Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Franklin Agricultural Commission 2023 Annual Report: FY 2023 Report

The Town Council established the Franklin Agricultural Commission in 2018, per Special Legislation to promote, develop, and foster agricultural resources in the Town of Franklin. The Committee consists of 5 Members with 3 Year terms. All members are residents of Franklin and most members are active farmers or have experience in agriculture-related fields.

The Mission of the Franklin Agricultural Commission is to preserve, revitalize and sustain the Franklin Agricultural Industry and its lands, to encourage the pursuit of agriculture, to promote agricultural-based economic opportunities, and to protect all existing farmland in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts.

The current Officers of the Franklin Agricultural Commission are: Roger Trahan: Chair, Charles J. Koshivas: Vice Chair, Marian E. Szymanski: Clerk, Nick Capoccia: Member, and Dan Morse: Associate Member.

In 2023, The Franklin Agricultural Commission revisited our Mission Statement and asked ourselves how the Commission can be more visible in the town and how we can better fulfill our Mission. As a result, we initiated and accomplished the following:

1. The Franklin Agricultural Commission provided informational booths and an assortment of agriculturally themed children's activities at town events such as the Summer and Winter Farmer's Markets, the annual "Strawberry Stroll", the annual "Harvest Festival", "DelCarte Day".) The Franklin Agricultural Commission also provided tractors for the town's "Touch-a-Truck" event, organized and ran the "Zucchini Race", and the annual "Pumpkin Weigh-In" event.

2. The Franklin Agricultural Commission conducted another Chapter 61 "Enrollment Drive". Members of the Commission sent information packets to all of the property owners who own a piece of property that is 5 acres or more. The packets educated residents about the benefits of placing a piece of land into Chapter 61, and how to know if a piece of land would better be covered by Chapter 61A or Chapter 61B. We also provided the directions for the process.

3. The Franklin Agricultural Commission reached- out to all farmers in the town and invited them to one of our meetings. We asked each of the farmers what the Commission could do to help them promote their farm products and assist them in operating a successful farming business. As a result of these conversations, the Franklin Agricultural Commission is considering working on the following actions: Changing the existing laws that require 5 acres of land in order to be considered a "farm" as the town of Franklin no longer has many large parcels of land available for agriculture; Promote the local farms - especially their agrotourism events and children's programs via social media and posters: Installing signs that feature the names of each farm and their products on: highways, in front of each farm, and on the roads that lead to each farm; The possibility of hosting an annual "Farm Hop"; and the possibility of making the town of Franklin a "Right To Farm" town.

4. The Agricultural Commission met with the members of the town of Medway's Agricultural Commission to share their goals, their current and past actions, and their plans for the future.

5. The Town of Franklin has purchased over 200 acres of open space in the past few years .Meeting were held to discuss how the town will use, manage, and care for each of these properties. Members of the Franklin Agricultural Commission attended and participated in the majority of these meetings. The Commission is suggesting that the properties be utilized to create: small farms, event spaces, incubator farms, community gardens, a cross-country course, walking paths with trees and shrubs that will feed birds and pollinators, pollinator gardens, and outdoor classrooms for adults and for children.

Respectfully submitted,

Marian Szymanski
Clerk for the Franklin Agricultural Commission


Visit the Agriculture Commission on the Town website ->

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

Franklin Agricultural Commission 2023 Annual Report: FY 2023 Report
Franklin Agricultural Commission 2023 Annual Report: FY 2023 Report

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Zucchini race reminder - ready, set, go Aug 18 at the Farmers Market

"We are a few weeks away from Zucchini Races!!!!

Whose zucchini is coming in? What has started to plan out their car????

Can't wait to see all the creative ideas. Thank you to Franklin Ag Comm for organizing this awesome event on Aug 18"

Zucchini race reminder - ready, set, go  Aug 18 at the Farmers Market
Zucchini race reminder - ready, set, go  Aug 18 at the Farmers Market

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20 at Norfolk County Agricultural High School

The Norfolk County Agricultural High School will host the 2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20th, 2023 from 11 AM - 3 PM. 
There will be a touch a truck, a petting zoo, raffles games and more!

2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20 at Norfolk County Agricultural High School
2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20 at Norfolk County Agricultural High School


Sunday, May 14, 2023

Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 gets to hear from Norfolk Aggie, Tri-County & Franklin Public Schools (audio)

FM #995 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 995 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and second of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. 


All 9 members of the Finance Committee participated; 7 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. 


Norfolk Agriculture & Tri-County covered their budgets and answered questions followed by the Franklin School budget. 


Quick recap:

  • John Martin, Superintendent Norfolk Aggie; John Wallace, Business Manager, Norfolk Aggie

    • Norfolk Aggie, 365 acres, inc in 1916 first campus in Weymouth #fincom0510 four courses of study, explore frosh and soph year then choose major for junior and senior studies

    • Animal science is the most popular of the four studies, about 560 total, 16 students from Franklin this year, 3 seniors, applications are open for next year

    • 40 students from Boston making it the largest sending community. There is demand for the programs, they do have a wait list

  • Karen McGuire, Tri-County Superintendent, presenting along with Dan Haynes,  Business Manager

    • Should hear in June about the final cost of the proposed building replacement, and then in August on what MSBA will provide for reimbursement, assuming they do. At that time, the 11 sending communities have 120 days to vote to approve the building proposal

    • How the individual communities fund the cost is up to them, cost allocation based upon sending students

  • Franklin’s budget was presented by Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Manage Miriam Goodman, School Cmte budget subcmte Chair Dave McNeill


The meeting recording runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 10, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-995-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-05-10-23


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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-05-10_finance_committee_agenda_2.pdf 


FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 


My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gsupUzfumR385d7qcgklxMfI7enZjmVU/view?usp=share_link 


Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 


YouTube recording =>  https://www.youtube.com/live/1-4GwOsbRNc?feature=share 


Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> 

For Tri-County slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6akR6TvwSyrYvkFh6 


For FPS slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WYTBKhpxisJFUuT9 


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I hope you enjoy!

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Tri-County budget is very similar to Franklin's in regards to salary & benefits as percent of total budget
Tri-County budget is very similar to Franklin's in regards to salary & benefits as percent of total budget


Thursday, May 11, 2023

Finance Committee gets to hear from Norfolk Aggie, Tri-County & Franklin Public Schools (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee met for the second of their 3 budget hearings on Wednesday, May 10 at 7 PM. Schools were the topic for the evening. The FinCom heard for the first time from Norfolk Aggie, got an update from Tri-County, and spent the most time trying to understand the Franklin schools systemic budget issue.

The third and final hearing takes place on Thursday, May 11 also scheduled for 7 PM.

Presentation documents for Tri-County and Franklin Public Schools are scheduled to be added to the Town page. Once those links are identified, they'll be added here. In the meantime, photos capturing the slides used are available.

a. Education:
i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School  FY 2024 budget -> 
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/FY24%20Norfolk%20County%20Budget%20V3%204-12-23.1.pdf
ii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District  FY 2023 budget ->  https://tri-county.us/budgets-financial-documents/
iii. 300 Franklin Public School District  -> FY 2024 -> 
https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget




one slide from the Tri-County update to the FinCom on Weds
one slide from the Tri-County update to the FinCom on Weds

Saturday, May 6, 2023

No rain in the forecast for this Earth Day Celebration at DelCarte - Sunday, May 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM

We only have one Earth! Let's take good care of it! Franklin Residents are encouraged to join us for our Earth Day at DelCarte event on May 7th, 2023! Come join the Franklin Conservation Commission, Department of Public Works, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Agricultural Commission, and others to celebrate our shared Earth from 9am to 1pm at the DelCarte Conservation Area at 459 Pleasant Street. This is a great event for children and families!

Celebrate with us by signing up for compost bins, learning about stormwater and rain gardens, enjoying a woods walk, exploring vernal pools, and more!

Overflow parking is available at 337 Pleasant Street and other side streets. Service Hours validated upon request and stewardship. See you there!

This event had been scheduled for April 23 but got rained out.


No rain in the forecast for this Earth Day Celebration at DelCarte - Sunday, May 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM
No rain in the forecast for this Earth Day Celebration at DelCarte - Sunday, May 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM

Monday, March 27, 2023

Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29

"Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop on 3/29/23 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall. Come learn more about applicable tax incentive programs for your land, resource management and endowment!

Learn more and RSVP here: https://t.co/jz4DeI9egH"

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/tkVsFuFKLu

Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29
Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Tax Incentives | Resource Management | Land Endowment

Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4p-6p at Town Hall, Room 326A can answer for you.

Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!

Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

RSVP for a free gift. 

For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work

Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Location Change: Room 326A

Converse and Conserve Workshop 
- Location Change: Room 326A

Please note that the Converse and Conserve Workshop will now take place in Room 326A at Town Hall, instead of Council Chambers.

Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4p-6p at Town Hall, Room 326A can answer for you.

Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!

Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

RSVP for a free gift. 

For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-location-change-room-326a

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Location Change: Room 326A
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Location Change: Room 326A

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Tax Incentives | Resource Management | Land Endowment

Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? 

These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall, Council Chambers can answer for you.

Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!

Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

RSVP for a free gift. 

For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work

Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy

Friday, December 30, 2022

Night Owl Farm awarded $46K grant from MA Dept of Agricultural Resources

The Night Owl Farm in Franklin is to receive a $46,000 grant for help with their washing and packing facility per the announcement Thursday.  Senator Becca Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy were both quoted in the announcement.

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $1,000,000 in grants to 23 Massachusetts farms to implement practices that improve food safety within their operations. The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP), administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), is a competitive grant program that allows produce and aquaculture operations to address food safety on their farms, enabling the operations to meet buyer demands, increase consumption of local food, and protect public health by reducing food safety risks.

“The Commonwealth’s agricultural industry continues to grow and upgrade its practices to both meet marketplace demands and regulatory requirements,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants underscore our Administration’s commitment to helping farmers implement important upgrades within their operations to ensure that food safety risks are managed, that their marketplace needs are addressed, and their businesses continue to grow.”

“Improving food safety practices is important for Massachusetts’ farmers in order to provide the highest quality produce and protein sources for consumers across the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These food safety grants provide a proactive approach for the sector to upgrade their practices to help ensure safe local food production continues for years to come.”
Continue reading the press release ->

Visit Night Owl Farm on the internet (http://www.nightowlfarm.org/) and at the Winter Farmers Market

Night Owl Farm awarded $46K grant from MA Dept of Agricultural Resources
Night Owl Farm awarded $46K grant from MA Dept of Agricultural Resources


Saturday, November 26, 2022

Business Insider: "These 6 common vegetables are actually all the same plant"

Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) tweeted:
You may never have heard of the plant Brassica Oleracea, but six vegetables you can find in any grocery store and you eat on a regular basis are actually all from this one plant and they're all human made products of selective breeding [source, read more: https://t.co/ZFHFAjSjpT]

 Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/9txK8GNGWT

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Community Preservation Committee recommends purchase of Schmidt Farm with CPA funds (video)

The Community Preservation Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct 4, 2022. The meeting recording is now available for replay and review from Franklin TV.  Video link -> https://youtu.be/htBcHT9SCp8

The full agenda and docs released for this meeting can be found:  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10.04.22_cpc_agenda.pdf

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter can be found in one PDF


Note: The Schmidt's Farm presentation document will be posted to the Town pages in advance of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday at 7 PM.  Photos of almost all of the slides shared were captured and can be found in one album.  ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/At7CqqHSEMYzG3Ah8



Community Preservation Committee recommends purchase of Schmidt Farm with CPA funds (video)
Community Preservation Committee recommends purchase of Schmidt Farm with CPA funds (video)



Saturday, September 4, 2021

Agricultural Committee meeting scheduled for Sunday to work on zucchini race

Franklin Agricultural Committee Meeting 
September 5, 2021
2:30 P.M.

1. The Agricultural Committee will meet at the Agway store on Cottage St. to work on the track for the “great zucchini” race. 
2. Work will consist of assembly, needed maintenance, and disassembly.


Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021
Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Recap: Franklin (MA) Board of Health Meeting - 09/01/21

Quick Recap:


  • Minutes for Aug meeting accepted by 3-0 vote 
  •  Update on Tune it Out program, open to all veterans who want to learn to play guitar
  • Update on shared services grant and new inspector to work part-time (funded by grant)
  • Update on new public health nurse to start in September (full time, funded by approved budget) 
  • Update via Chair Sweet on interaction with School District and their meetings preparing for the policy for masks for personnel in schools as they planned to open this week (superseded by DESE decision for now)
  • Intern to work on food rescue program 
  • Intro by Roger Trahan (Chair of Agriculture Committee) and desire to work together with Board of Health/Health Dept 
----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting although this time, reporting live from the 3rd floor training room.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #boh0901 

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0901&src=typed_query 

 

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/agenda/boh-agenda-56 

 

  • Live reporting of Board of Health meeting underway. Minutes for Aug meeting accepted by 3-0 vote #boh0901
  • Update on Tune it Out program, veteran training with guitars. #boh0901 all veterans all eligible, mirrored program that started in 2007 for vets with PTSD, this differs in that all vets are welcome
  • Donations welcome via Veterans Services at the Senior Center #boh0901
  • Motion to accept local upgrade request for 14 Hunters Road. #boh0901 motion second and passes 3-0
  • Metacomet shared services grant allows for part time inspector, shared with Wrentham/Norfolk. Good step to regionalization of this service #boh0901
  • Hired full time public health nurse to start in Sept, #boh0901 heart safe community opportunity, research required, would the Board consider? Update provided by Chair Sweet. Board consensus is for this, no action/vote for board at this time.
  • Update via Chair Sweet on interaction with School District and their meetings preparing for masks for personnel in schools as it opened. #boh0901
  • #boh0901 new platform for COVID vaccines request and registrations. ToF ready for delivery of booster shot delivery. CDC updating guidelines about availability for all who have had 1 or 2, want to get others their first. Breakthrough cases are a small %
  • Intern to work on food rescue program to be developed for ToF. Food donations and food waste, misconception abounds, so gathering info and then the local area for opportunity #boh0901 EPA program '2 good to waste' and find ways to leverage for us, a la Elisha Project https://elishaproject.org/
  • Roger Trajan, from Agriculture Commission provides his intro Meeting adjourns #boh0901

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklintv-time-for-ice-cream-3.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklintv-time-for-ice-cream-3.html