08-14-2024 Meeting Minutes AABPerson County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes 1
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board
Regular Meeting Minutes – August 14, 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 No Bo Freeman, Extension Yes
Others Present:
Quorum Yes None
Welcome: Chair Hunter Thomas welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order at
5:35 pm.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the March 6, 2024 meeting were read. Bruce Whitfield moved to
approve the minutes as presented. Fred Fox seconded. Motion passed.
Conservation Agreement: Per the NC GS and Farmland Preservation Ordinance, participants must sign
a conservation agreement. The VAD agreement is incorporated into the application. EVAD participants
must sign a legally binding conservation agreement recorded with the register of deeds. Nancy
McCormick presented a draft EVAD conservation agreement that has been developed and reviewed by
the County Attorney. Bruce Whitfield moved to approve the conservation agreement. Jessica Aguilar
seconded. Motion passed.
Ordinance Amendment: An amendment to the Farmland Preservation Ordinance was presented. This
amendment adds an Agricultural Conservation Easement program as another option to preserving
farmland and was reviewed by the County Attorney. Details of the program were discussed. Jessica
Aguilar moved to approve the amended ordinance. Fred Fox seconded. Motion passed.
Nancy McCormick will be presenting the amended ordinance to the County Commissioners at the
August 19th meeting for final approval. Board members are encouraged to attend.
Discussion of funding the easement program occurred. The board would like to see funding from the
County. One option discussed was to have a special fund supported by PUV rollback program. PUV
rollback funds are obtained from farmland being removed from the lower agriculture tax basis when
the land is sold or no longer meets PUV requirements.
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes 2
VAD/EVAD Programs: Nancy McCormick updated the board on prior EVAD application for Cecil
Yancey. She has been unable to speak to Mr. Yancey so the farm is currently enrolled under the VAD
program.
The following APPLICATION was submitted for approval:
• EVAD – Rambo Family Farm – 14.77 acres
Michael Thaggard verified the land use and qualifications for this property. Currently, the
property does not meet the minimum acreage for agriculture of 10 acres. After some
discussion. Cal Berryhill moved to not approve this application. Fred Fox seconded. Motion
passed. The landowner will be notified of qualification requirements and be requested to
reapply if operations change.
Signs: Discussion of replacing VAD/EVAD signs occurred. Many of the current signs are faded and hard
to see. It was approved at the last meeting to continue selling the signs. Bruce Whitfield moved to
replace needed signs at no cost to landowners if requested. Jessica Aguilar seconded. Motion passed.
Agricultural Concerns/Discussion: As the board is required to oversee the Farmland Preservation Plan
and its action items, it was requested a review be conducted at the next meeting.
Agricultural Agency Reports:
• EDC – Claudia Berryhill: Industry remains EDC focus causing continued farmland loss. Would
like to see agriculture more present in the strategic plan. Suggested the board host a Chamber
of Commerce breakfast.
• Extension – Bo Freeman: A presentation on Person County Agriculture presented to the ECD
Board was well received. Farm City Week Breakfast will be November 14th. Farmers are having
many issues with insurance and diseases.
• SWCD – Michael Thaggard: Limited cost share funds are now available.
• NRCS – Brent Bogue: Brent is retiring on 9.30.2024.
• FSA: Kari Jackson has accepted another FSA Director job. Office is shorthanded.
Comments: Jessica Aguilar asked if anyone would like to sign a card for the National Guard
deployment.
With no other business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned by Chair, Hunter Thomas at 6:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted and approved,
Nancy McCormick
Nancy McCormick, Recording Secretary
1/27/2025
Approved Date