HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee - 10/07/2015
Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee of the Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
7 October, 2015
___________________________________________________________________________________
The Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee of the Planning Commission held a regular meeting
on the 7th of October, 2015 at 7:00pm at Healthy Living Upstairs Conference Room, 222 Dorset
Street
Members Present: Allan Strong, Sarah Dopp, Rebecca Larkin Adams, Sophie Quest
1. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items.
Addition: Discussion of LDR revisions to present to Planning Commission
2. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda. None
3. SusAg committee member announcements. None
4. Discussion of LDR revisions to present to Planning Commission: Written and modified by the
entire subcommittee. Discussed and approved with changes. Dopp moved to accept. Adams seconded.
4 voted yes. (Note: The Sus/Ag subcommittee has lost three permanent members, bringing number to
6. With no possibility of bringing in new members in this, our second to last meeting, 4 is a quorum
now.)
5. Visioning: What is our vision for food security for our community in the next 5, 10, 15, 20
years? How to each of us intend to take part in the work of this vision?
October 7, 2015, VISIONS for SOUTH BURLINGTON
1. My vision for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sustainability in South Burlington going forward
from 2015, is for the City to embrace this aspect of our joint life with the same commitment which we
give to schools, public safety, recreation paths and energy initiatives. This would involve pro-activity
by the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks and Rec, and Public Works and the Library-but to be
successful, really needs a specific committee or working group to be centered on these activities with
the full support of the City Council and City staff. The central idea would be to promote “Local Food
in SB.” Everyone could participate at some level, if they wished to. We need to think very broadly
about this. Our focus on local food could mean--
--a pot of fresh herbs on the window sill of a senior living apartment
--the operation of Bread and Butter Farm
--container vegetables on the deck of a condo or apartment porch
--provision of more spaces for community gardens
--restoration of an old orchard
--educational programs at the Library
--provision of garden space in new developments
--gardens to support schools
--land-sharing arrangements
--edible plantings as part of landscape plans
--protection of remaining statewide or prime agriculture fields
--support of farmers' markets
And everything inbetween!!
I will continue my support of all of these activities.
Sarah Dopp
2. I want South Burlington to be a successful resilient town in transition for the next 20 years, in
which we can expect many changes from climate warming and disruption, from changing economics,
from the need to stop using fossil fuels as much as can be made possible.
I want SB residents to be growing necessary food on their own properties as much as possible, or
leasing or lending their extra land to growers. I want food distribution systems that work for everyone.
I want farmland to be set aside for young farmers. I want energy use to be efficient and renewable,
using our sun as well as the plants use it.
I want a growing community spirit that fills people's hearts so that they don't need to have and consume
unnecessary goods. I want people to understand the benefits from creating a better society together,
filled with justice and necessities (food and shelter) for all.
What will my part be in this? Continuing Sus/Ag programs such as Growing Connections and Edible
Gardening and Shrink Your Lawn. Continuing to attend City Council and Planning Commission
meetings to ask for a resilient and caring city, surrounded by a thriving natural environment. Voting.
Paying attention. Being active for positive causes by supporting people who are doing good work for
this vision.
Sophie Quest
(The visions from Allan Strong and Rebecca Adams will be presented in the Minutes of November 4.)
6. Library Presentation, Thursday, October 15. Tracey Medeiros – author of Vermont Farm
Table Cookbook. Sophie explained the request of the South Burlington Community Library to join
them in this presentation. All are invited to come and eat well and hear about farmers, chefs, food
producers in Vermont.
7. Next Meeting and Next Steps. Next and last meeting, November 4 at Healthy Living. Next steps
included in the visions.
8. Other Business. None
9. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted:
Sophie Quest, Chair and Clerk