Henderson County  Farmland Preservation Taskforce: June 24, 2024  The Farmland Preservation Taskforce held a meeting on June 24, 2024, at 6:001 PM in the King Street Meeting  Room located at 100N. King Street.  Taskforce Member  Present  Absent  Commissioner Rebecca McCall, Chair Commissioner David Hill, Chair Hunter Marks Planning Board Danny McConnell - Soil & Water Conservation District Gary Steiner - NC Cooperative Extension Jimmy Cowan - NC Farm Bureau Joffrey Merrill - AgHC Jason Edney - At large Justin Patwin - Atl large Linda Pryor-A At large Alan Ward - At large Danielle McCall - At large  V / R  Randy Newman - Hendersonville Board of Realtors  Also present:  R=a attendedremotely  Chris Todd, Business & Community Development Director Autumn Radcliff, Planning Director Liz Hanson, PlannerI April Hoyt, Soil & Water Conservation District Jonathan Wallin, Soil & Water Conservation District Dr. Terry Kelley, NC Cooperative Extension Kieran Roe, Conserving Carolina Tom Fanslow, Conserving Carolina  Jeffrey Darnell, NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner David Hill, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00F PM.  Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance:  Commissioner and Taskforce Chair Mr. Hill lead the invocation and pledge after the meeting was called to  order.  Adjustment and Approval ofAgenda: Gary Steiner seconded the motion. Motion carried. There was no public comment for this meeting.  Taskforce member. Joffrey Merrill motioned to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Taskforce member  Public Comment:    Adjustment and Approval ofJune 24, 2024, Meeting Minutes:  Commissioner and Taskforce Chair David Hill motioned to approve the June 24, 2024; meeting minutes as  presented. Motion carried. Guest Speakers:  Loren Hendrickson, Farmland Preservation Coordinator - Wake County Soil & Water: The Taskforce heard from Wake County'sl Farmland Preservation Coordinator, Loren Hendrickson, virtually. Mr. Hendrickson detailed the Wake County Farmland Preservation Program and his role in preserving farmland. Mr. Hendrickson also spoke about conservation easements and other tools Wake County utilizes toj preserve agricultural lands. The Taskforce had an opportunity to ask questions after Mr. Hendrickson's) presentation. Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager - Orange County Natural & Cultural Resources: The Taskforce also heard from Orange County's Land Conservation Manager, Christian Hirni, virtually, to learn about their efforts to preserve agricultural land and other types of open space. Mr. Hirni described projects that Orange County has completed to preserve farmland, such as the Lands Legacy Program. The Taskforce had an  opportunity to ask questions after Mr. Hirni's presentation.  Discussion:  Staffi member, Liz Hanson, presented to the Taskforce a new grant that will be offered by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Farmland Preservation Division. The focus of this grant is on Agricultural Growth Zones. Ms. Hanson briefly described what these. AGZ's are and some oft the grant specifics ini regard to The Taskforce discussed the next steps in the creation ofal Farmland Preservation Program in Henderson County. Several taskforce members requested Staff toj present the County Present-Use Value rollback amounts at the next meeting. Staff were also requested to schedule representatives from Blue Ridge Community College's Horticulture Program to speak to the Taskforce at ai future meeting. The Taskforce also discussed Conserving Carolina, the Soil and Water Conservation District staff, and the NC Cooperative extension, After discussion, Taskforce member Gary Steiner made the following motion: "Imove that once aj program structure is presented to the BOC, the Taskforce recommends there is a need for an employee oft the County to be created that would be housed in the Soil and Water Conservation District to oversee and administer the program andi request that the BOC approve the program and funds to hire this new employee". Taskforce member. Alan Ward seconded the motion. The motion was carried with two opposing votes. The next scheduled meeting for the Taskforce is. July 8, 2024, at 6:001 PM: in the King St Meeting Room. Commissioner and Chair Mr. Hill motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:29PM. Motion carried.  eligibility and applying.  meeting to create a framework for the potential Farmland Preservation Program.  Next Meeting:  Daut AAU7hsy -  Commissioner Rebecca McCall, Chair and Commissioner David Hill, Chair  Henderson County Farmland Preservation Taskforce