Land Bank approves $200,000 to pursue on-island venison processing facility

The Nantucket Land Bank Commission voted to increase funding by $200,000 to advance a proposal to establish an on-island venison processing facility, and authorized staff to advertise seasonal positions to run the operation.

Commissioner John moved to increase the budget by $200,000; the motion passed with commissioners Neil and Mark voting aye, Commissioner Allen voting no and Commissioner Christina voting aye. Commissioners also voted to advertise seasonal processing positions in a separate motion that passed unanimously.

The proposal, presented by Emily (Land Bank staff), frames the facility as part of the Share the Harvest program coordinated with MassWildlife and other partners. Emily said the facility would enable primary processing and tracking on-island and secondary work — butchering, packaging and freezing — before distribution to local outlets. “The processor is then responsible for the primary processing and tracking, which is incredibly important,” Emily said, noting tight documentation…