More Farming Rejuvenates Williamstown Aggie Commission
 Administrative Assistant Kathy Poirot swore in Kim Wells, Richard Haley and Sarah Gardner to the Agricultural Commission. |
According to Kim Wells, who started the commission, the group has been in existence but have not been meeting but with recent activity, such as the town's upcoming vote to allow farms to host events, interest in the commission has peaked.
"Everybody knows farmers work long hours but until you've done it, you don't really get it. So it was hard to keep the commission going," Wells said on Monday when the Board of Selectmen appointed two members and an alternate. "Fortunately there has been a renewed interest in the commission's operations... There's a lot of situations and there is a lot of interest"
Wells, who owns East Mountain Farm, was reappointed to the commission with farmer Richard Haley. Sarah Gardner, who is heading the Keep Farming effort in the Northern Berkshires, was appointed as an alternate.
Gardner said that during her Keep Farming study, she found that about half the towns in the Northern Berkshires did not have agricultural commissions and three of the ones that were in existence were not meeting. Adams was the only active Agricultural Commission, Gardner said, and has been advocating for the others to start up.
"There wasn't a lot of activity going on and we saw a need for it," she said. "There are a lot of new small farms coming on but the older farms are going under. They're losing money every year."
The commission is tasked with being the liaison between farmers and assist prospective farmers through the transactions and getting a new farm started.
"There is some real profound statements [in the commissions bylaws] that indicate the importance of this commission," Selectmen David Rempell said.
Gardner said this need is growing because of an increased interest in farming. She hopes that the efforts will help farmers become profitable.
 Reflecting on the importance of town committees, Selectwoman Jane Allen said the board should do formal interviews with candidates for all positions. |
Wells said that only three or four farmers in town are making enough money to survive on the just that income while the rest are working full-time jobs outside of the farm.
Because of the increased interest and having long history of farming, Haley said he agreed to join the commission when he was asked.
"I was born on a farm, I've been on the same farm all my life, I've been here 46 years and I just thought it would be something I could help out with," Haley said.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Thomas Sheldon said he was "delighted" that the three members were willing to join the commission.
Similarly, the board later made its annual arbor day proclamation honoring the holiday.
Tags: agricultural commission, agriculture,
