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Info Regarding the Formation of an Agricultural Commission for the Town of Chester

Background

What is the purpose of an Agricultural Commission?

  • Advises town boards
  • Focuses public attention on multiple values  of agriculture
  • Non-regulatory
  • Does what the town needs to support agriculture

Typical activities of an Agricultural Commission are:

  • Conduct inventories of farms in the town
  • Public education
  • Farmland protection
  • Encouraging farm enterprises
  • Starting farmers’ markets
  • Hosting farm festivals and tours
Before an Agricultural Commission could be established, a committee has been formed to present a warrant article to the voters of Chester.
 

Thus far, the Chester Agricultural Committee has:

  • Reached out to the farmers in Chester  and held an exploratory and informational meeting
  • Created an inventory of all the farms in Chester
  • Formed an Agricultural Committee and elected officers
  • Met townspeople at Chester Town Fair
  • Created a mission statement
  • Submitted warrant article for consideration by the voters of Chester. If approved, the Agricultural Commission will be formed. And, upon passage, the current members of the Chester Agricultural Committee shall be nominated to the Agricultural Commission. 

The Mission of the Chester Agricultural Commission

  • To represent Chester farms and to advise the Chester Town regulatory bodies on agricultural matters.
  • To facilitate communication among farmers, to educate the community in agriculture, and to promote the business of farming and farm activities in Chester.
  • To promote and to help preserve the farms, agricultural lands, and rural character of Chester.  

Warrant Article

To see if the Town will vote to establish an Agricultural Commission (by definition non-regulatory) pursuant to RSA 674:44-e. 

RSA 674:44-e
Agricultural Commission
Section 674:44-e

674:44-e Agricultural Commission. – An agricultural commission may be established in accordance with RSA 673 for the proper recognition, promotion, enhancement, encouragement, use, management, and protection of agriculture and agricultural resources, tangible or intangible, that are valued for their economic, aesthetic, cultural, historic, or community significance within their natural, built, or cultural contexts. The word "agriculture'' shall include the entirety of RSA 21:34-a, which is the definition of farm, agriculture, and farming. Source. 2007, 266:1, eff. Aug. 28, 2007.

For additional information, please visit the UNH Cooperative Extension website.