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Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting MinutesAGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD Minutes 7-11-05 The meeting of the Calhoun County Agricultural Preservation Board was held on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at Calhoun County Community Development, 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Chairman Lark called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Roll call was made with the following members present: Greg Moore – County Commissioner Ben Lark – Conservation/Natural Resource Interest Nancy Dietz – Farming/Agricultural Interest Wayne Cornell – Farming/Agricultural Interest Members Absent: Matt Davis – Home Builder/Real Estate Interest Ken Blight – Farming/Agricultural Interest Also present were: Jennifer Bomba, County Planning Director - Calhoun County Community Development Mary Jo Crumpton, Secretarial Clerk – Calhoun County Community Development MINUTES Motion made by Wayne Cornell, supported by Greg Moore to approve the June 13, 2005 Agricultural Preservation Board meeting minutes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Article on the County Road Commission regarding a biodiesel grant: Jennifer provided members with an article that was in the Battle Creek Enquirer about County Road Commission trucks running on soy-based biodiesel fuel as of August 1. The grant was awarded by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee to help offset the cost of biodiesel. Soy-based biodiesel is created by extracting oil from soybeans and is a cleaner burning form of diesel fuel. Community News & Views, Volume 17, No.1, Winter 2004: Included in the agenda packet was a publication of the MSU Urban and Regional Planning Department that focuses on “Community-Based Food Systems”. The publication explains that a community-based food system considers the who, what, when, where, and how of food – from farm to fork. Nancy Dietz inquired how we could get this type of information to the public and get across to them that agriculture is a business. Can we do articles for the Battle Creek Enquirer and Marshall Ad-Visor? Jennifer responded that she is attempting to have an article published in the Ad-Visor and Shopper before the 2 nd Annual Field Tour. Other publication suggestions include “Scene” magazine and “Senior Times”. Discussion continued. NEW BUSINESS 2nd Annual Ag Preserve Board Field Tour: Jennifer explained that MSU Extension helped fund this event last year and has expressed interest in helping again this year. Discussion took place on this year's location for the field tour. Jennifer informed members that Barton Farms is interested in hosting this year's event; however, their farm operations are very similar to those of the Blight Farm who hosted the field tour last year. It was suggested that we pick a new industry to focus on and discussion took place on the Crandall Dairy Farm in Pennfield Township. Jennifer noted that from a land use perspective, this might be quite interesting as their property is land locked and provides an obstacle for growth. Nancy Dietz noted that Mrs. Crandall is very involved in promoting dairy and she agreed to ask the Crandall Family to host this year's field tour. Discussion continued on plans for the field tour as follows: • Date: The last week in August, possibly Tuesday, August 30 th or Wednesday, August 31st . This will really depend on the family's schedule. • Attendance: Plan for approximately 75 people. • Topic: Basic animal care and feed as well as the dairy process. • Contact local sponsors for cash/food donations. • Confirm if a tent, tables and chairs are needed. • Food ideas included: ice cream, cheese and crackers, meat/cheese trays, veggie trays, BBQ beef sandwiches, etc. • Goodie bag to include a flyer to showcase the Crandall Farm and some “farm facts” or statistics, as well as commodity and producer freebies. Public Education: Jennifer informed Board members that she has spoken with a graphic designer regarding developing some educational materials to get the Ag Preserve Board's message out to the public. The following questions were emailed to APB members for their input: • What is the message we want to convey? • Who is the audience we are attempting to reach? • What is the expected outcome from this audience? Jennifer noted that there may be a variety of messages and approaches outlined, but would like to focus on one at this time. Other ideas included the following: • Advertisement with a logo and/or slogan or “tag line”. • A brochure could then be developed and distributed (i.e., Calhoun County Fair). Contact Jennifer Vincent at Michigan Farmer for more information. • “Did You Know?” articles on dairy, crop and livestock operations (get information from the local chapters of the Michigan Beef/Pork Producers and contact the dairy communicator with the Michigan Milk Producers). • Put Calhoun County ag information or “farm facts” posters in grocery stores. • Purchase/sponsor an animal at the Calhoun County livestock auction. • Purchase t-shirts: APB on the front and sponsors of local products grown in Calhoun County on the back. Board members agreed that it is important for the public to recognize agriculture as a business and the importance of farmland preservation. Greg Moore suggested that we attempt to involve the agricultural community in our marketing efforts before we go off on our own. This would help to offset costs if groups pooled their resources and would also eliminate duplicate information, strategies, plans, etc., that may already be established. He suggested discussing the marketing plans at the Field Tour to encourage other agencies to help promote the agricultural industry as a business and discuss marketing strategies for public education at the annual Farm Bureau meeting. Jennifer asked Board members to bring ideas to the August 8 th meeting. She would like to have some marketing materials available at the Field Tour. STAFF COMMENTS Jennifer informed Board members that she is working on the 2006 budget that will go before the County Board of Commissioners and is shifting gears from the Master Plan that was recently completed, to implementation, which includes promotion of ag preservation. Eckford Township has a local plan that will go before the County Planning Commission later this month. Jennifer commented that it is an excellent plan and should go to the Michigan Department of Agriculture for certification for eligibility for our PDR program. Albion Township has also expressed interest in the planning elements required by the State office. MEMBER COMMENTS Nancy Dietz inquired if any township has contacted Jennifer regarding farmland preservation efforts. Jennifer replied that no one had to date. Wayne Cornell added that interest might be low as there is no funding available for the PDR program. Wayne Cornell commented that the Jackson newspaper does a good job covering local affairs. He recently read an article about a newly developed horse campground in Jackson County. Jennifer added that the United Arts Council recently held a series of focus groups in Calhoun County and the focus from the one Jennifer attended was on how to capitalize on the Midwest living attitude and the rural lifestyle. Greg Moore gave a brief update on the ethanol plant in Sheridan Township. Ben Lark commented on articles he had read recently on open space. The next meeting is scheduled for MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
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