Key Takeaways from Agriculture and Forestry Commission, June 5, 2023

Making note of the damage from freeze, Chair Matt Boudreau took a moment to mention what a rough month it has been for farmers.

The handouts at Town Meeting describing invasives were appreciated according to Boudreau.

According to Ken Gooch, consulting tree expert, the ash trees in Ice Glen look good but the hemlock do not. Lisa Buzzuto asked if there is any indication in the understory of what will replace the hemlock. Gooch said he saw red maple, sugar maple, birch, and pine.

Chair introduced Stewart Kelso, hired a supervisor of proposed Stockbridge Farmer's Market.

Kelso reported that there was no interest in a Stockbridge Farmer's Market this year and suggested, subject to commission's approval, planning now for 2024.

After a robust discussion, it was decided to plan for 2024; seek an anchor farm; limit it to traditional fresh items and not prepared foods; consider Wednesdays as the day for Stockbridge Farmer's market.

In addition, the Commission was very interested in the Berkshire Mobile Farmer's Market. It is run by Berkshire Grown and Berkshire Bounty on a federal grant that is based on income and immobility. The suggestion was for service to Heaton Court and Pine Woods.

Editor's notes: In the May 15, 2023 issue, SU reported that Stockbridge qualified for the Biden Administration's Justice40 initiative. This designation means an area is "marginalized, underserved, overburdened". While this is not how we usually consider Stockbridge, the median income of full-time Stockbridge residents is $41,000. The Justice40 designation allows Stockbridge to qualify for grants including the Mobile Market.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne