WINTER 2007 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION GATHERINGS

Saturday, December 1 – Hancock Shaker Village
Saturday, January 12 – Hotel Northampton

Catch up on the latest information on many local and statewide agricultural subjects.

December 1 Agenda - Hancock Shaker Village
Welcome and Review of MDAR Programs – Scott Soares, Acting Commissioner
Ag Business Training Opportunities – Rick Chandler, MDAR
Agricultural Marketing & Farmers Markets – Kelly Coleman, CISA
Energy Efficiency & Alternate Energy Systems for Farms – Glenn Cook, Cider Hill Farm, and
Darlene Monds, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D (Farm Energy Program)
The Value of Agriculture to the Town Economy – Rep from First Pioneer Credit
Chapter 61-61A Changes – Doug Gillespie, Acting Director, Mass Farm Bureau
Educating the Public about Local Agriculture – Lenore Paul, Mass Ag in the Classroom
The New “Planning for Agriculture” Guide for Municipalities – Cris Coffin, American
Farmland Trust
Handling Ag Disputes Part II – Loraine Della Porta, Mass Office of Dispute Resolution
Roundtable Discussion – Reports from Ag Commissions

Sponsored by: Mass DAR, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, TTOR-Highland Communities Initiative, CISA, Mass Farm Bureau, American Farmland Trust, Franklin Land Trust, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Berkshire Grown, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Sheffield Land Trust, Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation

For more information: Pete Westover, MDAR, 413-665-4077, westover03@comcast.net
Ann Gibson, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, 413-256-1607 x 2, agibson.rcd@verizon.net
(registration only)