PRINCETON – Members of the Princeton Agricultural Commission are inviting the public to bring their questions, experiences and expertise to a special event on Wednesday, April 17: Small Farm Topics – A Town Hall Discussion of Agricultural Interests & Experiences.
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the large room of the Town Hall Annex, 4 Town Hall Drive, and light refreshments will be served. Agricultural Commission chair Eddie Good said this is the first of what they hope will become an annual gathering “of all who have a common interest in topics related to agriculture.”
“There is no agenda, (so) the topics of conversations will be varied based on the interests of participants,” he explained.
The intent of the meeting, he said, is to bring together those in the region with expertise related to small farms and holdings and those with questions in a forum that will enable people to share information and experiences.
“This will be an opportunity to promote connection between individuals within Princeton and surrounding communities who may not have otherwise had an opportunity to meet,” Good said.
According to information on the town website, members of the Agricultural Commission serve as facilitators for the pursuit of agriculture in Princeton; “shall promote agricultural-based economic opportunities in town and pursue all initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community; and the Commission shall act as mediators, advocates, and educators on farming issues.”
The seven current commissioner want to make sure the public knows that volunteers and interested individuals are always welcome to join them. They meet the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the town hall annex.
The agenda is posted on town.princeton.ma.us/agricultural-commission at least 48 hours in advance of meetings, and there is a virtual option to attend the meetings posted there as well.
When asked what he enjoys about being part of it, Good said “working with the other members of the commission and making connections in the community while helping to maintain and ensure the community’s awareness of and appreciation for Princeton’s agricultural character, past, present and future.”
The longtime town resident “bought the farm” in 2007 “to keep horses and raise children.”
“As a landowner involved with various agricultural pursuits, involvement with the agricultural commission seemed a good fit,” Good shared about what inspired him to volunteer for the commission.
“In addition to promoting a connection with the community’s agricultural past and present, the commission plays the important role of guiding agricultural considerations,” he said.
Good went on to give some examples of that guidance, which includes but is not limited to “promoting awareness of current agricultural endeavors in the community, recommending guidelines pertaining to agricultural practices as needed, occasionally mediating differences of opinion between neighbors regarding an agricultural issue, and organizing educational presentations related to agriculture.”
For more information or to ask questions, people can email him at eddiegood@princeton-ma.us.
