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Attachment 1 <br /> <br />Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board <br /> <br />Meeting Summary: March 21, 2018 <br /> <br />Environmental & Agricultural Center—Conference Room <br />306 Revere Rd., Hillsborough, NC <br />7:30 p.m. <br /> <br />Members Present: Anderson, Compton, Dawson, Finley, McAdams, McKnight, McPherson, Vanhook, Redding, <br />Saiers, Shambley <br /> <br />Members Absent: Thomas-Ambat, A. Parker, R. Parker, Ranells, <br /> <br />Guests: Katie Loovis, Orange County Parks and Recreation Council <br /> <br />Staff: Gail Hughes, Resource Conservation Coordinator-DEAPR-Orange Soil and Water; Peter Sandbeck, Cultural <br />Resources Coordinator; Mike Ortosky, Ag Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />1. Call to order: Chair McPherson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. <br /> <br />2. Chair Comments/Introductions: McPherson introduced Katie Loovis. <br /> <br />3. Considerations of Additions to Agenda: Stancil asked to add an item regarding a farm to fork event; <br />there will be a report from the Food Council representative and an update on VAD sign installation. <br /> <br />4. Meeting Summary/Minutes: November 15, 2017 (Attachment 1): McAdams moved to accept the <br />minutes/summary; seconded by Shambley; motion carried. <br /> <br />5. Presentations: <br />a. Katie Loovis, Orange County Parks and Recreation Council: Ms. Loovis provided an informative <br />presentation about the Council’s idea to explore a program to utilize appropriate portions of <br />existing undeveloped county park lands for small scale farming opportunities for low-income <br />residents. She provided a one page handout that outlined this concept. Discussion followed. <br />There was a general consensus that it was a good idea. Saiers moved to affirm the APB’s support <br />this, seconded by Compton; motion passed. Saiers offered to be the APB point person for this. <br />b. Mike Ortosky handed out copies of their new booklet entitled “Summary of Agricultural <br />Resources” along with the “Visit NC Farms” mobile app. He updated members about current <br />projects to promote the idea of local schools using more local food/produce, and the GAP <br />Certification process. There is some county funding for classes to teach growers about the <br />process and assist them with the cost of the certification process, including the audit; also some <br />funds for audit issues, like an extra hand washing station. Members asked if organic tobacco <br />growers will be eligible since they now must be certified. Now there is a huge push to grow <br />industrial hemp to replace tobacco, but the markets are risky. <br />c. Stancil discussed a proposal by Rendevous Sports to host a major farm to table event. Members <br />should tell an interested host farms to contact the visitors bureau.