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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPB minutes 051816 Attachment 1 Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board DRAFT Meeting Summary: May 18, 2016 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, Ashley Parker, Vaughn Compton, Ken Dawson, Howard McAdams, Gordon Neville, Noah Ranells, Jane Saiers, Kathy Shambley, Shelia Thomas-Ambat, Richal Vanhook Members Absent: Amanda Scherle Guests: None Staff: Gail Hughes, Resource Conservation Coordinator-DEAPR-Orange Soil and Water Conservation District; Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator-DEAPR, and Mike Ortosky, Agriculture Economic Developer. 1. Call to order: Chair McPherson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. 2. Chair Comments/Introductions: Chair McPherson declared that a quorum was present. 3. Considerations of Additions to Agenda: None 4. Meeting Summary/Minutes: March 16, 2016 (Attachment 1): McAdams moved to accept the minutes/summary; seconded by Neville; motion carried. 5. Items for Decision: a) New VAD/EVAD Applications (Attachment 2): Hughes presented an overview of the four current applications. All farms meet the requirements/criteria for VAD/EVAD enrollment.  Genesis Farm/ Dr. Trudy Metheny: VAD: 18 acres in the Cane Creek/Buckhorn District: Family farm consisting of two parcels on Genesis Road. Farm produces seasonal vegetables, cut flowers and fruit, along with educational programs. A. Parker moved to approve the farm for VAD, seconded by Ranells, motion carried.  David and Leslie Brooks: VAD: 84 acres in the Caldwell District: Two parcels on Hester Road. The farm includes pasture for livestock and horses, hay and woodland. Woods moved to approve the farm for VAD, seconded by Compton; motion carried.  Stephen and Suzanne Finley and Patsy Finley: VAD: 88.73 acres in the Cedar Grove District. The farm consists of five parcels on Carr Store and Cedar Grove-Efland roads. The farm includes pasture, hay and managed woodland. Hughes noted she did not have 2 a fully completed signature page. McAdams moved to approve the farm for VAD, with the condition that the application is fully signed, seconded by Ranells; motion carried.  Lacy J. and Katherine C. Ward: VAD: 34.7 acres in the Caldwell District: Two parcels on Walnut Grove Church Road. Farm includes pasture and hay. Ranells moved to approve the farm for VAD, seconded by Woods; motion carried. Together these farms will total an additional 224.43 acres to be added to the program , giving a total of 10,932 acres. Hughes will present all the farms approved this spring to the BOCC on June 7. We were able to install 18 new signs last month and more are on order. 6. Items for Discussion: a) Report back from annual VAD Conference in Winston-Salem: Sandbeck reported on this event held on March 17. Topics included: public hearings for road projects that impact VADs; coordination with DOT on creating VADs in designated development corridors; solar leases; mineral rights; industrial hemp; horse boarding income and the ADFPT fund programs. There was discussion about how land ownership changes get flagged for VAD/EVAD and making sure VAD staffers are notified of such changes. Woods noted that in Person Co. they can flag properties in PUV which helps. Shambley noted that DOT was preparing to modify the curve on Efland-Cedar Grove Road at her farm. Staff will promote this event next year so that some members can attend. b) Update/report back on Food Council: Ortosky provided an overview of the current status of the Food Council. Dawson added that there are 10 at-large seats and 5 government representatives. One seat is designated for this board, which tends to make that person the only farmer on the Council. He feels that the Ag Board representative has a role to keep the group grounded and aware of the farmer’s perspective. Ortosky suggested that we could consider holding a joint meeting to bring the groups together. The Council is open to forming working groups to cover special topics. c) Viewing of video produced for Ag Summit: Members commended Ortosky and the video production team for the fine work on this video. d) Membership update: Hughes approached Mr. Nels Anderson about serving; he has a farm in the VAD program and is working with Rich Shaw on a permanent easement; their farmhous is on the National Register. He is willing to serve to represent the Schley- Eno District position, our one vacant position. Ranells moved to recommend Mr. Anderson to fill the Schley-Eno District position, seconded by McAdams; motion carried. 7. Informational Items/Future Agenda Items: a) Upcoming Events: Ranells reported on the upcoming Farm to Fork weekend on June 3-5, along with the NC A&T Small Farms Field Day on June 30th. b) Brooks Farm Polo/Charity Event: this will be held on Saturday June 4th. 8. Adjournment: Parker moved to adjourn; seconded by Ranells. Meeting adjourned at 8:41.