Revamped Adams Agricultural Commission Meets for First Time

ADAMS, Mass. — After some time of inactivity, an entirely new board hopes to revitalize the town's Agricultural Commission. 

The five new members, Megan Bantle, Natasha L. Bordeaux, Sonia McWhirt, Christina Satko and Loren Steins, were sworn in by Town Clerk Haley Meczywor on Thursday night, who guided them through the process and rules for town boards. Selectman Joseph Nowak, a former commissioner, has worked to find volunteers to repopulate the board over the last several months. 

For its first actions, the commission named McWhirt its chair and Bordeaux its vice chair. Bantle will act as the commission recording secretary. 

The commission briefly discussed several topics during its first meeting, including grants, the town's right to farm bylaw, the Agricultural Preservation Program, and its mission statement as a commission. McWhirt read the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions' mission statement, saying it is a good starting point, which they can adapt for their needs.  

"Different ideas to stabilize or improve our farming future; I'd like to give a list of the farms and farm-related businesses in town," she said. 

Among the board's early goals is to update the commission's page on the town website, as well as other possible platforms, with resources for farmers and farming businesses. McWhirt highlighted Berkshire Grown, which seeks to support and promote local agriculture in the Berkshires, as a good resource. 

"The listing that they have in this Berkshire Grown is pretty big. Considering it tells you if they're on Facebook or any other social media, what their website is, address, phone number, if they go to any of the local farmer's markets," she said. 

Commissioner Loren Steins said the Northampton Agricultural Commission is inviting all the other commissions in the state to its meeting in February. She said some of the board could attend to get an idea of what other agricultural commissions are doing. 

"Basically, they invite all other ag commissions to come and it might be something to look to see what other people are getting together, and you can get some ideas and work off of other ag commissions, too," she said. 

The commission tentatively agreed to meet again on Feb. 8.

Community Hero of the Month: Christine Hoyt

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:25PM / Saturday, May 04, 2024

Selectwoman Christine Hoyt, in green, came up with the idea of celebrating local business by having a ribbon cuttings with board members present. 

ADAMS, Mass. — Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month.

 

The Community Hero of the Month series, in partnership with Haddad Auto, recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community. Nominate a community hero here. 

 

Hoyt has been a valuable member of the Berkshire County community since moving to Adams in 2005 from central New York state. 

 

With no friends or family in the area, she became involved with her new community by working with numerous organizations and serving on multiple committees. 

 

She participated in the Berkshire Leadership Program through the then-Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. This started her on the path to working with nonprofit boards, so she started serving with Youth Center Inc. and then ran for election as a town meeting member. She has been on the Board of Selectmen since 2017 and is currently serving her second term as chair. 

 

"[Berkshire County is] a welcoming community. So, when I moved here, I didn't have any friends or family, and I still felt like I was able to connect with people. I was able to get involved in a number of different initiatives," Hoyt said.

 

"So, I've always felt like this community just opens their arms and welcomes everybody into it. I try to do my part to extend those arms and welcome people into the conversation and into various groups and committees."