Does Bedford need a town agricultural commission?
The Board of Health considered the question at its virtual meeting last week
The topic arose when Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services, reported to the board on a webinar she attended, sponsored by the state Association of Health Boards. A representative of that group helped the Bedford board with its most recent revision of regulations on keeping of animals, she noted.
Porter said that state law requires that “if you have a local agricultural commission and if you are going to put into place new regulations, you have to run it by the commission, have a hearing.”
According to the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions, “A town agricultural commission is a standing committee of town government, created through a vote of town meeting and appointed by the governing body of the town. AgComs represent the farming community, encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural economic development and protect farmlands and farm businesses, and preserve, revitalize, and sustain agricultural businesses and land.” Porter said there are 172 local commissions.
Board member Dr. Ann Kiessling, proprietor of a nine-acre goat farm and micro-dairy on Concord Road, pointed out that towns can affiliate with a commission in a neighboring town if that’s easier.
“Each board of health can establish its own agricultural rules and that’s a big problem for farmers,” noted Kiessling. “A lot of towns have put in very onerous laws about agriculture.” Indeed, she stated, “Boards of health have been major players in discouraging agriculture in Massachusetts,” and “it’s driven by development.”
Kiessling said she would like to know if the town has enough for a commission to do. For example, she said, “a very common problem is what is a farm? How many farmers can there be? And it’s not just farmers. It’s people promoting agriculture in the state.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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