Minutes - Aug. 19, 2013 Regular Meeting

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BK - 00025 PG:0887 Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Smith, and Womack Nay: None Absent: Reives The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. No one signed up to speak during the Public Comments section of the meeting. The Board considered a Resolution and Recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the Extension & Community Association. Lee County Cooperative Extension Director Susan Condlin introduced Ms. Sylvia Churchwell who discussed the organizations history and recognized the statewide organization of adult volunteers and partners who work with Cooperative Extension and families to improve the quality of living through continuing education, leadership development and community service. North Carolina Extension and Community Association will be celebrating its centennial anniversary formally throughout 2013. Commissioner Reives joined the meeting during the beginning of the presentation. After the presentation, Chairman Parks read the Resolution Honoring Lee County Extension & Community Association on the 100th Anniversary of the State Organization. Commissioner Smith moved to approve said Resolution, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. Ms. Sharon Raschke gave closing comments in reference to the organization. The Board considered a Resolution in Support of the Sandhills Farm to Fare Pilot Project. Cooperative Extension Director Susan Condlin stated the local food movement has helped increase market outlets for many farmers in Lee, Moore, and Richmond County. The Sandhills Farm to Table Coop, a unique CSA, with a strong partnership between farmers and consumers, currently serves households. Institutional buyers, such as restaurants, resorts, health facilities, retirement communities and schools, have difficulty sourcing local food purchases. Funds have been sought and received to demonstrate how a cooperative venture shared between farmers and institutional buyers would operate. Cooperative Extension will provide coordination among farmers and Sandhills Farm to Table has agreed to provide the contracted services needed to market, collect, and transport produce to local buyers for the project. At this time fifteen farmers in the tri- county area have agreed to support the project and serve as a task force as a feasibility study is conducted. Ms. Condlin stated at this time no county funds are being requested for the project. Cooperative Extension will provide in -kind assistance during the pilot project. Lee County Government, on behalf of NC Cooperative Extension, has been awarded $7,500 from the NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF), operated through NCDA &CS, to help fund the pilot food hub. Ms. Condlin asked Commissioners to approve a Resolution in support of the pilot project. Chairman Parks read the Resolution in Support of Sandhills Farm to Institutional Initiative. Commissioner Smith moved to approve said Resolution, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: 2