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2 <br /> proposal. Dawson provided a draft paragraph to be included. Members were also interested in <br /> learning more about the annual Farm to Table event held at Blackwood Farm by various farm <br /> agencies, attended by over 300 fourth graders. Staff will roll all this into a final version and submit <br /> by the deadline. Next step is to determine the most important ideas to convey to the BOCC at their <br /> spring work session. <br /> b) Feasibility study for the future of dairy farming: McKnight reviewed the current collapse of dairy <br /> farming in Orange County—down to 3 from as many as 117 in the 1950s. She referred members to <br /> the proposal from Ann Wilkinson of Origin Farms Consulting, handed out earlier. She would like to <br /> see the APB support the idea of having the county apply for grant funds to undertake such a study at <br /> a cost of about$30,000, and put a motion out to that effect. Discussion followed. One goal is to <br /> work toward having a processing facility here that could allow producers to create a diverse range of <br /> value-added dairy products.There are many scenarios as to who would run such a facility. Ortosky <br /> believes there is grant money out there for this sort of project; his office can help. Questions <br /> included who will apply for grants and who will receive the money?This will be more likely to get <br /> county support if part of the money comes from other sources. We should survey both current milk <br /> producers and those who stopped producing in the last 15 years. McKnight clarified her motion: ask <br /> DEAPR and the county commissioners to consider this proposal, explore options for how to seek <br /> funding for this, and move forward. Anderson seconded; motion passed. <br /> c) Review of APB Breakfast held on Nov. 14: Hughes provided a recap of the successful 2019 <br /> breakfast, attended by 85. Food cost was $5.00 per person. Former member Ashley Parker provided <br /> attractive flower arrangements for all the tables. One suggestion is to have a handout with the <br /> various agency updates to give to all the attendees.This could include dates of upcoming events. <br /> 6. Items for Decision: <br /> a) New VAD/EVAD Applications(Attachment 2): Hughes presented the current applications listed <br /> below.All of these farms meet the requirements/criteria for VAD/EVAD enrollment. <br /> • James and Elizabeth Hooten: 39.09 acres for VAD, Cane Creek-Buckhorn Ag District. Beef cattle, <br /> pasture and hayland. <br /> • Jason Shepherd:42.38 acres for VAD, Efland/High Rock Ag District. Livestock, pasture, hayland <br /> and soybeans. <br /> • Annette and Mark McClish: 14.1 acres for VAD, Cedar Grove Ag District. Farm produces goats, <br /> heritage turkeys and chickens, pasture and hay land. <br /> Dawson moved to approve all as a group, seconded by McAdams; motion carried. Hughes reported <br /> that these farms will bring us up to 15,434 acres in VAD and EVAD,with 121 farms in the program. <br /> Farms approved tonight will go to the BOCC on December 2. <br /> b) Approval of meeting calendar for 2020:Approved with corrections to November date, maintaining <br /> earlier meeting times for November and January. <br /> c) Removal of property from the VAD program: Hughes explained a new process and form for <br /> removing properties from the program.Two parcels owned by the Teer family need to be removed <br /> due to the sale of the parcels.The county attorney prepared a new form that we will use. Saiers <br /> moved to approve removal of these two parcels from the program, seconded by Vanhook; motion <br /> passed. <br />