HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2013-01-29
Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
January 29, 2013
7:00 PM
Final Minutes
Members Present:
Claire Forest- Forest Family Farm
Christiane McMillen White- Steep Hollow Farm
Sharon Tregaskis- Tree Gate Farm
Dean Koyanagi- Tree Gate Farm
Lisa Ferguson- Laughing Goat Farm
Lance Ebel (associate)- owner of New Leaf Environmental
Others Present:
Bill Goodman- Deputy Town Supervisor, Ecovillage- Land Usage committee
Rod Howe- Town Board member (alternate to the ag committee)
Christine Shaw (chair of conservation board)
Mike Smith- Town of Ithaca, Environmental Planner
Welcome / Introductions
1. Persons to be heard: none
2. Discussion on Forestry:
Conservation Board's (CB) forest management guide is for conservation zone only, not
ag zones. The CB started working on creating timber harvesting regulations for the
conservation zones in 2009; Brent Chedzoy (Schyler County CCE) provided assistance.
With the various area resources (Cornell, CCE, etc.) an individual could create a forest
management plan even without a licensed forester. Their focus was on the conservation
zones, NOT the agricultural zones.
CB is looking for the Agricultural Committee to draft something similar to that written
for Conservation zones. Ag members stated that it would be preferable to most farmers to
have something encouraging having a forest management plans and not something
restrictive. What kind of incentives could be offered to help? The CB did not discuss any
incentives during their discussions.
Sharon discussed how the Conservation Board was invited to discuss areas that our two
groups could be proactive about offering suggestions to the town about a number of
issues. Clair mentioned that the ag committee was actually born out of the CB.
Kristine Shaw invited Ag Committee members to join the Conservation Board meetings.
First Thursday of the month at 7pm.
Mike introduced three handouts- (See packet)
DEC has a statewide list of foresters and recommended that CCE employee Brent
Chedzoy is a good person to get recommendations.
Mike handed out:
Getting to Know Foresters
NY Master Forest Owner Program- Updated contact list is available online
(www.cornellmfo.info)
New York State Cooperating Forester Program
Additional links to documents larger than Mike could print out, but could send digital
copies to anyone interested:
The Place you Call Home,
Enhancing Stewardship of Your Forest
Wildlife and Forestry in New York Northern Hardwoods
If you have a forest plan, the USDA-NRCS has resources available to help implement
work through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Lance mentioned that CAP plan assistance may be coming through the NRCS EQIP
program this year. No money is currently in the program for Tompkins County. A TSP
should be used to create the plan.
Natural Resources has a February 9th event at the New York Forest Owners Association
At the 2013 Farm Show in Syracuse February 21-23 there are several woodlot
management workshops. Peter Smallidge, with Cornell Natural Resources also does
periodic webinars on forest management. (LINK)
Mike showed www.Mylandplan.org and demonstrated a sample land management plan
for his own property. It's a free service, and creates a list of possible uses and possible
actions that someone could do on their land.
Is there interest in having someone (forester, natural resource faculty, other) come to the
ag committee for additional information on forest management?
3. Member Announcements / Concerns:
Christiane reported that George has decided to build his greenhouses in Newfield rather
than in Ithaca,
4. Chair and Coordinator Reports / Updates:
Mike updated the Town of Ithaca boundary lines on the watershed drawing presented at
the last meeting.
5. Ithaca Town Board Report:
Bill reported that the Town did vote in its January meeting to write to the DEC
recommending that the state not make changes to their CAFO definition and regulations.
Monday, 1/28 the Comprehensive Plan was presented to a public hearing. One of the
issues was the suggested change that the conservation zones and agricultural zones went
from 7 acres per development to 15 acres.
Discussion on whether the ag committee's comments are being considered by the Town
Board. One farmer thought that the ag committee had stated that they didn't want a
zoning reduction that would reduce the value of their land. The ag committee members
were only encouraged to speak up individually to the comprehensive plan committee and
the Town Board. The reduction of the possible development value of our land is to sell a
piece of our properties. Reduction of number of units we can develop, then we lose a
significant value of our lands.
Bill explained that the Comprehensive plan was trying to reduce the sprawl and maintain
open space through limiting the size of developments in agriculture and conservation
zones. A proposal was made that if the town is going to reduce the value of our land, than
the town should eliminate our town taxes, and pay our county taxes.
Mike described the idea of the Lease of Development Rights, which could be a different
way to have the taxes paid, which could be explored.
Bill offered to meet with farmers to brainstorm potential options for protection of
agricultural land. Some farmland that is on municipal water and sewer might be changed
in zoning. County is focusing on keeping development in nodes.
American Farmland Trust has worked with other cities and urban towns. Center for Rural
Affairs might also have resource of innovative ways of protecting farmland. John
Brennan (NYSDAM) and the International Downtown Association might be other
resources for information and ideas.
6. Approval of November 27, 2012 Minutes: Approved
7. GPS registration for marketing and tourism:
Mike handed out "How to Get Your Business on GPS Devices". All of the sites listed are
free, but each requires the user to create a login and password. Each farm has to fill the
forms out themselves. Mike is willing to help walk individual farmers through the
process. Registering with the four listed services will get almost all of the available GPS
units in people's cars. Google Maps registration will also attract anyone searching for
farms, farmstands, etc. in Ithaca. Mike demonstrated creating a business presence on
Google places.
8. Other Business:
Claire proposed that we send a message to the Town Board. After discussion the
following draft language was proposed. \[To be discussed at a meeting to be scheduled
later.\]
Farms in the Town of Ithaca have served as diligent stewards of our farmland, often for
decades and generations. Many farmers intend to continue farming as long as possible.
The Town of Ithaca Ag Committee has grave concerns regarding the potential economic
ramifications of the section of the Comp Plan pertaining to subdivision. While the
committee supports the vision for centralizing high-density development to preserve open
space, current farmers developed their business plans and acquired their land with far
fewer restrictions regarding resale and development. Consequently, the Ag Committee
urges the Town Board to explore strategies to provide compelling financial incentives for
farmers to forego development, in lieu of restrictions that hamper the ability of farmers to
access the full value of their land. Such solutions might include not only purchase of
development rights, but transfer of development rights, lease of development rights, and
other models developed by such organizations as the American Farmland Trust, the
International Downtown Association, and the Center for Rural Affairs. We look forward
to working with you to develop proposals to address our mutual concerns.
February 11th meeting the Town Board will decide when to have the public hearing,
which will probably happen in, or after April.
Adjourned at 9:20 PM
Notes prepared by Dean Koyanagi