Page 311 - BOXFORD

The Commission holds monthly recorded meetings, generally on the first Tuesday of the month
at 7:30 PM. The public is welcome to attend.

The Boxford Agricultural Commission, this year, continued its focus to promote agriculture by
maintaining educational topics in its meetings and special program presentations. Such topics
included: invasive plant and animal species and how we can deal (or not) with them; pesticides:
appropriate use and misuse; protecting our pollinators; management of the land we have acquired
and The Farm Legacy Project. Also, the Commission is pursuing a new State initiative called
The Forest Stewardship Program. This is a cost-sharing program to manage woodlands for
timber and wildlife.

The Commission continues to be a statewide leader within the Massachusetts Association of
Agricultural Commissions of which several members hold key executive positions and are a
principal participant for Ag Day at the State House. Several members also were major
contributors to the March Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural
Commissions and also travelled statewide educating other commissions on municipal
agricultural issues. A commissioner was also appointed by the Governor to the Massachusetts
Board of Food and Agriculture.

The Boxford Agricultural Commissions antique tractor display continues
to grow in the Fourth of July parade. This year, the Commission in conjunction with
Boxford Fire Department, sponsored a cookout behind the East Parish Fire Station
with proceeds going to the Fireman’s Relief Fund. Also, the remaining unused food
and beverages were donated to the Council on Aging (COA) for a party later in the
week.

Respectfully Submitted
Randolph Johnson, Chair
Laura Sapienza-Grabski, Vice- Chair
Louis Athanas
Charles Kornely
Dr. Changnong Liu
Associate members
Frank Di Luna, Esq
Carol Johnson
Michael Smolak
Todd Hirshon

310