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Commission explores hiring farmers to hay Clark Farm, selling round bales, and acreage estimates
Summary
Members discussed hiring a local farmer to harvest hay, selling round bales directly from the field, storage challenges, and differing acreage estimates (property cited as ~105 acres total; hay field possibly ~40 acres). Market prices of $11–$14 per bale were referenced.
Commissioners and other participants discussed practical steps to put the Clark Farm into productive use this season: hiring a local farmer to cut and bale hay, selling bales directly from the field, and creating a fund from hay proceeds to pay for invasive removal or other stewardship tasks. "You could sell it right out of the field... they'd pick it up, take it back to their farms," one commission member suggested as a way to create revenue for maintenance.
Speakers debated acreage and yield: one participant estimated the whole property at about 105 acres with a hay field of perhaps 40 acres; market conditions were described as mixed and potentially limiting demand. Participants noted that round bales are easier to store and wrap, but that local demand for hay is not always strong and many large horse farms source hay from outside the region; the group agreed the commission should pursue local contractors and survey interest before committing to a harvesting plan.
