Holliston Agricultural Commission Newsletter-Summer/Fall 2019
> Farm Day 2019
Mark your calendars! On Sunday, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Holliston Agricultural Commission will be sponsoring its annual Farm Day, where local farmers open their doors to the community and showcase what they do with various activities, including: displays, tastings, crafts, animals, and tractors. This is a fun event for people of all ages! This event will run rain or shine.
In addition, Christ the King Lutheran Church will be sponsoring a Pop-up Farmers Market the same day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at 600 Central Street. Over 13 vendors will be displaying their locally grown flowers, veggies, and homemade products. A food truck will also be available.
> Season Opening of the Holliston Butterfly Aviary
The Butterfly Aviary is now open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week this season. The Butterfly Aviary is located at the Pinecrest Golf Course (back parking lot), 212 Prentice St., Holliston. At the butterfly aviary, we emphasize community education through the breeding, feeding, displaying and releasing of butterflies into our community. There are many types of butterflies that are in trouble due to habitat loss and pesticide use. At the butterfly aviary we continue to support efforts to provide a safe haven to butterflies in our community. You can do your part by planting native plants, including Milkweed, the only plant Monarch Caterpillars eat. The Holliston Agricultural Commission will have Milkweed seedlings and Monarch Caterpillars available for you to take home later this year.
> Sam Placentino Pollinator Garden
Just in time for the start of the 2019-20 school year, there will be a new look to the front of the Sam Placentino Elementary School. A 64 foot long raised garden bed was constructed to house over 500 carefully selected plants that will attract and nourish Monarch Caterpillars and Butterflies. The Holliston Agricultural Commission worked together with representatives of the Sam Placentino Wellness Committee and administration to raise funds for a pollinator garden at the front entrance of the elementary school. Our goal is to create a living classroom where students, teachers and parents can witness first-hand the complete lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly. Many thanks to local businesses and organizations that donated their time and resources, including: Holliston Garden Club, Kamataris Landscape, Official Tree Business, Weston Nurseries, Broad Hill Lavender Farm, and Upswing Farm. A live Monarch Butterfly Release is scheduled for September.
> Massachusetts Town Forest Conference
The Town of Sherborn is hosting this year’s annual Massachusetts Town Forest Conference on September 14, 2019. Pre-registration is required to receive a free lunch. To preregister, go to: http://www.masswoodlands.org/events/massachusetts-town-forest-conference-sherborn-ma/
This unique annual event promises to engage and foster partnerships between the diverse professionals and volunteers that play a collaborative role in the management of community forests, including foresters, planners, arborists, conservation commission members, land trusts, non-profit organizations, forest landowners, and many more. Morning registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Sherborn Community Center, located at 2 Sanger Street, Sherborn. Morning and afternoon activities will be at the Barber Reservation from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., located on Western Ave., in Sherborn.
> Multi-Town Agricultural Commission Meeting
On June 24, 2019, the Franklin Agricultural Commission hosted a regional Multi-Town Agricultural Meeting. Many topics were discussed including regional farm promotions, events, and education. Towns in attendance were: Medway, Holliston, and Franklin. The next Multi-Town Agricultural Commission meeting will be held in Medway, on October 23. Special congratulations are in order for the Town of Medway that joined Holliston in adopting the bylaws to become a Right to Farm community.
> Holliston Open Space Committee and Agricultural Commission Joint Meeting
On June 18, 2019, representatives from the Holliston Open Space Committee and Holliston Agricultural Commission met with representatives from the Sudbury Trustees and Community Preservation Committee to discuss the opportunity of adding a 28 acre parcel to the State APR program (Agricultural Permanently Restricted). Although the entrance to the land is located at 28 South Street, Ashland, the majority of the property is in Holliston, and would provide continuous open space and trail access to other recreational areas including Warren Woods and Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary, in addition to being a working farm. During the next several months, the group of interested parties will be working with state and local departments to move forward with this unique preservation opportunity.
Interested in learning more about the Holliston Agricultural Commission? Join our meeting on the second Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Everyone is welcome!
Board Members: PJ Kilkelly, Cherie Hafford, Carrie Marsh, Charlie Roberts, Shawn Murphy
Associate Board Member: Grace Kilkelly