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3.30.2013

Egg Dying from the Forest and Garden


Had a blast this morning leading a workshop on dying and imprinting eggs using plant materials.
There's a wide world of color out there.
Bring it on Spring!









Keep your ears peeled next year if you're interested in participating.

3.21.2013

Watertown Times article- Canton's restrictive proposal


 
Proposed Chicken law more restrictive than other area towns 
(March 21st WDT)

Think of it this way:
 
There are 239 parcels in the Town residential zone.
Only 56 have more than three acres.
Shouldn't the other 183  have the opportunity to raise chickens for their families?




3.19.2013

Zoning Update-sobering news

Last week we submitted a series of questions to the Town Supervisor and Code Enforcement Officer.  As the growing season bears down, it was essential to understand their interpretation of the code. The Town Lawyer has  stated at two consecutive meetings that there would be no problem with a homeowner growing food in the residential zone and selling it at the Farmer's Market, which was thought provoking and gave us some optimism. 

What follows is the written response we received yesterday, with answers following in bold. Question 4-6 were included as there is an active maple operation on Miner.

What forms of food production are currently allowed in the residential zone?

1. Can someone grow food for themselves and their family?  
    YES, BUT NOT FOR SALE OR BARTER 
2. Can someone grow food for barter?  
    NO 
3. Can someone collect sap in the residential zone?  
    NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION AS APPLICANTS WOULD NEED TO FORMULATE A PLAN THAT WAS APPROVABLE BY THE PLANNING BOARD
4. Can someone boil sap in the residential zone?  
    SAME AS #4.
5. Can someone sell maple syrup in the residential zone? 
    SAME AS #4 
6. Can someone grow food in the residential zone and distribute or sell it off site (ex. farmer’s market, wholesale, home delivery)?  
    NO
7.  Can someone grow food in the residential zone and distribute it in the rural portion of their property? 
    NO
8. If there is no money exchanged on site, can the food be grown and distributed in the residential zone? 
    NO

This interpretation of the code is much more conservative than we had expected. Not sure if it would stand up in a court of law, but unless it is brought to court, we could not know.

At the joint Planning and Town Board meeting we requested in November, they agreed to work towards a permit process that could be in place in time for the growing season. The goal was set as April. It's running behind as the legislation still has to make it to the County, then back to the Town for a public hearing. We'd then have to apply for the special permit and another public hearing for that application would be required. Regrettably this is not a solution for the current growing season.

Our next step is to apply for a Land Use Variance and a subsequent hearing before The Town Zoning Board of Appeals. We've been told that the majority of Variance Applications are denied.

Who knew growing food for the community could be so complicated?! We'll keep in touch as we continue to brainstorm and deduce our options.

3.14.2013

WTD article on meeting

Sue Mende has been covering this issue with regularity. Here's the latest which includes comments from multiple shareholders as well as Flip:

Watertown Times zoning article

Folks should feel free to contact Mr. Button for the draft amendments being sent to the County.
Save the date: April 11th, County Planning Board Meeting.

3.10.2013

COME! Town Board Meeting TUESDAY

The growing season fast approaches!
What are our options?
How can we legally proceed?
Will we be shut down?
We invite your participation and pointed questions to the Board.

FORWARD THIS EMAIL! ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT! 
WHO: Canton Town Board
WHAT: Continued discussion of amendments to residential zoning code to include some agriculture
WHEN: Tuesday March 12th at 4pm
WHERE: 60 Main Street- Municipal Building, in the basement

 
Here is the most recent draft language. It was created by Mr. Nash, the Town Attorney. It's an offshoot of a document that Mr. Morgan, the planning Board Head, had created in January.  There's two separate amendments, one for plants and one for poultry.

LINK: Two Draft amendments by Mr. Nash

Problematic portions of amendments:
  • Generally misses point of promoting thoughtfully integrated agriculture
  •  Both require 3 acre minimum
  • The second amendment excludes ALL other ag except CSA or community garden
  •  NO beekeeping, NO You-Pick, NO farmstand, NO direct marketing, NO maple sugaring (which already happens on our stretch of Miner by two other landowners)

3.07.2013

Guanciale - Old Country Bacon


 We like to use our guanciale as an addition to many recipes such as pasta sauces, veggie dishes and beans. We prefer to keep it stored in the freezer and shave off very thin slices, the thinner the better. Use it sparingly at first until you get a feel for its power, a little goes a long way. When you bite down on a piece of guanciale it bursts a flavor bomb of salty, herb infused pork fat in your mouth with a tender chew of the meat which runs through the center of the jowl. You will no doubt run into areas of just flavored fat (without the vein of meat). This is quite nice when used to prime a cast iron pan before cooking eggs or other dishes.