The Holliston Agricultural Commission once again held a joint meeting of local Agricultural Commissions, including attendees from Medway, Franklin and Sherborn on Tuesday, March 12th, 2019. Holliston AgCom Chair PJ Kilkelly facilitated the meeting in the hopes of laying groundwork to benefit all local AgComs. Topics covered included:
• Presenting boot camps for local AgComs
• Medway’s effort to establish “right to farm” in their town and their seeking guidance from Holliston
• The overlap of Conservation Commissions, Open Space Committees and Planning Boards with AgComs, and the need for communication among town officials.
• Issues of importing hay from New York and Canadian sources, and the hurdles of finding funding for repairs to existing infrastructure
• Tracking and mapping 61a land, which Medway has done and found 50 acres lost over 10 years, taking a look at upcoming open space plans. Holliston’s Open Space plan is due for an update in 2020.
• Regional promotion of commercial farms, how more Holliston farms might join up with the state’s Eat Local initiative (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/buy-local-groups)
The next joint meeting of local agricultural commissions will take place on June 24th, at 7 p.m. and is to be hosted in Franklin, at Franklin Town Hall.
The Holliston Agricultural Commission’s mission is to support, promote, and enhance the long term viability of Holliston agriculture with the aim of helping this town’s agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible.
Find out more about the Holliston Agricultural Commission on the Holliston town website at https://www.townofholliston.us/agricultural-commission or on Facebook, as the group’s web page is currently under construction.
For information about the Holliston Community Farm, including its upcoming Easter Egg hunt on April 7th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (egg hunt at 12 sharp, $5 per child, bring-your-own-basket), how to rent a beehive or a seasonal garden plot, email Holliston.communityfarm@gmail.com or visit hollistoncommunityfarm.org.
Issue Date:
April, 2019
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