Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/4/2023
SOUTHWICK — On Jan. 11, the Southwick Agricultural Commission will host a Farmer’s Forum at 6:30 p.m. at the Southwick Public Library.
The purpose of this forum is for the commission to have a conversation with the Southwick farm community and how they can better support them. Chair Burt Hansen stated, “This is our first time doing a Farmer’s Forum and our first in-person event since the pandemic. We want to step up our advocacy for farmers and help identify opportunities for them within the community at large.” He went on to say, “Through this forum, we want to find out how we can help farmers. We want to know if they’re aware of grants that are available and if they are aware of them do they have the time to fill out the grant request.”
Formed in 2006 by a Town Meeting vote, the commission encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the town of Southwick. Historically, there was a tractor rally every spring in April, with farm-related activities and a farm-related information booth, for five years before the coronavirus pandemic. In place of the tractor rally, the commission hopes to host an Open Farm Day similar to the one in neighboring Granby, CT, promoting local farms and their products, and showcasing activities and have demonstrations.
Hansen explained, “We as a group have been trying to figure out when can we do this, so that’s one of the questions that I want to ask farmers at the Farmer’s Forum. If this is a good idea, would they want to participate and what time of year should we do it.”
Hansen said he wants farmers to view the forum as a resource for them and a way to discuss what kinds of things the commission can collaborate with them on in the future that will promote farming. The commission also wants to develop a database of farmers’ names and contact information so they can better stay in touch and communicate directly.
Those who are interested in attending the Farmer’s Forum should register with agcom@southwickma.net or with Hansen at 636-3768. For more information about the Southwick Agricultural Commission, visit southwickma.org/agricultural-commission.
This article was edited Jan. 5, 2022, to correct the byline.