HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-31-CFC-minMinutes of the Community Farming Committee, Tuesday May 31, 2016, 7:00pm
Hadley DPF Building, Rm 125
Members Present: Alan Wrigley, Raul Marques, Charles Lamb
Others: Carolyn Goldstein (LexFam), Allison Guerette (LexFarm), Sue Schiffer (VP,
LexFarm)
Meeting called to order at 7:09pm by the chair.
1. Approve Minutes from Feb 25, 2016
Motion: Approve minutes of Feb 25, 2016, Pass: 3:0
2. Update from LexFarm
They've been having seedling sales all month and it's going really well. Farm stand
opens tomorrow and CSA pickup starts (20 weeks). CSA shares are sold out. Offering
an every other week pickup (half shares). This has increased the number of families
using LexFarm. 200 full shares, some of which are split. They'll have a pick your own
option. All produce this week is from LexFarm. They'll occasionally do from
Picadilly. Currently they're using about the same footprint as last year (i.e. about
half the acreage) and they expect to go to 2/3 to 3A of the acreage this year. They're
not growing any of the brassica family this year because of club root problem.
New farm manager feels confident expanding the acreage. Perhaps CFO was a bit too
conservative. Done a lot of cleanup. Took down the small hoop house. They've
moved it so that it will provide shade to the wash stand.
Raul: What is the rationale for doing a CSA?
Allison: Share the risk /reward, get funding up front, if it's a leaner year, then they
already have a market established. People come every week and have to have a
membership to the farm, creates community.
They have a harvest festival, education programs.
SNAP program is ready to go this season (it was not ready last season). Money for
that comes from donations to a restricted fund ($1500). They are contributing to the
Lexington Food Pantry.
Fund raising: they had a successful benefit concert. They've received $5,000 from
the Adobe Foundation (employee directed fund). That will be used to start a
volunteer program. They received $10,000 from the Community Endowment of
Lexington. This is for strategic planning and board development. Benefit concert
happened a week ago at First Parish Church. Raised $3,700 net through ticket sales
and some corporate sponsorship.
No update on LexHab. It may not happen this year.
Previously they reported that they were having problems with the well. It turned
out to be that Eversource had moved an electrical poll which lowered the voltage to
the well. Eversource has put a transformer out near the well.
They have a part time educator working 20 hrs per week. Spring programming was
for children. They'll have adult programs over the summer. They won't have a camp
this year. Classes are about soil, ecology, using the learning garden, going to the
animal yard.
3. Review of Operational Site Plan
Discussion of proposed changes. CFC will review draft marked up copy and be ready
to vote next meeting.
4. Discussion of BoS update
Suzy Barry has contacted Carolyn about a presentation to the BoS. Discussion of
presentation to the BoS. Charles will contact BoS to schedule.
5. Other business
What's the status of the Conservation Restriction? Charles to check up on it.
Motion to adjourn: 3:0 (8:OOpm)
Next Meeting's Agenda:
Operational Site Plan
BoS meeting coordination, review of LexFarm presentation.
CWL to distribute site plan, revise dates, add verbiage about winter farmers
market.
suziebarrylex@gmail.com 7/11,18.25 sgschiffer @hotmail.com
Check on what happened to conservation restriction. Did Michael send it to Carl?