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APB meeting summary 09152021
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APB meeting summary 09152021
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11/18/2021 1:57:57 PM
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BOCC
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9/15/2021
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Regular Meeting
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Advisory Bd. Minutes
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APB Agenda 09152021
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3 <br /> b. Jessica Perrin's report: Perrin reported on her VAD program activities since she started, including <br /> updating the brochure and expanding our coordination with the staff at Land Records and GIS to <br /> better utilize their services to help us make our information available to the public. She is also <br /> working on establishing a process for allowing her to conduct and create the conservation plans that <br /> meet both NRCS and Soil and Water requirements, but will need training and support for getting <br /> these done. She's spent a lot of time reviewing files and working on completing applications that are <br /> currently pending or incomplete. It is clear that this is now a real workflow issue as we work to <br /> comply with the requirements of our ordinance and the state--that we have these plans in place <br /> prior to approval by the APB. Looking forward,this also imposes a burden on staff to track and <br /> monitor land use changes as current VAD farms change use, for instance,from forestry to row crops <br /> or vineyard, or if the farm changes hands. Presently,there is a long waiting period for the NRCS <br /> conservation plans. This is a topic that staff will need to discuss further with management to look at <br /> ways to figure out how to speed up this process. Ortosky noted that we are fortunate that the <br /> majority of the farmers in the VAD program are great stewards of their land regardless of whether <br /> there is a conservation plan or not. <br /> c. Membership: Staff reported on current efforts to identify potential new members. Gail <br /> implemented a new line on our applications in 2015 that allowed applicants to indicate a willingness <br /> to volunteer to serve. Staff combed through the applications back to 2018 to gather up the names <br /> and contact information from those who said yes, and reached out to see if they were still <br /> interested. Several have indicated that they'll submit applications, so that's encouraging, especially <br /> since they're already familiar. In the meantime, the county is reassessing its membership process <br /> with the BOCC stepping back to review the system and adopt some changes by late November. <br /> d. Ag Economic Development Update: Ortosky provided an update on his position and duties. He's <br /> transitioning to Extension,where he will be called Community and Rural Development Agent, <br /> responsible for economic development, infrastructure and food agriculture. He will be looking at <br /> programming analysis and program development at the Breeze Farm, a place that assisted a number <br /> of successful new farmers in the county.This is a 270 acre farm that has a lot of potential for <br /> additional activity beyond the 2-3 acres used for start-up or incubator for new farmers. More <br /> funders are now interested in research and education, so there will be more focus on developing <br /> broader uses for the farm. He wants to bring more money and life to the farm. He's been partnering <br /> with Triangle J and others to apply for a USDA grant to develop a regional food system economic <br /> development partnership with growers, processors and distributers to promote a broader regional <br /> food system. He'll still administer the Ag Economic Development grant program. Discussion followed <br /> about helping to match up land owners with those who are seeking land as a way to get into <br /> farming; Noah Ranells is still with Extension and is working on this under the name of NC Land Link. <br /> There are still the PLANT classes at the Breeze Farm, now integrated into Extension's Farm School, <br /> which is still going on under Mart Bumgarner. <br /> e. VAD Breakfast Update:At present,the county policy is to not host meetings that involve indoor <br /> activities with food,so we will not be able to host this in 2021. We'll look forward to doing this again <br /> in 2022. <br /> 7. Time for Information Sharing: None <br /> 8. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm. <br />
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