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2 <br /> <br /> Dennis and Linda Brooks – 113.84 acres – New Hope District – EVAD <br />Farm has a permanent Conservation Easement with Orange Co. on all of the acres. <br />Farm consists of 2 parcels located on Ben Johnston Rd., edge of west Hillsborough <br />Farm ~ 65 acres of pasture, and remaining in Forestry. Compton moved to approve the <br />farm for EVAD, seconded by Ashley Parker, motion carried. <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): Members discussed last year’s report and <br />brainstormed about what should be added to the new report. Major topics are <br />agritourism and the ongoing question of how to define a “bona fide farm.” Discussion <br />included: defining agritourism, the state definition of a farm, and FSA requirements for <br />farm numbers. McAdams moved to direct staff to incorporate these topics into the work <br />plan, in consultation with the chair/vice chair, seconded by Compton; motion passed. <br />b) Potential APB initiatives/projects and grant funding: McPherson outlined ideas about <br />having the APB apply for a grant from Farm Credit to fund a worthy ag-related project. <br />For example in Ashe County, a Farm Credit grant helped acquire cattle panels and a <br />trailer to loan out to farmers. Members discussed possible projects. For example, PFAP <br />has a vegetable washer that could be mounted on a trailer that could be loaned out. <br />Orange High could assist with fabricating items. The grant cycle is annual; applications <br />are due this coming summer. The maximum is $5,000. <br />c) Update on planning for VAD Breakfast: Hughes reported on the status of planning for <br />the event on Dec. 1 at the Cedar Grove Community Center. Kelsey’s Café will be <br />providing a full breakfast. They now have a head count of 53 attendees with more <br />expected. Gordon Neville offered to donate some of the drinks. McPherson will request <br />a grant from the Farm Bureau to cover the cost of the new small VAD/EVAD signs. <br />Members thanked Hughes for all her hard work on planning for this event. <br />d) Updates from Ag Economic Development: Ortosky provided an overview of current <br />program activities. To date, 44 applications came in from 40 farms; 30 have been <br />approved for over $228,000. At the Breeze Farm, the County continues to work with NC <br />State to get a long-term lease in place by next year. Farm to Fork has been moved to <br />Fearrington, so that will reduce the amount of money we may get for Breeze. PFAP now <br />has a lease with the County for dry storage at the Cedar Grove Community Center. Their <br />first rural business farm tour showcased three farm-related businesses. <br />e) Planning for 2017 Ag Summit: Ortosky gave an update on the planning for the <br />upcoming 19th annual Ag Summit, to be held up at the Cedar Grove Community Center, <br />in late February. The proposed title is “what is a farm.” There will be panel sessions <br />dealing with the “bona fide farm” issues, agritourism, etc. <br />f) Update/report back from the Food Council: Dawson reviewed the status of the council <br />and gave an overview of their goals. The group is still working on organizational <br />structure, etc. This will be a coordinating body that will help bring together and facilitate