HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2023-07-25 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday,July 25,2023,7:00 pm
In Person at Ithaca Town Hall(Aurora Conference Room) and via Zoom Video Conference
Final Minutes
Members Present: Matthew Stalker(AJ Teeter Farm),Leon Ginenthal(Der Rosenmeister Nursery),
Claire Forest(Forest Family Farm)via Zoom.
Town Representatives: Bill Goodman(Town Board Member),Mike Smith(Senior Planner).
Guests: None
1.Farmers Round Robin—What's happening on your farm?How is the season going/went?
Issues/concerns?Announcements?
Matt reported that the farm is just about finished with the Pt cut of hay,a good second cut is
anticipated. Apple harvest festival information is coming out for this October and the farm will
have vendor space on The Commons.
Lee reported good sales in the nursery. The weather has been a challenge and propagation is
beginning soon for the next year.
Claire reported a lot of weed removal in her berry patch and ripe crop is anticipated within a
month. The hay fields are being mowed by local farmers as well.
2. Persons to be heard:None
3. Chair(Matthew) and Coordinator(Mike)reports/updates: Matt updated that the AJ Teeter Farm
applied for a grant for a roadside farmstand to sell their local farm products. They hope to receive the
grant and begin the process of refining the details to provide an additional food resource in the area.
Mike Smith reported that he spoke with the Codes Director about attending one of the next Ag Committee
meetings. He will introduce himself and can field any general questions from the committee about
building codes,permits and zoning.He grew up on a farm as well and is also on State Code boards and
committees, so he is a good resource.
Mike also reported on the first solar project to come in since the adoption of the new solar regulations.
The name is Carrowmoor Solar,and the location is 1358 Mecklenburg Road,near a large existing cell
antenna tower. The lot is just over 90 acres,the proposed large scale solar project would use 29 acres and
the panels would cover 8-9 acres. The site plans were passed around at the meeting and are available on
the town website as well. The project went through sketch phase and the next phase is scheduled for
August with the Planning Board. The land's current use is agricultural, crop fields and there is intent in
the application to graze sheep within the project site once complete.
4. Ithaca Town Board(Bill)report/update: Bill reported on the Tutelo Park event to recognize the
indigenous tribal lands that was held. Lee mentioned the botanical trail tour and the event was well
attended. Bill also updated that the closing on the former Cortright property took place and the town
purchased a portion for the continuation of the Black Diamond Trail. One more parcel remains privately
owned that is needed for the completion from Buttermilk Falls to lower Treman Park. The neighboring
Grayhaven Motel owners bought the bulk of the property and have plans to expand their business. The
other existing Inlet Valley businesses were briefly discussed as well.
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He also updated that the town Codes and Ordinances committee is in the early stages of revising the
subdivision ordinances,more information is available through the planning department.
It was noted that this is Bill's last Ag committee meeting, serving almost 15 years as the town board
liaison. The November meeting will have a new liaison from the town board and Bill was thanked for his
work with the committee.
5.Acceptance of minutes—March 28',2023.
The March 28 2023,minutes were accepted as presented.
6. Discuss ideas for the next Town Board farm tour-Fall 2023.Mike reported that the town board is
interested in another farm tour to visit 2-3 Farms on a Friday in late September.New locations are being
looked into,possibly Lee's Rose Nursery and an Evergreen tree/landscape nursery and one additional
local farm.
7. The committee reviewed the recommendations under Goal 2-Retain and encourage a diversity of
viable farm types from the Town of Ithaca Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. Goal 1 was
reviewed at the last meeting and each of the 5 goals will be presented at committee meetings for review
and comments. Implementation,responsibility and status/action columns were added for each
recommendation as presented for Goal 1 previously.
2-k Encourage shared farm infrastructure development,no actions were listed and it was
mentioned that there are no processing facilities in the Town and only one nearby is Cudlins in
Newfield(hitps://www.facebook.com/cudlinso. The service is highly needed in the area, and it is
a necessity.During Covid-farmers were trucking cattle to another state to be processed.Mike
mentioned a farm in Alpine adding space for potential onsite processing(Van Galder Family
Farms -https:Hvangalderfamilyfarms.com/).
2-b-bring out more on the Town's website to include more resources, if possible,more
educational links or other things to encourage agricultural interest.
2-g Assist farmers in exploring new farming marketing ideas and opportunities. This
recommendation was noted as needed as well. Lee recalled a small business class put on by
Alternatives Credit union that was helpful to him. Groundswell was another local learning
resource that may or may not be currently available(htWs:Hgroundswellcenter.org/farm-business-
support/). Tying the available opportunities with a financial institution may be a helpful learning
tool if farmers express interest. Matt was supportive of exploring this possible resource and Claire
was also supportive and mentioned other credit unions nearby also. Mike mentioned the Small
Farms Program(https:Hsmallfanns.comell.edu/online-courses/)at Cornell advertises on occasion
for classes to help farmers as well. The committee was supportive of exploring this opportunity
more as well and agreed that it would be a good team building experience for committee
members to do together. Lee agreed to research this more and report what is available at the next
meeting.
8. Other Business: none
9. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
• Next meeting 11/28/2023 6:00 p.m.
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer
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