SAVOY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION THANKS TOWN RESIDENTS

The Savoy Agricultural Commission would like to thank the residents of Savoy for their enthusiastic and informative response to its January 2006 Agricultural Survey/questionnaire. Of the 95 resident responses received, thirty indicated that they are involved in some type of farming activity in Savoy. A summary of the results are currently being evaluated and studied by the commission. The results are an important first step for the recently created commission in developing a 2006 work plan to promote, protect and serve the farming needs of the residents of Savoy. Residents are cordially invited to provide additional input during Agricultural Commission meetings, held on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 P.M. in the town hall.

Results of Savoy Agricultural Commission: Questionnaire (Jan 2006)

1. Do you farm? Yes_30_ No_65_

2. Products Farmed. Please check all that apply.

Hay_12_ Sheep_2_ Rabbits_1_ Wood_12_
Goats_4_ Chicken_7_ Dairy_1_ Horses_11_ Maple Syrup_5_ Beef_2_ Pigs_ Corn_ Vegetables_15_ Tree Farm_4_ Logging _8_ Donkey_1_ Mules_1_ Turkeys_1_ Llamas_1_ Blueberries_1_

3. Number of acres farmed: 290,100, 80, 60, 37, 25, 25, 24, 23, 20, 19, 16, 11, 10, 10, 10,8, 7, 6, 2.5, 1, 1, ¾, 1/4
Leased_16_ No Response _6_

4. Is your land in: Chapter 61_0_ 61A_5_ 61B_0_ APR _0_

5. Do you sell $500.00 or more of product? Yes_13_ No_15_ No Response_2_

6. Are you a farm bureau member? Yes_12_ No_18_

7. What are your farming related concerns/needs?
· 16 no response
· Lack of neighbor understanding/need town approved animal cages
· neighbor plows into fences and made a ditch that cuts off access to water well
· weather
· who else farm the same products in Savoy – networking
· how to help improve the natural habitat
· organic
· too many laws
· continuation of agricultural commission
· applicable regulations
· want less regulations
· loss of fields and encroachment of houses
8. What can the Savoy Agricultural Commission do to assist you?
16 no response
Inform/teach
Keep me informed of any new laws and/or concerns regarding farming in Savoy
Give advise on setting up petting zoo for children
Keep it simple
Stop trying to add new regulations
Continue the agriculture commission
Provide information concerning small farm operations
Lower taxes
Assist in follow-up on APR application
Just be there
Look into establishing a farm market
Source of info related to farming

9. If the commission publishes a farming newsletter would you be interested in receiving it?

Yes _28_ No _1_ No Response _1_


10. What type of information will help you?
· No response _20_
· A section about items for sale and wanted
· New opportunities
· Any information you feel that should be brought to our attention
· Information on small farms
· Grant information
· Price quote on livestock and market reports
· Planting tips, etc.
· All farm related material
· Produce market places
· Ag events

11. How can the agricultural commission best notify you?
E-mail _8_ Savoy Mountain News_12_ Direct Mail _4_ Transcript _3_
Berkshire Eagle _6_

The following comments were received from responders who checked off that they do not farm:

What are your farming related concerns/needs?
· Keep the land for farming and the forest intact
· Protect animals and land from their owners

8. What can the Savoy Agricultural Commission do to assist you?
· Help keep development down
· Resist any attempt to industrialize Savoy

9. If the commission publishes a farming newsletter would you be interested in receiving it?
· Yes _12_

10. What information would help you?
· All regular updates on anything pertinent to farming.
· How to get started
· Laws – federal and local
· Manage forest

General Comments:
· Not farming now, but considering it.
· Just a garden now. In the future we desire to farm. from Bob Veronesi