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2 <br /> b) Farmland Preservation Subcommittee: update on plan editing process: staff and <br /> subcommittee members provided a brief overview of the work they accomplished during <br /> their marathon editing session with Jane Saiers on Nov. 121". The group reviewed and <br /> argued about all the past edits and adjustments that had been requested by legal staff, <br /> planning and others. With some creative wordsmithing, the group felt that they had been <br /> able to tweak these areas enough to be very comfortable that the document now says what <br /> we need it to say at this point. Staff will incorporate all the new edits and corrections to <br /> generate a final draft document and share back by the January meeting. After some <br /> discussion, there members agreed that it was time to present this back to the BOCC for <br /> them to review and "accept" the plan (this is the current term, rather than "adopt"). <br /> Moving forward, staff and the subcommittee will work to generate a draft one-page cover <br /> or transmittal letter that will accompany the plan when submitted to the BOCC. This will <br /> present just a very few key points that we want to get across. This team will also prepare a <br /> new "preamble" or introduction to be located at the very front of the plan, again with the <br /> goal of presenting in one short statement all the key issues. This led to discussion about <br /> future educational programs and initiatives, and the need to develop good visual <br /> presentations to give to the general public, to show them what's actually happening out <br /> there in the farm community, to educate folks about the importance of agriculture. We <br /> need to figure out effective ways to tell our stories, to put some focus on farm owners, to <br /> let them talk about how they love what they're doing and how much they can endure to <br /> keep farming their land. This will need to be tailored to different audiences. We'll need to <br /> find some effective farm owners to help by giving some meaningful 3-minute support <br /> speeches when we present it to the BOCC. <br /> 7. Informational Items/Updates: <br /> a. Grant application for Cost of Community Services Study: Staff will be working on <br /> submitting a grant application to the NC ADFP Trust Fund for a grant of$14,000 to pay for a <br /> new study to update our 2006 study. The gift of$2,000 from the OC Farm Bureau can be a <br /> match. Staff will reach out to Univ. of Mt. Olive and NCSU. The deadline is Dec. 22. <br /> b. Extension and Ag Economic Development activities: No report in the interest of time. <br /> 8. Time for Information Sharing: Compton suggested that members take a look at the new county <br /> noise ordinance, as it might prove problematic due to its use of decibel levels as the way to <br /> determine violations, which can create lots of variables. Ranells will share some information <br /> about LAPI (Land Access Policies and Incentives) programs being used in some states, like <br /> MD. <br /> 9. Adjournment: Compton moved to adjourn, seconded by Sykes; meeting adjourned at 11:41 <br /> am. <br /> Meeting summary by Peter Sandbeck <br />