Open Farm Day, a key event for the Southwick Agricultural Commission, garnered attention. The commission discussed various aspects of the event, including the extension of hours, coordination of volunteer shifts, and managing traffic flow by staggering visitation times across different farms. The choice of date for Open Farm Day was debated to avoid conflicts with other local fairs. The commission deliberated on expanding activities at participating farms and decided against distributing prizes, instead favoring passport stickers, which have been popular in the past. The members expressed a desire to make the event memorable for visitors by providing candy and necklaces with animal charms to serve as visual aids.

The commission’s budget was another major topic, as members discussed how to effectively spend the allocated funds before June. They considered potential purchases such as water totes for the garden, pump equipment, and signage, and debated the approval process for these expenses. The urgency of the discussion was highlighted by the upcoming budget hearing, where the commission would present their financial plan to the finance committee and select board. The commission aimed to submit a flat budget and emphasized the importance of utilizing the budget effectively to avoid surplus funds. They also discussed the historical consistency of their budget and potential expenses, such as banners and signs.

The preservation of a barn that was purchased by the federal government sparked discussion among the commission members. One member voiced uncertainty about the future of the barn and its possible demolition, while another underscored its historical significance and the interest in its preservation. The commission also tackled the challenges of using social media platforms, particularly Instagram, for promotional purposes, highlighting the difficulties in setting up an account due to name availability and the dynamic nature of social media.

Community engagement and support were evident in the commission’s plans for a community garden work day to address invasive plants and the scheduling of tillage and planting activities. The increase in community garden plot reservations was noted, and the commission discussed the promotion of the garden to benefit the food pantry. The potential increase in demand for food pantry services prompted the suggestion to encourage gardeners to donate produce. The possibility of shuttling visitors from a nearby parking lot to the Fair Farm was also considered, with the need to obtain permission from the relevant authorities.

Lastly, the commission proposed changing the format of their website from a magazine to a “Tribune” style, which would allow for the immediate posting of articles. This move is indicative of the commission’s intent to keep the community updated on agricultural news and events in a timely manner.