Guilford is a community that is educated about,
understands, and supports agriculture.
The BOS shall appoint an Agricultural Commission
consisting of five members and three alternates. All members of the
Commission must be electors and residents of the Town.
The mission of the Agricultural Commission is
to support agriculture in Guilford through education, communication,
conflict resolution, regulatory guidance, and promoting the economic
viability of farming.
The powers and duties of the Agricultural Commission
are as follows:
A. Information:
(1) Serve as a conduit between nonprofit agencies and
local farmers;
(2) Serve as an agricultural clearinghouse by creating
an informational website and map of local farms;
(3) Chart land use in Guilford to support a balance between
agriculture and preservation and other land uses.
B. Education:
(1) Recommend necessary changes to language and practices
across Town departments and other boards and commissions as necessary
regarding a local definition for agriculture, farming, and farms;
(2) Educate Town government about agricultural laws, such
as Right to Farm, and legal issues regarding farm machines;
(3) Provide information and guidance on agriculture-related
zoning issues to Town departments and other boards and commissions
as necessary;
(4) Provide opportunities to support young farmers and
new farmers, such as the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, Landlink, and other
mentoring programs;
(5) Support local, regional, and state vocational agriculture
education programs.
C. Conflict resolution:
(1) Serve in an advisory and/or conflict resolution capacity
to residents, established Town committees and departments.
D. Economic opportunities:
(1) Identify innovative opportunities for farming additional
lands in Guilford;
(2) Promote opportunities for residents and local businesses
to support and value farming;
(3) Serve as a conduit between nonprofit agencies, funders,
and local farmers;
(4) Create a climate that supports the economic viability
of farming as a career in Guilford.
Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission
which may be the result of the death, resignation or removal of a
member or from any other cause shall be filled for the unexpired term
of such member by the Board of Selectmen.
The members of the Commission shall meet and
elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary annually in December,
or as may be necessary.
The Agricultural Commission, at the regularly
designated time, shall submit an estimate of anticipated expenditures
for the coming fiscal year to the Board of Selectmen. The Commission
shall operate within the budget as approved.
The Commission shall from time to time, but
not less often than annually, submit a report for inclusion in the
Town's annual report, and may submit other such reports as may be
requested from time to time.
The Commission may solicit or receive gifts
or bequests or other personal property or any donation to be used,
as principal or income, for municipal and/or agricultural purposes.