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V Page 5 BOCC feedback to develop Farmland Preservation Policy document. A Consideration of folding it into the farmland preservation element of the comprehensive plan was suggested. The time frame is contingent upon getting BOCC approval of the invitation letter and list of stakeholders. If as the BOCC calendar for June is already filled it could possibly be August before this first step can move forward. The APB discussed the needs of the Agricultural Center, stakeholder groups, who should be included, the possibility of an opening event that everyone is invited to where PowerPoint presentation is given of the overall plans and ask for input and feedback on what people would like to see the Agricultural Center do. Recor suggested the title for the New Consensus for Farmland be called "Orange County Agricultural Center and Your Participation in the New Consensus For Farmland" Strayhorn noted that the agricultural center should house all the groups in one location such as Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency, USDA Rural Development (Farmer's Horne), Soil Conservation Service. In the old days when a farmer came into town to conduct farming business he would have to go all over town. Then the first agriculture center was built on King Street that housed all the divisions necessary. Then the county needed the building and moved the agriculture departments to the Revere Road location. The people that we expect to be in the agriculture center should be involved in the stake holder group meetings to talk about how it's going to look and the space necessary for these organizations to function and do the jobs they are expected to do. Discussion included the rural community's lack of interest to participate because they have heard these ideas for many years without any action being taken; if we can prove to the rural community that we are sincere about an agricultural center being built, their participation will increase, the two goals of the New Consensus for Farmland (NCF) includes two overlapping audiences, if the two items are separated then how do we get the traditional farmer interested in farmland preservation; the agricultural center could be the focal point to get both goals accomplished. Other issues discussed included: getting people together to work together to do both parts of the NCF, getting different groups to join forces to seek a useable Agricultural Center such as home demonstration clubs, sheriff department firing range possibly livestock show, small acreage for demonstrations of environmental interests would bring more support, possibly tied in with hiking trails lands, part of the property could be a parkland. The APB concluded with a suggestion of having a discussion with Commissioner Jacobs at the next APB meeting. ITEM #5: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Draft 1/31/2001