HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2018-01-30 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday,January 30,2018, 6:00 PM
Final Minutes
Members Present: Paula Wedemeyer, Debbie Teeter, Christianne White, Claire Forest
Town Representatives: Mike Smith (Senior Planner), Bill Goodman (Town Supervisor)
Guests: Robert Shields (Indian Creek Farm)
1. Dan Welch of NY FarmNet cancelled his talk. He will reschedule for a future meeting.
2. Persons to be heard: none
3. Member announcements
a. Debbie Teeter invites committee members to attend the briefing for Town officials on
Ag District laws, to be held Saturday March 17 at the Ramada. Bob Somers from the
NYS Ag and Markets will be speaking.Town will pay for us to attend.
b. There have been changes in the state PDR, Purchase of Development Rights.
4. Chair Updates:
a. Agstravaganza will be held April 14, in downtown Ithaca. Each space can be rented for
only$10. It's a good opportunity to get farmers there to sell products. Lisa Ferguson
will not have to pay because she will be bringing goats.
b. Town of Ulysses Ag Committee embroiled in controversy. Farmers feel they have not
been heard and zoning update committee is making decisions.
i. Fixed ratio density development is seen to reduce the future value of
agricultural land which might be repurposed.
ii. If they subdivide they lose development rights.
1. Aesthetic considerations seem to work against farmers (Loading docks
must not be visible from the road and size of barns must be small)
iii. Chaw Chang from Full Plate Collective and Stick and Stone Farm wrote a piece
for Ithaca Voice.
iv. How many new housing starts have there been on agricultural land; is this a real
and viable pressure that needs protective measures legislated?
v. Why are people working against big dairy?
vi. Ideal of Trumansburg leaders is small scale farmers.
c. Dryden is working on their ag plan. There is pushback and comments about solar
installations behind the cemetery. At issue, solar should not go on good active
farmland. Ag assessment is lost when solar plant is installed. Ag and Markets has a
guidance document about this.
i. Farmworker housing may be an issue too.
ii. Should there be fewer people moving in and around farms?
d. CCE got Park Foundation funding to plan to implement advice to farmers on succession
planning. Farmers may work with them one on one.
Coordinator Updates:
a. The Town's Deer Management Committee has started to meet. Lisa Ferguson
volunteered to be on Committee.The Conservation Board's report is available on the
Town's website outlining the reasons and recommendations for this. The Committee
would like to hear from Town farmers about the impact of deer on farms;what can be
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done; cost of fencing; have they received permits to control deer? Paula W. mentions
that deer get in her horse paddocks, bringing ticks and causing fence damage.Jamie
Baker should be contacted for stories about deer damage on corn. Debbie mentioned
that hunters on her farm are starting to age out.
5. Ithaca Town Board Report:
a. Inlet Valley Development report and economic feasibility study will be forthcoming
soon. Town Board will have to figure out next steps. Zoning could be amended to allow
agritourism and ag related businesses.The Town will be considering how best to brand
the area. The Consultant recommends creating a laneway to get cars off the highway
and connect parcels. Black Diamond trail will go on the other side of the valley;
everyone would like to see a loop extending up on the west side of the highway as well.
i. Christianne was looking for more from the report(case studies, costs, etc).
ii. Maybe the Ag Committee could meet with the Economic Development
Committee to discuss ideas (agritourism, agriculinary).
iii. Debbie mentioned that George Sheldrake used to have a poinsettia (variety of
colors) open house event around Christmas.
iv. Paula suggested a bike rental business or carriage rides in the State Parks and
out on the country lane.
v. Bill mentioned the idea to get places with prepared food in the corridor
(Eddydale has talked about serving prepared foods or allowing a food truck to
set up in their parking lot). Maybe a location could be set up for food trucks
(concrete pad, electric, parking, etc.)
b. John Rancich purchased a 70 acre parcel on Rt 79 just as you come out of the City. He
will be clearing the invasives from the property and use it for grazing. No plans for
development at this point.
c. Kestrel Perch Berry Farm up at EcoVillage is for sale, owner retiring.
d. At EcoVillage, 7-8 acres will be used for a new venture in Restoration Agriculture;they
will be planting 3000 seedlings. Mark Shepard will be visiting EcoVillage this spring.
6. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from November 28, 2017 were accepted (moved by Claire and
seconded by Debbie).
7. Sub-Committee for Ag Plan: In March, we should discuss forming a subcommittee (2-3
members)to review our ag plan and see where we stand.
8. Regular Reports: Debbie included these updates above.
9. Other Business:
a. Tompkins County is trying to develop farm to fork trail, promoting local produce and
meats and products.
b. A question was asked about value added grants and commercial kitchens. Monika Roth
at CCE may have information about value added grant opportunities.
c. Robert mentioned that Indian Creek Farm had a study conducted on their property and
found most of the pollination from their orchard is done by wasps from their nearby
forest.
10. Adjourn: 7:44 pm
Minutes drafted by Christianne White
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