Agenda - 06-13-2006-5y - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

31 b. Agricultural Center Workgroup update Kleese reported that the Agricultural Center Workgroup's final report would be presented on May 25th at the BOCC meeting at the Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough at 7:30 p.m. APB members were invited, and encouraged, to attend, c, USDA I Orange County Teer Farm Celebration Stancil reported that the USDA contacted Orange County, on short notice, and invited participation in their April celebration event, The event was held to recognize the commitment of 10 million dollars to North Carolina for farmland protection as part of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. Since a quarter of that money had gone to the Lands Legacy Program in the form of conservation easements the USDA considered the County a good partner for April 21-outreach event at the Teer farm. d. Breeze Family Farm Research Facility Stancil reported an event held at the William Breeze property on Walnut Grove Church Road, where Col. Breeze has donated land to the NC State Agricultural Division. The property will be used for a research farm with the possibility of an incubator organic farming operation, Members asked about the size and specific uses for the research facility, Ranelis reported a total of 269 acres from two parcels from two families. The facility will be called the W. C. Breeze Family Small Farm Research & Education Center. He added that the county is working with NC State Cooperative Extension regarding what the county would like to see occur on at the site and might consider partnering with other partners. Ranelis will keep the APB apprised of ongoing discussions, Mandell proposed that staff draft a letter of appreciation to Col Breeze for APB consideration, Kleese agreed and other members agreed. e. Letter to Representative Faison Report PREVIOUSLY the board requested the status of the Faison letter in relationship to House Bill #607. APB discussions, regarding House Bill #607 in January, spoke to incentives for farm families such as tax reductions and relief from legal fees associated with frivolous nuisance lawsuits. House Bill #607--legislation regarding voluntary agricultural district programs--omitted the language designed to protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits.. Walters reported speaking with Representative Faison at the Agricultural Summit about the omission. He indicated there was an existing General Statute that covered this area and felt that would be sufficient. Faison invited Walters to continue discussions at another time. Staff was asked to investigate what statute would cover this area of concern. Stancil said a draft letter was prepared asking Rep Faison to share the thought process about the changes that limited ability for farmers to recover costs in a lawsuit, Walters reported she had not been able to reach Faison by phone as of this time to follow up on their discussion at the Agricultural Summit. Members discussed another point of concern regarding how to engage the public on the farm, protect the farmer from liability issues and not require the farmer to go through complicated permitting processes. Ranells added that a part of the enhancement to voluntary agricultural district program regarded the agri-tourism liability law, as of yet there have been no impacts on insurance rates. The Farm Bureau will be following up with the Insurance Commissioner to see what the impacts are. Ranells volunteered to assist Walters with follow-upon this topic.. Moon added that the enhanced voluntary agricultural district program expands the definition of a bona fide farm-which may expand the range of activities that farmers can do exempt from zoning regulations-- important for people who want to do value-added type operations. It dovetails with the on-going planning initiative and is important for farmers who want to bring the public to their farm to understand. f. Junior Livestock Show and Piedmont Farm Tour Kleese reported a successful Piedmont Farm Tour and thanked folks for their work to promote the tour.. Ranells reported 650 visitors to Fickle Creek Farm and mentioned that the APB tri-fold display board and related information was available for viewing. Mandell and Moon reported a few onlookers at the APB booth during the Junior Livestock Show. g. New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm Stancil noted the BOCC had approved the process and appointed workgroup members. The workgroup is scheduled to hold its first meeting in June and then break for the summer. Once the survey work is completed the workgroup will begin the design process in September. Dickinson outlined a proposal for the Blackwood Farm OftAFT M1lay Y006 ApX[ulluq~ Pmscrvallon BoaN MecAbq Summary Page 3 of 4