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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPB minutes 091510September 15, 2010 Draft Meeting Summary 1 DRAFT, MEETING SUMMARY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD September 15, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Roland Walters, Elizabeth Walters, James and Patricia Wynn, Spence Dickinson, Joe Thompson, Patrick McGarry and Allan Green. MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED: Louise Tate, Howard McAdams and Tony Kleese. GUESTS: Phyllis Ruth, Farm Services Agency Director for Orange and Durham counties STAFF: Dave Stancil, Director Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, Gail Hughes Soil and Water Division and Tina Moon Natural and Cultural Division ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER Chair Roland Walters called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. ITEM #2: CHAIR COMMENTS After introductions, Chair Walters extended congratulations to Thompson. The Board of County Commissioners recently approved Thompson’s Prawn Farm as the newest participating farm in the Voluntary Agricultural District Program. Walters also shared the news of Tony Kleese’s resignation from the APB. ITEM #3: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA (none) ITEM #4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 16, 2010 E. Walters motioned approval of the minutes from June 16, 2010; Thompson seconded the motion. The APB voted unanimous approval of the June 16, 2010 minutes. ITEM #5: ITEMS FOR DECISION a. None ITEM #6: SPECIAL PRESENTATION a. Existing Programs for Farmers – Farm Services Agency Phyllis Ruth gave a presentation on some of the programs that her agency offers to local farmers. Ruth provided a number of handouts before the meeting for inclusion in the agenda packets and offered to provide additional information to those who were interested. The key programs included: the Disaster Program, which included a number of programs designed to help farmers who have suffered a crop loss due to weather such as the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program or NAP. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)—which pays farmers to take land out of production, particularly environmentally sensitive land, and put it into long-term resource-conserving covers to control soil erosion, improve water and air quality and develop wildlife habitat. Ruth share information about a number of different programs designed for specific commodities and invited APB to call or visit her office to apply for programs or for additional information. Gail Hughes explained how Soil and Water works in partnership with many of FSA’s programs and often offers technical support in the field. ITEM #7: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION a. Advisory Board Quick Reports, Annual Reports September 15, 2010 Draft Meeting Summary 2 Stancil provided a quick summary of the BOCC’s recent review of county advisory boards. The APB will continue to prepare the traditional minutes for review and approval at the subsequent meeting, but the content may become more concise. Advisory boards will be required to submit annual reports to the BOCC beginning in November. Reports will include the board’s mission statement, a brief summary of the board’s accomplishments for the year and an outline of what the board hopes to accomplish during the next year. The BOCC will review the reports during its winter retreat. b. Updates & Information Sharing Stancil provided a number of updates and announcements. 1. Animal Control Ordinance & the Farming Community Stancil provided a brief update on his discussion with the Animal Services Director regarding the Animal Control Ordinance and the memo that the APB had sent to the Animal Services Advisory Board regarding a specific provisions of the Animal Control Ordinance than may inadvertently have a negative affect on local farmers. Dickinson motioned to authorize the Chair to meet with the Animal Services Advisory Board Chair representing the Agricultural Preservation Board; McGarry seconded the motion. The APB voted unanimously to authorize R. Walters to meet with the Animal Services Advisory Board Chair. 2. Cooperative Extension Service Stancil announced that Dr. Carl Matyac had been named the new director of the Orange County Cooperative Extension Service. 3. Unified Development Ordinance Moon alerted the APB to the items in the agenda packet pertaining the Unified Development Ordinance process and encouraged members to participate, as their schedule would permit. ITEM# 8: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. FEEP Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grant b. Sustainable Agriculture Conference c. Handouts were provided at the meeting ITEM #8: ADJOURNMENT Green made a motion to adjourn the meeting; E. Walters Green seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Next meeting scheduled for October 20, 2010, in the small Conference Room in the Environment and Agriculture Center.