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ORANGE COUNTY <br />AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD <br /> <br />MEETING SUMMARY -- APPROVED <br />January 21st, 2015 <br /> <br />Environment & Agricultural Center – Conference Room <br />306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, NC <br />7:30 p.m. <br /> <br />MEMBERS PRESENT: Vaughn Compton, Howard McAdams (Chair), Renee McPherson, <br />Ashley Parker, Noah Ranells, Joe Thompson, Kim Woods (Vice-Chair) <br /> <br />MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED: Gordon Neville <br /> <br />GUESTS: Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager <br /> Mike Ortosky, Agriculture Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />STAFF: David Stancil, Director, DEAPR; Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist, DEAPR – <br /> Orange Soil & Water Conservation District; Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources <br />Coordinator, DEAPR <br /> <br /> <br />1. Call to Order: Chair McAdams called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. <br /> <br />2. Vice-Chair Comments: None <br /> <br />3. Consideration of Additions to Agenda: Stancil wished to make a few comments at the <br />end of the meeting. <br /> <br />4. Meeting Summary / Minutes – Oct. 15th, 2014 (Attachment 1): Parker moved to <br />accept the minutes/summary; seconded by Thompson; motion carried. <br /> <br />5. Introduction of Guests and Comments: Stancil introduced Bonnie Hammersley, new <br />Orange County Manager. Members introduced themselves. Ms. Hammersley gave an <br />overview of her background. She grew up on a dairy farm where her brother still lives <br />after having to sell his herd. She understands the challenges that farmers face. Members <br />discussed the county’s high tax rate compared to neighboring counties. This acts as a <br />disincentive for young farmers seeking to make physical/structural improvements to their <br />property, or for farmers buying equipment. <br /> <br />Stancil introduced Mike Ortosky, the County’s new Ag Economic Development <br />Coordinator. Mr. Ortosky reviewed his background in soil science and land planning. He <br />hopes to focus on local foods and building markets for local growers, including food hubs <br />and other ways to get more local food on the market and in institutions, sort of 10% and <br />beyond. He is working on an Ag Economic Development Plan for the County and will <br />ATTACHMENT 1