Join us for the Woodbury, CT Earth Day Celebration!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
11am – 4pm
Hollow Park, Woodbury, CT
Learn how you can live earth-friendly.
Live music and activities for the whole family.
Enjoy delicious all natural and organic foods and beverages.
Meet Connecticut companies who are making a difference.
Hosted by the
Woodbury Business and Economic Development Committee &
April 21st, 2012 will mark the 18th annual Earth Day celebrated in Woodbury, CT, and this year it will be brought to you by the Woodbury Business and Economic Development Council, and sponsored in part by New Morning Market. The theme this year is ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ and the celebration will take place from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please click here
In years past this celebration has been held in New Morning’s parking lot area, and played host to more than 100 environmentalists, purveyors of natural and organic products, health practitioners, and non-profit organizations, who shared their products and services with thousands of attendees. The celebration has always been one of the largest free events of its kind.
The 2012 Woodbury Earth Day Celebration will proudly continue with that 17 year old tradition with New Morning, while offering the expansive and beautiful setting of Hollow Park, for exhibitors and guests to explore and celebrate natural and organic living. Our expanded venue also allows an opportunity for local businesses, farmers, and food artisans to sell their goods and services.
There will be live entertainment, including bands, a drumming circle and even a hoola-hoop demonstration, as well as activities for children of all ages. Please be sure to visit the Bantam Fuel Kids Tent, and take a look at the Earth Day themed posters that the Woodbury Middle School students will be submitting for a chance to win prizes. Every vote will count, so be prepared to choose your favorite.
We hope you are as excited as we are about this amazing celebration. If you have any questions regarding 2012 Woodbury Earth Day Celebration, please email woodburyearthday@gmail.com and your questions will be answered by our joint committee.
Directions to Hollow Park
ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
All Day – Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the New Morning Information Booth and pick up your Scavenger Hunt form, sponsored by New Morning Market
11:00 A.M. – Animal Homes Walk with Audubon at Bent of the River
Departs from Basketball Court
12Noon & 2:00 P.M. – Weed Walk with Herbalist Lisl Meredith Heubner
Departs from Basketball Court
12:15 P.M. – Tree Talk by Woodbury Shade Tree and Sidewalk Committee
Bleachers
1:00 P.M. – River Walk with Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
Departs from Basketball Court
AUTHORS FEATURED AT AUTHOR’S BOOTH
Three Connecticut Authors will be on site to talk and sign books, sponsored by Boxed Goodes
11:00 A.M. – Terry Walters
12:45 P.M. – Emily Brooks, Connecticut Farmer & Feast
2:30 P.M. – Maureen Whitehouse
LIVE MUSIC ON MAIN STAGE
11:00 A.M. – Not Quite Bluegrass
Not Quite Bluegrass is a five piece band featuring Scott Camera on dobro, John Pierce on guitar and vocals, Rick Prince banjo, Dave Aston stand up bass, and Pat MacDonald on andolin. They play traditional music, bluegrass, old time and folk rock. Some call it Billy Bob music, Billy Monroe mixed with Bob Dylan.
11:30 A.M. – Krizta Moon
Krizta Moon is a lunar sprite that emerges with spirit and sasafrass. She has been writing and performing for 15 years throughout New England. Her voice can be described as sultry sweet with a dreamy grit. Her songs are witty, soulful and deeply revealing. She is a board certified music therapist and has taught voice for several years for the Warner Theater of Torrington and Downright Music and Art in Collinsville, CT. She currently works for CT Music Therapy Services.
12Noon – Mark Louis Miller
Mark Louis Miller has been playing the guitar professionally for over 30 years. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where his studies concentrated on arranging and composition. His latest CD of original compositions, “One Land Bridge” showcases Mark’s wide range of musical influences and features guest performances by Grammy winners David Darling and Ken Emerson.
12:30 P.M. – Doug Mahard
After leaving UConn in 1981 Doug lit out on the road and landed in Louisiana for six years. There he reveled in the cajunfunkhillbillyrockjazzgrass music that permeated the cities and backwater bayous. His experiences fired his imagination and he began writing songs such as “The Sun Always Shines in Louisiana” which some have said is Louisiana’s equivalent to Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind”.
1:00 P.M. – Don Lowe
Don Lowe explores life as he sees it with songs that are at turns witty, arcane, profane, sad and sometimes downright silly. He’s opened for Kenny White, Toby Walker, Danielle Miraglia, David Jacobs-Strain, Johnny A, Laura Vecchione & Maria Sebastion and has been featured in venues throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and North Dakota.
1:30 P.M. – HannaH’s Field
HannaH*s Field brings love, spirit & organic fresh flavor to their fans through their gypsy reggae music. Uplifting acoustic roots and African Earth beats blend together, growing a magical experience for all. Nominated best female vocalist in the Hartford Advocate for many years, HannaH*s Field has shared the stage with The Average White Band, the Brothers Johnson, Gov’t Mule, Derek Trucks, the Samples, Percy Hill, and Sound Tribe Sector Nine.
2:00 P.M. – Mark Elkins
Mark Elkins born in NYC now from Windsor Locks. Have been songwriting and playing guitar for over 40 years. Have a CD out since 2010 called ‘Noisy Appetites’ on ITunes, CDBaby or Amazon. He routinely plays open mikes throughout the state of CT.
2:40 P.M. – Michelle Wenis
Since 2004, Michelle Wenis has been known by many as their ‘prenatal/childbirth and baby and me’ teacher. She now adds singer/songwriter/recording artist and founder of the LITTLEseed ™ Program to that list. She shares with us sweet lullabies, songs and movements she can only describe as being ‘sent from above’.
3:15 P.M. – Gardens of Beats
Garden of Beats drum circles are not about one person, a few people or even a lot of people. It’s all about people, of all walks of life, communicating universally through rhythm. Every person has a heart, every heart has a beat.
DEMONSTRATIONS
All Day – Spinning Wool at the Dream Come True Farm Booth
All Day – Terrarium Making at the Sweet William Terrariums Booth
11:20 A.M. – Hula Hooping by Mad About Hoops on Main Stage
1:00 P.M.& 3:00 P.M. – Kayak Demonstration by CT Outdoors at Hollow Pond
2:20 P.M. – Martial Arts by USA Martial Arts
3:00 P.M. – Didgeridoo Demonstration on Main Stage
To the THOUSANDS who showed support for The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market, we have an exciting update! The farm market has a SAFE AND LASTING HOME! The market has a new, ten-year arrangement that keeps the farmers’ market at the Hale Homestead!
The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market stays at the Hale Homestead!
“This is excellent news for the residents of Coventry and the farmers market,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky. “I commend the Town of Coventry and the farmer’s market for their work to ensure this great Connecticut tradition was not lost. Connecticut has a rich agricultural history, one that we want to encourage and expand.”
Of the state’s 125 farmers’ markets, the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market, now in its eighth year of operation, is one of the largest and most heavily attended. In 2011, it accounted for $500,000 in sales and was visited by over 75,000 people.
A peek at the 10-Year Arrangement with the Hale Homestead Museum
According to Winter Caplanson, Executive Director of Bridges Healthy Cooking School, the nonprofit that oversees the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market, “This is a 10 year agreement between Connecticut Landmarks, the Town of Coventry, and Bridges Healthy Cooking School, and includes terms we can meet and the construction of our barn. After construction, we will transfer ownership of the barn to the town who will maintain it and oversee and promote rental of the barn for public events.
40% of rental fees, each, will go to CTL and to us, which may be an important revenue generator for both non-profits, 20% will go to the town to cover maintenance costs. The agreement also includes 4 "extra" days of use of the barn/property for us and 5 evenings for meetings and workshops. This additional time will allow us to expand our programming taking advantage of the barn as a hub for activities and also shelter for workshops in the case of inclement weather.
A "special use" permit or traffic review is no longer required because the facility has already been functioning in this capacity. We’re very grateful to John Elsesser as Coventry's leadership stepped up big time to make this happen.”
Thousands signed the petition and Let their Voices be Heard! THANK YOU!
Trudy Mitchell: Bolton, CT: “Every activity in CT that brings community together in such a positive way should continue unrestricted and unfettered. Additionally, such a great Farmers' Market in Coventry brings tourism into the area - all pluses for Connecticut's economic future and the people who live here.”
Cathy Mitchell: Coventry, CT: “The CRFM has added so much to our town. It brings in much needed business as well as tourism dollars. We own the Daniel Rust House B&B & nearly all our guests visit..and re-visit the market. It is a feather in this towns cap.”
Tricia Staley, Norwich, CT: “The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market reaches well beyond Coventry, both for vendors and consumers. From a financial policy perspective, if we are to fulfill Gov. Malloy's stated goal of keeping/creating jobs in Connecticut, here's an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. This is direct support for agriculture and small business -- local and regional. State agencies should be doing everything they can to make this easier, not harder and more costly.”
MaryLynne Boisvert, Bristol, CT: “I am one of the vendors and if the market does not run, I will lose 20% of my income.”
Stephen Gronda, Glen Cove, NY: “I am a former Nutmegger and lived in Coventry for several years. I am also an environmental professional, and a Planning Board member. Traffic studies are often filled with "Consultant Verbiage," such as:"While the roadway and intersection as presently situated are considered Failed, with minor lighting adjustments this situation can be improved." Hmmmm!. I regularly go to farmer's markets in NY and believe that positives of such a market so exceed any environmental issues arising out of its possible slight expansion that hindrance should be avoided.”
Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Elfers, FL: “PLEASE, PLEASE keep this wonderful venue, open. As a person who lives in an area where NOTHING hand-crafted, made with love, unique and even useful is welcomed or even considered, I can't tell you how much it means to me to visit places that do give such variety and wondrous offerings. I don't live anywhere near this market, but I can assure you, as surely as I'm sitting here typing this plea, that if I did, I'd not only visit, but also participate...”
Cheryll Moreau: Coventry, CT: “I have been attending the Farmers Market since its beginning and have only seen the benefits it has given to this area and to our town and local residence. If there has never been a need for a traffic study before why now? Who's fingers are in this one and don't blame it on a barn because a barn is not what would bring more traffic. Why does it seem every time something good and wholesome comes along from someone’s hard work there is always someone else that wants to throw a road block in the way. Lets preserve this great event and do everything we can to see it last for a great many years to come. Many Thanks to the Farmers Market Committee!”
CONNECTICUT FARM BUREAU SPONSORS SEMINAR ON HOW TO PROCESS AND SELL FARM RAISED PRODUCTS FOR PROFIT
Farmers looking to sell their produce, meats, poultry and dairy products to consumers can learn all about the state and federal laws during a day-long seminar sponsored by the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association in cooperation with USDA Risk Management Agency and UCONN Cooperative Extension.
Registration is $50 for Farm Bureau Members and $60 for non-members and includes lunch and materials. ($75 and $90 after March 27.)
Topics covered during the conference will be state and federal laws pertaining to farm food processing, food labeling, water testing, training, permitting and certification requirements, hygiene requirements, how to work with local health departments, state and federal agencies, and more.
These topics and more will be covered in this comprehensive one-day program on what every producer needs to know to process and sell farm-raised produce.
Exley Science Center
Wesleyan University
265 Church Street Middletown, CT
Program - Saturday, March 31, 2012
8:00 - 8:30AM - Registration
8:30 AM - 8:40AM - Welcome
Don Tuller, Tulmeadow Farm, President, CFBA Board of Directors
8:40AM - 9:15AM - Is Your 2011 Risk Management Plan adequate for 2012?
Joseph Bonelli, Associate Extension Educator, UCONN
9:15AM - 9:30AM - Greetings from Department of Agriculture Steven Reviczky, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Agriculture
9:30AM - 9:40AM - Greetings from Department of Public Health Dr. Jewel Mullen, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
9:40AM - 10:10AM - Department of Public Health's Role in Food Processing Tracey Weeks, Food Protection Program Coordinator
10:10AM - 10:25AM - Break
10:25AM - 10:55AM - Department of Consumer Protection's Role in Food Processing
Frank Greene, Division Director, Food and Standards
10:55AM - 11:25AM - Department of Agriculture's Role in Food Processing
Wayne Kasacek, Assistant Director, Bureau of Inspection and Regulation
11:25AM -12:15PM - Working Together: Roundtable Discussion
Tracey Weeks, Frank Greene and Wayne Kasacek
12:15PM - 1:15PM - Box Lunch--Included with your Registration Fee
Optional Lunchtime Breakout Session:
Processing and Selling Farm-Raised Cider
The ins and outs of making cider. This program will review the differing regulations that effect processing raw vs. pasteurized cider.
Frank Greene, Division Director, Food and Standards, DCP and Tom and Sharon Muska, Applebrook Farm
1:15PM - 2:15PM - Breakout Session #1
1. Processing Acidified Foods in Your Home Kitchen
Is your salsa tasty enough to sell? This session will review the processing of acidified foods, pickles, jams, jelly and other similar foods in a non-commercial, residential kitchen. This session will review the state requirements including water and product testing, restrictions on use of kitchen and training requirements.
Frank Greene, Division Director, Food and Standards,DCP and Anita Kopchinski, Hidden Brook Gardens, LLC
2. Selling Farm Raised Produce to Restaurants
The needs of restaurants are unique. What is the best way to approach a restaurant? Why kinds of products are local chefs looking for? This program will also cover efficient systems for ordering and delivery, and how to join the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Farm-to-Chef program.
Linda Piotrowicz, Marketing Bureau, DOA and Christine Applewhite, Environmental Sanitarian II, DPH
3. Processing and Selling Farm Raised Dairy Products
The unique challenges of processing dairy products including yoghurt and cheeses, This program will cover USDA, FDA and labeling requirements.
Becky Clark, Bushy Hill Orchards
Wayne Kasacek, Assistant Director, Bureau of Inspection and Regulation, DOA
4. Processing and Selling Farm Raised Meat in Connecticut
What are the mistakes to avoid when considering meat processing? The logistics of finding a slaughterhouse, storage, distribution and sales will be reviewed.
Joyce Meader, UCONN Cooperative Extension and Herb Holden Jr., Broad Brook Beef
5. Grant Money for Value Added Products
Information on federal monies available to farmers who are considering value added products or who would like to expand their processing capacity. David Brown, Area Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development
2:15PM - 2:30PM - Break
2:30PM - 3:30PM - Breakout Session #2
1. Commercial Kitchens
Ready to expand your processing capacity? This session will help you determine what you need to expand your operation beyond your home kitchen. Hints on setting up a commercial kitchen to meet state regulatory standards.
Frank Greene, Division Director, Food and Standards, DCP and Kathy Dunai, Cupola Hollow Farms
2. Retail Sales of Farm Raised Products: Farm Stands and Farmers Markets
State and local health districts oversee a number of aspects of farm stands and farmers' markets. This program will review required standards and permits to meet state and local requirements.
Tracey Weeks, DPH and Don Tuller, Tulmeadow Farms
3. Safe Fruits and Vegetables, the Food Safety Modernization Act and GAP: Making Sense of it All
This program will inform you about food safety concerns as they relate to produce, update you on the Food Safety Modernization Act and how it will affect produce growers, and help growers to understand the importance of adopting Good Agricultural Practices whether you need to pursue GAP certification or you simply want to be proactive and reduce food safety risks for your customers.
Diane Hirsch and Candace Bartholomew- UCONN Cooperative Extension
4. Processing and Selling Farm Raised Poultry and Eggs: How to Become Sate Licensed
If you are considering poultry slaughter, this session will provide you with advice on regulations, inspections and guidelines necessary for processing and selling chicken. Thinking about selling eggs? This program will review state inspection requirements and procedures for selling eggs.
Wayne Kasacek, Assistant Director, Bureau of Inspection and Regulation, DOA and Bruce Gresczyk, Jr., Gresczyk Farms
5. Sales Tax and Processed Foods What is taxable and what isn't?
If you are selling retail, this session will explain the tax rules and guidelines for processed food.
Melvin Jones, Lead Consumer Information Representative Department of Revenue Services, State of Connecticut
Since 1919, The Connecticut Farm Bureau Association has provided a strong, clear voice in state agricultural issues. As a non-governmental, voluntary organization of farm families, the Connecticut Farm Bureau is united to find solutions for concerns facing production agriculture in our counties, state and nation. Volunteer leaders and staff work closely with state and federal regulatory agencies and elected officials on issues ranging from economic viability, property rights, taxation, land use planning to labor laws and farmland preservation.
“As consumers demand more access to locally produced foods, it has become important to ensure that our farmers know how to bring their products to market. This is also an excellent opportunity for new farmers or those interested in food distribution to learn the rules,” says Henry Talmage, executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association. "This is our third annual statewide conference and their popularity continues to grow."
For more information CONTACT: Chris Watts | (860) 838-1808 | chris@pmarketingllc.com.
Despite overwhelming public support demanding the approval of Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market’s move from the Nathan Hale Museum to 307 Spring Street in the Town of Coventry, the Planning & Zoning commission again delayed the market’s special permit request. The delayed vote further hurts the chances of the market's being able to remain in Coventry for the 2012 season. Winter Caplanson, the market's executive director, said the market will now more seriously consider invitations to use space in other towns for this year's market.
A barn REQUIRES a traffic Study?
The Cy Regional Farmers' Market (CRFM) was the lucky recipient of the American Farmland Trust's GREAT BARN GIVE AWAY and was awarded an open air post-and-beam barn worth $80,000! VIEW THE SPECS OF THE BARN HERE that was given to the Coventry Planning & Zoning Commission.
Although Connecticut Landmarks, operators of the Nathan Hale Homestead, had given permission and encouragement for the market to enter the contest, after the win of this well-deserved award, Connecticut Landmarks sought to charge the farmers' market an annual rental fee for the barn. This and other proposed lease terms were well beyond what the farmers' market could afford, making it impossible to continue at Hale.
The market was offered the Silver Street site and organizers drew up plans to construct its barn on the new property. But Winter Caplanson, Executive Director of the nonprofit CRFM, said she and other market leaders recently learned that the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, might vote to require a costly and lengthy review and full-scale traffic study by the State Traffic Commission.
Historically, traffic studies have been conducted when there is a need for road work, road repair, or other contracted physical changes to existing roadways. Requiring such an extensive traffic study to move a farmers market from 2299 South Street, zoned General Residential Zone 80 in Coventry, 2.9 miles away to 307 Silver Street, is highly excessive. Additionally, and as you can see from the map below, most of the farmers' market traffic at the Hale Homestead Museum traveled on Silver Street to get to and from the market. Silver Street has already proven able to safely handle the market's traffic.
The new proposed Silver Street location for the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market is zoned Commercial/Agricultural Zone on the west side of the street and General Residential Zone 80 on the east side of Silver Street. You can see the zoning map here indicating the old and new proposed locations for the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market.
The last major public traffic study published by the CT Department of Transportation was the Buckland Area Transportation Study in August of 2010 to identify near- and long-term transportation improvements for the roadway network in the Buckland commercial area which encompasses portions of the Towns of Manchester, South Windsor and East Hartford. Additional DOT calls to action have requested official traffic studies for the I-84/Route 8 Waterbury Interchange, State Pier Deficiencies, and to assess Route 8 Deficiencies from Seymour to Waterbury. These are major highways and thoroughfares that affect millions of vehicle passengers on a yearly basis.
Why a full-scale State Traffic Study is unnecessary
According to the Department of Transportation’s website: Does the CT State Traffic Commission ever deny an application because residents or a town objects to a development? Answer:
“No. The STC and the Division of Traffic Engineering of the DOT work closely with the local traffic authority of a town in determining the requirements for roadway improvements in conjunction with the issuance of certificates of operation. By statute, the STC can only consider traffic safety in its review. While issues such as the impact on the environment or the quality of life in a town which may be impacted by a large development may be valid, they do not come under the STC's jurisdiction. These are decisions that must be made on a local level. If a developer's engineer can demonstrate, through accepted traffic engineering techniques, that the improvements proposed by the developer to mitigate the impact of the generated traffic are adequate, the STC will normally issue a certificate of operation.”
This means that the CT State Traffic Commission will rely on the input of Coventry’s Local Traffic Authority: Mr. John A Elsesser, Town Manager, Town of Coventry @ 1712 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238, 860-742-6324, JElsesser@coventryct.org. Additionally, the Local Traffic Authority (LTA) of each town (Mr. Elsesser of Coventry) is contacted during the course of the technical review conducted by the Division of Traffic Engineering at the State Department of Transportation. The LTA's concurrence or nonconcurrence is noted at the State Traffic Control’s meeting. How to get an official traffic study?
It is our understanding that Mr. Elsesser’s objections to the market’s move 2.9 miles to a new location, and their request to build an open-air post-and-beam barn, would have to be noted at the State Traffic Control’s meeting and he would relinquish his Local Traffic Authority (LTA) control turning the issue over to be determined by a traffic study by the CT Department of Transportation. Such actions fly in the face of the mandates set forth in the Coventry Land Use Handbook and the House Bill no. 5472, Public Act no. 11-188 authorizing local and regional considerations of agriculture in local plans of conservation and development, effective October 1, 2011.
A highly excessive response in light of the facts. All of this because of a BARN?
Check out this picture of the barn that "requires" a $25,000 traffic study.
Also according to the DOT’s website, “Pursuant to Section 14-311 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a certificate of operation is required for all developments of 100,000 square feet of floor area and/or 200 or more parking spaces which abut or adjoin a state highway or which substantially affect state highway traffic. A certificate is required for any new development or an expansion of an existing development which, in its entirety, equals or exceeds the aforementioned thresholds and abuts or adjoins a state highway. A new certificate is required for any development which is already certified, and is increasing its parking facilities by 50 or more parking spaces, increasing in square footage or is proposing any significant change in use from that previously approved (i.e., office-to-retail). Pursuant to Section 14-311c, developments which share access or are contiguous and commonly owned are collectively considered in the application process.”
FACTS:
- The size of the proposed barn is NOT 100,000 square feet or more of floor space
- The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market is not asking, requesting, or proposing the creation or construction of a paved parking lot. They will maintain an area of open grassy field for parking -- just like they did at the Hale Homestead Museum. And, just like at Hale, over-flow parking areas will be maintained for public safety and to keep the roadway clear of congested traffic.
- The 307 Spring Street location for the CRFM does not abut or adjoin a state highway
- The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market is not proposing a zoning change at the 307 Spring Street site in order to host their market there.
According to the Hartford Courant, Caplanson said the farmers’ market was made an offer from a nearby town to use "a very prominent piece of town-owned land that is good to go for large events and has ample parking." Caplanson said she didn't want to name the town until the entire market committee could review the offer.
Caplanson said a number of other offers to host the market also came in to the committee over the weekend, one of which might be considered this week. Caplanson declined to name the location, but said it is already permitted and licensed to hold an event like the farmers market.
- Adding a voice of support for the Coventry Regional Farmers Markets and the farmers, producers, and artisans that depend on this regional food hub for their incomes,
- Formally requesting that all necessary permits, zoning approvals, traffic studies, and other safety precautions are expedited as quickly and as fairly as possible to ensure that planning for the 2012 Farmers Market season can proceed,
- Speaking on the citizens’ behalf to let the State of Connecticut know how very valuable the Coventry Regional Farmers Market is to you and to our local food and agriculture movements.
Here’s what some folks who signed the petition had to say.
Trudy Mitchell: Bolton, CT: “Every activity in CT that brings community together in such a positive way should continue unrestricted and unfettered. Additionally, such a great Farmers' Market in Coventry brings tourism into the area - all pluses for Connecticut's economic future and the people who live here.”
Cathy Mitchell: Coventry, CT: “The CRFM has added so much to our town. It brings in much needed business as well as tourism dollars. We own the Daniel Rust House B&B & nearly all our guests visit..and re-visit the market. It is a feather in this towns cap.”
Tricia Staley, Norwich, CT: “The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market reaches well beyond Coventry, both for vendors and consumers. From a financial policy perspective, if we are to fulfill Gov. Malloy's stated goal of keeping/creating jobs in Connecticut, here's an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. This is direct support for agriculture and small business -- local and regional. State agencies should be doing everything they can to make this easier, not harder and more costly.”
MaryLynne Boisvert, Bristol, CT: “I am one of the vendors and if the market does not run, I will lose 20% of my income.”
Stephen Gronda, Glen Cove, NY: “I am a former Nutmegger and lived in Coventry for several years. I am also an environmental professional, and a Planning Board member. Traffic studies are often filled with "Consultant Verbiage," such as:"While the roadway and intersection as presently situated are considered Failed, with minor lighting adjustments this situation can be improved." Hmmmm!. I regularly go to farmer's markets in NY and believe that positives of such a market so exceed any environmental issues arising out of its possible slight expansion that hindrance should be avoided.”
Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Elfers, FL: “PLEASE, PLEASE keep this wonderful venue, open. As a person who lives in an area where NOTHING hand-crafted, made with love, unique and even useful is welcomed or even considered, I can't tell you how much it means to me to visit places that do give such variety and wondrous offerings. I don't live anywhere near this market, but I can assure you, as surely as I'm sitting here typing this plea, that if I did, I'd not only visit, but also participate...”
Cheryll Moreau: Coventry, CT: “I have been attending the Farmers Market since its beginning and have only seen the benefits it has given to this area and to our town and local residence. If there has never been a need for a traffic study before why now? Who's fingers are in this one and don't blame it on a barn because a barn is not what would bring more traffic. Why does it seem every time something good and wholesome comes along from someone’s hard work there is always someone else that wants to throw a road block in the way. Lets preserve this great event and do everything we can to see it last for a great many years to come. Many Thanks to the Farmers Market Committee!”
PUBLIC Planning & Zoning Meeting on January 16th, 2012
The final public Planning & Zoning meeting to determine the fate of the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market will be on Monday, January 16th at 7pm at the Coventry Town Hall Annex Building at 1712 Main Street in Coventry. Thousands have shown support for the Coventry Farmers’ Market by attending prior public meetings, sending letters of support, and signing the online petition to SAVE the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market.
According to Winter Caplanson, Executive Director of the nonprofit Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market:
“I know that the hearing is still open... people can speak and information can be presented. They have not asked us for any new information. But after Monday, they cannot extend it any further without our permission. The hearing must be closed after Monday night which means no new information can be taken into consideration. They DO NOT have to vote to issue a special permit for the farmers’ market Monday night, though we hope they will. I think it's 65 days that they have to consider and discuss before they are required to render a decision. It is these continuous delays that will hurt our farmers and the market’s ability to proceed forward in Coventry.”
The Chronicle had some good info: In light of the fact that a full-scale state traffic study is excessive, State Traffic Commission (STC) Executive Director David A. Sawicki and Coventry Town Planner Eric Trott said information from the town’s traffic study could be incorporated into the state-mandated study and this could shorten the process. Sawicki said an initial review of the plans seems to indicate it is not likely the farmer’s market site would require the same level of work as there might be for a large development. He added, “There’s currently already a left-turn lane; that’s a plus for them.”
Why is this meeting happening?
Connecticut Landmarks, operators of the Nathan Hale Homestead, had given permission and encouragement for the Coventry Regional Farmers Market to enter the AFT Great Barn Give Away contest.
AFTER the win of this well-deserved award, Connecticut Landmarks sought to charge the farmers' market an annual rental fee for the barn. This and other proposed lease terms were well beyond what the farmers' market could afford, making it impossible to continue at Hale.
A supporter offered a spectacular piece of land for a new market location, but because plans drawn for the Planning & Zoning process include more than 200 parking spaces, the State of Connecticut State Traffic Commission will need to determine the impact of the market's relocation on highway traffic. This requires a $25,000 traffic study and an expected 6 months processing time before a permit for use can be obtained.
The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market seeks simply to move its operations to a new, affordable location that offers a fair, long-term lease.
Meeting information:
PZC Special Meeting
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM
For continued discussion of the Coventry Regional Farmers Market special permit.
Location: Coventry Town Hall Annex Building
1712 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238
Coventry Planning & Zonning Contact Information
Eric Trott, Director of Planning & Development etrott@coventryct.org
Bonnie Potocki, Zoning Enforcement Officer bpotocki@coventryct.org
Todd Penney, Town Engineer/Inland Wetlands Agent tpenney@coventryct.org
Brenda Bennett, Land Use Permit Technician bbennett@coventryct.org
WHO?
The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market has been cited as Connecticut’s BEST farmers’ market by Yankee Magazine, Boston Magazine and American Farmland Trust! New England Travel Magazine calls ours “Connecticut’s preeminent farmers’ market.” June through October, it’s the largest and most diverse farmers’ market in Connecticut.
The Coventry Regional Farmers Market is the largest hub of local commerce in the entire state of Connecticut drawing in over 65,000 visitors each season and infusing a minimum of $20,000 of local monies directly into local food and agriculture businesses each week.
According to a Hartford Courant article: Coventry Regional Farmers Market Still Faces Obstacles red tape with Planning & Zoning and with the State Traffic Commission are hindering the markets move from the Nathan Hale Homestead to a new location.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The issue is TIMING and COST.
The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market was the lucky recipient of the American Farmland Trust's GREAT BARN GIVE AWAY and was awarded an open air post-and-beam barn worth $80,000!
Sounds great, right?
Although Connecticut Landmarks, operators of the Nathan Hale Homestead, had given permission and encouragement for the market to enter the contest, after the win of this well-deserved award, Connecticut Landmarks sought to charge the farmers' market an annual rental fee for the barn. This and other proposed lease terms were well beyond what the farmers' market could afford, making it impossible to continue at Hale.
A supporter offered a spectacular piece of land for a new market location, but because plans drawn for the Planning & Zoning process include more than 200 parking spaces, the State of Connecticut State Traffic Commission will need to determine the impact of the market's relocation on highway traffic. This requires a $25,000 traffic study and an expected 6 months processing time before a permit for use can be obtained.
Both the timing and the costs of these setbacks is hindering the planning and implementation of the 2012 farmers’ market season. Winter Caplanson, executive director of the nonprofit that manages the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market said, “Caplanson said vendor applications for farmers would typically have been sent out already and would be due back in February. The market's committee would have already planned the summer's events and partnered with other organizations. None of that has been worked on yet for 2012.”
George Krivda, the legislative program manager at the Connecticut State Department of Agriculture, said the market is highly valued by his department. "It would be a horrible shame, unfathomable to the department that the Coventry Farmers Market would cease to exist," he said.
- Adds your voice of support for the Coventry Regional Farmers Markets and the farmers, producers, and artisans that depend on this regional food hub for their incomes,
- Formally requests that all necessary permits, zoning approvals, traffic studies, and other safety precautions are expedited as quickly and as fairly as possible to ensure that planning for the 2012 Farmers Market season can proceed,
- Speaks on your behalf to let the State of Connecticut know how very valuable the Coventry Regional Farmers Market is to you and to our local food and agriculture movements.
To send additional letters of support, email: marketmasters@CoventryFarmersMarket.com
MarkBittman’s recent article, No Turkeys Here, published on November 19th struck a solemn cord with me. I never republish anyone else’s digital content or blots and I never steal digital content. Having said, I am going to opt to republish some of Mark’s blog post as it highlights some of the best sustainable food and farming people, programs, and institutions across the nation this year. If some of these people or programs are new to you, I hope you dig in and learn about them. He says it better than most of us could (which is why he gets paid the big bucks!)
Thanks Mark for all of your diligent research and food advocacy and witty writing. I’ve added my own comments as well – a joint-a-article, I suppose . . . . . .
The things that I too am thankful for this Thanksgiving:
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Start — as many of those involved in the food movement did — with Marion Nestle, the nutrition and policy guru and an all-around heroine. (Her daily blog, Food Politics, is always worth a look.) Put simply: eat per Marion’s advice and you’ll be eating better. (You’ll probably live longer, too, but as Marion might say, “the studies are incomplete.”)
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For low-income people, better eating often starts with WIC andSNAP. It’s a shame we need these food assistance programs, but it’s great that we have them, and we must fight to preserve and improve them.
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There are more than half as many farmers’ markets as there are McDonald’s. The markets are gaining ground, and fantastic groups like Wholesome Wave are making them more affordable. God bless Michel Nischan for his passion, leadership, and commitment to underserved populations. You’re our hero, Michel!
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Hooray for the Environmental Working Group, our best watchdog on misallocated subsidies, ethanol policies and a variety of conservation issues.
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Journalists. Especially Barry Estabrook (of the blog Politics of the Plate), Tom Philpott (Mother Jones) and Tom Laskawy (Grist), old-school guys who dig up the food stories you need to read. In her blog and her book (both called “Superbug”), Maryn McKenna routinely scares me half to death. Then there’s Raj Patel, a social justice writer who focuses on food; his “Stuffed and Starved” is a classic critique of the world food “system.”
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Can’t mention Estabrook (or his book “Tomatoland”) without a shout out to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, who showed that farm workers could fight for and win better working conditions.
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Speaking of fighting, Just Label It and others are involved in the much-needed struggle for better food labeling.
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If Michael Pollan had done nothing other than say, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants,” we’d still owe him a great debt. But his new edition of rules (“An Eater’s Manual”) features the typically gorgeous art of the great Maira Kalman.
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We also owe the Humane Society of the United States, Mercy for Animals and PETA (they can be extreme and, I think, even silly, but still…). All decry animal abuse on a daily basis, sometimes at physical risk to their employees. It’s tough work; it isn’t pretty; but as awareness increases so will the cry for change.
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For his long-range view and persistence, you have to love Wes Jackson, whose Land Institute is advancing perennial agriculture as an alternative to input-heavy annual monoculture.
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Few views are as long-range as those of Wendell Berry, who’s pushing 80. The farmer, poet, novelist and essayist is a leading voice for sustainability and common sense, and perhaps the first scribe of the food movement.
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Serious thanks to Bill McKibben, who’s trying to keep the earth in good enough shape to grow things on it, and Tim DeChristopher, who put his freedom on the line (and lost it) protesting oil and gas leases on public land.
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And to Bill Marler, who, as the leading food safety attorney in the country, is trying to keep the things we grow from killing us. Check out Michele Simon on Marler’s Food Safety News, too.
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The Rudd Center has spearheaded the movement for a much-needed soda tax. When that happens … well, woo-hoo: we’ll know that serious and lasting change has come.
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For better and still improving school lunches, let’s thank Ann Cooper (the Renegade Lunch Lady), Kate Adamick, Chef Tim Cipriano, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act , and Michelle Obama.
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With Washington on the agenda, a shout out to Ezra Klein, the hardworking economics and politics writer whose daily WonkBlog is indispensable.
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Four D.C. lawmakers with the guts to fight Big Ag: Senators Bernie Sanders (a national treasure), Jon Tester, an organic farmer, and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Chellie Pingree. There are others, but not enough; next year there should be more.
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All of the courageous farmers in Connecticut Farmer & Feast and New York City Farmer & Feast. Telling your stories has humbled me to the core.
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Finally: Thanks to anyone who’s started a small farm in the last five years, and anyone who’s supported one; anyone who cooks, and especially anyone who teaches others to cook. Let’s acknowledge all real farmers, stewards of the earth, as well as those fishers and ranchers who get it: there are plenty, and their numbers are increasing.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meet the Hartford County Farmers featured in Connecticut Farmer & Feast, a revolutionary new cookbook by Emily Brooks.
Meet the Tolland County Farmers featured in Connecticut Farmer & Feast, a revolutionary new cookbook by Emily Brooks.
Meet the Litchfield County Farmers featured in Connecticut Farmer & Feast, a revolutionary new cookbook by Emily Brooks.