Kane County Agriculture Committee met Jan. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:07 AM.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Margaret Auger Board Member Absent
Theresa Barreiro Board Member Present
Don Ishmael Board Member Present
Michael Kenyon Vice Chair Present
Myrna Molina Board Member Absent
Jarett Sanchez Board Member Present
Thomas Smith Chairman Present
Also present: Co. Bd. member Wegman & staff Nagel; Development staff Hill, Tansley; Health Dept. staff Zeng; Water Resources Dir. Wollnik; ITD staff Peters; Finance staff Dobersztyn; Deputy Auditor Oscarson; and members of the press and public including Steve Arnold and Joe White with the Kane County Farm Bureau and Teresa Schryver of NIFB.
2. Approval of Minutes: November 27, 2017
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
SECONDER: Theresa Barreiro, Board Member
AYES: Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
ABSENT: Margaret Auger, Myrna Molina
3. Public Comment
None
4. Partners
A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates - Steve Arnold, Manager
Mr. Arnold shared information on recent events he attended. In early January, he went to the American Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Nashville. President Trump made a presentation at the meeting and signed two Executive orders that expand rural broadband service. Arnold promoted various upcoming events. The Farm Bureau has been working on their political action committees and will be doing interviews over the next several weeks for open seats in the Illinois General Assembly. They have also been busy putting together a statewide food hub-working group.
B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates - Teresa Schryver, Communications Specialist
Ms. Schryver reported her team would be attending the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington D.C. at the end of February. They will be meeting with legislators to discuss the farm bill. NIFB has also started planning a trip to Springfield in May to speak with state legislators.
C. Big Rock Organics - Donna Lehrer
Referencing a presentation included in the agenda packet, Ms. Lehrer provided background on her farm noting they were established in 2000. They sell vegetables, lamb, and fiber art. She explained how the business has expanded over the years and shared growth challenges. Lehrer discussed new market opportunities along with their customer acquisition tactics.
5. Presentations/Announcements
A. Food Hub and Prescription CSA Updates -
Matt Tansley, Land Use Planner & Janice Hill, Executive Planner
Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, staff Tansley reported the Food Hub planning team has established each member's responsibilities and developed a working plan. He announced Rush Copley and Kane County were awarded a grant last November to develop a Prescription Produce CSA pilot program. Rush Copley will provide up to 50 patients to participate in the program. Participants will receive boxes of produce June through early October. Tansley went over key project responsibilities for each group involved. He reviewed a tentative timeline running from January-October of 2018. Staff Hill discussed the program funding. She promoted an upcoming farmer’s training at the Food Hub in Elgin on March 13. They shared the Food Hub promotional video.
6. New Business
None
7. Reports Placed On File
RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Don Ishmael, Board Member
SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
AYES: Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
ABSENT: Margaret Auger, Myrna Molina
8. Executive Session (If Needed)
None
9. Adjournment
RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Don Ishmael, Board Member
AYES: Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
ABSENT: Margaret Auger, Myrna Molina
This meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM.
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2026&Inline=True
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