Townsend Common was a great place to be on July 8, 2006. Though it didn't
make a lot of newspapers' calendar sections, we did get quite a few press
representatives to hear about NAIS and how it will effect our small farms.These
included Worcester Telegram, Community Journal, Townsend Times, Main Street
Trilogy and others. The Gardner News ran an article on NAIS as well that
day! Representative Bob Rice came to kick off the event and will meet many
of us at Lobby Day on July 19th. Rep. Rice has been invaluable in spreading
the word about NAIS in Massachusetts by sponsoring our Lobby Day and opportunity
for legislators to hear from farmers about how this program will impact
us.
We had about 100 people come by, and lots of great energy. Thanks to John King for pulling it all together, Donna and Garry Carkin for their help with the signage, Amy Redder for spreading the word, Jacqui Marsh and company for the Spinning Demo, Charlotte Kuebler for the Chicken Games, and to NOFA/MA's Ben Grosscup and Jack Kittredge for the song and explanation of NAIS. Thanks also to John Mickola for representing the Ashby Grange, and letting us meet there for our organizational meetings.We also want to thank Bonnie Chandler for bringing her agility shelties and their gear all the way from Harvard. It was a wonderful gathering of local farmers, supporters, and hopefully the beginning of an annual event.
