The Lakeville Agricultural Commission on Aug. 14 discussed options for creating a veterans garden and re-starting a farmers market, and considered how either project might tie into a proposed community food cooperative.

Commission members said town-owned property would be preferable for a veterans garden to avoid long-term lease negotiations with the state, and that the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) had been identified previously as a potential supporter.

Members said Nathan Darling had earlier identified several town-owned parcels that might be suitable and that Darling would check whether any had already been claimed for another use. "One of those properties is now, I guess, on under lease, the old Bridge Street side," a commission member said. Members repeatedly emphasized that a town-owned site would avoid the more complex lease process that could follow from using Commonwealth-owned land.

Commission members reported speaking with Christine Boone about the timing and soil readiness. "Her hope is that maybe something can be done towards the fall for potential tillage, and then if we have a site that is fertile enough, maybe some type of fall plantings," a member said, while also noting the project would be a longer-term endeavor.

The group discussed Ted Williams Camp as a possible location but said the site has become busier and that parking, traffic control and event scheduling could make the camp less suitable now than before COVID-19. "Ted Williams seems to get busier and busier as time goes on," a member said. Members said use of the old town hall parking would likely require a traffic detail, which raised cost and feasibility concerns.

Members asked whether the commission should re-engage the Parks Commission about Ted Williams Camp; one member volunteered to contact the parks office to revisit that option. The commission also discussed pursuing off-road parking locations and sites that would not disrupt traffic.

On the farmers market and co-op, members said interest exists on both the vendor and consumer sides but that a site for a regular market is the immediate priority. A resident who had proposed a co-op (identified in the meeting as Mr. Gregory) had approached a local farm, but that farm reported it had little surplus available for a cooperative arrangement.

Commission members also reviewed an example of a larger farmers market in another town; they discussed operating days, expansion potential and the need to avoid scheduling conflicts with nearby events.

The commission did not take a formal vote on any of these items. Members directed staff and commissioners to follow up with Nathan Darling, the Parks Department and the resident who proposed the co-op to gather more information and possible sites.

The discussion concluded with members agreeing to continue exploring town-owned sites and to report back at a future meeting.