Kane County Agriculture Committee reviews reports on Northern Illinois Food Bank, County Farm Bureau

By Lhalie Castillo

Mar 29, 2017

Kane County Agriculture Committee met Thursday, Feb. 23.

Here are the minutes as provided by Kane County:

KANE COUNTY

AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

County Board Room Minutes 10:00 AM

Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County Page 1

p1. Call to Order

Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM.

Attendee Name Title Status Arrived

Margaret Auger Board Member Present

Theresa Barreiro Board Member Present

Don Ishmael Board Member Present

Michael Kenyon Vice Chair Present

Myrna Molina Board Member Present

Jarett Sanchez Board Member Present

Thomas Smith Chairman Present

Also present: Co. Bd. member Lewis; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Hill, Tansley; ITD staff Peters; and members of the public including Ellen Kamps of Foxtrot Organic Farm, Steve Ericson and Teresa Schryver of the Northern Illinois Food Bank; and Steve Arnold with the Kane County Farm Bureau.

2. Approval of Minutes: January 19, 2017

RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Myrna Molina, Board Member

SECONDER: Don Ishmael, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez,

Thomas Smith

3. Public Comment

None

4. Partners

A change in agenda order followed.

A. Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) Updates - Steve Ericson, Director of Food Procurement NIFB staff Teresa Schryver shared information on the Illinois Hunger Commission Summit in May.

At the event, they plan to meet with elected officials and discuss areas in need of support. Schryver reported that in early March they will be sending a group to the Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington D.C. The conference will provide them with an opportunity to meet with elected officials in order to create partnerships and talk over various topics of concern. Brief conversation followed.

B. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates - Steve Arnold, Manager

Mr. Arnold reported they will be sending a group to Springfield next week for a legislative conference. He provided an overview of the Farm Bureau’s annual legislative program. Arnold noted the upcoming meetings for farmers in March on the latest trucking rules and regulations. He promoted the National Chili Day cook-off and Ag Days. Arnold reported Senator Castro and WCC President Sobeck gathered $1,969 in groceries to benefit food pantries in Carpentersville and Aurora. He announced their 12th Annual Touch-A-Tractor event in April.

C. The Farm: Grow, Educate & Empower - Nick Marasco, Director

None

D. Foxtrot Organic Farm & Chillinois Young Farmers Coalition - Ellen Kamps, Co-Owner/Farmer & Executive Director

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, Ms. Kamps provided background on the Foxtrot Organic Farm and information on their organic produce. Foxtrot’s farm stand is located by Primrose Farm in St. Charles and operates from May until November. In addition to the stand, they offer Foxboxes (produce boxes). They strive to be community cultivators by supporting local nonprofits. Kamps promoted a bike ride fundraiser in September.

Funds generated from the ride will provide Foxboxes to low income families. She provided an overview of the Chillinois Young Farmers Coalition. Kamps reported the National Young Farmer organization has been collecting survey responses for input on the upcoming Farm Bill. She announced two upcoming March Chillinois events. Brief conversation followed.

5. Presentations/Announcements

A. Stormwater Committee Meeting Update - Jodie Wollnik, Assistant Director of Environmental and

Water Resources

None

B. Food Hub Site and Operator Search - Matt Tansley, Land Use Planner

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation, staff Tansley provided an update on the proposals received for a future hub site and the operator search. Once a site operator/manager has been identified, the project management will shift from the county to the operator. The operator will then be the lead decision maker and assist in developing a business plan. Tansley went over a tentative timeline for the complete process. He promoted Celebrate Local Food at The Farmhouse Fete on March 3, 2017 hosted by NIFB. Brief conversation followed.

C. Farmland Protection Financing 2.0 Updates - Janice Hill, Executive Planner

Staff Hill provided an update on the Farmland Protection Program noting that Kane is the only county in Illinois offering this type of program. She reported that funding has remained a challenge, the future of the current funding is uncertain. They are looking into a new option called the Transfer of Development Rights through the real estate development community. Hill has been working with a marketing consultant to prepare a video providing an overview of the Farmland Protection Program to present to the development community. She reported that they still have funds available but have been spending those down. They also have additional farms interested in the program. Brief conversation occurred.

D. Potential Zoning Amendments Regarding Roosters - Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of Development and Community Services

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, Dir. VanKerkhoff discussed a potential zoning ordinance amendment to the Kane County Code regarding roosters. He provided an overview of the current code and reviewed information on other counties policies. He shared his recommendations then went over a timeline for the amendment process. Considerable conversation followed.

6. New Business

None

7. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Theresa Barreiro, Board Member

SECONDER: Margaret Auger, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith

8. Executive Session (If Needed)

None

9. Adjournment

RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member