HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17-2025 Meeting Minutes AABPerson County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board
Regular Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2025
Person County Office Building ~ 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro ~
Members: Present Staff/Advisors:Present
Others Present:
Quorum Yes
Welcome: Chair Hunter Thomas welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order at
5:30 pm. Skyler Morris, new Soil & Water staff, was introduced.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the January 27, 2025 meeting were read and approved as presented.
Board Updates: The Advisory Board trainings was discussed. Board members had no additional
questions or concerns.
Staff suggested the board adopt a regular meeting schedule due to current and future programing
duties. After discussion Bruce Whitfield moved to schedule future meetings on the fourth (4th)
Wednesday of the first (1st) month of each quarter, as needed. Cal Berryhill seconded. Motion passed.
Staff will write up a schedule for 2026 and send to the board members.
The Farmland Preservation Division of the NCDA&CS is planning a State VAD meeting on July 22-23,
2026 in Cherokee. More details will be forthcoming.
Ordinance Updates: House Bill 126 passed revising GS 106-740 effective October 1st in regards to
public hearings required by the board. The Farmland Preservation Division will be conducting training
on the new requirements. After trainings, staff will be presenting an ordinance revision to conform
with the new legal requirements.
VAD/EVAD Programs: Staff is recommending a policy to address applicants returning the signed
conservation agreements for the EVAD program. Bruce Whitfield moved to adopt the following policy:
Applicants have 60 days to return completed EVAD Conservation Agreements to the Person County Soil
and Water Department or the application will be reverted to the VAD program. Fred Fox seconded.
Motion passed.
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes
When reviewing applications to record, staff found two applications that were approved that do not
meet the program requirements.
• EVAD - Liron Traister (20 acres) – In preparing the EVAD agreement it was discovered that this
farm does NOT meet the minimum acreage requirements.
• VAD - Roger & Annie Whitt (10 acres) – Land sold 3.31.2025 – no longer eligible.
Bruce Whitfield moved to remove the applications. Cal Berryhill seconded. Motion passed.
The following EVAD conservation agreements have not been returned after multiple attempts.
• George & Lester Whitt – 59.36 acres
• Pamela Satterfield Emory – 47.89 acres
Cal Berryhill moved to change the applications from EVAD to VAD. Fred Fox seconded. Motion passed.
The following EVAD application was received.
• EVAD – William A. & Morgan F. Wisner – 98.45 acres – currently in VAD
Cal Berryhill moved to approve the EVAD application removing the property from VAD to EVAD. Fred
Fox seconded. Motion passed.
After the approved actions, current enrollment is:
• VAD – 35 Farms; 4,195.57 acres
• EVAD – 16 Farms; 2,591.98 acres (pending Wisner agreement)
ADFP Grant: Award notification of the ADFP Agricultural Plans Grant in the amount of $8,500 has been
received. Grant funds will assist in the revitalization and development of the VAD & EVAD programs by
providing funding for items such as new signage, updated brochures, farmer/landowner workshops,
outreach and publicity.
Agricultural Concerns/Discussion: A revision to the Solar Energy System Ordinance is being presented
to the County Commissioners. A public hearing on the matter will be at their October 6 meeting. This
revision will allow for Type 4 systems as ground mounted systems greater that 100 acres. Discussion of
solar farms occurred and the impact on agriculture. Bruce Whitfield moved the Ag Board issue a
statement against the ordinance revision. Cal Berryhill seconded. Motion passed. Staff will work with
Hunter and Bruce on writing the statement. Hunter will plan to read the statement at the public
hearing.
Agricultural Agency Reports:
• EDC – Claudia Berryhill: The EDC is planning a Leadership Summit the end of October.
Agricultural will be given an opportunity to present information to County and City leaders.
• Extension – Bo Freeman: Bo provided information on upcoming events including the Farm City
Week events and breakfast. Farm City Week will be the first week of November with varying
events. The breakfast will be Thursday November 6th. Field Crop agent, Mikayla Berryhill, is
leaving. Her last day is September 30th.
• FSA: Nancy reported FSA has 2 new employees and has now opened back to regular hours.
• NRCS – Casey Harrington: Casey gave an update on NRCS staffing and programs.
• SWCD – Michael Thaggard: Limited cost share funds are still available.
Comments: Claudia Berryhill suggested a “State of Ag” be presented to County Commissioners
annually as per the Farmland Preservation Plan.
Person County Agricultural Advisory Board Minutes
With no other business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned by Chair, Hunter Thomas at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted and approved,
Nancy McCormick
Nancy McCormick, Recording Secretary
4-22-2026
Approved Date