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11 <br /> <br />Chair Rich said diversity will be a challenge with this board due to the composition of <br />farmers in Orange County. <br />Commissioner McKee said the BOCC can recruit to try and change this lack of <br />diversity. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board needs to have a discussion about this <br />challenge of recruitment. He said the County must spread the word about these boards to <br />more diverse groups and people within the community. He said he is not sure of the best <br />way to achieve this, but it will be the most fruitful way to diversify the applicant pool. <br />Commissioner Price said all of these boards have been in place for so long, with the <br />same people, and the BOCC tends to say OK. She said this causes some applicants to <br />think it is not worth the time to apply. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said this needs to change. <br />Chair Rich said the BOCC can charge this advisory board with this challenge of <br />greater diversity. <br />Commissioner Price said diversity is a challenge across the County, and something <br />needs to be done overall. She said the County claims to value diversity, but needs to show <br />people that their voices are wanted; people need to feel included. <br />Chair Rich asked if the BOCC should move these recommendations to the consent <br />agenda, as well as reach out to the advisory board to encourage more diverse recruitment. <br />Commissioner Dorosin asked if the staff person is who is assigned to this Board <br />could be identified. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said Peter Sandback. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC could charge Peter Sandback to reach out to <br />other organizations related to people of color involved in agriculture. He said the County <br />needs be creative and break out of this rut, and task itself to be more inclusive. <br />Bonnie Hammersley said can speak to all staff reps for the Boards and <br />Commissions, and discuss outreach for diversity on the BOCC’s behalf. <br />Commissioner Price said she and Thom Freeman-Stuart have plans to go to some <br />organizational meetings, and are in the process of coordinating this. <br />Commissioner McKee said the BOCC also needs to take responsibility. He said <br />there are some applicants and advisory board members that he has personally recruited, <br />and if BOCC members know, or meet, people who are impressive and align with these <br />committees, the BOCC members should reach out. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said it is fine to reach out to staff to get this going, but it is <br />important to also look at how the Board can impact getting more diverse applicants, so it <br />does not just fall on the various boards and commissions. He said there needs to be a <br />systematic approach and process. <br />Commissioner Bedford asked if it is a requirement that the applicants own a farm. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said no it is not a requirement. <br />Commissioner Bedford said farmhands might be good to approach. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said perhaps the Food Council could help. <br />Commissioner Greene said perhaps the Breeze Farm could also help. <br />Commissioner Bedford said perhaps Cooperative Extension, to broaden the scope. <br />Commissioner Price said County also needs to build a culture of inclusiveness, and <br />people need to feel they will get something out of serving on a board. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said changing the culture is a different challenge than getting <br />diversity on the boards. He said a lot of these issues are part of this, and there is a micro <br />and macro aspect. <br />Chair Rich said these appointments can all go on one consent item, and staff can <br />talk with this board specifically. <br />