HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2022-01-25 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday,January 25,2022, 6:00 pm
(Via Zoom Video Conference)
Final Minutes
Members Present: Matthew Stalker&Debbie Teeter(AJ Teeter Farm), Chair, Claire Forest(Forest Family
Farm), Christianne White(Steep Hollow Farm)
Members Absent: Ariel Casper(Casper's Farm)Vice-Chair, Lisa Ferguson(Laughing Goat Fiber Farm), Steve
Cummins (Indian Creek Farm), Russ Wedemeyer(Ithaca Equestrian Center),
Town Representatives: Mike Smith(Senior Planner), Rod Howe(Town Supervisor)
Guests: None
1. Farmers Round Robin—What's happening on your farm?How is the season going/went? Issues/concerns?
Announcements?
Matt reported a lot of hay is being fed on the Teeter Farm,fields covered in snow and a steer for freezer
beef is being processed soon at the new processor Cudlin's.
Christianne reported the Early Bird Farm greenhouses are running nearby her farm, sprouting seeds, and
preparing for the next season. Her fields will be planted with field corn by the Baker and Sheldrake
Families,9 sheep are being pastured and products from the wool was sold in the local fiber pop up store
on the Commons in December. The Sheldrakes were active growing sweet corn and running greenhouses
and retail sales via farm stands for the summer. She also noted that a hunter is participating in the Deer
Management program on her Farm that ends soon.
2. Persons to be heard-none.
3. Chair(Matthew) and Coordinator(Mike)reports/updates:
Matt had no Chair report/update.
Mike from Planning updated the Committee on the Deer Management program that runs the months of
February and March.Nine sites are being prepared and a status update will be given at the next meeting.
In 2021,42 deer were harvested under the program, 8 of which were donated to through the Venison
Donation Coalition. Eight of the sites are the same as used in the 2021 program, one was dropped and a
new Town owned property on Culver Road was added for 2022.
An update that an Agriculture Conservation Easement was recently acquired by the Town at the end of
Bostwick Road, approximately 52 acers in size,wooded with a stream including fields where spruce trees
are planted to dig for nursery sales.
Upcoming proposed Town Zoning Code amendments include a new section for Food Trucks as
permittable within Ag and other districts within the Town. Other proposed changes are within the
Agricultural Zone district, specifically adding the definition for Agritourism and an example of uses
under the definition. The other proposed change to the Agriculture Zoning is the definition of Seasonal
Farm lodging facilities which expanded to include temporary farm labor as well as educational learning
programs. These Zoning Law changes will be before the Town Board in February for final
consideration.
4. Ithaca Town Board(Rod)report/update:
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Rod updated on the two new Town Board members, Margaret Johnson and Rob Rosen who replaced long
time Board members Tee-Ann Hunter and Pat Leary. He also talked about the informative Town
Newsletter and encouraged Committee members to send farm updates or an overall Ag committee update
if they would like something to be published in the newsletter.
A brief update on the Short-Term rental law that was recently adopted after a four-year process was
given.
Inlet Valley potential rezoning behind the scenes work is continuing,with the consultant research that has
taken place. The intent is to retain the rural character and active agriculture, along with activities of
interest to tourists. This project is within the Planning Committee level currently,no new projects are
planned however new zoning would encourage small scale enterprises, shops, eateries, and other
beneficial economic development. Debbie mentioned the Eddydale farm stand has had tourist interest in
deli type service and would be a good place for possible partnership or co location to accommodate the
local and pass-through traffic and park guests needs. Matt noted the need for small diner or food service
establishment in the area as well.
The South Hill walking trail proposed extension on the former Railroad bed was briefly discussed,the
Town is working with NYSEG and the neighboring Towns on this project. Overall connectivity of the
trails in the Town and surrounding area was noted as ongoing Town commitment. Christianne
encouraged use/promotion of the current and existing railroad as resource, a breakfast and dinner train
idea were mentioned.
5. Approval of minutes—July 28,2020,November 17,2020,March 30,2021, July 27,2021,and November 30,
2021,minutes were presented. Debbie suggested they be deemed accepted if a formal quorum is not achievable,
but no action was taken.
6. Other Business:
Matt asked if there were any ideas for new members who would attend meetings,noting the importance
of Agriculture and Farms being in the loop and keeping the Ag community in tune with what is going on
around the area.
Rod asked if the Learning Farm was involved with the Committee,Mike noted the farm is on the list of
recipients for meeting notices.
Recommendation of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2022 and approval of the 2022 meeting schedule. Members
in attendance agreed to the proposed meeting schedule,though a quorum was not present for formal
approval.
Debbie noted a barn loss on the Teeter Farm and plans for a group of volunteers to help begin the clean
up process, tentatively around Memorial Day weekend. The group needs focused leadership and she
asked if Rod had any ideas for someone who could help oversee,possibly someone connected with
Historic Barns. Rod will touch base with Debbie in the future to help further understand the barn clean up
leadership needs. The Teeter farm would like to be on the Town Board farm tour in the future and the
clean up will help lead into that.
Claire updated that her farm is on track for spring,the pruning of the berries was successful,the trellis
portion went well also.
7. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
• Next meeting 03/29/2022 6:00 pm.
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer 2/11/2022
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