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2 <br /> <br />VAD/EVAD application form to add language telling applicants they are eligible to serve <br />on the APB once their farm is approved; there is a place for them to indicate interest. <br />Jane Saiers and Darin Knapp: 10.1 acres for EVAD: (New Hope/Hillsborough <br />District): Farm located at 913 Arthur Minnis Road. They grow grapes, Shiitake <br />mushrooms, blueberries, strawberries, asparagus and annual vegetables. Ashley Parker <br />moved to approve RambleRill Farm for EVAD; seconded by Compton; motion carried. <br />6. Items for Discussion: <br /> <br />a. Membership: Chair McPherson noted that we still have two district vacancies: <br />New Hope/Hillsborough and Schley/Eno. Staff introduced a prospective new <br />member, Jane Saiers, owner of RambleRill Farm, who submitted the online <br />application. Ms. Saiers expressed her interest in serving on the APB. Ranells <br />moved to recommend Ms. Saiers as the member for the New Hope/Hillsborough <br />District; seconded by Neville. Motion carried. <br /> <br />b. Idea for holding a breakfast meeting/informational event for prospective <br />VAD/EVAD applicants: Hughes explained the concept of having the APB host a <br />breakfast meeting geared toward property owners who might be considering <br />enrolling their farms in the VAD/EVAD, along with farmers already enrolled. <br />This could be both informational and recognize the current participants. Sponsors <br />could help underwrite the cost of a breakfast. Discussion followed about the scope <br />of the audience, scheduling and location. Winter seems like the best time, but <br />must work with Ag Summit schedule, or perhaps combine with that. Mid-January <br />seems like a good time. Possible locations include Mapleview and the Grange. <br />Members agreed it was a good idea. Woods moved that we proceed to look into <br />this possibility; seconded by Ranells; motion carried. Hughes will report back. <br /> <br />c. Update on Ag Economic Development Grant Program: Ortosky reported that they <br />had six applicants and approved four at their July meeting; two were deferred <br />pending additional information. Since that time they received two more <br />applications for a total of eight received to date. All but one have been approved <br />at some level. The next meeting will be November, then February, then possibly <br />shift to an annual basis after that to make it more competitive. There are two <br />categories: small grants up to $1,000, and large grants up to $10,000. They have <br />criteria to guide how the grants must be used. This fund has accumulated <br />approximately $168,000 due to the lack of disbursements, but that number will <br />decline over time as we award grants. New grants include hoop houses, a well, <br />poultry processing equipment and agricultural production items. They have <br />promoted it quite a bit but plan to increase promotion and visibility for the next <br />round. The goal is to make this program attractive to any farmer for any type of <br />project. Applicants have to provide proof that the money was spent as stipulated. <br /> <br />d. Review of APB purpose and duties: Staff reviewed briefly the section of the APB <br />ordinance that spells out the board’s purpose and duties. Ranells commented on <br />the size and diversity of the group as it now stands with the additional new <br />members, and reminded members that this is the only board that officially <br />advises/assists the BOCC with all matters relating to agriculture. <br />