Berkshire Conservation District Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Conference Room
78 Center Street, Suite 206, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Minutes
- Call to order at 5:02pm, and Determination of Quorum
Present:
Board members – Adam Galambos, Ron Kujawski, David Ellis, Donna Kittredge
Associates: Mike Balawender
Program Administrator: Cynthia Grippaldi
NRCS representative: Gary Blazejewski
Reports
- Secretary’s Report – Submitted by Cynthia Grippaldi
- Review and approval of February 4th minutes. Move to accept by Dave, second by Ron,
- Treasurer’s Report – Submitted by Cynthia
- Cynthia developed and presented a new Treasurer’s Report form. She will investigate
b. Cynthia attended the MDAR workshop
c. Audit is still in the process
d. Dave will review the last two years of BCD budgets and begin to form a budget for 2020.
Motion by Adam for Dave to begin budget process, second by Donna, all in favor.
- NRCS District Conservationist Gary Blazejewski introduced himself and talked about the NRCS
issues. Gary (or other NRCS rep) will attend monthly BCD meetings to keep abreast of local issues
and to collaborate with us when appropriate.
Old Business
- District Supervisors
- Regarding recruitment to the Board of Supervisors, Ron suggested we might want to
All attendees will ask around. It would be good to get more people from North county
involved. We would also like additional associates to join us.
b. Designation of committees will take place when needed.
c. State Commission Member — they would like a rep from BCD to attend their meetings.
Adam will look into the details.
c. Developing resources — Discussion took place on how we could collaborate with other
organizations to support each other regarding programs, education, etc. Adam suggested that
b. Designation of committees will take place when needed.
c. State Commission Member — they would like a rep from BCD to attend their meetings.
Adam will look into the details.
- Program Status
- No-Till Update: Promotion, scheduling rentals, and management
the Berkshire Grown booklet and list of interested farmers from our proposal. We have 3 to 5
farmers inquiring and one commitment with a 50-acre parcel. Cynthia will do the scheduling.
Mike gave more details on how the no-till machine works. Mike will communicate to the farmers
exactly what type of heavy machinery is required to haul the no-till seeder in order to keep it in
the best shape. Mike has offered to haul the no-till machine to farmers who do not have the
ability to do it, he will ask his insurance company if he is covered for this. BCD’s equipment and
liability insurance is up to date.
farmers inquiring and one commitment with a 50-acre parcel. Cynthia will do the scheduling.
Mike gave more details on how the no-till machine works. Mike will communicate to the farmers
exactly what type of heavy machinery is required to haul the no-till seeder in order to keep it in
the best shape. Mike has offered to haul the no-till machine to farmers who do not have the
ability to do it, he will ask his insurance company if he is covered for this. BCD’s equipment and
liability insurance is up to date.
- Nutrient Management — Ned signed the paperwork and as soon as the audit is done, funds
c. Developing resources — Discussion took place on how we could collaborate with other
organizations to support each other regarding programs, education, etc. Adam suggested that
colleges might appreciate a relationship with us. Ron suggested that Umass Extension might be
available to give us advice.
7. Program Administrator Update —
- Cynthia sent EEA the quarterly report on what we have done.
- On 2/12, Cynthia and Donna got a tutorial from Marita Carroll (who provided updated website design) on how to navigate Wordpress so we can make editorial changes in-house.
- Cynthia attended the MDAR workshop on 2/13 and the presenter described grant funding
The Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program and the Agricultural
Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP).
- On 2/17, she spoke with Audrey Irvine-Broque from the Northeast Grassroots Environmental
applying for the total grant of $3,500.
- On 2/24, Cynthia submitted $4,378.50 to the EEA for reimbursement.
- Cynthia contacted Jane Obaggy to ask how many years of meeting minutes need to be present
Cynthia has organized.
9. WMMGA Symposium at LMMHS March 28, 2020 — Ron and Donna will attend and bring items to sell at the table. Will give away seeds in exchange for email addresses to build our email base. Will reach
- Cynthia will be out of the office from March 16th to the 29th.
- No-Till Practices Workshop with Berkshire Grown March 11, 2020, 3pm to 6pm, Stockbridge Town Hall.
9. WMMGA Symposium at LMMHS March 28, 2020 — Ron and Donna will attend and bring items to sell at the table. Will give away seeds in exchange for email addresses to build our email base. Will reach
out to home gardeners with info promoting our new website, no-till program and conservation info.
10. DEP — to be reviewed
11. District Annual Work Plan — Dave suggested we consider using Nutrient Management as a template
for setting our goals. To be discussed.
12. Adjournment At 6:39pm, Adam motioned to adjourn, second by Ron, all in favor
10. DEP — to be reviewed
11. District Annual Work Plan — Dave suggested we consider using Nutrient Management as a template
for setting our goals. To be discussed.
12. Adjournment At 6:39pm, Adam motioned to adjourn, second by Ron, all in favor
Upcoming Events/Meetings:
- Next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 7, at 78 Center St., Suite 206, Pittsfield, MA, Conference Room
