricultural Preservation Restriction) Program
Composting Program
"Mass Grown", Ag-Tourism Signage
Agricultural Development, AgTags, Agricultural Trust
"OLIVER" MassGIS mapping
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation-Doug Gillespie, Acting Executive Director
Animal Welfare Regulations
Chapter 61 Changes
Right to Farm By-laws
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service-Diane Baedeker-Petit, Public Affairs Specialist and Dan Lenthall, District Conservationist
Programs and Services,
Farming in Wetlands Resources Areas
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service-Gary Keough, Director, New England Agricultural Statistics

Additional resource materials provided by:
USDA-Rural Development-Lyndon S. Nichols, Area Director
USDA-Farm Service Agency, Middlesex/Essex County - Julie A. Viveiros, County Executive Director Preservation Massachusetts, Barn Task Force
Buy Local Programs

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, MA Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, Pilgrim Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc., USDA-Farm Service Agency, First Pioneer Farm Credit, Mass Office of Dispute Resolution, American Farmland Trust, MA Ag in the Classroom, MA Farmers' Markets, Murtha Cullina LLP, Buy Local, JP Bartlett & Co. of Sudbury & Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture (MSPA).

January 12, 2008:  Western MA AgComs, Northampton, MA

Agenda