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Here is the text from an e-mail alert sent our way from the Working Lands Alliance. Help WLA ensure that farmland protection is not a victim of the latest round of budger cuts:

WLA LEGISATIVE ALERT

WLA needs you to remind legislative leaders about the importance of farmland protection as well as the Agriculture Viability Grants program.  PLEASE CONTACT STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS BEFORE JANUARY 2ND and urge them to maintain funding for farmland in 2009!!!  

FIND MY LEGISLATOR

Background:
Governor Rell’s recent budget mitigation proposal included a provision to redirect $10m in funds from the Community Investment Act Account.   This cut will directly impact the CT Farmland Preservation Program by eliminating at least $2.5m in funds that are used for program staff, appraisals, surveys, title searches, as well as the very popular and highly successful CT Agriculture Viability Grants program. 

Enacted in 2005, the Community Investment Act was heralded as a dramatic success, creating a dedicated revenue stream to protect and preserve the unique character of Connecticut for future generations.  Public willingness to accept this fee ($30 deed recording fee) was based on the promise that this revenue would be permanently directed to farmland, open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing.  Any raid on the Community Investment Account fund —even temporary—could potentially erode public confidence and willingness to continue paying this fee!!

In the past three years the state’s Farmland Preservation Program has been dramatically strengthened thanks to two separate funding mechanisms: 1) Community Investment Act funds (Public Act 05-228); and 2) Governor Rell’s commitment to lump sum bonding for farmland (Public Act 07-162).  Given the very serious state budget deficit, WLA supporters will need to fight hard in 2009 to maintain these two funding sources so farmland preservation can continue!!  The financial challenges facing the state are similar to those facing farm families who are looking to sell the development rights on their farmland to the state.  Right now there are over 50 farm applications representing almost 6,000 acres of farmland that the state may be able to protect over the next two years!! 

The Governor has called a special legislative session on Jan 2nd to take action on her budget mitigation package. 

Please contact leaders in the state legislature BEFORE JANUARY 2ND and urge them to oppose any effort to redirect Community Investment Act funds!!!

FIND MY LEGISLATOR
EMAIL SENATE PRESIDENT DON WILLIAMS
EMAIL HOUSE SPEAKER JIM AMANN

Review WLA’s Legislative Agenda for 2009
For more info about the CT Farmland Protection Program, call 860-713-2511.

Community Supported Kitchen

Click the link to read about a great concept built upon the Community Supported Agriculture model.

Green Christmas Tips

Here’s a good starter list of ways you can go “green” this holiday season.

Other “green” holiday present ideas:

1) Purchase a CSA share for a loved one. Buying a share in a CSA (visit http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ to find ones nearby) will provide someone with months of fresh produce, and provide a local farmer with a secure source of income for the year. Festive, economical, sustainable, and delicious!

2) Donate to Friends of Boulder Knoll in someone’s honor! Whether you purchase a membership for a loved one, or make a donation in their name, your gift will be supporting local sustainable agriculture and education in your community. There’s no better gift than keeping our community green. Contact info@friendsofboulderknoll.com for more information.

Note: Updated 12/20/2008 with amended minutes.

December 18, 2008 
Board of Directors Meeting of the Friends of Boulder Knoll

Attendees:

Greg Melville            
Jeff Rapoport            
Fellis Jordan
Jill Casertano                        
Kim Stoner             
Tim McConnaugh

Agenda:

• Jill’s email request for volunteers was responded to by Susan Fox, who offered to write emails and send letters for the purposes of recruiting and responding to membership. Conversation followed regarding need for more volunteers in general, and perhaps the need to have a gathering to get members together and reach out for more volunteer. Greg offered to host.

• Jeff collected information regarding purchase of water and storage. The cost is generally low, only the shipping/transport costs are high. $500.00 to $1,000 for a storage tank, $600.00 for initial delivery of water; $200.00 per delivery after that; cost of pumping and electric is additional, unless gravity fed up on hill by Bob and Anne’s. Estimate of $2500.00 for system.  Jeff believes that this would be much more worthwhile to apply to a well system, the Board agreed that this is not the ideal manner for managing our water issues, but agreed that the information is helpful as we plan for managing this issue.

• Preliminary Budget proposal from Jeff: Expenses estimated at $34,000, including a $16,000.00 salary, $10,000 for well drilling, $2,500.00 for irrigation; and revenues dependent on a 16 week CSA membership for $320.00. Discussion continued about the role of donating food and how this will work into our CSA plans; idea of choosing a family in town to offer a share to; also a possibility Plant a Row organization through CT Food Bank, which is organized to collect food grow, process and distribute in New Haven county. We need to add into budget funds for deer proofing and access to electricity.

• Jill composed a letter to Whole Foods asking for $ and/or working relationship- Review and Discussion of the letter: Feedback provided included inclusion of ideas related to what we have accomplished, and who we are; refocus flow of letter to start with focus of complimentary philosophies; and focus verbage on what we are currently accomplishing/doing, not suggestive of just starting. Discussion shifted to creation of a fund raising packet to be distributed along with a cover letter that gives additional information about us, who we are, what we have accomplished; Further discussion about creation of a powerpoint presentation using media that already exists to use with fundraising events/meetings. Jill will revise letter to Whole Foods and prepare a packet of information to send with the cover letter. Goal to have this letter out by the first of the year and to reach out further by mid-January to try to arrange a face to face meeting. Packet will include a list of accomplishments to date and a “CV” of current Board Members, along with numbers of contributing members and list of interested CSA members. Tim offered to work on a power point presentation to accompany our requests for money (Jill will forward files to Tim with images, text, etc.) The current FBK Pamphlet was reviewed and it was noted that providing food to those in need was not include amongst our goals. This will need to be updated for future printings and on our website as well. Wording of the goal will be “To donate a portion of our product to those in need.”

• Fundraising letters- Revisit letter created by Jeff and Fellis to reach out to the community. We need to revise the letter, and distribute through newspapers, direct mailing etc. What is the game plan and what are the priorities? We need to revise the letter, and send out a large, and personal, mailing that includes a personal note from specific members, and ask members of the community for money.  Who to revive the letter? Greg

• Who to make list of who this should go to? Jeff will send out his data base for us to review;  then all members of Board will be asked to review and add to the list. Susan Fox will be asked to develop a mailing list. All members of the Board will divide up the letters and personalize these letters with notes.

• Fundraising Event- Do we want to/can we feasibly pull off a fundraising event? Shall we scale it down? Shall we look at other options? Paul Hammer idea of a Cheshire Farm Tour by Bike (donations by the mile).  Shall this coincide with a volunteer meet and greet at Greg’s house? An open house of sorts for possible new members, volunteers and CSA members. Final decision was made to postpone a fundraising diner at the Cheshire Grange and replace it by the open house event for new members and volunteers at Greg’s House, along with the February 1st mailing.  The bike tour idea will continue to be explored in the spring.

• Kim will follow up with the town about our list of interests/ questions generated at previous meeting. Can we have a CSA in the coming year? Can we have access to electricity? Will be added to this list.

• Greg was to contact Tina Sullivan- Encourage us to come up with an alternative to the town’s flora and fauna inventory.  Kim recommended that we ask the town what their management plan is for the coming year in the absence of a flora and fauna survey; ( Follow up email from Kim suggests that working with Tina to have a flora and fauna survey that is based on volunteer efforts and has a educational component would be a positive idea. )

• Land Trust – Greg will contact Kevin Wetmore to establish relationship and find out about land’s trusts rumored plan for a CSA.

• Membership: Susan and Fellis will work together to reach out to members new and old, to maintain membership lists, and write letters, etc. to members, to reach out and encourage participation, etc.

• Volunteers-  A gathering for potential volunteers for an informational gathering and recruiting session- Greg has offered to host a gathering for church and temple groups, public service groups, scouts, etc. to present our organization, etc. (Ties into need for a volunteer coordinator also);

• Need for identifying our market- meetings needed with buyers about what they need and what they need to pay for it to be workable.  Need input from folks such as Sam Hammer regarding what  is best to grow on land.

Dates:

• List for membership mailing and coordinating: We will coordinate and develop the list via email by 1/22/09; the letter will be edited and printed up; we will need envelopes stamped with self addressed envelopes;

• Saturday 2/28/09- 2-4pm; hot drinks and sweets for open house at Greg Melville’s house;

Next Board Meetings:

January 22, 2009- at home of Fellis Jordan
February 28, 2009- at home of Fellis Jordan

Here is the agenda for the Friends of Boulder Knoll meeting at 7 pm on Thursday 12/18 at Fellis’s house. Please email info@friendsofboulderknoll.com for more information.

Agenda:

Follow up on tasks from annual meeting and November meeting:

• Jill sent out an e-mail asking for volunteers in the membership.  Any response?.
• Jeff has done research on water supplies and has information to share.
• Jill has drafted a fundraising letter to Whole Foods for review.
• Follow up on other fundraising ideas – revive the letter to individuals in the community? Plan an event? (Note:  Ron sent me a note that he may have to step back from Boulder Knoll activities for a while to look after his father, so we may need someone else to take leadership in fundraising).
• Kim got permission from the town to collect leaves on the concrete pad.  Anyone still collecting leaves?  Or should we start this with spring clean-up season?
• Finding a farmer:  Kim got back in touch with Brenda Caldwell, awaiting a response.  Other steps – we have suggested Jane Dunn, contacting farms with apprentices, contacting colleges with sustainable ag programs for summer intern (Yale, Wesleyan, CT College), contacting Lyman Hall (Vo-ag high school in Wallingford)
• Kim contacted Laura DeCaprio about next Planning Committee meeting – not until January, date still uncertain.  Should we go ahead and ask town staff about Advanced Master Gardener Program for spring ?
• Other tasks from last meeting:  Jonathan was to contact Wiggin & Dana, Greg to contact Tina Sullivan of BZA Geoenvironmental
• *Progress on developing a business plan?
• *Open lines of communication with Cheshire Land Trust about their farming plans and possibility of a CSA
• Find someone to coordinate membership

New items (my own ideas):

• Contact outlets for our food – Cheshire Food Pantry or other emergency food programs, Billy Bromage (Fellowship Place, coordinating program with social services in New Haven) Claire Criscuolo, Jordan Caterers — see what they want that we might be able to grow.
• Get advice /brainstorm on farm planning – contact Walter Greist, maybe other organic farmers like Sam Hammer or Paul Bucciaglia,  Natural Resources Conservation Service or Southwest Conservation District.

Annual Meeting of Friends of Boulder Knoll
October 23, 2008

Kim Stoner, President
Jill Casertano, Secretary
Jonathan Parizier
Marlene McKenzie
Ron Gagliardi
Bob Giddings
Fellis Jordan
Deb Rapoport
Jeff Rapoport
Carol Goertz
Karen Prendergast
Tim McConnell, Kol Ami
Jill Casertano, Secretary
Greg Melville
Marg Bykowski

1. Review of Yearly Events/Accomplishments

• Lease signed with the town of Cheshire for use of two acres of land on Boulder Knoll Farm.
• We have planted some cold weather vegetables, planted some perennials, and begun growth of cover crops to improve the quality of the soil.
• 10 bushels (more or less) have been grown and harvested.
• An outdoor educational program was implemented, called Learn Today, Grow Tomorrow. The event was attended by approx. 15 people, despite weather confusion.  This event required all sorts of volunteers, collaboration, etc. Teenagers from the Cheshire High School Environmental Club came and worked registration, weeding, planted, etc.  UCONN Master Gardeners were also available with an information booth.
• We have had a lot of positive public attention and press coverage. Both local and regional news have reported on our efforts, and both the local garden clubs and the league of women’s voters, as well as others have reached out to express support/interest. We also participated at the fall festival .  ( Mary Rosi of Rotary Club has also asked us to speak at an upcoming meeting.) Bob participated in the Town Energy Forum, on behalf of FBK. We are developing a rep of being a knowledgeable organization worth following and collaborating and supporting.
• Financial Report: $25.00 filing fee for secretary of state,  $95. for Fall festival. Income- $301 from last treasurers report. Current balance: $310.08, CFNH $216.00. Total $526.08.  Cost due in 2007-2008: Insurance cost for this year:  $476.00, $237. 00 for compost , $137.15 for lime, $34.45 to US treasury (late fee). $36.00 for 6 months P.O. box. $25.00 for secretary of state; $250.00 to be a corporation to US Treasury. For tax exempt status as a farm we need to provide evidence of  $2500.00 of expenses and income, or average of $2500 per year for 2 years; need to demonstrate intent to farm for at least 2 years.

2. Holistic Goals and Planning:

• Kim provided a copy of a document created as a result of March 2008 review of current mission, purpose and goal.  Time allotted for people to review the document.
• Transition occurred this year, as we moved from planning and talking about doing things to actually doing things. However, we have lots of ideas of things we would like to do, and a rather small active membership to accomplish these goals. We need to prioritize and carve manageable steps. So, what are the next steps that we need to take now to accomplish our goals.
• Group brainstormed the following priorities (list does not reflect agreed upon priorities, simply a brainstorming session):
  • Renegotiate our lease: discuss length, water, shelter, fence, part time farmer, CSA
  • Extend our membership base for more participants
  • We need funds to become a sustainable organization
  • Create a guide of farm and agricultural resources available in town of Cheshire, create a data base for availability of resources to have it on our website. – While a valuable goal, this may be outside of the range of feasibility for this year, and not a present priority.
  • Build up connections with local farmers and agriculture resources.
  • Resolution of potable water situation (Kim noted that there was supposed to be drilling of a well in the capital budget- we need to explore what the specifics of this are)- We need to talk to the town about possibility applying for a farm viability grant now that agriculture is happening- explore drilling a well.
  • The barn: what is our position on the barn, what is the town’s plan? We have in the past encouraged the town to explore options ( tear down, salvage, rebuild) – But we do not have an official position: Discussion followed regarding the value of the barn- should be tear it town ( some agree) should it be saved ( some view the barn as a point to be rallied around within the town).
• Discussion continued about the feasibility of working toward the barn restoration and the farming- Do we have the resources (financial and human) to do both? Perhaps not. Shall we go back to a long to plan or focus on a short term plan? Shall we look at 10 years and work toward accomplishing what our original vision included or should we focus on two acres we currently have and what we can feasibly accomplish on those acres? Do we need to remember the rest of the land? The rest of the vision? Do we look for land elsewhere to pursue our vision?
• The conversation appeared to end with the following: We need to go directly the town, and see if they are planning to dig a well, and if not, can we get a donated well dug at the far.  If they say no, are we are done at that point? Group agreed that without a commitment to provide water from the town, we are unable to sustainably grow food.
• Decided that we would ask the town about their position on the Barn, ask about progress, but not make the barn our top priority.
• Search for a farmer and determine funds needed to hire the farmer. Find the farmer, find the funds.
• Clarification of Issues with Town:
  • Water
  • Flora/Fauna
  • Study of Barn
• What is our role educationally? Do we continue to advocate for the land? Is this something within our current ability? Do we remain the Friends of Boulder Knoll if we only focus on growing food and stop advocating for the land, or do we lose part of our mission? Group agreed that education continues to be a priority. How this will be implemented will be determined by conversations with the Town and the decisions about feasibility in the year ahead.

Friends of Boulder Knoll voted and approved the above listed goals for the year.

3. Election of Board Members:
All current board members have offered to stay as board members; Jeff would like to resign as Treasurer. Jonathan Parizer has asked to be on the board, as has Greg Melville.  Tim McConnell was also asked to be on the board, and he accepted. Carol offered to take on the responsibilities of treasurer.

Board Members:
Kim        Bob        Jill        Jeff        Greg
Ron        Jonathan    Fellis        Carol        Tim
Ben

Next Meeting: Thursday, November 20 at home of Greg Melville
Next  Work Date on the Farm:  November 2, 2008 details will follow.

Table’s Bounty: Keeping It Local

As you begin planning your Thanksgiving feast, consider giving thanks to the bounty of local foods available, and use some of Connecticut’s best in your meal.

Here’s an article about Long Island residents planning a local Thanksgiving meal from the N.Y. Times on Nov. 14.

“WHILE the agricultural bounty of Long Island can provide a rich and varied menu, even committed locavores — those trying to eat only food that has been produced within 100 miles — bump up against some geographic limitations when it comes to creating a traditional Thanksgiving feast.”

Friends,

You may wish to attend the 2009 Community Farming Conference, which just announced a date a location:

Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Jones Auditorium of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven

Please write this in your calendars now!  (And see the notes below for other upcoming events.)

Here are the ideas we brainstormed for this conference – a long list!  I would appreciate it if as many of you as possible could get back to me with your top five priorities from this list or from the needs of your own farm (and suggested speakers for your priority topics are always welcome!)

Topic list:
Panel of community farming groups in different stages of development telling their stories
Why Community Farms?
Business planning for community farms
Should we be a 501c3?  And issues for 501c3 organizations
Community Supported Agriculture – what is needed to make it work?
Other marketing options – farmstands, farmers’ markets, farm to chef, farm to school
Giving produce away – making the connections, finding funds to support this
Fundraising – how to do effective fundraising in your local community
Developing volunteers and a leadership base in your organization
Finding, working with, and supporting beginning farmers
Involving youth in working or volunteering on the farm
Educational programs pre-school – elementary kids

Thank you for helping us to make this a conference that will meet your needs and the needs of your community farm.

Here are some other events you may want to check out:

Sunday October 26, 2-4 pm, Tobacco Road Farm, Lebanon, CT On-Farm Workshop – Winter Growing –featuring Bryan O’Hara http://www.ctnofa.org/events/OnFarmWorkshops/2008_winter_growing_workshop.html

Saturday, November 1, 10 am – 3:30 pm.  CT Ag. Experiment Station, New Haven.  CT NOFA Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting, with Farmers’ Market, Potluck Lunch, and featuring Claire Criscuolo
http://www.ctnofa.org/events/annual%20meeting/2008_annual_meeting.html

Wednesday, November 19, 12-1:30 pm.  Old Judiciary Room, the Capitol, Hartford.  Annual Meeting, Working Lands Alliance.  Featuring George Hindiger of Hindinger Farms in Hamden
http://www.workinglandsalliance.org/  Please RSVP if you are coming!

Saturday January 17, 2009, CT Ag. Experiment Station, New Haven.  Getting Started in Organic Farming Conference.  Specifics to be announced.

No. Branford keeping farm heritage alive
By Rachael Scarborough King
New Haven Register
October 9, 2008

NORTH BRANFORD — U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro took a tour of the past and future of local farming with several town officials Wednesday.

The group visited the former Augur Farm — which the town bought about three years ago and hopes to turn into an agriculture museum — as well as Town Council member Andrew Bozzuto’s organic farm in Northford.

“People just have no idea of the rich farm heritage the whole state has, particularly this area,” said DeLauro, D-3, the chairwoman of a House subcommittee on agriculture, rural development and the Food and Drug Administration.

Bozzuto, who is also co-owner of waste-hauling company John’s Refuse and Recycling, started the farm five years ago on what was then woodland. He now has a herd of about 20 organic beef cows as well as goats, swine and chickens.

Officials, including Bozzuto, council member Ashley Joiner, Mayor Michael Doody and Town Manager Richard Branigan, told DeLauro about their plans for the Augur Farm and town-owned land next door to the property on Forest Road. They are hoping to relocate the Wall baseball field and add more recreation facilities to the area, at a cost of more than $1 million.

The town has secured a $400,000 state grant for the project, but is still looking for additional funding. The relocation is necessary because the state Department of Transportation is planning to widen Route 80 at the field’s current location in the next few years, officials have said.

DeLauro said that, despite the current economic downturn, she thinks there will still be federal funding available for projects like these. She pointed to provisions in the most recent Farm Bill that could provide money for preserving open space and supporting local farms.

The bill, which Congress passed earlier this year, includes increased funding over the previous Farm Bill for conservation efforts nationwide and a program to assist local governments in buying development rights to preserve agricultural uses, according to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Branigan said that North Branford “has made a huge commitment to open space.” It also recently formed an Agricultural Commission, which has the goal of keeping farms in town.

DeLauro said she supports those efforts.

“It’s about good health; it’s about making farms productive. These are small farms and it’s been a difficult time,” she said. “We want to work with people to try to do these kinds of things. … This is a community that is about family farms.”

Bozzuto called his farm “a hobby that’s now evolving.” He is working on expanding his stock of cattle with “clean” animals that have been raised on organic farms, and he said he has never used synthetic fertilizers on his land.

“We’re out shopping and trying to bring different breeds to this area,” he said. “We do our research (and) we go far and wide for it.”

Branigan said Wednesday that the Augur Farm and Wall Field projects are not the most urgent the town is facing, but it is important to start the process of looking for funding. He noted that, with the negative economic climate, leaders from many towns are expecting a contraction in the amount of federal money available. “To think otherwise is unrealistic,” he said.

Well Friends,

The sun is trying to burn through the clouds here on Boulder Road and the weather report gives a chance of showers for the afternoon, SO

The educational event will happen today from 1-4.

Folks available to help set up should come to the farm anytime after 11:30 to help with tables, tents, signs, parking planning, etc.

Thank you all!