Home › Meetings › 2009 Meeting Minutes

Meeting of 22 July 2009

Mon, 10/26/2009 - 22:25 — jbd

Loudon Agricultural Meeting: July 22, 2009, 7pm Charlie's Barn

Next Meeting: Wed Aug 26, 2009

Board Members:

  • Carole Soule
  • Per Garp
  • Melissa Moore
  • Larry Moore
  • Earl Tuson

Attendees: Bob Lyon, Diane Briggs, William Brown, Brian Ramsay, Alice
Tuson, John Storrs, Paul Aznive, Charlie Aznive, Roy Merrill

Minutes:

Rachel Valladares from the NH Migrant Education Program gave a brief
explanation about the New Hampshire Migrant Education Program. The
Migrant Education Program (Title I Part C) is a federally-funded program
that provides educational and support services for eligible children of
migrant farm workers and fishermen (or the workers themselves if under 22
years old.) To refer a child or to learn more contact: NH Migrant
Education Program, NH Dept of Education, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH
271,2273 (office) 391-8720 (cell), 724-9921 (Espagnol)
bpatch@ed.state.nh.us.

Colin Cabot will not be able to serve on the commission. Members will
vote for officers at the next meeting.

It was agreed that the Loudon Agricultural Commission would represent all
farms in Town. The commission will use the definition of a farm as
detailed in: RSA 21:34-a and available here:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/i/21/21-34-a.htm

Action Items:

  1. Locate local farms - all members and attendees will identify farms in
    Loudon - All members and attendees. Please send this information to Carole
    Soule
  2. The Loudon Ledger will publish a list of Loudon farms identified by the
    Commission. The list will include farm information and a brief
    description of the farm activities. Please send this information to Carole
    Soule who will send to the Ledger
  3. Information will be emailed to members and attendees - Carole Soule
  4. The Zoning Ordinances will be reviewed - All members
  5. A web site will be investigated - Bruce Dawson
  6. Publication of the next Agricultural Commission meeting will appear in
    the August Loudon Ledger (Deb K confirmed this after the meeting)
  7. RSA 21:34-a http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/i/21/21-34-a.htm
    will be reviewed - All members

Concerns to be Addressed:

  1. How can the Commission help to keep farms in production
  2. What can be done to attract farms/farmers to Loudon
  3. Alternative Zoning for farm activities
  4. Conservation Easements
  5. How can "dis-incentives" to break up large farms be addressed
  6. Farm equipment sharing
  7. Other projects that the group can work together on
  8. How to encourage the community to buy locally
  9. Common marketing projects to be addressed
  10. Fund raising and providing a scholarship for young farmers

Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm