Food Policy in Cheshire County
Cheshire County has recently made several efforts toward local food policy:
Agriculture Commissions
Agricultural Commissions are non-regulatory town boards that provide a voice for the agricultural community when towns and cities are making decisions relating to land-use and other issues that would affect agriculture. Their purpose is to protect farming at a municipal level through the protection and promoting of agricultural lands. 7 of the 23 municipalities in Cheshire County currently have Agricultural Commissions--Fitzwilliam, Marlow, Richmond, Harrisville and Nelson, Keene, and one other town (who's information was difficult to track down). In a study that polled Cheshire County farmers, 55% of farmers interviewed had an interest in starting an Agricultural Commission in their town (3). Cheshire County Conservation District is currently providing educational opportunities to interested communities.
Agriculture Commissions
Agricultural Commissions are non-regulatory town boards that provide a voice for the agricultural community when towns and cities are making decisions relating to land-use and other issues that would affect agriculture. Their purpose is to protect farming at a municipal level through the protection and promoting of agricultural lands. 7 of the 23 municipalities in Cheshire County currently have Agricultural Commissions--Fitzwilliam, Marlow, Richmond, Harrisville and Nelson, Keene, and one other town (who's information was difficult to track down). In a study that polled Cheshire County farmers, 55% of farmers interviewed had an interest in starting an Agricultural Commission in their town (3). Cheshire County Conservation District is currently providing educational opportunities to interested communities.
_Other County & Municipal Efforts
In 2006 Cheshire Medical founded and developed Vision 2020, a community-wide effort to make Cheshire County the healthiest community in the nation by 2020 (1). A healthy local food system is an integral part of their picture.
A number of towns and cities in Cheshire County have developed Master Plans, including food as a part of their planning. One of such Master Plan was first initiated in Keene, NH, in 2008. The City of Keene Master Plan is a living document with the goal of visioning Keene as the best community to live in the year 2028 (2). Consumption and production of local food is also a part of this vision.
In 2006 Cheshire Medical founded and developed Vision 2020, a community-wide effort to make Cheshire County the healthiest community in the nation by 2020 (1). A healthy local food system is an integral part of their picture.
A number of towns and cities in Cheshire County have developed Master Plans, including food as a part of their planning. One of such Master Plan was first initiated in Keene, NH, in 2008. The City of Keene Master Plan is a living document with the goal of visioning Keene as the best community to live in the year 2028 (2). Consumption and production of local food is also a part of this vision.
_Sources cited
1. Cheshire Medical Center's Vision 2020 can be found on their website at http://www.cheshire-med.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=345&Itemid=991
2. City of Keene Master Plan can be found on their website at http://www.ci.keene.nh.us/departments/planning/master-plan-process/cmp-resources
3. Sullivan, S. with Cheshire County Conservation District. (2011) Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Farm Needs Assessment: Farm Labor and Infrastructure. Cheshire County Conservation District.
1. Cheshire Medical Center's Vision 2020 can be found on their website at http://www.cheshire-med.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=345&Itemid=991
2. City of Keene Master Plan can be found on their website at http://www.ci.keene.nh.us/departments/planning/master-plan-process/cmp-resources
3. Sullivan, S. with Cheshire County Conservation District. (2011) Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Farm Needs Assessment: Farm Labor and Infrastructure. Cheshire County Conservation District.