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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPB minutes 091615 Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board Approved Meeting Summary: Sept. 16, 2015 Environmental & Agricultural Center—Conference Room 306 Revere Rd., Hillsborough, NC 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Renee McPherson (Chair), Kim Woods (Vice-Chair), Renee Parker, Vaughn Compton, Howard McAdams, Noah Ranells, Kathy Shambley, Richal Vanhook Members Absent/Excused: Shelia Thomas-Ambat, Amanda Scherle, Gordon Neville, Ashley Parker Conway Guests: none Staff: Gail Hughes, Resource Conservation Coordinator-DEAPR-Orange Soil and Water Conservation District 1. Call to order: Chair McPherson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. 2. Chair Comments/Introductions: Chair McPherson welcomed all members present, and acknowledged those excused/absent, and declared that a quorum was present. 3. Considerations of Additions to Agenda: Hughes asked to add the review of the past year annual report to the agenda, to allow for discussion of the upcoming report due in December. 4. Meeting Summary/Minutes: --Aug. 19th, 2015 (Attachment 1): Ranells moved to accept the minutes/summary; seconded by Woods; motion carried. 5. Items for Decision: Hughes presented an overview of the two current applications before the members for enrollment in the VAD program. Both farms meet the minimum requirements/criteria for VAD/EVAD enrollment.  W & F Family Farm, LLC- plus individual properties owned by Griffin Family members: 5 parcels of land –totaling 175.49 acres in the High Rock/Efland District. The farm produces hay and soybean crops, plus managed woodland. Vanhook moved to approve W & F Family Farm, LLC and the Griffin Family members for VAD, seconded by Ranells; motion carried.  Claude Hughes and Linda Sakiewicz Farm: 4 parcels of land- totaling 105.9 acres in the Cane Creek/Buckhorn District. The farm produces vegetables, herbs, berries and Page 2 managed woodland. Compton moved to approve the Hughes/Sakiewicz farm, seconded by Woods; motion carried. 6. Items for Discussion: a) Update on VAD/EVAD farm acreage: Hughes presented the APB with a list/summary of all of the farms in the VAD/EVAD program. Hughes indicated that she had been working on past list, and checking older farm enrollment records, to be sure all acres are accounted for to have more accurate numbers. b) VAD/EVAD Landowners breakfast: Hughes updated the APB that it had been discussed by staff to keep the breakfast and the Ag. Summit as separate events. Hughes mentioned some possible funding groups, and will follow up with those, plus check on locations, prices, and more details for the November meeting. The APB agreed middle to late January would be a better time. c) Membership: Chair McPherson and Hughes noted there is a vacancy in the Schley/Eno District. Hughes indicated she had a few potential farmers she in that District. 7. Informational Items/Future Agenda Items: a) Update on Avian Flu Situation: Hughes gave the group a handout with an overview of the Avian Flu preparedness and the information that is being distributed to landowners with poultry flocks. Several of the members of the APB are poultry owners . They reported what they have been doing on their farms in the way of Biosecurity and animal safety to avoid and prevent the possibility of exposure to the virus if it reaches North Carolina/Orange Co. Ranells asked Hughes to make flyers/posters to be posted at local feed/community stores; to be sure individuals know where to find information and how to take precautions recommended by the NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the NC State Veterinarian. Members were in agreement to have poster located at stores that sell farm products. Hughes will work on these and distribute. b) Annual Report: Hughes shared copies of the 2014 report with group. Chair McPherson asked that everyone review and be prepared to give staff feedback at the Nov. meeting. c) Interview process for new Extension Agent: Compton asked if staff and/or Chair had heard any response from the NC Cooperative Extension office (Carl Matyac) about APB involvement in the interview process for the new agent to be hired for crops and livestock. Both Hughes and Chair McPherson indicated that they had not heard of any response. APB members asked for staff to follow up with Dave Stancil to see if there had been a response. Hughes will give Stancil this request. 8. Time for Information Sharing: no addition information was shared at this time. 9. Adjournment: Ranells moved to adjourn; seconded by McAdams. Meeting adjourned at 8:45.