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G <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br />AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD <br />May 16, 2001 <br />PRESENT: Whit Morrow, Elizabeth Walters, Nancy Goodwin, Bob Strayhorn, Tony Kleese, <br />Marty Mandell, Noah Ranells, Louise Tate, Environment & Resource <br />Conservation Director David Stancil, ERCD Preservation Planner Tina Moon, <br />Administrative Assistant Carol Melton. <br />Guests present: Commissioner Barry Jacobs, Carl Walters. <br />ABSENT: Rodney Recor and Charles Thompson <br />ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER <br />Morrow called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. <br />ITEM #2: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA <br />ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 21, April 18, 2001 <br />MOTION: Kleese motioned for approval of March 21 and April 18 minutes with noted <br />corrections. Seconded by Walters. <br />VOTE: Unanimous. <br />ITEM #4: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION <br />a. Farm Voluntary Agricultural District Application — Hunter <br />M. Schofield <br />Stancil introduced the Voluntary Agricultural District application for Hunter Schofield and asked <br />Moon to go through the materials (see attachment) for the APB's consideration. There are three <br />basic requirements for inclusion in a Voluntary Agricultural District: a completed application, <br />qualifying farmland (based on State Statutes), and National Resources Conservation Services <br />certification of suitable soils. Based on the tax supervisor's office, the Schofield property meets <br />criteria for qualifying farmland but Mr. Schofield has not submitted an application to participate in <br />the present use -value taxation program. Likewise, the property contains the appropriate amount <br />of productive soils, but the applicant has not applied for a new farm number since purchasing the <br />farm. The APB agreed that the new landowner should contact the Soil & Water office as well as <br />Farm Service Agency office to ensure that all pertinent records are updated. Specifically the <br />conservation farm plan should be updated to reflect the Schofield ownership, and current acreage <br />and boundaries. The new owner will need to contact NRCS and FSA to revise the ownership <br />documentation in both offices. The current plan shows a tobacco /small grain rotation, if any <br />changes in land use or cropping system is to be made the conservation plan will need to be <br />revised. <br />Draft May 16, 2001 <br />