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1 <br /> APPROVED 12/14/21 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> WORK SESSION <br /> November 11, 2021 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Thursday, <br /> November 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford, <br /> and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, and Anna <br /> Richards <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager <br /> Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified <br /> appropriately below) <br /> Chair Price called the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting to order at 7:00 <br /> p.m. She said this is the first time this board has held a public meeting in person since the start <br /> of the pandemic. <br /> Chair Price said the County Attorney requested the addition of a closed session at the <br /> end of the meeting. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> add a closed session to the agenda, pursuant to NC General Statute § 143-318.11(a)(3) "To <br /> consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the <br /> attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body." <br /> VOTE: Unanimous <br /> 1. Food Systems Community & Economic Development Update <br /> The board received a presentation and discussed regional food and agricultural systems <br /> status, COVID effects, current initiatives, trends and directions. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> There has been growing interest in recent years around local and regional food systems and <br /> the extent to which a more proximate, deep, diverse, and equitable system is possible. The <br /> recent pandemic has further illuminated issues, challenges, and also opportunities within the <br /> economic, social, and environmental aspects of food systems. North Carolina, and Orange <br /> County in particular, has led many advances over the years in sustainable food systems and <br /> agriculture. In the current environment, values and demand are changing rapidly, creating the <br /> need for effective responses in policy, funding, education, and advocacy. Informed <br /> collaborative regional efforts, based on trusted community relationships, are critical in the <br /> development of more resilient food systems. <br /> Mike Ortosky, Community Development Agent— Orange County Cooperative Extension, <br /> introduced the item and made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br />