Minutes-02-16-2023-Business Meeting

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6 and that is farmland. She said that farmland is being lost rapidly. She said that Orange County has worked to mitigate the losses. She said North Carolina ranks 2nd in farmland lost to non- agricultural uses. She said the acceleration of the loss of farmland shows there is a need to do more. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how many farms may be in danger. Dr. Saiers said that there are 700 farms in the county. She said there has been a dramatic decrease since 2017. She said that trend is state and nation-wide. Commissioner Greene thanked Dr. Saiers for her work on the Agricultural Preservation Board and the Food Council. Vice-Chair McKee said that a recent sale of undeveloped tract of farmland sold for $280,000 for ten acres, that makes every farm in Orange County a potential for development. Dr. Saiers said she does not know any farmers that are in it to make a ton of money. She said that the first task is figuring out how to make farming profitable enough to make a living. She said that hopefully, this, along with the love of the land will keep them there. Vice-Chair McKee said he rented and farmed a tract of land for 19 years. He said when the primary owner passed away, the family sold it. He said he made more money in two years developing the land than in the 19 years that he farmed it. Commissioner Fowler asked if the WASMBPA requirements have had an impact on farmland loss. Dr. Saiers said that farmland is often converted to large-lot developments. She said that rural buffers do not prevent that. Veronica Penn-Beattie presented on behalf of the Commission for the Environment. She reviewed the work of the Commission over the last year and what they have for 2023. She said the Right of Way Task Force is back in action. She said they plan to start the planning of the 2024 state of the environment report. She said they are very involved in the Climate Action Plan. She said they plan to bring forward a tree canopy policy and focus on water quality issues. She said they want to make sure that Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools receive environmental grants, and that they have ideas to help the schools. She said they want to make sure more people are aware of the Climate Action Grants. She said that they are focusing on recruitment for diversity and inclusion. Commissioner Richards said that the schools have an opportunity to submit projects and if a school does or does not submit, that has nothing to do with the Commissioners. Veronica Penn-Beattie said she agrees but thinks there is something the commission can do to make it easier for the schools to submit and the commission has a recommendation on how to amend the application that might increase the number of applicants. Commissioner Richards said that would need to go to the schools because if it comes back to the Board, there is nothing they can do to make the schools submit. Vice-Chair McKee said it is the responsibility of the schools to develop their program and their request for a grant. He said it is not the role of another organization to help them. Veronica Penn-Beattie said that is correct and that one of the school systems has a sustainability manager and one does not. She said the same one has not been able to submit an application. Vice-Chair McKee said that is a responsibility of the school. Commissioner Hamilton asked what their ideas are for recruitment of diversity. Veronica Penn-Beattie said that the Commission for the Environment has not done much to have a public facing commission. She said they are working to collaborate with other agencies and events to get their name out more. Commissioner Fowler said she was looking forward to achieving the county's Climate Action Plan. Commissioner Richards asked about the Greene Tract.