HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2019-07-30 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday July 30,2019,7:00 PM
Final Minutes
Members Present: Michael Casper, Lisa Ferguson, Claire Forest, Christianne McMillan, Debbie Teeter,
Alan Teeter
Town Representatives: Mike Smith (Senior Planner)
Guests: Robert Shields (Indian Creek Farm)
1. Persons to be heard: none
2. Members announcements: Michael Casper had County Assessment visit his farm and it was a
nightmare for him. They determined that his drying room was not agricultural space because he
had artwork on the wall. He has been fighting this for 6 weeks. NY Farm Bureau said he is not
the only one being targeted. They wanted to increase the assessment on a building that has
trees coming through the roof. Irene Kehoe was supportive to him. He does not want a repeat
visit. Perhaps he can get more support from NYS Ag and Markets.
3. Chair and Coordinator reports:Town Planning report, Mike Smith,there will be changes in
zoning under the new Form based zoning, in specific areas. This is more of a community
approach, only planned for dense areas, like East Hill Plaza, and South Hill.
Code Enforcement officer Steve Williams has just retired and Bruce Bates (Director of Code
Enforcement) will be retiring at the end of the year. Marty Moseley will most likely be taking
over the Director of Code Enforcement position. If the public will be visiting a building, code
enforcement looks at it differently than if the uses are solely agricultural. The Town has a
zoning only permit for agricultural structures which has no fees or inspections,just checks things
like the setbacks.
4. Town Board report: none
5. Approval of minutes: none available
6. Plan for next Town Board farm tour: Last year the Town Board toured right after Michael Casper
had harvested the hemp so there wasn't much to see. There are no new Town Board members.
Alex Jackman might be harvesting grapes but just had a new baby...has greenhouses and trees
out back. NY Cider Co on Hayts Road might be a possibility. The people on West King and Yaple
Road have put in a beautiful new orchard, but that is in Danby.
Would it be possible to invite Ag Committee members and other farmers on tour as well? This
might discourage the opportunity for Town Board to talk informally, but could promote
conversation between farmers and Town Board. The Town Board might be interested in
different things than other farmers. Maybe a separate tour could be set up for Ag Committee
members?
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7. Regular reports: Monica Roth is still working 10 hours/week at CCE. Open Farm days will have
two days; one on the east side of the lake and one on the west side. TC Soil and Water had
difficulties with a $120,000 grant not paid back, but have managed to go from 3 employees to 5
employees. Tompkins County Soil and Water would like to offer fencing grants. USDA has
grants to install water systems;talk to Jon Negley. Maybe invite Jon to a future meeting.
Flooding issues are a concern. Also hydrilla,AEM, Lisa Ferguson had water in her barn, would
like to know how to divert and control. Deer worm is killing goats and small ruminants, reducing
the number of deer on farms remains a priority. Nuisance permits and hot zone present two
opportunities. Farm Bureau requests membership renewal. They are committed to
participating in the Apple Harvest Festival, bringing 5-6 Dairy Princesses.
Lisa Ferguson will bring 4H group/goats that she ran for the first time. Kids learn to handle and
show goats...they took animals to the state fair and she was just amazed at how well the
children handled the goats. 2 women stayed overnight and it was really fun. 19 children
participated with about 6 or 7 being really regular attenders. They met at the end of March,
every other week, after school for 10 weeks. The children competed for showmanship, fiber
and goat conformation. She brought roving and other fiber products to the fair. She put an ad
in the paper and lots of people responded and called. 10-15-year olds.
8. Other Business: Ithaca Farmers Market turned Lisa Ferguson down yet again because she gets
her fiber processed non-locally, (because there IS NO local processing). She scours (washes)
fleeces herself or recently took them to Canada to wash 572 pounds of cashmere;they washed
it all in 5 hours.
Northland Sheep Dairy has been bought by new people.
Greenstar never stocked Michael Casper's microgreens.
'Prodigal Summer' is a good book.
Groton Agricultural program now has an FFA Future Farmers of America chapter.
9. Adjourn: 8:14 pm
Minutes drafted by Christianne McMillan.
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