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Home My WebLink AboutAG Minutes 2024-07-30 cancelledAgriculture Committee Members and Associates (*) A.J. Teeter Farm (Matthew Stalker, Chair), Casper’s Farm (Michael Casper), Der Rosenmeister Nursery (Lee Ginenthal), Forest Family Farm (Claire Forest), Indian Creek Farm / Cummins Nursery (Steve Cummins), Ithaca Equestrian Center (Russ Wedemeyer), Laughing Goat Fiber Farm (Lisa Ferguson), Steep Hollow Farm (Christianne White, Vice-Chair) TOWN OF ITHACA AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Aurora Conference Room 215 N. Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 (The rear entrance is handicapped accessible) 607-273-1747 Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/6750593272). AGENDA 7:00 pm 1. Farmers Round Robin – What’s happening on your farm? How the season is going/went? Issues/concerns? Announcements? 7:25 pm 2. Persons to be heard 7:30 pm 3. Chair (Matthew) and Coordinator (Mike) reports / updates 7:40 pm 4. Ithaca Town Board (Rich) report / update 7:55 pm 5. Approval of minutes – March 26, 2024 8:00 pm 6. Discuss ideas for the next Town Board farm tour – Fall 2024 8:15 pm 7. Other Business - Training / Educational Opportunities 8:30 pm 8. Adjourn Please call (607-273-1747) or email (msmith@town.ithaca.ny.us) if you cannot attend 1 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 6:00 pm In Person at Ithaca Town Hall (Aurora Conference Room) and via Zoom Video Conference Draft Minutes Members Present: Matthew Stalker & Debbie Teeter (AJ Teeter Farm), Claire Forest (Forest Family Farm), Christianne White (Steep Hollow Farm) via Zoom & Michael Casper (Casper Farms) via Zoom. Town Representatives: Rich DePaolo (Town Board Member) and 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 spring calves being born on the farm as well as apple, cherry and peach trees to plant a new orchard. Mainly to make cider and for personal use. Pigs are anticipated soon as well. All the beef and pork get sold and there is no shortage of demand for the quality meat products. The building plans are still in progress for onsite/year-round sales at the farm as well. Claire reported new ownership of a neighboring property and higher property assessments in the area. She noted thankfully she has Ag assessment on her land, however she may have to consider selling some land to pay the higher taxes as a last resort. The low property inventory appears to cause higher sale prices and therefore increased property values all over. Rich explained how the schools and towns are tied into the assessment values and noted how the tax rates can vary based on the levy and possible fund balance use to help offset the overall increased assessed value. The value of the sale of the property compared to the assessed value was also noted as a factor of the assessing agency. If the school raises the tax rate, the properties whose assessment was increased could see a large increase. Responsible spending of the taxing authority is the key to the balance of the increases. The NYS Tax cap was also mentioned, as well as the large amount of overall tax-exempt properties in Tompkins County. Income properties, Accessory Dwelling Units, small off grid camping retreats, CSA’s or other new ways to create additional farm income to help offset the taxes were discussed as the immediate actions to take. Christianne mentioned a method in another state where the increases in assessed value could not be more than the cost of living until a property was sold and the values were redetermined. She also noted that the School Boards do not consider the use of the land in their taxation either and both different things would help. She recalled a recent home sale in the area that went well over asking price due to such high demand and low inventory. She is having some of her Hemlock trees treated on her farm, injections and sprays will be used and the process will need to continue over time to save the trees as it is a very costly process. The steep terrain makes it more difficult and the water quality in the inlet is important to protect with the trees. Her fields are continuing to be rented for crops and her animals are stable. No bobcat tracks this season as in previous years. Funding for private property stream bank protection is not as common as public properties, however the problems if unsolved, could lead to public issues with water quality in the town with such steep gorges and banks. 2 Michael reported fertilization on the farm fields and anticipated corn planting. A neighboring pond dam was intentionally released spilling thousands of gallons of water over his driveway causing damage. He has filed complaints with the Town. 2. Persons to be heard- none 3. Chair (Matthew) and Coordinator (Mike) reports / updates: Mike reported on the fireworks question from the last meeting. The Codes Director was contacted and offered to write an article for the Town Newsletter to identify what needs permits are required, etc. Signs to identify town farms are a potential, as mentioned at the last meeting. Mike plans to work with Christianne on a draft design and share it with other members for feedback. No additional news on the two potential PDR program properties for purchase development rights. The appraisals are complete, and discussions continue. 4. Ithaca Town Board (Rich) report / update: Rich DePaolo had no further Town board updates to add, outside of the potential PDR program applicants to preserve the ag land. 5. Acceptance of minutes – January 30, 2024. Claire moved, Debby seconded. 4 Ayes The January 30, 2024, minutes were accepted. 6. The committee reviewed the recommendations under Goal 5- Promote wise land use and waste management on agricultural land. The four recommendations were all ongoing and educational in nature. Adding “potential” to the funding opportunities mentioned in 5-a. Advocating more at the State level for increased funds could be helpful if specific areas in need were identified as well as just encouraging future generations to continue the operations and participate on the committee. Advocating for the funding to protect water quality was a specific area mentioned as well as the hemlock tree preservation. The idea of an association and fundraising initiative would be an option, however the work involved would be a lot for the Inlet Valley area. A joint meeting or a delegate attending the Conservation Board meeting was mentioned. Mike offered to pass information back and forth between the groups. A tangible value of being on the Ag committee is having Town Board members and staff present for each meeting to provide updates and answer questions. The larger farmers do not have the time in their schedule for the meetings, however their input is valuable and needed. 7. Other Business: One member is currently taking a training session (Grazing Management) through the Small Farms program and will be reimbursed by the town for the registration cost. There is funding for one more this fiscal year, if another member is interested. Next meeting July 30, 2024, 7:00 p.m. Encourage other members to attend, great to see Debby and Michael again. 8. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer