HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2021-03-30 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 6:00 pm
(Via Zoom Video Conference)
Final Minutes
Members Present: Lisa Ferguson, Claire Forest, Christianne White, Ariel Casper, Debbie Teeter
& Matthew Stalker
Members Absent: Steve Cummins, Russ Wedemeyer, Jamie Baker, Sharon Tregaskis.
Town Representatives: Mike Smith (Senior Planner), Bill Goodman (Deputy Town Supervisor)
Guests: Amina Omari (CCE)
I. Ithaca Town Board (Bill)report/update: Bill G. reported on the Ithaca Energy
Code Supplement in conjunction with the City of Ithaca. This will apply to new
buildings/construction and will require energy efficiency more than the NYS Code requirements.
The language is in Public Hearing stage in the city and will be moving from Committee level to
Town Board in the next few months and a public hearing will be held prior to adoption. The
standards get stricter as the time elapses, example including no natural gas for heat after 2023,
heat pumps and electrification are preferred.
Committee members asked if this would affect new Agriculture buildings and Bill replied that it
would if they had heat, also if they were subject NYS Energy Code. He also stated that heating
and cooling energy is specified to reduce fossil fuels but not energy used in processing.
The plan progression to update the Town Telecommunications Law as the 5G technology was
discussed. Bill stated the Federal Government has regulations, and it has been made clear that
local governments cannot regulate based on human health although do have some authority to
regulate on aesthetics.
Bill G. noted a consultant has been hired for the Inlet Valley area rezoning to allow more uses
and activities to encourage Economic Development. A meeting was held recently with the major
property owners and a wider public meeting for the area is the next step in the process. The full
Town Board will hold a formal public hearing prior to adoption as well.
The recent legalization of recreational Marijuana consumption and dispensing was discussed
briefly, noting that Towns and Villages can opt out of allowing the sale locations. Bill stated it is
likely the Town will NOT opt out, however, a formal resolution has not been passed yet. The
State will take about a year to write the detailed regulations and licensing process for producing
and selling. De criminalizing of possession and use of small amounts was the first step in the
legalization process.
2. Amina Omari, Food Business Incubation Program Director at Cornell Cooperative
Extension asked how she could help the farmers in attendance increase the use social media
marketing to support farm sales? Links and helpful information would be sent to Committee
members after the brief presentation if interested.
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Lisa explained her methods of selling her farm products and stated she would like a
minimum amount of time spent with a positive outcome of the time investment on social
media.
Ariel asked about the best multi post platforms and about any free sources of audience
metrics?
Claire noted her fresh fruit from the farm gets sold locally to one buyer,but she is
interested in the audience metrics from social media also.
Amina explained that farms with 100% wholesale sales may not benefit from online exposure
and may not be efficient use of the farmer's time. If additional wholesale customers are needed
or there are retail opportunities, the investment may be worth the time to explore.
The cores for online marketing are great photos, consistent time investment(1-5 hours per week
min.) and general comfort with experimentation to keep up with the changing intemet
technology.
The Marketing Plan importance was discussed, and an index card 4-step model was shared that
included the main questions the business owner should ask themselves as well as a messaging
cheat sheet to help explain what/when to post.
Websites were discussed and noted as not the highest priority unless there is an online store, also
noting to make sure the website is mobile ready and updated. Facebook profiles are often used as
website also for smaller business and Facebook and Instagram were noted as the most widely
beneficial dual post platforms. You tube was noted as the most popular platform, reaching the
most users but only beneficial for very high production values.
Closing points were for business owners to do their research on competing and similar
businesses, create a hashtag bank for the end of the social media posts, compare messaging, like
and follow piers and neighbors,post frequently (link for dual posts) with short text, video, and
high-quality pictures. The "stories" can be highlighted, messages should be replied to quickly,
Google, Facebook and Instagram provide free analytics. Do a press release if there is a news
article about the business and link the article on social media.
The Committee was appreciative of Amina's time and presentation and welcomed additional
information with links to be shared in the future. She noted full workshops available on. Social
Media Topis through CCE and invited members to attend.
3. Persons to be heard-none.
4. Member announcements and concerns:
Claire shared that she has heard some residents opposing Help processing at a recent Ag
District meeting and is afraid the same issues may arise with Marijuana farms once
allowed.
Lisa shared information from a recent PES program meeting (Public Environmental
Service) on a possible reward program for Farmers adhering to proper environmental and
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conversation practices. The idea is in initial phase and information will follow as it is
developed.
The Ag Summit meeting was also briefly discussed which had a brief overview of the
PES program.
Bill G. announced an upcoming Town Board Bicentennial event 4/12/21 5:30, the first
Town Board meeting will be reenacted. Small speaking roles were offered, if Committee
members were willing to volunteer. It was noted that the Town was founded in part by
Farmers and the role has continued. Founders were even noted to be possibly buried in a
cemetery on one of the Ag committee members farms.
The Town of Ithaca's You Tube page was noted as a good resource for recorded Town
events and meetings.
5. Chair (Lisa) and Coordinator(Mike) reports /updates-none given.
6. Approval of minutes—Januar_y 28, 2020. Claire motioned to approve the minutes as
presented, Debbie seconded. July 28, 2020, and November 17, 2020, were tabled until they are
complete and sent around to the committee.
7. Other Business: Recommendation of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2021. Christianne
mentioned that there was discussion of the Committee being disbanded due to lack of
participation and quorum and noted the challenge that the Committee does not reach or represent
majority of farmers in the Town of Ithaca.
Claire was not in favor of disbanding and explained how the committee was formed, she
recommended the Committee continue their own if not under the Town purview.
Debbie agreed that there is a lack of participation and possibly the members could
encourage and offer assistance to the other members who have been not attending.
All agreed that the Zoom and or hybrid meetings may be good to continue and may
eliminate travel barriers, although reliable internet is not guaranteed in remote areas of
the Town. Additional outreach was also encouraged.
Matthew Stalker volunteered to continue as Vice Chair and his name was mentioned as
possible Chair. Ariel Casper was mentioned for Vice Chair. Lisa made a formal nomination to
appoint Matthew Stalker as Chair for 2021 and Ariel Casper as Vice Chair. Ariel nominated
Christianne to remain Secretary. All Committee members present voted in favor of the 2021
appointments.
Lisa was thanked for her hard work as Chairperson.
Claire moved to approve of the 2021 meeting schedule (remaining meetings 7/27/2021
7pm& 11/30/2021 6pm). Debbie seconded the motion and all Committee members in attendance
voted in favor.
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8. Review the recommendations in the Town's Agricultural and Farmland- Protection Plan
(Goal 1) tabled to next meeting
9. Adjourn: Claire moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 pm.
• Next meeting 7/27/21, 7pm. Agenda: Review the recommendations in the Town's
Agricultural and Farmland- Protection Plan (Goal 1).
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer 11/23/21
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