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2 <br /> <br />survey web site; he can do a demo at the next meeting. Hughes noted that the current soil <br />survey booklet dates to 1972. She can bring it to the next meeting. Discussion followed <br />about various issues relating to the accurate delineation of soil types, blue line streams and <br />ponds for irrigation. Old USGS topo survey maps show these streams clearly. <br /> <br />6. Items for Discussion: <br />a) APB Annual Report and Work Plan: review of last year’s report and ideas for next <br />report due in December (Attachment 3): Staff referred members to the 2015 report; we <br />need to update this for 2016 by December. This is a chance to get our issues and <br />accomplishments in front of the BOCC. Discussion followed. Some years ago this board <br />helped convene a joint meeting of all county boards and committees that deal with ag; <br />it may be time again. Staff will look into the possibility of such a meeting next year. One <br />issue is the tax treatment for farm owners who make substantial improvements, and <br />then get hit with a major property tax increase. Developers and businesses get breaks <br />here but not farmers. Ranells thinks some states have addressed this. Members should <br />email their edits and suggestions to staff. <br />b) Update on planning for VAD Breakfast: Hughes handed out a draft outline of the <br />planned breakfast. Possible locations are Cedar Grove School, Schley Grange or the <br />Mapleview Farm Ag Center. Discussion followed about possible dates. She is thinking <br />basic, coffee, biscuits, Danish etc. All VAD members will be invited. The best dates might <br />be Nov. 30 or Dec. 1. Hughes will check on location availability and propose a final date. <br />Volunteers are welcome. Parker and Neville offered to help. <br />c) Updates from Ag Economic Development: Ortosky provided an overview of the current <br />status of Ag Economic Development grant program. In their first year there were 25 <br />recipients receiving grants totaling just under $194,000. They are funded at $60,000 per <br />year. They are hoping to get even more applications so they have good projects to select <br />from. PFAP currently has about 35 clients; it is breaking even at this point. They now can <br />offer leased dry storage space at the newly renovated Cedar Grove School. At the <br />Breeze Farm, the County is working with NC State to get a long-term lease in place by <br />next year. The County is working on a “farm and food” app for farms and restaurants, <br />through the Visitor’s Bureau. The County and PFAP got an ADFP grant of $32,500 to <br />create a program to provide PFAP clients with operating cash that can be paid back once <br />crops are harvested and sold. Some details have to be resolved. Members thanked <br />Ortosky for his efforts. <br />d) Planning for 2017 Ag Summit: The first planning meeting is this coming Monday. We <br />will welcome any suggestions about topics for sessions and workshops. <br />e) Update/report back from the Food Council: Ortosky reported that they had their 4th <br />meeting of the Council and are at a point where they are finaliz ing collaborative and <br />operating agreements and are forming work groups. He is trying to keep production as a <br />major topic. There is a good opportunity for a joint meeting with the APB at some point.