Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Brian Gartner Commission Vice-Chair Members James Miller Michael Thomas Kate Miller on Jane Brawerman David Bauer Elisabeth Holder Bob Daniels Conservation & Agriculture Barbara Schukoske Vacant Michael Maier Alternates Ellen Lukens Judy Konopka Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA DATE: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting to be held online. Members of the public may view/listen to the meeting using electronic equipment as follows: 1. Going to https://webex.com and joining the meeting using the appropriate meeting number and password 2. Launching the WebEx application and joining the meeting using the appropriate meeting number and password Via telephone at 1-408-418-9388 and the appropriate access code Webinar Number/Access Code: 2330 914 1477 Webinar Password: Middletown Panelist Password: openspace A. Call to Order B. Accept the Agenda C. Public Forum D. Agricultural sub –committee 1. Agricultural grants review and approval. AGRICULTURAL GRANTS 2021 1. Five Star Performance Horses LLC Amount Requested Approved By subcommittee Erin Cecchini $24,000 $21,000 They are a 5th generation farm on Middle Street. The farm boards horses and operates a therapeutic riding center. They would like to install 6 new paddocks with proper drainage. They would also like to reassemble a greenhouse on the farm to store 1000 bales of hay. An overhead door is desperately needed for the indoor riding arena area. 2. Higgins Farms Inc. Leonard Higggins $24,000 $22,000 The Higgin’s farm established in 1920 is located on Ridgewood Road. A dairy farm until 2010, the farm now boards horses and raises rodeo bulls and produces grass fed beef. The farm would like to expand the grass fed beef operation. An open pole barn is needed that is 24’x 60’ to provide shelter to up to 20 beef animals. 3. Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Dee Goodrich $25,000 $22,000 The farm is a therapeutic riding center established in 1999 on Millbrook Road. Specialize working with children with physical, emotional and cognitive special needs. They are in need of a small farm vehicle, If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Page 1 of 2  gravel footings around the riding arena, stall mats, muck bucket carts, wheel barrows, saddles and fencing materials. 4. Phresh Farms Mya Tillman / Robert Sanborn $3,344 $3,344 Phresh Farms operates an Urban Farm in New Britain. They would like to re-establish a farm on George Street known as Granma’s Farm. They would like to replenish the soil using vermiculite and composting. They also will develop a farm stand to sell their vegetables at 288 George Street, 5. Forest City Farms Gabe Russo $25,000 $22,000 Forest City Farms leasing open space and operates a CSA farm on River Road. They currently sell to local restaurants and attend the farmers markets. The farm plans to create and develop a pick your own berry area at the farm. They are requesting funds to purchase, netting, posts, gates, fittings and planting stock. A small mower is needed, ground fabric, and a backpack sprayer. 6. Barbara Schukoske Hilldale Farm $6,000 $6,000 The Hilldale farm is located on Millbrook Road that primarily boards horses. They need to remove existing old wire fencing and rotted posts. They will install new wire fencing and posts to establish a safe area pasture area for the boarded horses and visitors. 7. River Ridge Farm and Market Dakota Rudloff Eastman $25,000 $22,000 They are Middletown area’s newest farm located on 30 acres in Portland CT. Experienced farmers they operated the Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury. They would like to open a four season grocery market in the Old Trolley Barn in the north End. They will sell their vegetables and offer space to other farms. Space will also be offered to artisans, flower growers and other food beginning businesses. They will need to purchase a walk in cooler, display cooler, display boxes. They will also set up a learning center to teach people how to farm efficiently. 8. Ox Yoke Farm II Linda Liberia $25,000 $22,000 Ox Yoke Farm was just purchased and is located on Brooks Road. It’s a 28 acre farm that has been idle for 14 years. They wish to bring it back to a sustainable working farm. They need to purchase a tractor with attachments to till and clear the land. A tractor is crucial to the development of this historic farm. TOTAL = $157, 844 $140,344 E. Adjournment Page 2 of 2