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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-20Dryden Ag Committee September 20, 2017 DRAFT Page 1 of 5 Dryden Ag Advisory Committee September 20, 2017 Members Present: Evan Carpenter (Chair), Kim LaMotte, Brian Magee, and Steve Foote Liaisons Present: Jason Leifer (Town Board), Craig Schutt (Conservation Board) and John Kiefer (Planning Board) Guests: Monika Roth (Cornell Cooperative Extension), Joe Osmeloski and Craig Anderson The meeting was called to order at 7:38PM. The minutes were transcribed from an audio tape. The Committee worked through the Ag Plan. - On page 6: o Cornell has lands “in Freeville, Etna, Varna, and on Mount Pleasant.” Cornell also owns lands in the southeastern part of the Town near/in Harford. o M. Roth suggested a map showing the extent of lands that are controlled by educational entities (Cornell University, The William George Agency, and Tompkins Cortland Community College). It is a unique situation. o “Given the location of agriculture surrounding the villages….” - the term “near” better expresses the location of ag in relation to the villages. o The Committee debated whether the solar farms are a threat to or a pressure on the Ag community. The discussion included whether solar farms are actually a threat to the ag community since the farmers have the choice of signing the leases. The threat is to the available farmland - cost of the land versus the funds that the farmer can get for leasing. - Page 7 o Minor changes to avoid repetition were suggested. - Page 8 o There are still concerns by some Committee members about the role the Town should play regarding cooperation between farmers. o It was suggested that “Charging the Planning Board and Agriculture Committee with developing a map of possible non-agricultural solar installation sites and educating agricultural landowners of the potential consequences of converting their land to solar installations” be changed to include the Conservation Board. o The Committee determined to eliminate bullet #6: Strengthen the farm economy and future viability of farming through farm energy conservation efforts and renewable energy development; by encouraging cooperation and cost-sharing among farmers; and by lobbying to provide a legal pathway for non-citizens who are needed to fill farm worker jobs. Dryden Ag Committee September 20, 2017 DRAFT Page 2 of 5 o The Committee discussed what the Ag Committee feels are the priorities for Ag in the town. B. Magee indicated that the marketing changes every year so it is hard to pin down the priorities. M. Roth agreed that it is hard to determine priorities when ag is influenced by changes and outside forces. She pointed out that the town has influence over land use. o E. Carpenter asked when people actually see the Right to Farm Law. At a property closing, when buyers are signing a multitude of paperwork, they might actually not be paying attention and can it be a requirement of the realtors prior to the closing. o M. Roth believes that can only be handled through the County Board of Realtors. She has talked to realtors and encouraged disclosure but they have a high turn over as well. o C. Anderson added that the best time to provide the Right to Farm law would be when the buyer is given the disclosure statement. o M. Roth agreed and indicated that the best practice would be to give the realtors a map so they know where the ag districts are. - Page 12 o First paragraph - next to the Town of Harford, Tioga County is in parentheses - it should be Cortland County. o Third paragraph in reference to Cornell University, there is no mention of the land owned by Cornell near Freeville and Etna should be removed as those lands are now residential. o Under Infrastructure, J. Kiefer suggested the wording could be changed to indicate that since the road infrastructure is adequate to agricultural needs, then that is all that needs to be stated and the reference to state roads can be eliminated. - Page 13-14 o C. Anderson suggested indicating which soil types are prime and which are soils of statewide importance. That might assist the average reader to understand the importance of various soil types and provide support for the list of soil types. o Fall Creek Watershed - should include Cortland County. Also, for consistency, some reference to the fact that Fall Creek is the drinking water source for Cornell University should be included. - Page 15 o “Is it pertinent to point out that the run off is much higher from developed land versus farmlands?” was a question at the end of the Protecting Water Quality section. The committee agreed this was important. o C. Schutt pointed out that the Susquehanna Watershed is already under a TMDL. It might be worth mentioning. - Page 16 Dryden Ag Committee September 20, 2017 DRAFT Page 3 of 5 o There was some question about the Dryden Lake view and that statement was revised. o The Committee discussed the need to include the Scenic View/Open Space. They agreed that the first two paragraphs are worth keeping; the rest can be eliminated. - Page 17 o C. Schutt questioned the term “homesteading” found in the first paragraph. The term evinces different definitions so the Committee agreed to remove that term. o 4) government regulations that require Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) to spread manure over a larger area to avoid nitrogen and phosphorous contamination of water supplies. A request was made to change the italicized section to “protect water quality and provide additional forage for the growing herds.” - Page 18 o Under Farming Enterprises, last paragraph includes “homesteading”. o In the box, the total should be 58. - Page 19 o Bartholomew Lubricants needs to be included under Farm Support. o Bacchus Brewery Company - the “h” was missed. o Last paragraph - the word “vital” was changed to “valuable”. - Page 20 o The first group of concerns should be changed from Agricultural Policies to Land Use Policies. - Page 21 o The statement that “young people don’t want to work on farms” led to a discussion. It might appear the statement indicates young people were lazy but the reality is that young people are no longer connected to farms and the regulations surrounding the employment of young people make it difficult. Societal changes also affect the reliability of manual labor. o Climate change - new study by Cornell scientist indicates up to 70% of farmers do not believe in climate change. The Committee is not sure that is truly a concern by farmers. That phrase will be changed to “changing weather patterns.” The second part of that statement regarding out-dated drainage systems should be moved to infrastructure. - Page 22 o The Committee again discussed whether or not there is potential for more direct marketing. - Page 23 o Under Ag Trends and Future Outlook, third paragraph, the term “synthetic” was changed to “conventional” o At the top of the page, #1, the Committee debated the statement regarding downsizing or bankruptcy. They feel that made farming in Dryden Ag Committee September 20, 2017 DRAFT Page 4 of 5 Dryden dependent on the large farms but they don’t think that is true. The farmers believe that any land that becomes available will be quickly snatched up. It can also be seen as contradictory since in other places in the plan, a lack of land is noted as being a hindrance for farmers. M. Roth is going to rework this section. - Page 27 o Instead of referring to the Comprehensive Plan, put that part in the plan since it is not long. o There was some question about the statement “Encourage investment in public infrastructure (water or sewer) if necessary for agriculture operations” o In the section listing “specific objectives….” Maintain a Town Ag Advisory Committee. A suggestion was made to change this objective to “Promote the creation of an Ag Board.” - Page 32 o In the ARFA chart, Dryden is in the Northwest section. C. Anderson questioned whether the other areas are necessary or make it more confusing. o Another suggestion was to highlight the column that refers to Dryden and/or list the physical areas that are included in the Northeast area. M. Roth pointed out that this problem could be solved wi th a map. - Zoning section: o M. Roth asked to what extent does the zoning support ag commerce or support businesses? Is there a need for a change in definitions?  There were some recommendations from Ag and Markets. The letters to and from have been forwarded to M. Roth and D. Teeter. o Farm Worker Housing needs to be added to the definitions. - Page 44 o Under Location of areas/land …. #4 was removed as it does not pertain to lands being preserved for farming. o #5 was discussed since it includes Town funding. The level of support is not a set financial amount but the Town will support as much as they can. There are other avenues that can be pursued that will not put the Town on the hook to front the funds for an Ag easement. - Page 45 o The Loss of supply services-support businesses - this section was removed because the close proximity of farmers doesn’t really make a difference in the modern world. - Maps o The maps of Ag district 1 are wrong. They include the state forests, lands owned by educational facilities, etc. o Map 2 does not include the Yellow Barn Water district. - Page 47 - Priority Actions/Recommendations Dryden Ag Committee September 20, 2017 DRAFT Page 5 of 5 o B 2) was removed since the Town has little control over trespass issues and this list is what the Ag Committee is encouraging the Town to take action on. o B 3) M. Roth felt that should go under zoning and the Committee agreed. o C 1) was removed since the Town will not be developing an alternative to the PDR. o C 2) the Committee agreed environmental protection funding is something the farmers are generally aware of and they would be more likely to look to Extension for assistance than the Town. o C 3) and 4) will be better served under the zoning part of the document o C. Anderson - past discussion have been held about putting the Agricultural District Map as an overlay on the zoning map. The Committee felt that was a good recommendation. o C. Anderson also suggested putting another bullet just above the Priority Actions/Recommendations that supports the Ag Committee becoming an Ag Board. o E 1), 2) & 3) - M. Roth thinks she can remove these three. o M. Roth is going to keep working on the plan and has a better idea of where the Committee is headed and what they want. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk