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Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board <br /> Approved Meeting Summary: Sept. 18t", 2024 <br /> ***Bonnie Davis Center*** <br /> 6:30 p.m. <br /> Members Present: Compton, Hooten, Hughes, McPherson, Saiers, Totten, Wagger <br /> Members Absent: Miller, Myers, Palmer, Ranells, Sykes, Taylor, Woods Guests: None <br /> Staff: Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resource Coordinator; Mike Ortosky, Community & Rural Development <br /> Agent <br /> 1. Call to order: Acting Chair Hughes called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. <br /> 2. Chair Comments/Introductions: Hughes recognized that there wasn't a quorum present, so the <br /> APB won't be able to make any formal motions or votes at this meeting. <br /> 3. Considerations of Additions to Agenda: Staff wished to add two new items: the Chatham Co. <br /> farmland preservation program, and a $1.4 million grant for farmland preservation projects. <br /> 4. Meeting Summary/Minutes: No action taken due to lack of a quorum. <br /> S. Items for Decision: Official action on these items had to be deferred to the November meeting <br /> due to a lack of a quorum. Staff provided information/discussion about each one. <br /> a) VAD Breakfast: Staff reviewed the proposal for the upcoming VAD breakfast feedback <br /> about the agenda. The plan is to hold this at Camp Chestnut Ridge near Efland, which is a <br /> central location for many. Members discussed the agenda and made suggestions about <br /> possible speakers who could discuss their experiences with the VAD program and/or <br /> easements. Suggestions were also made about keynote speakers. <br /> b) Farm Succession Program: Staff proposed that the APB partner with Extension and the Soil <br /> Service to co-sponsor an informational program about Farm Succession Planning by the <br /> Cedar Grove Law Firm. Members offered their support for such a program, tentatively set to <br /> take place in early December. The law firm offered to provide coffee and breakfast snacks. <br /> Members supported the idea of co-hosting this event as it's a big issue for landowners. <br /> c) VAD Applications: These were deferred until the November meeting. <br /> d) Membership: Staff reviewed the current membership applications. There is one vacant at- <br /> large position. Staff will email all current applications to members with a request to rank the <br /> applicants for recommendation. There was a general agreement that Ms. Weitzel had a <br /> good background with her extensive work experience with state agricultural programs. <br />