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Brooklyn Ag Commission discusses joining Bee City USA, offers pollinator planting site
Summary
The commission discussed joining the Bee City USA effort led by the Conservation Commission, potential pollinator garden sites, concerns about pesticide use, and local coordination with regional partners and a possible grant writer through NECCOG.
The Brooklyn Agricultural Commission on March 24 discussed partnering with the town’s Bee City USA effort and expanding local pollinator gardens.
Chair Lachelle Rosinski and Commission member Sandra Brodeur said the Conservation Commission plans to form a committee of town commission representatives to advance Bee City USA designation and that the Ag Commission could help with pollinator plantings and community engagement. Brodeur handed out materials and encouraged members to visit the Bee City USA website.
Members discussed possible planting locations, including the Town Green, land under Eversource power lines and near solar farm sites. Commission member Charles Langevin offered a planting strip on his property along Allen Hill Road—described in the meeting as about six feet wide and totaling approximately one acre—that could be used for pollinator plantings. Langevin said he had earlier successes with pollinators on that strip but noted maintenance burdens and that he uses herbicides, fungicides and one insecticide on his farm.
The commission also discussed regional coordination, naming NECCOG, the Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture and NRCS as potential partners. Stan Karro suggested NECCOG convene Ag Commissions in the region for a conference; members discussed pursuing grant-writing help through NECCOG (Jim Rivers).
No formal action to join Bee City USA was recorded; members agreed to pursue contacts and have staff or commissioners follow up with conservation committee representatives. The discussion closed with an invitation to the commission to participate in pollinator-related outreach and education at community events.
