HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee - 04/01/2014
South Burlington Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee
Subcommittee of the Planning Commission
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4131
www.sburl.com
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 1
Time:7pm
Location: SB City Hall
MINUTES:
Present: Rosanne Greco, Betty Goldberg, Sarah Dopp-SB Land Trust, Jess Hyman-Community Gardens,
Allan Strong-UVM, Sophie Quest-Chair-Planning Commission.
All are recommended to look up the latest IPCC report on Climate Change that has been discussed
recently on NPR. A special section on agriculture will be sent to members of this committee.
Topic: a discussion of everyone's specific work and goals on this committee.
Rosanne-Learn more details of climate change and its effect on SB citizens and others; water shortages
and water flooding; translate scientific terminology into something more understandable to SB citizens;
write articles for the local papers and Front Page Forum; educate people on their personal effects on
climate change and eventual possibilities during climate change.
Sarah-Continue to explore and develop relationships with the local, regional and state partners in land
conservation.
Betty-Initiate a letter requesting a meeting of the larger landowners, to take place in the late spring or
early summer. Preparing a meeting with information on leasing to farmers and conservation so that
landowners can make informed decisions. Consider a number of possibilities, such as orchards.
Allan-Pull together all of the varied people and departments in UVM involved with agricultural prospects
for SB lands in the Spear Street Agricultural Corridor. End up with a transparent collection of ideas and
visions and plans. (Sophie needs to send him her information from the past.)
Jess-Begin a strong relationship with the South Burlington Community Garden group in order to see
what their needs are and what the state organization has to offer them in assistance.
Sophie-development of lawns into food gardens, fruits, nuts, vegetables. Began April 1 with a SB library
presentation “Food not Lawns”. Through Vermontivate and the people who attended this presentation,
create a local group to promote this concept and work with their own gardens and the gardens of other
people.
Future project: a Community Orchard. Sophie will present information on this topic at our next
meeting, Tuesday, May 6.
All future meetings will be the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted, Sophie Quest