EDC Focusing On Centuries-Old Industry: Farming

By John Voket

(This is the first of a special two-part report on the Economic Development Council’s proposal to preserve and expand local agricultural industries.)

The major industry that sustained Newtown for more than 250 of its first 300 years may be reinvigorated with 21st Century strategies the local Economic Development Commissioners (EDC) hopes will bring new and enhanced growth to the local tax base.

Last week, the EDC presented its revised Strategic Plan to the Legislative Council for review and consideration. And while at least two focus issues remain consistent with previous plans, a new initiative supporting and expanding agricultural and equestrian industries in town has piqued interests from local farmers to Department of Agriculture farmland preservationists.

The EDC’s proposal is just the latest in a string of developments in recent months that bode well for Newtown’s efforts to preserve open space for both recreational and appropriate commercial uses, including farming.

The 2005-2006 budget marks the first time the town has allocated tax dollars specifically to fund land acquisitions in an attempt to offset what some have called rampant residential development in recent years. Most authorities agree that extensive residential development without a relatively equal balance of commercial industry erodes the local tax base by creating an inequitable level of demands for municipal and educational services.

In a more recent action, the town exercised its first opportunity to block further residential development by acquiring development rights and securing conservation easements on a key parcel of land in the area of Orchard Hill and Platt’s Hill Roads. The action will secure almost 30 acres of land as permanent open space, while allowing the Fulton family to retain ownership and some limited use of the property and providing the family with the necessary revenue to sustain and improve their own homes and other buildings that have dotted the area since the 1940s.

Environmental and farmland preservation experts agreed that the strategic acquisition of such easements and development rights have helped other Connecticut communities to keep huge tracts of farmland operable by their owners, while addressing certain economic incentives previously available only by selling off parcels to developers.

Months In Planning

Brian Aumueller, along with Robert Rau and Bruce Walczak, comprised the EDC subcommittee charged with developing the strategies and action steps the full commission will potentially employ to bring this new element of the overall Strategic Plan to fruition. Mr Aumueller told The Bee Tuesday that in its initial meetings, the subcommittee realized the centuries-old industries of agriculture and animal husbandry, if properly encouraged and supported, could provide increasing economic development opportunities to the community.

“We worked on this and discussed the possibilities for about three months before proposing it formally for consideration in the Strategic Plan for Economic Development,” Mr Aumueller said. “We just kept saying to ourselves that it makes sense to refocus some of our attention on sustaining and growing existing agricultural industries, and looking at ways of bringing new agricultural and equestrian-related businesses to Newtown.”

The EDC commissioner admitted that while the idea may seem obvious in a community that sustained so much of its 300-year-old economy through farming and agricultural pursuits, in recent years those industries tended to get lost in the bigger picture of overall commercial economic development thinking.

“Now that it is part of the new proposed Strategic Plan, I hope we can begin to put a face on those existing agricultural and farm businesses, while creating new opportunities for farming, agritourism, and equestrian commercial developments,” he said.

Mr Aumueller said he foresees a day in the near future where residents and visitors flock to local farms and other agribusinesses for the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as creative co-op programs where local growers supply schools, restaurants, and other institutions with Newtown-grown products. He believes other commercial entities engaged in equestrian breeding and recreational activities could host visitors to farms and horse shows, while contributing to protecting and enhancing the community’s growing network of bridle trails as an additional local attraction.

Former Connecticut Agricultural Commissioner Shirley Ferris, whose family has operated a working dairy farm on Sugar Street since 1864, pointed out that when agricultural commerce flourishes in a community, there are increasing economic incentives for support industries to relocate or grow as well.

“We used to drive right up the street to get parts for our tractors,” Ms Ferris commented. “Last week we had to drive an hour each way to get a tractor part.”

Ms Ferris’ family recently expanded the scope of Fairfield County’s last remaining dairy farm to incorporate a modest ice cream manufacturing and retail enterprise. While her family undertook financial underwriting for the new business through private means, Ms Ferris agreed that many smaller or younger farmers could benefit if Newtown provided help in accessing and administering grant and loan assistance so farmers could continue to do what they do best.

“Today, a lot of the grant money doesn’t filter down to Fairfield County because of a perception that there is no more farming industry left here,” she said. “But if the EDC is successful in their plan, I think the best thing they could do is hold a lot of information forums and provide assistance when farmers try to get grants and loans to expand their businesses.”

Ms Ferris pointed to programs elsewhere in the state where retired farmers with viable land were matched with individuals interested in working it. That initiative, called Farmlink, has resulted in several cases where tenant farmers eventually bought some of the property and continue to operate successfully.

She also noted that if Newtown is serious about helping grow economic development in agricultural industries, the EDC has to formulate appropriate ways to market them as well.

“The best chance of success will come if the town is able to help farmers market direct-to-consumer products and services,” Ms Ferris said. “The bottom line is, if we don’t do this now and preserve our soil and our remaining farming industries, we’re going to be in the same position as we are today with oil. We don’t want a country that is dependent on Brazil or Central America for our food.”

Get Boards On Board

Morgan McLaughlin of McLaughlin Vineyards on Walnut Tree Hill Road agrees with her fellow farmer. She thinks the best and fastest way the EDC could encourage existing agricultural businesses, and foster positive word-of-mouth referrals to attract relocating or new farm industries, is to spearhead initiatives to help farmers better market themselves and their products.

Ms McLaughlin, whose grandparents acquired the 160-acre parcel that currently sustains 15 acres of grape vineyards, a small wine tasting room, and retail shop, said another challenge when trying to expand and diversify was the long and difficult path her family faced simply trying to connect consumers to her agricultural operation.

“It’s hard enough for farms located in local residential zones to remain sustainable, never mind profitable,” she said. “If the town is getting serious about agritourism and direct-to-consumer farm industries, we’ve got to get rid of the total disconnect between town boards over what these businesses are all about.”

Ms McLaughlin referenced the nearly 15-year “battle,” she said her family fought with town planning and zoning officials to establish the tasting room and retail shop on the property.

“Currently our zoning regulations apparently allow farming for commercial wholesale distribution, but otherwise they want to regulate all the activities,” she said. Ms McLaughlin said farmers who seek a commercial exemption should not be subject to the same regulations and restrictions as developers of large-scale retail operations like box stores and malls.

“In theory, promoting and developing agricultural industry is a great idea. But I’m waiting to see how willing all the governmental players are to change and adapt new rules to make that happen,” she said. “I don’t think they realize that if done properly, Newtown can really become an agritourism destination. We’ve got so much to offer here already.”

Although Jim and Sue Shortt reside in Southbury, they maintain a four-acre farm in town that provides certified organic fruits and vegetables that the couple offers direct to consumer and through the Sandy Hook organic farmers market. More than a century ago, Ms Shortt’s great-grandparents maintained a large farm operation that straddled Church Hill Road and The Boulevard.

But today, she and her husband also have to supplement their family income by retailing landscape and garden supplies. The couple was pleased to learn the town was formulating a plan to support economic development through agricultural industries, and hopes the initiative will hit stride as they begin a long-term plan to develop a separate blueberry farm operation on land they own on Wendover Road.

“We’re interested in hearing about any program that will support and help us jump-start that project,” Mr Shortt said.

He said he liked the fact that Newtown was beginning to look at more creative and effective ways to preserve open space through easements, and hoped that practice might lead to programs helping to connect farmers to private landowners who want to preserve their property and the tradition of agriculture industry.

“The problem is, you have to have property that is in the proper condition for farming,” Mr Shortt said. “The farmer can’t be expected to help or invest in developing the land to a state where it’s ready for you to drop a plow.”

Federal experts say if Newtown successfully combines programs investing town funds, continuing to seek opportunities to secure development rights and conservation easement, and applying new and concentrated economic development focus on farming and agricultural development, the community will be far ahead of many other suburban and rural Connecticut towns.

Kip Kolesinskas, a soil scientist and spokesperson for the FDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, said the Newtown EDC is tapping into a groundswell movement back to local farming and local farm product consumption, whether it is direct-to-consumer or to the wholesale food market.

“This news idea very encouraging,” Mr Kolesinslas said. “So many communities don’t understand farmland’s place in their local economy and the role farmland preservation plays in permanently protecting open land while making the agricultural sector feel they have worth again.”