Farmers Market in Shelton

The Conservation Commission is a strong supporter of agricultural activity in our community.  One of our goals is to enhance both the viability of farms and the preservation of farmland.

Numerous acquisitions of Open Space land complement existing farmlands as buffers from development or as watershed protection, and several working farms have been preserved forever toward agricultural purposes through the purchase of development rights funded both by local City resources and partnerships with regional organizations, both public and private.

Although Open Space preservation is quite an obvious activity and gets much press attention due to it's initial costs, grant applications, and voter referendums; less obvious is our Commission's promotion of agricultural activity.

The Shelton Open Space Plan was revised in 2009.  One of it's top goals is "Preserve Agricultural Resources".  Within that goal (p.50) it is noted that "Although farmers themselves must initiate most of these activities, City officials can be alert to the needs of entrepreneurs and facilitate planning where appropriate" and the first one on the list of activities is "Continue the Farmer's Market".

The Plan is a document that we consistently refer to.  For example, one item calls us to "Pursue the possibility of Community Gardens".  A community garden was started in 2010 on the Klapik Open Space property in the Long Hill section of town.  Despite neighborhood concerns, it proved a success and for the 2011 growing season a 2nd location was tilled on City property at 279 Soundview Avenue near the Wiacek Open Space property.

Our sheltonconservation.org website has a "Farmland in Shelton" webpage that contains hyperlinks to several farms.  The Shelton Trails & Conservation facebook page has several "likes" of local farms that have facebook pages.  The Shelton Economic Development Corporation website has a Shelton Farms webpage noting some of our local farms and what they offer.

At our WedSep7 monthly meeting, there was a request to consider expanding the Farmers Market potential.  The Commission will examine aspects of how that might be accomplished for the benefit of all.  The City of Shelton has a lease with the Farmers Market Association for them to conduct a Farmers Market at the City facility on Canal Street (Farm and Public Market).

It is my understanding that on TueOct4, the Farmers Market Association will hold a meeting to discuss aspects brought up during the public portion of our September Conservation Commission meeting.

Fwd: Trails after Hurricane Irene

Board of Aldermen,

We all know how Hurricane Irene took down trees and toppled them over wires throughout the region.  Now pause for a moment to think where there are a LOT of trees - throughout our City Open Space.  As you can imagine, our trails network was quite impacted with trees down absolutely all over the place.  They were across the RecPath in many spots, and with some limbs hung up in the trees above potential hikers - there was a danger factor as well (such limbs are affectionately called "widow makers")

We didn't ask Park & Rec to help, nor the Tree Warden to approve what to do, or use Conservation Commission budget money to hire tree service companies.

What we did, over the past several years, was to prepare an inventory of tools (purchased almost entirely with grant money) such as chainsaws, bars, cutting tools, and our "gator" 4x4 to transport equipment and volunteers to distant locations.  The Trails Committee volunteers hit the ground running this week (several of them are retirees).  They were out there clearing the trails - and boy is the public using them a lot, especially the RecPath as our contractor has completed his project recently.

Take a look at this entry in the volunteers blog to illustrate some before and after photos of what they have accomplished.  PHENOMENAL.  They were even clearing blow-downs from the Great Ledge property (Bures family parcel) that was just purchased by the City this week. (and Thank-you for your part in accomplishing that)

http://sheltontrailscom.blogspot.com/2011/09/blowdowns-deadfalls-widowmakers-oh-my.html

The above hyperlink has several photos.

Thank you for supporting the Trails Volunteers via our Conservation Commission budget.  For a small investment, you are leveraging a tremendous amount of value in the labor of these individuals.

--
Thomas Harbinson - Chairman

Conservation Commission.

--
Thomas Harbinson

skype: harbthom