D. Discussion Items
1. Local market development.
- Phil Kauth from REAP -has been in meetings with Wello in Green Bay (a non profit
working on community wellness, school lunches). They and Seasonal Harvest (a food
aggregator) have set up a real good infrastructure/logistics setup. REAP looking into
setting up a similar model based on their system. More generally, would like to look at
other systems around the state, etc as models for our local market development.
- Fair Share CSA coalition has made a hire for supporting marketing and distribution
for HMoob farmers. Originally a hire based on CSA development, but will be looking
beyond just that method of distribution.
2. Land for cultivation - no major updates
3. Farmland Preservation
- City of Madison Task Force on Farmland Preservation established 9/6/22; goal for
providing recommendations is 3/31/23 may be hard to meet
- Elected officers: Nan Fey, Chair; Allison Volk, Vice Chair; Rebecca Kemble,
Secretary.
- Members: Also include Jeannette LeZaks (Sustainable Madison Committee), Mark
Voss (urban farmer and regenerative real estate change agent), Eric Paulson (Alder from
Plan Commission), Tag Evers (Alder), and Yimmuaj Yang (Groundswell).
- Staffed by Jeff Greger of the Planning Division, Director Heather Stouder also
attends.
- Regular visitors have been representatives of Brink Development and Smart Growth
Madison who opposed formation of the task force.
- Meeting Schedule will be twice a month starting in January, second and fourth
Wednesday afternoons from 3-4:30 dates are:
January 11 and 25, 2023
February 8 and 22
March 8 and 22
(April 12 and 26) if needed
(May 10 and 24) if needed
- Two meetings have been held to date, October 26 and November 9.
- Documents are being collected in Legistar 74519 Attachment #2 includes many
important links of work done to date.
- Topics Identified for Discussion include: the City’s Comprehensive and Sustainability
Plans, RAFS ag lease recommendations, existing edible landscape and terrace
ordinances, existing zoning categories, small parcels, general farmland survey, linking of
affordable housing and land access, defining farmland preservation, issues of soil quality
and contamination, looking at farmland preservation policies from other cities and
communities, establishing evaluation metrics of success - farmers, demographics, policy
impacts - among other things. See meeting minutes for more details.
- Meetings are virtual and public - Next meeting is Dec 14th at 3 PM to 4:30.
Would be good to see the development of this group, potential similar discussion at
the county
Questions from Laura - Could you look at funding sources for urban agriculture, and are
