Orange County NC Website
Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board <br /> Approved Meeting Summary: November 19', 2025 <br /> ***Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center *** <br /> 10:30 am <br /> Members Present: Compton, Fabian, Hooten, Hughes, Miller, Neff, Ranells, Rose, Sykes, Thompson, <br /> Totten, Wagger, Weitzel <br /> Members Absent: Taylor, Woods <br /> Guests: Karen Stegman <br /> Staff: Jessica Perrin, Soil and Water Conservation Manager; Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources <br /> Coordinator; Mike Ortosky, Community and Rural Development Agent <br /> 1. Call to order: Chair Hughes called the meeting to order at 10:51 am <br /> 2. Chair Comments/Introductions: New members Vera Fabian and Salem Neff were introduced, <br /> along with guest Karen Stegman <br /> 3. Considerations of Additions to Agenda: None <br /> 4. Meeting Summary/Minutes: Weitzel moved to approve the meeting summary for September <br /> 17t", 2025, seconded by Compton; motion passed. <br /> S. Items for Decision: <br /> a) Approval of Meeting Calendar for 2026: Staff presented the proposed draft calendar for <br /> APB meetings for 2026. Hooten moved approve, seconded by Weitzel; motion carried. <br /> 6. Discussion Items: <br /> a) Member input and review of draft Annual Report and Work Plan for 2025: Staff walked <br /> through the first draft of this document, which summarizes the APB's activities for 2025. <br /> Members discussed various aspects and offered editorial suggestions. Is this the place to <br /> talk about the big issues for farmland preservation, about what agriculture means to the <br /> county now and in the past? Other comments included the idea of adding a note about the <br /> growing interest in promoting LAPI programs (Land Access Policies and Incentives) and <br /> concerns about the lack of clear rules about the use of drones in rural areas. Do we want to <br /> add a goal for next year to host a tour for the BOCC that might help showcase the issues of <br /> farmland loss and conversion? Staff will integrate the various comments and suggestions <br /> into a final draft to submit to the BOCC by Jan. 161n <br /> 7 <br />