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2 <br /> <br /> <br />6. Informational Items/Future Agenda Items: <br />a) Report from Ag Economic Development Coordinator: Mike Ortosky provided an overview of <br />current activities and developments. There is a lot of focus now on how to develop and promote <br />regional food markets in Wake, Orange and Durham counties. This points to a need for a <br />regional approach to avoid duplication of efforts. He received a fellowship from the Windrock <br />Foundation/Wallace Foundation along with seven others. The BOCC are expected to approve <br />increasing the funding for the Ag Grant program from $60,000 to $100,000. They had more <br />applications than they could fund this past grant cycle. They received a grant from the Golden <br />Leaf Foundation of $128,000 to help expand the local freezer capacity; the county added <br />$32,000 to that total. McKnight spoke of her concerns for the dying off of all the dairy farms in <br />the county. Do we accept that or do we try to make an effort to do something about it? Can we <br />establish a different kind of coop to focus on cheese? This would require maybe 60 cows, <br />perhaps from three farms, to produce a simple cheese, maybe lowfat. Design the facility to scale <br />up over time. Questions include: are there actually three dairy farmers who want to keep <br />farming? Can this scale break even at a small output? Would local institutions and markets buy <br />enough cheese to make it all work? The challenge is to show the farmers that there is a market. <br />Ortosky is eager to get some land under control, perhaps doing a public-private partnership to <br />develop a flex space processing facility that could include a cheese facility. Discussion followed. <br />Hughes was aware of at least one person who is seeking land for dairy farming and grazing. She <br />noted that there are relatively few state rules if you keep your herd under 100. Ortosky noted <br />that the lease for the Breeze Farm may be finalized in the next couple of months; this is <br />between the county and NCSU. <br />b) Hughes reported on the statewide VAD workshop she attended recently. She has the maps and <br />charts documenting the program statewide that she can send out. Other topics included <br />nuisance suits and their new web site dedicated to VADs and staff; this should be up soon. She <br />reminded members that the APB has the opportunity to hold a public hearing in the event that <br />DOT condemns VAD/EVAD land for a highway project. <br />c) Membership Update: The County Clerk has adjusted membership terms to eliminate the crisis of <br />having 11 members with terms that expired on June 30. McAdams has been honored by being <br />designated as a “perpetual member.” Sheila Thomas-Ambat has resigned creating a vacancy. <br />d) Food Council Update: Dawson reported on current activities of the Food Council. They are <br />actively working on a proposal to present to the BOCC about using funds from the PUV program <br />recaptured tax revenue fund to use to support local agriculture initiatives. This could amount to <br />$180,000 per year. Ortosky noted that the goal will be to get the details on this to the BOCC this <br />fall. Hughes suggested that some could be used to add enhancements to the proposed new EAC <br />building. There may be some relevant strategies in our existing farmland protection plan. Staff <br />will email that to members. <br /> <br />7. Information Sharing: None <br /> <br />8. Adjournment: Shambley moved to adjourn, seconded by Ranells. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.