Agenda 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

21 1 how the farmer handles the food produced at their farm. He said farms that are GAP 2 certified can sell food to schools, and it helps in general marketing. He said the biggest 3 hurdle for farmers seems to be the expense ($1000-$1200). He said this certification is 4 done through the State Department of Agriculture, but he does not know why it cannot be 5 done through local jurisdictions at a lesser cost. 6 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to pursue some legislation to give local 7 jurisdictions the authority to certify GAP farmers. 8 Bonnie Hammersley said the Board of County Commissioners approved $50,000 to 9 support farmers in the GAP certification process, about two years ago, and the Economic 10 Development/Ag staff could not identify farmers in Orange County who wanted to 11 participate in the program. 12 Bonnie Hammersley said this session was included at the Ag Summit in hopes that 13 more farmers would learn about GAP certification and consider going through the process. 14 Commissioner Marcoplos said that is great to hear, and it is important to get the 15 word out about this program and the available funding. 16 Bonnie Hammersley said staff has been trying to do that for over two years. 17 Commissioner Marcoplos said there were many local farmers at the Ag Summit that 18 seemed very interested. He said this information is helpful in Orange County, but there is 19 still statewide merit to pursuing legislative action. 20 Commissioner Greene said Durham County farmers have caught onto this 21 certification, as Durham Public Schools are using local food. She said she would love to 22 see Orange County do the same. 23 Commissioner McKee said another avenue to get the word out is the ASCS 24 (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service), from which every farmer in the nation 25 receives communication. 26 Commissioner Greene applauded the list, and said it is consistent with the State's 27 proposal, plus a little local flavor. She said #20 (Land Water and Agriculture Preservation 28 Funding) is one she is interested in, and asked if the County has healthy funding for these 29 type of needs, or is this something that should be added to the list. 30 Bonnie Hammersley said the County continues to put money to grow its match from 31 the State, and this fund is pretty healthy for easements and land conservation. 32 Commissioner Bedford said she liked the 7 priorities, and asked if it is appropriate 33 to add something to the long list about funding/advocacy regarding the census. 34 Greg Wilder said staff can add that as item #38. 35 36 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner 37 Marcoplos for the Board to: 38 39 -Consider approval of the 2019 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues document; and 40 -Consider approval of the Other Orange County Legislative Interests document to add #38. 41 42 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 43 44 Pending action by the Board, staff will work with the Chair to draft a cover letter for the 45 materials to be presented to Orange County's legislative delegation at the March 11, 2019 46 Legislative Breakfast. 47 48 d. Authorization to Contract with the County's Financial Advisor to Conduct a 49 Third Party Financial Analysis of the New Financial Plan for the Durham- 50 Orange Light Rail Transit Protect