How did the Land Bank/Nourish Nantucket/Food Pantry collaboration evolve?
The Land Bank was interested in the property for meat processing associated with agricultural and conservation purposes. The Boynton Lane property exceeded the Land Bank’s needs for agriculture and conservation and therefore it was to our benefit that Nourish Nantucket, who had been exploring this property already in partnership with the Food Pantry, were willing and interested in being collaboratively involved in this negotiation. Through the involvement of these two organizations, the Boynton Lane property can support both agricultural endeavors and food insecurity programming.
Why was it important for the Land Bank to have a processing facility on Nantucket?
The Land Bank has been working on facilitating meat processing and the creation of an abattoir for several years as part of its agricultural mission to support local food production. The Commission believes it is important to be able to produce local meats on Nantucket. Right now, the only option to slaughter and process animals for sale is to transport live animals to off-island slaughterhouses. An on-island processing facility will enable local farmers to raise animals for consumption more sustainably and cost effectively, which the Land Bank Commission views as a community benefit.
How does venison processing fit into the Land Banks mission of conservation, agriculture, and recreation?
A large, overpopulated deer herd causes damage not only to the ecosystem but also becomes a public safety risk. Over-browsing by large herds causes damage to vegetation and hinders plant regeneration. A venison processing facility on the island will allow the Land Bank to apply for a deer damage permit as a qualified landowner due to the agricultural component of the Act. This will allow the organization to remove deer from specified properties under the permit while the meat goes to the Hunters Share the Harvest Program. This provides extra meat for food-insecure populations and manages deer overpopulation while conserving the ecological balance of the island. The future of this processing facility will facilitate Nantucket farmers raising animals for consumption
What is MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program?
The Hunters Share the Harvest Program is a MassWildlife initiative to provide hunters the opportunity to donate and share venison with those in need. Under this program, hunters are able to donate deer which then will be given out to Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity. On Nantucket, with the creation of this meat processing facility, we will be able to participate in this program, and the Nantucket Food Pantry or Nourish Nantucket can then distribute venison to their clients and food insecurity programs.
What is a deer damage permit?
Recreational hunting is the primary control mechanism for deer population management throughout the Commonwealth. Under certain conditions regulated hunting may be insufficient to prevent costly agricultural damage from deer. In these cases, qualifying farmers and landowners can apply for a Farmer/Landowner Permit from MassWildlife or remove deer under MGL Ch. 131 sec. 37 to be confiscated by the Massachusetts Environmental Police, with both options being restricted to only the land owner or full time employees. MassWildlife, developed the Deer Damage Permit (DDP) in 2024, as a third option with far more flexibility to address overabundant deer. A DDP is issued to qualifying landowners under the Powers of the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and allows for removal of deer on the landowner’s property by the landowner and named sub-permittees which must be licensed hunters. Deer removal under a DDP is not hunting and therefore hunting regulations/statutes do not apply allowing for greater flexibility in legal shooting hours/days and the types of implements that can be used. DDPs for qualifying landowners can be obtained through consultation with the MassWildlife Deer and Moose Biologist. This consultation will determine the parameters of the permit including properties, days of the week, shooting hours (daylight only or including nights), implements (shotgun, bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, rifle etc.) and equipment/aides (lights, thermal imaging, baiting etc.). DDPs are structured as an added option for control of deer outside of the hunting season, therefore property owners must allow access for recreational hunting during the regular hunting season to be eligible for the additional privileges that come with the DDPs. Most deer removed under a DDP must be donated to MassWildlife’s Hunter’s Share the Harvest program and all antlers must be submitted to MassWildlife.
Why is the Land Bank pursuing a deer damage permit?
The Nantucket Land Bank Commission voted to enter the consultation process with MassWildlife to negotiate a deer damage permit as one of the few qualifying landowners on Nantucket. As the steward of its public property, the Nantucket Land Bank works to practice sound, ethical, and scientifically backed habitat and wildlife management. Many on Nantucket agree with the MassWildlife’s assessment that the deer on Nantucket are overpopulated and that the herd should be reduced for its own welfare, human public health, and to reduce browsing damage to agricultural crops and natural habitats. It has been a requisite first step in the process to set up a deer donation and processing facility for the Hunters Share the Harvest program to receive deer removed under a deer damage permit. Nantucket Land Bank Commission and Staff support the scientifically backed deer population management strategies of MassWildlife and will pursue controlled deer removal in addition to supporting recreational hunting on the properties.
How is the ownership of the Boynton Lane property divided between the Land Bank and Nourish Nantucket?
- There is a Tenants in Common Agreement that defines the relationship between the organizations that are mutually using this space.
- Ownership will be split approximately 60/40 between the Land Bank and Nourish Nantucket respectively.
- Nourish Nantucket will occupy office space and license the first floor to the Nantucket Food Pantry.
- The Land Bank will oversee the meat processing facility in the basement and utilize the two apartments for employee housing.
How does the purchase of the Boynton Lane facility fit in with the Land Bank’s bylaws and Act?
The Boynton Lane building will house the Nantucket Land Bank’s Agricultural Processing Center, which will facilitate Nantucket farmers raising animals for consumption. Initially NLB will seek permits for poultry processing by individual farmers. We will work toward the capability and USDA certifications to process larger agricultural livestock. We will also work toward setting up a system for Nantucket residents to bring personal poultry for processing by facility staff.
The Boynton Lane property is an ideal location for the Land Bank to process venison for MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest. This program facilitates hunters donating deer to food insecurity programs. The facility takes the deer from the hunter and processes it into a frozen ground venison. Hunting is currently the only conservation action that can manage the deer population. MassWildlife is incentivizing hunters to take more deer by providing a donation option for deer that are surplus to their personal needs. The food pantry or Nourish Nantucket can then distribute venison to their clients and food insecurity programs. A venison processing facility on island will also allow the Land Bank to apply for a deer damage permit as a qualified landowner due to the agricultural component of the Act. A deer damage permit will allow the organization to remove deer from specified properties under the permit while the meat goes to Hunters Share the Harvest. This provides extra meat for food insecure populations and manages the deer overpopulation.