Agricultural Commission Exploratory Meeting

Calling all Nelson Farmers, Gardeners, and others interested in Agriculture:

Your Planning Board is sponsoring a public meeting to explore a proposed Town Agricultural Commission. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. Refreshments will be provided.

Featured speakers at this meeting will be Amanda Costello, District Manager of the Cheshire County Conservation District, and Jeff Littleton, Conservation Ecologist with Moosewood Ecological Services.

The purpose of this meeting is to introduce Nelson residents, most particularly farmers, to the concepts and benefits of a Town Agricultural Commission, and to discuss if Nelson should pursue organizing an Agricultural Commission by warrant article at the 2011 Town Meeting.

An Agricultural Commission is a non-regulatory entity, recognized by the town, which provides a voice for the agricultural community, a resource for mediation, and a link to assistance providers. The Commission works cooperatively with other Town boards to ensure that the interests of farmers are better understood and considered in the decision-making process. An Agricultural Commission may serve as a local voice for the interests of farmers, provide a source of information on pending legislation which might have an impact on farming activities, and help support the important place of agriculture in our community and larger society.

If you have any questions, please contact:

David Voymas, chairperson
Nelson Planning Board

603-847-3137