Kane County Agriculture Committee met May 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:01 am.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Margaret Auger Board Member Absent
Theresa Barreiro Board Member Late 10:17 am
Don Ishmael Board Member Absent
Michael Kenyon Vice Chair Present
Myrna Molina Board Member Present
Jarett Sanchez Board Member Present
Thomas Smith Chairman Present
Also present: Co. Bd. staff Nagel; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Hill, Tansley; ITD staff Peters; Finance staff Dobersztyn;and members of the public including Steve Arnold with the Kane County Farm Bureau and Teresa Schryver of NIFB.
2. Approval of Minutes: April 19, 2018
Result: Approved With Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Myrna Molina, Board Member
Seconder: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
Ayes: Theresa Barreiro, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
Absent: Margaret Auger, Don Ishmael
3. Public Comment
None
4. Partners
A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates - Steve Arnold, Manager
Mr. Arnold provided an update on two local farm visits from the EPA regional administrators. Referencing a hand out, he covered the status of the next farm bill including discussion, debates and amendments that are currently being voted on. Arnold promoted the annual summer Ag Institutes for Teachers held on June 12-14 and 19-21. Advanced courses will be offered in July. Brief discussion followed regarding the farm bill.
B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates - Theresa Schryver, Communications Specialist
Ms. Schryver reported they had about 300 attendees at the grand opening of the new Food Bank location in the south suburban center. Referencing a hand out, she promoted a round table discussion on May 31 for summer hunger. The NIFB sponsors over 170 summer feeding sites in Kane County, they will also have a mobile lunch bus in Aurora. Schryver announced NIFB received the USDA Silver Metal award this year for high nutrition content and educational programs. She discussed the status of the College Hunger Bill. (Barreiro arrived @ 10:17am)
5. Presentations/Announcements
A. Growing for Kane Grant Programs and Applications - Matt Tansley, Land Use Planner & Janice Hill, Executive Planner
Referencing a presentation not included in the agenda packet, staff Tansley provided a recap of the grants awarded in 2017. He discussed the projects completed and the status of pending applications. He shared an overview of each funding sources and gave an update on the USDA Growing for Kane Grant programs.
Staff Hill provided information on the partners and resources for the Growing for Kane programs, including farmer-training services that are funded through the Telligen grant. The customized trainings are expensive; they will need to research a third party for funding. Hill promoted the 2018 Cottage Food Regulations and Food Safety Compliance webinar on May 18 and upcoming farmer’s markets.
B. Farm to Cafeteria Event Recap – Janice Hill, Executive Planner
Staff Hill provided a recap on the Farm to Cafeteria event, noting the feedback they received was used for grant applications. Topics included kitchen audits, cooking equipment, and school garden safety. Barreiro suggested having a dedicated person prepare the grants. Hill explained she and Tansley have done the writing and have reached out to outside sources. Considerable discussion followed.
6. New Business
None
7. Reports Placed On File
Result: Place Written Reports On File [Unanimous]
Mover: Michael Kenyon, Vice Chair
Seconder: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
Ayes: Theresa Barreiro, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
Absent: Margaret Auger, Don Ishmael
8. Executive Session (If Needed)
None
9. Adjournment
Result: Adjourned By Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
Seconder: Michael Kenyon, Vice Chair
Ayes: Theresa Barreiro, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith
Absent: Margaret Auger, Don Ishmael
This meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am.
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2106&Inline=True
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