Save the Date: 2nd Annual Massachusetts Farm Bureau FUNdraiser - Sep 8

"A visit to the Farmer's Market in high summer is an exercise in flat-out hedonism. Mmm... fresh basil, that's smells amazing! The local tomatoes are starting to come in-I need some of those. Corn. I definitely need corn. Peaches! Do I have time to make peach cobbler? Or I could just bite into one right now....Blueberries! Can't forget those. Cucumbers. Snap peas. Fresh salad greens. Local cheese. I really should have brought more shopping bags.

These delights are brought to you courtesy of your local farmers, whose hard work produces delicious food which nourishes both body and spirit. And land devoted to farming preserves open space, a precious commodity when new condo developments are popping up all over town. Local farms are a wonderful asset to our town and region. Shopping at the Farmer's Market is an easy way to support them, but we could- and probably should-do more.

So when our fabulous customer Liz Smith approached us about holding a MA Farm Bureau event, we said, 'Absolutely! Count us in'. And the Pour Richard's Massachusetts Farm Bureau FUNdraiser was born.

Last year's event featured local produce, local cheese, local ice cream, local craft beer, organic wines, and a whole pig(!). Chef Daniele Baliani, of Waltham's La Campania, created an incredible feast, and a rollicking good time was had by all. We immediately started planning a sequel.

This year's MA Farm Bureau FUNdraiser will take place on Saturday, September 8, from 1-5 PM. Chef Daniele will be back. So will the ice cream, the beer, and the killer produce. Another pig is on the menu. And this year, we're featuring winemaker Roberto Gianelli, from Tuscany's San Filippo Estate, pouring his lovely organic Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Farm Bureau's scholarship fund. We will also donate a percentage of our sales.

Save the date, and definitely save up your appetite. Help us support our local farms. Because no farms= no food."

This was shared from the Pour Richard's page
http://pourrichardswine.com/content/no-farms-no-food

No farms, no food

2nd Annual Massachusetts Farm Bureau FUNdraiser - Sep 8

Farmers Market alternatives for this week

With the Franklin 4th of July Celebration beginning today, there will NOT be a Farmers Market on the Town Common. The Mass Grow web page has an interactive map to enable finding other markets near Franklin

https://massnrc.org/farmlocator/map.aspx

There are 15 places within 15 miles of Franklin with many of them on Saturday or Sunday. 

Farmers Market alternatives for this week

Public Schools Advocacy at the Farmers Market today

"A reminder - the Public Schools Advocacy subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee will be at the farmer's market tomorrow (Friday) from 12-2 PM (at the nonprofit / community table) ... to discuss our FY19 budget and anticipated budget challenges ahead. 

Dr. Sara Ahern will be joining us! Together we have a lot to say about our schools and the outlook of public funding for education in the coming years. 

Stop by and say HI or pull up a chair and join the conversation!"

Public Schools Advocacy w/Dr. Ahern - June 22

This was shared from the Facebook event
https://www.facebook.com/events/146970282838362/

Reminder: Franklin Farmers Market opens TODAY on the Town Common

The Farmers Market opens Friday (TODAY) and runs each Friday through October.

Find out more about the vendors at the market online  https://franklinfarmersmarketma.com/

or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/

download the flyer 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t7S0ciZHW2u_0z7ePBfYeTFK5HswdDY5/view?usp=sharing

and of course visit the Farmers Market each Friday on the Town Common from noon to 6 PM

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July 2017

Franklin Farmers Market opens June 1 on the Town Common

The Farmers Market opens next Friday and runs through October.

Find out more about the vendors at the market online  https://franklinfarmersmarketma.com/

or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/

download the flyer 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t7S0ciZHW2u_0z7ePBfYeTFK5HswdDY5/view?usp=sharing

and of course visit the Farmers Market each Friday on the Town Common from noon to 6 PM

Community Relations "Coffee" at the Franklin Farmers Market

The School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee will hold their next "Coffee" today at the Franklin Farmers Market on the Town Common. 12 PM - 6 PM

"Join the Community Relations subcommittee as we bring our coffee conversations into the community. We are unable to offer good or beverages, so please bring your own (or obtain them at one or more of the farmer market booths)."

Subcommittee members are Denise Schultz, Anne Bergen, and Vanessa Bilello.

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July

For updates on the event, check out the Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1453183668090604/

Franklin Garden Club: Perennial Plant Sale - Friday, Sep 29

The Franklin Garden Club will hold a perennial sale on Friday, September 29 at the Franklin Farmers Market, which takes place at the Town Common. The sale will include a variety of divided perennials from the gardens of members, as well as the Town Common. Plants will be sold for $3.00 and $5.00, a significant savings over the retail cost of perennial plants. Also available for sale will be some dried flowers and decorative moss balls.

“Fall is an excellent time to plant perennials,” noted Deb DeGrazia, Club Treasurer and one of the sale organizers. “The weather is cooler and plants have several weeks to acclimate in the garden before the winter.“

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Club’s community activities, which include an annual scholarship and the distribution of pine tree seedlings to all Franklin first graders to celebrate Arbor Day and promote environmental awareness.

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July

Harvest Festival - Aug 20

Meet your local farmers and sample cocktails and food made with locally grown produce, cheese, ice cream, and meats!

All food prepared by Chef Daniele Baliani of Waltham’s La Campania Ristorante.
Cocktails prepared by Palm Bay’s Corey Bunnewith.

Plus two local breweries and delicious organic and sustainable Italian wines.

Celebrate Local. Celebrate Small. Celebrate Delicious!

100% of your ticket will be donated to the Norfolk County Chapter of Mass Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund. Pour Richard’s will also donate a portion of sales. Big thanks to the farmers who donated product and made this event possible!

The Harvest Festival will be held this Sunday, Aug 20 at Pour Richard's at 14 Grove St, Franklin from 1 to 4 PM. Tickets $10 at door.

Harvest Festival - Aug 20

“We’ve had an excellent blueberry crop this season"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After a rainy, cool start to the season, blueberry gatherers might have expected slim pickings. But the reality is the exact opposite. 

Local blueberry growers say their bushes have been putting on a good show this summer, and picking is plentiful. 

“We have a really good crop of berries this year. The cool wet weather hasn’t seemed to affect the berry production,” said Pam Gianetti, of Gianetti’s U-Pick Blueberries on Franklin’s Union Street. 

There, about five acres of high bush blueberry bushes are tucked away amidst a residential neighborhood at 557 Union St. -- a hidden treasure pocket laden with the plump, dark blue gems of summer. Since 1979 the Gianetti family has welcomed visitors to their blueberry beds to pick their own buckets full of berries."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170808/local-blueberries-are-reaching-peak-of-perfection

we went ti Gianetti's a couple of weeks ago and it was good picking

Day 3 Schedule - 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Friday, July 28

*** FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FPS Student Music Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus students

*** FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

12:00 to 6:00: Farmers’ Market
3:00 to 4:30: Attleboro School of Rock Show Team (CANCELED)
5:00 to 6:00: Let’s Laugh Today - Laughter Yoga
6:30 to 8:00: Kevin Wolfe (music performance)
8:00 to 9:30? FPAC performs "The Mikado"

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Friday, July 28, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change
If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere
 


All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival. 

"Festival Fettucini" is the Rome's standard Fettucini Alfredo
with mushrooms added, quite a healthy portion and delicious!

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

opening today - Franklin Farmers' Market

"Join us on the Franklin Town Common every Friday from June 2 to October 27, 12pm-6pm, and support these local businesses from around New England."

• 46 Oak
• A Basket Full of Herbs
• Ackerman Maple Farm
• Amado Ceramics
• Andy's Heaven and Hell Hot Sauce
• Angel Hair Alpacas
• Birchtree Bread Company
• Cactus Pottery
• Clarion Farm
• Claymark Studio
• Cooks Valley Farm
• Eric's Sharper Edge
• Everything Jalapeno and Not
• Fairmount Fruit Farm
• Forest Edge Pottery
• Foxboro Cheese
• Franklin Honey Company
• Grateful Farm
• Kelleys’ Farm
• La Cantina Winery
• Lanni Orchards
• Little Shop of Olive Oils
• Montville Candy Company
• Painted Lady Flower Farm
• The Pumpkin Farm
• #ShopFranklin
• Wenger's Farm

For more information on the Farmers Market and the individual vendors

http://www.franklinfarmersmarketma.com/vendors.html

opening today - Franklin Farmers' Market

“I want them to feel protected"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Local farmers looking to form an agricultural commission in Franklin took their case to town officials last week. 

Members of the Town Council and Planning Board as well as the town administrator listened to a presentation on the matter Thursday evening. 

Melanie Hamblen, a co-owner of the Franklin Agway store, said that a number of farmers in town felt unwelcome at the municipal building, believed new regulations threatening their livelihoods could come up at any time and were worried for the future of farming."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170430/franklin-farmers-make-case-for-agricultural-commission

The presentation and discussion was to the Economic Development Subcommittee of the Town Council which includes a couple of members of the Planning Board as non-voting members.

The scheduled agenda for the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/agricultural-commission-discussion.html

Pick your own! In Franklin Ma — at Gianetti's U-Pick Blueberries.

Agricultural Commission discussion rescheduled for Thursday, April 27

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

April 27, 2017

6:00 PM

Room 205

Agenda

1. Agricultural Commission Presentation and Discussion

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Related post on the proposed Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/franklin-agriculture-commission-is.html

MDN article on Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/in-news-agricultural-commission.html

Note: notified of meeting date change on 4/25/17 just before noon.

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Apr 27

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

April 27, 2017

6:00 PM

Room 205

Agenda

1. Agricultural Commission Presentation and Discussion

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Related post on the proposed Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/franklin-agriculture-commission-is.html

MDN article on Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/in-news-agricultural-commission.html

Note: notified of meeting date change on 4/25/17 just before noon.

In the News: agricultural commission proposed; opioid issues continue

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Several residents have approached the town about forming an agricultural commission in order to both educate people about farming and help the farms in town. 

Melanie Hamblen, a co-owner of the Franklin Agway store, is one of those leading the effort. She said the group has spoken with town officials and set up a Facebook page. 

“We’ve got a group of awesome people who want to educate the community about the importance of fresh food, and things like what ‘normal farming activities’ means,” she said. “We want to promote the farms we already have, and protect and preserve those farms.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170403/franklin-group-hopes-to-form-agricultural-commission

Prior post
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/franklin-agriculture-commission-is.html

Facebook group for proposed Agriculture Commission
https://www.facebook.com/FrAgComMa/

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

"On Sunday, a 32-year-old woman became the 24th person in Milford to overdose on opioids so far this year. 

She was the second one to die. 

The unidentified woman was unresponsive when her sister found her at 3 in the afternoon. 

A combination of police work, the availability of naloxone, a regional substance abuse program at the Milford Police Department, the Juvenile Advocacy Group and Amy Leone of Community Impact are pushing back hard on an opioid epidemic that is running through Massachusetts communities like a speeding freight train. Even though 80 addicts got help from those programs, some fall back on their dangerous habits."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170403/federal-opioid-report-singles-out-state-local-deaths

Franklin Agriculture Commission is looking for your help

Did you know that the Town Council needs to vote for the Franklin Agriculture Commission to become a reality? If you think that promoting and protecting the few farms we have left is a good idea give our Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting a call at (508) 520-4949 and let him know.

Need a script?

Hello Mr Nutting, This is ____ and I live at _______ in Franklin. I want you to know that I support the creation of an Agricultural Commission in Franklin. 

I believe that promoting and protecting the few farms we have left is a priority. Education about where our food comes from is important for all of our community and the Agricultural Commission will provide these things.

Feel free to use all or whatever part you agree with!

If you want to sign our petition of support and get up-dates on action you can take to advocate for our local farms and farmers sign up here:




Find out more about the Franklin Agriculture Commission on their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FrAgComMa/?fref=nf

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Perennial Plant Sale at the Franklin Farmer’s Market

Franklin Garden Club

The Franklin Garden Club will hold a perennial plant sale at the Franklin Farmer’s Market on Friday, September 23. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s scholarship fund. The plants will be from the gardens of members as well as the Town Common garden, which is maintained by the club. 

The Farmer’s Market is held from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Franklin Town Common.

“Fall is an excellent time of the year to plant perennials,” noted club co-president Susan Childers. “There will be a variety of healthy perennials to choose from and the average cost will be $3.00 per plant, a significant savings over those sold in the stores.”

Each year, the club conducts a variety of fund raising activities to support a scholarship that is awarded to a graduating senior who will be majoring in environmental or horticultural-related studies. The club also purchases pine tree seedlings which are distributed in elementary schools to celebrate Arbor Day.

“You’re not in control when you’re in this business”

FHS graduate April M Crehan has the byline on this story from the Milford Daily News on what the farmers do during the winter.

“Everything gets probably three times as hard” in the winter, said Nick Hoffman, who chuckled as he identified himself as “the owner, the manager and the mechanic” of Hoffman Farm in Franklin. Toward the end of 2015, Hoffman started selling milk in addition to produce, eggs and firewood. 

Animal welfare becomes top priority in winter for farms that have livestock in addition to fields.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/farmers-winter-just-as-busy-as-sowing-harvest-seasons

In the News: farm tax requires vote

The Town Council Wednesday will consider a measure for the November ballot that if approved would exempt local farmers from an antiquated excise tax on their animals and machinery. 

Under state law, the town could levy a tax against “persons principally engaged in agriculture.” Their farm animals and equipment would be taxed $5 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to the Board of Assessors. 

However, the town has not recorded the value of a farmer’s wares and beasts since 1990, so the tax has not been imposed. It was believed that the town opted to remove the tax, but did not go through the proper procedure. Now, a townwide vote is needed to make it official.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150802/NEWS/150809541/1994/NEWS

Akin Bak, one of three farms in Franklin that would benefit from this measure

The text of the resolution is shown below. The text of the actual ballot question is shown in BOLD.

RESOLUTION 15-48 AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK VOTER APPROVAL TO NOT IMPOSE EXCISE TAX WHICH G.L. CHAPTER 59, SECTION 8A ESTABLISHES ON PERSONS ENGAGED PRINCIPALLY IN AGRICULTURE WHO OWN FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT OR FARM ANIMALS

WHEREAS, G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A imposes an excise tax on persons engaged principally in agriculture who own farm machinery and equipment or farm animals, but the section also provides that the “local appropriating authority” may seek voter approval to not impose the tax, and

WHEREAS, the Franklin Town Council is the “local appropriating authority” for the Town of Franklin, and

WHEREAS, the tax revenue which Section 8A would provide to Town is minimal in light of the limited number of taxpayers to whom it applies, and the loss of revenue is offset by Town’s interest in encouraging local agricultural operations,

NOW, THEREFORE, the Franklin Town Council hereby votes to seek voter approval at the next regular town election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 not to impose the excise tax established by G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A by instructing the Town Clerk to include on the ballot for said election the following question: Do you approve of not imposing the excise tax established by G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A on any person engaged principally in agriculture who owns farm machinery and equipment or farm animals?

This Resolution shall become effective according to the rules and regulations of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

There are two agenda documents for the Council meeting on Wednesday. One has almost everything, the second has the addendum (files for the manager change for the liquor Licence at Incontro)

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052015.pdf

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052005.pdf

Franklin Farmers Market opens today on the Town Common

The Franklin Farmers Market opens for the season this afternoon with more than 20 vendors lining up on the Town Common. 

The market, with stands located on Main Street at High Street, is up and running today and every Friday (except July 3) from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 30. 

“It has become more and more popular each year, and the town has embraced it and is very cooperative in getting us the permits we need to run,” said Grateful Farm owner Tim Garboski, the market manager.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150605/NEWS/150607745/1994/NEWS

Farmers Market scene from July 2014