03-06-2024 Meeting Minutes AAB
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes 1
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board
Regular Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2024
Person County Office Building ~ 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro ~
Members: Present Advisors: Present
Hunter Thomas Yes Nancy McCormick, Soil & Water Yes
Cal Berryhill Yes Michael Thaggard, Soil & Water Yes
Fred Fox Jr Yes Brent Bogue, NRCS No
Bruce Whitfield Yes Claudia Berryhill, EDC Yes
Roy Carver III No Karie Jackson, FSA No
Jessica Aguilar Yes George Brown, NC Forestry No
David White Yes Bo Freeman, Extension No
Others Present:
Quorum Yes None
Welcome: Staff Liaison, Nancy McCormick, welcomed everyone in attendance and called the
meeting to order at 5:35 pm. Introductions of board members and advisors occurred.
Election of Officers: The first order of business is to elect officers. Nominations from the floor
were taken. Hunter Thomas was duly elected Chair and Bruce Whitfield was duly elected Vice -
Chair. Nancy McCormick then handed the meeting over to newly elected Chair, Hunter
Thomas.
Orientation: An overview and history of the Agricultural Advisory Board was given. The
Farmland Preservation Ordinance adopted on October 17, 2022 was reviewed with discussion
occurring when needed. Board members were reminded of their ethical resp onsibilities as a
volunteer board as noted on the county website.
Discussion of setting a meeting schedule occurred. It was the consensus of the board to meet
as needed to conduct business and have the meetings in the evening time. Board members can
also request a meeting anytime to discuss agricultural related issues, events, etc. by contacting
the Chair or Nancy McCormick. It was agreed that notification of board meetings could occur in
written form via email.
VAD/EVAD Programs: An overview of the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and Enhanced
Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) programs occurred. Discussion occurred of the difference
between the two programs, the qualifying factors applicants are required to meet, and the
processes to enroll farms.
The following APPLICATIONS were submitted for approval:
EVAD - Dennis & Tracey Norris - 42.91 acres
Motion made by Bruce Whitfield to approve EVAD application. Seconded by Fred Fox.
Motion passed.
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes 2
EVAD - Cecil Yancey - 76.16 acres
Jessica Aguilar moved to approve EVAD application with the stipulation that if the
landowner does not agree to sign conservation agreement necessary to be recorded on
deed for EVAD the application be accepted under the VAD program. Bruce Whitfield
seconded. Motion passed.
VAD - Randy Blalock - 75.08 acres
Bruce Whitfield moved to approve VAD application. Jessica Aguilar seconded. Motion
passed.
Signs: Discussion of VAD/EVAD signs occurred. New EVAD language will need to be added to
signs or new EVAD signs will need to be purchased. Clarification of ownership of signs and
display of signs for land no longer eligible for program arose. The consensus of the board is that
landowners purchase the signs and therefore are the owners; however, if removed from the
program, signs will be requested to be removed as an identifying sign visibly from the road.
Bruce Whitfield moved to have landowners sign a statement at the time of purchase agreeing
to the display requirements. Jessica Aguilar seconded. Motion passed. Fre d Fox moved to
continue selling the 20x30 signs for $40 and the 36x48 signs for $60. Jessica Aguilar seconded.
Motion passed.
Easement Program: Nancy McCormick gave an update to the board on an easement program
being developed. Work on an ordinance revision to include an easement program is in process.
It is anticipated to ask for PUV rollback funds to help fund the program. Person SWCD Board of
Supervisors has agreed to hold easements with Soil & Water staff conducting the monitoring.
Establishing a stewardship fund for future legal fees may also be needed or recommended.
Once a draft ordinance update is ready the board will need to meet to review and provide input
with input from County management and county attorney as well. After drafts are final, the Ag
Board and staff will present to the County Commissioners for adoption. Further discussion
continued on the loss of Farmland and the economic impact of agriculture to the county.
Updates/Discussion Items: Generally, this time on the agenda for Ag agencies to give reports to
the board or for Board member comments. However, due to a lengthy agenda, Ag partners did
not participate in this meeting.
With no other business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned by Chair, Hunter Thomas at
7:23 pm.
Respectfully submitted and approved,
Nancy McCormick, Recording Secretary
August 14, 2024
Approved Date