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Mansfield agriculture committee advances 'Mansfield Grown' brochure and town farm signage ahead of Celebrate Mansfield
Summary
The Mansfield Agriculture Committee reviewed a mock-up for town farm signs, confirmed budgeted funds for design and fabrication, and moved forward on an updated 'Mansfield Grown' brochure and family-friendly activities for the Celebrate Mansfield event in late September.
The Mansfield Agriculture Committee on July 9 reviewed a mock-up for town farm signage and advanced plans to update a community brochure promoting local farms, organizers said.
"We have our money in the budget for the sign design and fabrication," said Michael Stanekoff, the town's environmental planner and staff to the committee, describing a design Aaron provided that will be taken to town council for approval. Stanekoff said he expects to bring the signage proposal to council the coming Monday and to return with an update to the committee in August.
The committee also discussed the Mansfield Grown brochure, which Stanekoff said includes roughly the same number of listings as the previous edition—about 30—and that he will contact operators to confirm whether they want to be listed. "I only put the farm name down that the farmer wants to be on the list," Stanekoff said, noting the brochure will mark whether a farm is a CSA or sells direct so residents can identify how to buy local.
Committee members proposed activities to promote local producers at Celebrate Mansfield, an autumn town event the committee expects to schedule for late September. A member who attended Ag Day recommended a seed-guessing activity for children to pair a tactile experience with a simple cheat sheet for adults. "That would engage some of the younger audience a little easier," one committee member said in support.
To reduce lead time if printed brochures are delayed, Stanekoff proposed a large framed QR code on site that would link directly to a PDF listing on the town website. He also said the town's usual print shop—the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities print shop—can turn materials around quickly.
The committee encouraged volunteers to help confirm brochure listings; Stanekoff offered to mark which farms he had already contacted and to share that list. Melanie, a committee member, said she may be unavailable in September because she is due in August, but tentatively offered raffle flowers for the event.
The committee did not take formal votes on signage or brochure approval during the meeting; members asked staff to bring a draft brochure and any council-approval materials to a future meeting.
The committee set its next meeting for Aug. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
