HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-17-2012 - 5f 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 17, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. 5 -
SUBJECT: Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Designation: McPherson Farm
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Parks and Recreation
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACTS:
1) Application
2) Brochure -VAD and EVAD Designation David Stancil, 245-2510
3) DEAPR Staff Memo & Vicinity Map Rich Shaw, 245-2514
4) Certification from NRCS, Soil Analysis
Chart & Map
5) Certification from Tax Supervisor
6) Draft APB Minutes January 18, 2012
7) Pictures of McPherson Farm
PURPOSE: To consider an application from the McPherson family to certify its farm as
qualifying farmland within the Cane Creek/Buckhorn voluntary agricultural district, and
designate it as an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District.
BACKGROUND: Owners of the McPherson Family Farm on Mebane-Oaks Road have
submitted an application to enroll their farm as the County's first Enhanced Voluntary
Agricultural District (EVAD) farm. The McPherson Farm seeks to enroll 46.5 acres of the farm in
this program. This farm and landowners previously conveyed an agricultural conservation
easement to Orange County and the Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA) for this
property in 2005.
As the Board may recall, Orange County has had a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program
since 1992, and to date 16 farms have enrolled in the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD)
program totaling 2,958 acres within the seven districts comprising the non-urban portions of the
County.
In recent years, new legislation was approved by the N.C. General Assembly providing for the
creation of Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVAD). (A brochure with a table
explaining the differences between VAD's and EVAD's is attached.) EVAD's follow much the
same process for designation as VAD's. However, in exchange for a non-revocable 10-year
conservation agreement, the farm receives a number of additional benefits, including:
• A higher percentage (up to 90%) of agricultural cost-share program matching funds;
• Priority consideration from state agencies and programs for grants;
• Suspension or waiver of any utility assessments (if the property is not connected);
• The ability to receive up to 25% of gross sales from non-farm products and still retain
bona fide farm exemption; and
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• The ability to use the 10-year period to stabilize use of land and consider longer-term
and estate options — including permanent conservation options.
The County's Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance (VFPO) outlines a procedure for the
Agricultural Preservation Board to review and approve applications and make recommendations
to the Board of Commissioners concerning the establishment of both VAD and EVAD farms.
As part of this review, certification as qualifying farmland and eligibility for the program must be
verified by local offices, including the Soil and Water Conservation District and the Orange
County Tax Supervisor. EVAD applications must meet the same criteria as VAD farms, and the
McPherson farm eligibility has been certified by these agencies (see attachments).
On January 18, 2012, the Agricultural Preservation Board reviewed the findings of the staff
assessment and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the certification of the 46.5 acre
farm and its inclusion as an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District. The farm is located within
the Cane Creek/Buckhorn Voluntary Agricultural District.
To complete the designation process for an EVAD, the Board of Commissioners must approve
that the farm meets the certification requirements. Following Board approval, the property
owner(s) sign a binding conservation agreement between Orange County and the owner(s) that
prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for a period of at least ten (10) years,
except for the creation of not more than three (3) lots that meet applicable Orange County
zoning and subdivision regulations. At the end of the 10-year term, the conservation agreement
automatically renews for three additional years unless the landowner provides advance written
notice to the County as provided in the General Statutes. If the landowner leaves the program,
the property is no longer eligible for the EVAD benefits listed above.
Approval of the McPherson Farm as the County's first EVAD will also push the acreage of farms
participating in the agricultural districts program over the 3,000 acre mark (3,003).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this approval. As noted, the
McPherson Farm is under an existing conservation easement with Orange County and the
Orange Water and Sewer Authority approved in 2005. The addition of the EVAD designation
does not provide any monetary compensation from the County, or change the property's tax
valuation (already addressed by the conservation easement).
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board certify 46.5 acres of the
McPherson Farm as denoted in the attached documentation as qualifying farmland, and
designate it as an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District farm within the Cane
Creek/Buckhorn voluntary agricultural district.
2 an e County A f•icailtural Preservation Board
A&Ai
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFYING.FARMLAND
AND DESIGNATION AS AN ORANGE COUNTY
VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT/
ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
INSTRUCTIONS: Before completing the application, please review the provisions of the Orange County
f Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, and fill out the form as
accurately and completely as possible. Please sign and date the form,and return it to
the Department of Environment,Agriculture,Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181 -806 Revere Road,Hillsborough, NC 27278
APPLICANT: r�Qp � �P�e f �
Name: 4 `r s
Address: "b Q J
City: :e-ba�� State: i`t C— Zip Code.
Phone Number(Day):�33� (q-I gC16 (Evening)
E-Mail: MIC4'I0f-I@ iMC()he(s,)n4lirms;,GOry7i
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Property Lo Location/Address:'
Wba P, "(
Township: ax Map:_Block:_Lot:_ Township Tax Map:_block:_Lot: •
Township:`Tax Map:—Block:_Lot:— • Township:,Tax Map:—Block_,_„Lot:____
Parcel Identification Number(PIN). god O� Parcel Identification Number(PIN):
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Parcel Identification Number(PIN):
Number of Acres: � Deed Book. 380'T Page:
Does this land have a plan on file with the Natural Resources Conservation Service or NC
Forest Service?
Yes: -X If"No", please complete back of form
Is this land listed for Present Use taxation with the Orange County Tax Office?
Yes:_K _No: If"No!', please complete back of form
I[WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
I[WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
OWNER[S]CERTIFICATION;
i[We],the applicant[s], hereby certify that,to the best of my[our]knowledge,the foregoing
application is complete and accurate.
Signature: . �»:, '� Date: i Z - 17
Signature: � f1� =f ff�--Z Date: r a-
4
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE,
PARKS AND RECREATION
MEMORANDUM
To: Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist
Teresa Moore, Present Use Value Program Director
From: Tina Moon, Cultural Resources Coordinator
Date: December 20, 2011
Subject: McPherson Farm
Application for Certification as Qualifying Farmland
Please find the attached application from the McPhersons for Certification as Qualifying
Farmland, part of the application process for the County's Voluntary Agricultural District
Program. The McPhersons have identified a 46-acre parcel (PIN # 9822-44-3024) for inclusion
in the program as the County's first Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD). The farm
is located along east side of Mebane-Oaks Road near the Orange-Alamance County line, in
Bingham Township.'
The attached maps showing the boundaries of the property and tabulation of acreage by soil
type may be helpful for completing your review.
To secure such certification, a farm must:
1. Be participating in the present use-value taxation program established by
the NC General Statutes, Sections 105-277.2 through 105-277.7, or is
otherwise determined by the County to meet all the qualifications of this
program set forth in the NC General Statutes, Section 105-277.3.
[Response to be provided by Tax Supervisor]
2. ' Be certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture (NRCS) as being a farm on which at least two-thirds of
the land is composed of soils that:
a. Are best suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage, timber, and
oil seed crops;
b. Have good soil qualities;
C. Are favorable for all major crops common to Orange County;
d. Have a favorable growing season; and
McPherson Application for Certification as Qualifying Farmland Page 2 5
e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for
an average of eight (8) out of ten (10) years; OR be one on which at
least two-thirds of the land has been actively used for agricultural,
horticultural or forestry operations as defined in the NC General Statutes,
Section 105-277.2 (1,2, and 3), during each of the five (5) previous years,
measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to
whether the land in questions qualifies.
[Response to be provided by District Conservationist]
3. Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance withthe
NRCS-defined erosion control practices as specified in the 1985 Food Security Act.
[Response to be provided by District Conservationist]
In accordance with Section V of the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance,
please evaluate the application for compliance with the above requirements and return your
finding to the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation within 30 days. In
your response, please be as specific as you can be.regarding how the property complies. (You
may wish to use the attached maps showing the boundaries of the property and tabulation of
acreage by soil type when completing your review.)
Provided the property is certified as qualifying farmland, and the Agricultural Preservation Board
recommends designation as a voluntary agricultural district, the Board of Commissioners could
consider the request in the early spring of 2012.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at 245-2517 or by
email at cmoon(a)co.orange.nc.us, if I can answer any questions or provide additional
information.
attachments
cc: David Stancil, Director; Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Public Benefits of Agricultural Districts
In addition to providing direct benefits to landowners,
Voluntary Agricultural Districts offer the following
advantages for the general public:
• Providing a voluntary way to support the conservation
of rural communities
• Conserving rural lands without adding significant ex-
penses to local government or impacting the tax base
• Supporting each community's rural heritage and
economy, and providing local jobs and tax income
• Maintaining scenic views and tourism -based econom-
ic activity
• Providing fresh food, flowers, and other local farm
products for residents and visitors
• Supporting clean air and water
• Providing wildlife habitat
• Maintaining lower levels of traffic and noise
• Minimizing the infrastructure burden on County and
municipal government
Voluntary Agricultural Districts are one way for farmers
to preserve their land, and can provide a stepping stone
to more permanent means of limiting development such
as conservation easements. For additional information
on other farmland protection tools see the Orange
County Agricultural Development and Farmland
Protection Plan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Orange County Department of Environment,
• Agriculture, Parks & Recreation
www.co.oranae.nc.us /deapr /nat cul resources asp
Voluntary Agricultural Districts - VADs & EVADs
David Stancil, Director
PO Box 8181 -306 Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245 -2510 dstancil(oko. orange. nc. us
Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist
Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
(919) 245 -2750 ghughes(oaco. orange. nc us
Agricultural Conservation Easements
Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager
(919) 245 -2514 rshaw(ako. orange. n c. us
VAD and EVAD applications for eligible farms are
reviewed by the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB)
for recommendation to the Board of County Commis-
sioners (BOCC).
The APB consists of seven at large members plus one
member from each of the seven agricultural districts.
Members are appointed by the BOCC to advise Orange
County government on a broad range of agricultural
topics.
ORANGE COUNTY
VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
PROGRAM
1 1 t
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Agriculture is North Carolina's number one industry,
worth more than $70 billion annually. In recent years,
however, North Carolina has led the nation in loss of
farms. Orange County has followed the national trend
with a shift toward smaller farms. The number of
individual farms is increasing but the amount of acre-
age under cultivation is decreasing. Orange County is
losing active farmland.
Orange County recognizes that agriculture is a
vital part of its economy and that farmland provides the
rural character that makes this part of our community
such an attractive place to live and visit. —�-
The Voluntary Agricultural District Program (VADs and
EVADs) provides a way for farmers to preserve their
land voluntarily and protect active farmland from
non -farm development.
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Eligibility
Farmland, forestland, and horticultural lands must meet the
following criteria:
• The land must be eligible for the present -use value taxa-
tion program; and
• The land must be managed in accordance with USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines with
respect to highly erodible land.
Benefits
is Signage to publicize the land's enrollment in the VAD
program.
• Greater public awareness of the local agricultural com-
munity and increased pride in the farming way of life.
• Increased protection from nuisance lawsuits if notice is
provided through county land records systems.
• Public hearings for proposed condemnation of VAD land.
• Suspension on waiver of water and sewer assessments
if the VAD land is not connected to the utility in question.
• Possible flexibility in the Orange County Unified Develop-
ment Ordinance (UDO) related to farming operations.
Requirements
According to NCGS 106 -737, the land must be subject to a
conservation agreement between the landowner and the
County that prohibits non -farm development for a period of
at least 10 years, except for the creation of not more than
three lots that meet applicable County subdivision
regulations.
■ This agreement may be revoked by the landowner at any
time. Ending the agreement will result in the property no
longer qualifying for the VAD program and its benefits.
I Cedar Grove 1
High Rock/Efland
Cane Creek/
Buckhom
White Cross
Caldwell
Schley /Eno
New Hope/
Hillsborough
The County is divided into Seven Districts
• Each district has one or more Certified Qualifying Farms
enrolled as VADs or EVADs, and
• East district has a representative on the Agricultural
Preservation Board.
Eligibility
Same eligibility requirements as VAD.
Benefits
Same eligibility requirements as VAD, plus:
• Landowners are eligible to receive a higher percent of
cost -share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share
Program —as high as 90% assistance.
• State agencies, departments, and institutions that
award grants to farmers are encouraged to give priority
considerations to landowners participating in Enhanced
Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVAD).
• All utility assessments may be suspended or waived if the
land is in EVAD but not connected to the utility in question.
• The farm may receive up to 25% of gross sales from the
sale on non -farm products and still maintain its zoning
exemption as a bona fide farm.
• Landowners may experience fewer unsolicited requests
from developers to sell the land, due to the 10 -year
irrevocable conservation agreement.
• Landowners can stabilize the use of their land while
considering longer -term options, such as permanent
agricultural conservation easements.
Requirements
Same conservation agreement required as VAD, except that
the agreement may not be revoked during the term of the
agreement.
At the end of its 10 -year term, the EVAD conservation agree-
ment automatically renews for 3 more years, unless the land-
owner provides a timely written notice to the County. Should
the landowner end the conservation agreement, the property
is no longer eligible for the EVAD program benefits.
For more information about VADs and EVADs see
www.ncadfD.org
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ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE,
PARKS AND RECREATION
MEMORANDUM
To: Agricultural Preservation Board
From: Tina Moon, Cultural Resources Specialist
Date: January 11, 2012
Subject: McPherson Farm, Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Application
Copies: David Stancil, DEAPR Director
In December, the McPhersons submitted an application to include their farm in the Voluntary
Agricultural District Program as the County's first Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District
(EVAD). As you can see from the attached map and soils analysis chart, the farm is located
in Bingham Township, along the east side of Mebane Oaks Road, near the border between
Alamance and Orange counties. The McPhersons have identified a 46.54-acre parcel (PIN#
9822-44-3024) for inclusion in the program.
Section VIII. of the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance (VFPO) outlines
the application procedure. Once the application is deemed complete Department of
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) staff forwards it to the Natural
Resources Conservation Service/Soil and Water Conservation District and the Tax Assessor to
ensure that the property meets specific criteria.
DEAPR staff received the attached memoranda certifying the property as qualifying farmland,
eligible to participate in the VAD program. The next step in the process is for the
Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) to determine whether it wishes to recommend the
application to the Board of County Commissioners.
Please review the attached materials and relevant sections of the VFPO, and be prepared to
consider this application for EVAD status. Should the Agricultural Preservation Board decide
to recommend the McPherson Farm for inclusion in the County's Voluntary Agricultural
District program, DEAPR staff will forward the recommendation along with the appropriate
agenda materials to the Board of County Commissioners for their review and consideration.
The McPherson Farm would be the County's first EVAD, and the fourth farm in the Cane
Creek/Buckhorn District.
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S OIL & WATERc�h^er��"
USDA 10
C O N S E R V A T I O N
s
Orange Soil &Water Natural Resources PO Box 8181
Conservation District Conservation Service 306 Revere Road
Phone: 919-732-8181, Ext. 2750 Phone: 919-644-1079, Ext. 3 Hillsborough, NC 27278
I
This report serves to document how the proposed farm qualifies for acceptance into the Voluntary Agricultural
Districts in Orange County.
1. Two-thirds of the soils on the farm must:
a. Be suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage,timber, and oil seed crops.
YES X % 100
NO %
Comments:
b. Have good soil qualities.
YES X
NO
Breakdown of soil classes in percent:
Class I 100% Classes I,11, III are primarily used for cropland
Class II
Class III Classes III-VI are generally best suited for pasture
Class IV or woodland.
Class V
Class VI
Class VIII Class VIII generally unsuited for agricultural use.
Comments:
c. Be favorable for all major crops common to Orange County. Major crops are corn,tobacco, small
grain,pasture, and loblolly pines.
100%favorable %unfavorable
d. Have favorable growing season. (YES) 1
The growing season for Orange County is approximately 200 days. It begins in approximately the
second week of April and runs until about the last week in October. This response will be consistent
for all farms in Orange County.
e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for an average of 8 to 10 years. (YES)
Orange County receives approximately 42-45 inches of rainfall annually. This response will be
consistent for all farms in Orange County.
OR
At least two-thirds of the land has been actively used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry operations as
defined in the NC General Statutes, Section 105-277.2 (1,2, and 3) during each of the five previous years,
measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to whether the land in question qualifies.
Acres in cropland _23.8
Acres in forestland _20.7
Acres in homestead,
farmstead or other
related use 2.0
Total TRACT acres 46.54
Greater than two-thirds in designated uses.
Yes XX % 95
No
Comments:
1. Farm must be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance with the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service(MRCS) defined erosion-control practices as specified in the 1985 Food
Security Act as amended.
Plan on file in NRCS Office YES X NO
If NO,plan will be required before acceptance into the Voluntary Agricultural Districts Program.
Comments:
McPherson Farm has an active conservation plan with the Soil and Water Conservation District/USDA-NRCS
office. Soil and Water staff have worked with the McPherson family on a number of conservation best
management practices in the past and currently--including conservation or no-till planting, grassed waterways,
cropland conversion to grasses,fencing to exclude livestock from the streams, and livestock watering facilities.
All of these practices are helping conserve and protect water quality and the natural resources on the farm, and
downstream. USDA-NRCS/Orange Soil and Water Conservation highly recommend this farm for the EVAD.
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MCPHERSON FARM SOIL ANALYSIS
Soil Type Description Total Acreage*
GeB Geor eville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 4.34
GeC Geor eville silt loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 0.27
HrB Herndon silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 13.79
HrC Herndon silt loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 6.79
Lg Li num silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 22.16
Misc.
Total 46.54
Note: the soils map is older than the Orthophotography layer creating a minor acreage
discrepancy in the totals.
Soils McPherson Farm
GeB `` HrC Vicinity Map
GeC - Lg
HrB 2010 aerials
1 inch = 330 feet
Dept. Environment, Agriculture,
Parks & Recreation 12116/2011
IT/ GIS Division OC170i O:\gishomelgisprojl
land _resourcelVounteerlAgDstrct.mxd W
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17 52
ORANGE COUNTY TAX ADMINISTRATION
ASSESSMENT DIVISION
228 S CHURTON STREET, SUITE 200
PO BOX 8181
HILLSBOROUGH,NORTH CAROLINA 27278
Telephone(919)245-2725 Fax(919)644-3091
January 12,2012
Tina Moon, Cultural Resources Specialist
Orange County Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
P O Box 8181
Hillsborough,NC 27278
Dear Tina:
I am in response to your request for information on land for Michael McPherson referenced by
PIN 9822443024 for 46.54 acres. Our records have this property listed in the name of William
McPherson III. All of this land has been participating as agricultural classification.in the use
program since 1981. Our records indicate there are 28 acres of cleared land, 17.54 acres of
woodland and one acre for the home site.
Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Teresa Moore
Present Use Value
Program Director
15
DRAFT, MEETING SUMMARY
AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD
January 18, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roland Walters, Howard McAdams, Allan Green, Kim Woods, Lynnette Batts and
Patrick McGarry
MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED: Elizabeth Walters, Spence Dickinson, Louise Tate and Joe Thompson.
GUESTS: Matthew Roybal, Renee and Mike McPherson
STAFF: Tina Moon, Natural and Cultural Division
Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Roland Walters called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
ITEM #2: CHAIR COMMENTS(none)
ITEM #3: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA(none)
Roybal provided an overview of the safety and sign-in requirements to using the Piedmont Food and
Agricultural Processing Center meeting room.
Staff revealed that Roybal had another evening commitment, so the APB agreed to rearrange the order of
the meeting agenda to allow Roybal to provide the tour of the facility first, and then leave. The Special
Presentation/Tour of the facility was shifted from Item #7 to Item #4 and all other agenda items were
moved back one position, i.e. the Minutes became Item #5, the Items for Decision became Item #6, etc.
ITEM #4: Special Presentation/Tour
a. Piedmont Food and Agriculture Processing Center
Roybal provided a thorough tour of the new Processing Center facility and provided APB members with an
opportunity to ask questions throughout. Roybal explained how the existing equipment was selected and
how new equipment was considered. Roybal also shared information about his own areas of expertise and
explained that part of his role as the manager (of the Processing Center) was to help clients recognize which
equipment would most benefit their operation and to provide training on how to use it.
ITEM #5: APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 21, 2011
McAdams motioned approval of the minutes; Woods seconded the motion. The APB voted unanimous
approval of the December 21, 2011 minutes.
ITEM #6: ITEMS FOR DECISION
a. McPherson EVAD Application
Staff provided a brief explanation of the Voluntary Agricultural District program and the application process,
including a little information about the Enhanced Districts (EVADS) which are a relatively new addition to the
program at the state and county level. The McPhersons are the first farmers to apply for enhanced district
status. Staff also reported on a question from the last APB meeting regarding the McPherson's conservation
easement. Staff contacted Brandon King, NCSU Cooperative Extension staff, regarding any potential
programs for a farm under conservation easement to enroll in the EVAD program, which essentially works
like a term easement. King indicated that unless the terms of the easement prevented the land from being
under cultivation or otherwise used for farming purposes he saw no conflict with having land under
easement enrolled as an EVAD.
Staff explained that if the APB recommends the McPherson farm for enrollment in the VAD program, staff
will forward the application materials along with the APB endorsement to the Board of County
Commissioners(BOCC). The BOCC will review the application and make the final decision.
Woods asked the McPhersons for more information about their farm and what they raise. Mr. McPherson
reported that they grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. McAdams made a motion to recommend the
January 18, 2012 Draft Meeting Summary 1
16 .
McPherson Farm for inclusion in the County's Voluntary Agricultural District program and the first Enhanced
VAD. Green seconded the motion. The APB voted unanimously to recommend the McPherson Farm to the
Board of County Commissioners for inclusion as the first Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District in the
Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District program.
b. Potential Topics for Legislative Agenda
APB members have discussed a number of different topics over the last several months, including a couple
that seemed appropriate for consideration for the BOCC's annual legislative agenda. At the December
meeting, David Stancil, the DEAPR Department Director, offered a brief explanation of the legislative agenda
process and offered suggestions for the APB to assemble a memo in support of its concerns. Green offered
to prepare a draft memo regarding two areas of"missed opportunities'for local farmers: the on-farm sale of
raw milk and the production of renewal energy. Green worked with staff to prepare a memo in time for
inclusion in the agenda packets. Staff revealed that it appeared that a few of Green's edits did not make it
into the memo included in the packets and asked Green to summarize his comments for the APB's
consideration.
Green reviewed the memo outlining a request for the BOCC to support two bills (HB495/SB473 and SB694)
to increase the demand for renewable credits—credits could be used by farmers to supplement their income.
The memo also requested that the BOCC support the sale of unpasteurized milk and dairy products for
human consumption. Woods expressed concern that the risks associated with unpasteurized milk are still
too great to support on-farm sales and recommended that the request for the sale of raw milk be omitted
from the memo at this time. Green reported that 35 states currently allow the sale of raw milk and related
dairy products and questioned the source of Woods'data. Woods reported that 70% of all milk-borne illness
is related to unpasteurized milk, explaining the nature of milk and its potential as a host for bacteria
particularly if allowed to get warmer than 40 degrees. Woods also reported that the majority of food-borne
illnesses were linked to the 35 states where unpasteurized milk was allowed.
Batts asked if there are standards for raw milk, if the 35 states which allow the sale of unpasteurized milk
,have standards. Woods reported that some do, but that even the states with standards have problems with
illness. Green noted that farms are currently allowed to sell raw milk for animal consumption. Since there
isn't any way to enforce the human consumption of the milk, once off farm, it would be safer to allow human
consumption and then regulate the milk and the herd to certain standards through inspections.
Staff indicated that if there enough controversy over the sale of raw milk, the BOCC might pull the topic. In
that case, the APB may wish to remove the topic from this year's legislative agenda, and spend a year
researching the topic, perhaps even preparing a white paper addressing concern, and submit the topic to the
BOCC for next year's legislative agenda.
McAdams made a motion that the APB forwards the memo with the recommendations for renewable energy
opportunities, (only), to the BOCC for inclusion in its 2012 Legislative Agenda. Woods seconded the motion.
The APB voted 5-1 in support of the motion. (Ayes: McAdams, Woods, Walters, McGarry, Batts. Nays:
Green)
Green asked Woods to email him some of her information about the potential problems associated with raw
milk. Staff asked Green for information on the state, closest to North Carolina that allows the sale of raw
milk? South Carolina. Staff reported that a few years ago, the APB brought in an expert from Duke
University to discuss the pros and cons of genetic modification in agriculture. It turned out to be a very
good discussion. Perhaps the APB could find another expert or couple of experts who could speak to the
pros and cons of unpasteurized dairy products? McAdams suggested maybe the Farm Bureau would have a
representative. Woods offered to research and report back.
ITEM #7: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
a. Updates &Information Sharing
1. 2012 Agricultural Summit
Members were encouraged to take advantage of the off meeting month and attend the Agricultural Summit
if at all possible. Staff noted that the Ag Summit will be held at the"Big Barn"in the Daniel Boone complex
in Hillsborough. This is the first time the Ag Summit will be held at this venue. Staff also noted that there
January 18, 2012 Draft Meeting Summary 2
will likely be a short presentation on the status of a local agritourism project that is being spearheaded by 17
the Orange County/Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau.
2. Officer Elections in March
This item was included as a friendly reminder. Some APB members have traditionally been hesitant to
nominate a slate of officer candidates from the floor during a meeting without having a prior conversation
with the candidate outside of the meeting.
3. Other
ITEM# 8: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a. "Beginning Farmer Bill Introduced in Congress to Include in Farm Bill"
b. "More Young People See Opportunities in Farming"
ITEM #9: ADJOURNMENT
McAdams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30; Woods seconded the motion. The January 18,
2012 Agricultural Preservation Board meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Next meeting scheduled for March 21, 2012, in the small Conference Room in the Environment and
Agriculture Center.
January 18, 2012 Draft Meeting Summary 3
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