Community Input Meeting: Community Farming in Hopkinton

7:00-8:30 p.m.

First Congregational Church*

• July 5 to August 5 -- Library Summer Reading Program GOING PLACES
  
  July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3 --Library Wednesday evening Story Times --7:00 to 7:30

AUGUST 7 JOHN PENNY BAND (Country/Western)
AUGUST 14 Prues Blues a Hopkinton Band playing R & B
AUGUST 21 THE INFRACTIONS (Pop Music)

August 21   Hopkinton Democrats Picnic,

The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee invites all Hopkinton Democrats to a picnic on Sunday, Aug. 21st, from 1-4pm at 37 Woody Island Road. Enjoy an afternoon by scenic Lake Maspenock and meet other local Democrats, along with local and state Democratic officials and candidates. For more information, please contact Ed Mills at (508) 435-5864.

AUGUST 31 Community Input Meeting: Community Farming in Hopkinton Wednesday August 31, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

First Congregational Church, 146 East Main Street, Room TBA

A meeting to discuss possibilities for community-focused farming in Hopkinton will be held by Hopkinton residents Kerisa Fitzgerald and Susan Wallingford Ressler.  Both residents submitted Expressions of Interest to Hopkinton’s Land Use Study Committee proposing continued agricultural use of portions of the Weston Nurseries parcels that are for sale.

Kerisa Fitzgerald has proposed a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) – a type of farm that is growing in popularity and success in Massachusetts where families purchase a share of the vegetable and fruit crops each season, and often participate in the harvest and other farm activities.

Susan Wallingford Ressler’s proposal is for a heritage breeds farm, where heritage breeds of cows, sheep, chickens and other animals would be raised and kept.  The farm would be a site for educational programs, and the animals’ products would be sold in various markets.

Fitzgerald and Wallingford Ressler see tremendous potential for on-site education, market-sharing and collaboration.  Both stress the use of organic and all natural practices in their proposals.

The meeting will be held at the First Congregational Church, 146 East Main Street, Hopkinton, Room ___ on Wednesday, August 31 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. to describe the proposals in more detail, gather public input and begin seeking support.

Refreshments will be served. 

 Contacts:      Kerisa P. Fitzgerald

                   508-435-4808

                   kerisaperazella@yahoo.com

                   Susan Wallingford Ressler

                   508-435-6606

                   larc1423@yahoo.com