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2 <br /> <br />district for one of our three economic development districts, perhaps something like a <br />food hub/campus developed in the county, and brand/market that campus. He envisions a <br />role for the Breeze Farm, possibly through the County leasing the facility from the state. <br />A new/updated master plan needs to be developed for this facility. <br /> <br />His presentation was followed by a question/answer discussion session. Members <br />expressed their desire to be included in the planning process for the various new ag <br />economic development projects, ideally with good communication. The farmers here on <br />the Ag Board are a resource that can provide a level of grounding, a way to apply real- <br />world knowledge to new ideas now being generated. They want to be involved and <br />included in the process. Mike has kindly agreed to attend the Ag Board meetings on <br />regular basis, which will help. Stancil suggested that the board might want to schedule <br />some time soon to review their charge and the Farmland Preservation Plan, and come up <br />a list of topics where they want to focus their energy; the APB is the only official board <br />charged by the BOCC to advise on agricultural matters. Discussion included the topic of <br />how much the County is spending now on food (around $400k between the jail and <br />senior/nutrition programs). We need an aggregator to build up a system to build up a <br />steady/adequate supply of local food for this market. Are local entities doing everything <br />they can to buy local, for example, the salad bar at Weaver St? What happens if buyers <br />for restaurants move from small farmer’s markets to a larger aggregator/supply facility? <br />Regarding the new Ag Economic Development Grant review process: they ex pect four or <br />five grant applications; the review committee will meet in June. Two committee members <br />are also members of the Ag Board, so they can report back at the next regular meeting. <br /> <br />6. Items for Decision: <br />(a): New VAD and EVAD applications: (Attachment 2): Hughes had to be absent for <br />this meeting, so Sandbeck presented five new applications, below. <br />All of these applications have been reviewed by staff and meet all the criteria and <br />requirements for APB consideration for the VAD and EVAD programs. <br />Richal M. & Savannah J. Vanhook: 76.32 acres for EVAD: (Caldwell District): Farm <br />located on Walnut Grove Church Rd. Hay, pasture, and woodland. Parker moved to <br />approve; seconded by Woods; motion carried. Vanhook abstained. <br />Willie &Hattie Vanhook: 84.01 acres for EVAD: (Cedar Grove District) Farm located <br />on Olin Road. Hay, pasture and woodland. Parker moved to approve; seconded by <br />Thompson; motion carried. Vanhook abstained. <br />Lewis D. & Charlene Summers: 121 acres for EVAD (Cedar Grove District) Farm <br />located on Carr Store Rd. Corn, small grain, hay and woodland/forestry. Parcel is <br />upstream of Hillsborough water supply. Woods moved to approve; seconded by Ranells; <br />motion carried.