HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-03 02/03/2021
Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee
February 3, 2021
Members Present: Evan Carpenter (Chair), Brian Magee, Marie McRae, Kim LaMotte, Steve
Foote, Austin Beck
Absent:
Liaison(s): Craig Schutt (Conservation Board), Loren Sparling (Town Board)
Guest(s):
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 PM.
Review and approval of minutes dated January 13, 2021
On motion made by S. Foote, seconded by K. LaMotte, minutes were unanimously approved as
written.
Comprehensive Plan
The Ag Committee discussed several recommendations for the Comprehensive Plan to send
to the Town Board.
Comments:
• More opportunities for farmers markets.
• Increase production of produce and meat to sell locally.
• Keep the right to farm law.
• We don’t want any zoning laws to prevent a homeowner to come in and develop their
land into a berry field, or something similar.
• Make sure all zoning is welcoming to new farmers.
• Public education of CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations).
• Education to the board of realters on ag practices prior to sales.
• Continue preservation of our two drainage districts; the Chesapeake Bay and St.
Lawrence River that are valued in the Town of Dryden.
• Education is huge, but the challenge is getting it out there.
• Social media would help educate.
• A lot of people buy their meat and produce from a grocery store and they have no idea
where it even came from.
E Carpenter is wondering if the town can put any pressure on to realters selling estate in the
town to inform their clients on the right to farm laws before they sell the house. M McRae
02/03/2021
doesn’t think the town can make them do it. C Schutt thinks that is usually in the paperwork, it
will say the property is in an ag district.
S Foote mentioned Eric Carey, who has a large farm on lick street and every week they talk
about all things farming and are able to educate the community and spread these videos via
Facebook. It’s a very nice set up and you can tell he invests a lot of time into these videos
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Emily Banwell