Kane County Reporter

Kane County Agriculture Committee Met April 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chairman Kenyon called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Michael Kenyon	Kane County	Chairman	Present
Deborah Allan	Kane County	Vice Chair	Present
David Brown	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Drew Frasz	Kane County	Board Member	Absent
Tom Koppie	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Bill Lenert	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Jarett Sanchez	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Corinne M. Pierog	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Chair	Present
Kenneth C. Shepro	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair	Present

Also present: Co. Bd. Member Bates, Molina, & Kious; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Hill, Tansley; Environmental/Water Resources Dir. Wollnik; ITD staff Peters and Thompson; and members of the press and public including Steve Arnold with the Kane County Farm Bureau and Julia Lemp of NIFB.

2. Approval of Minutes: March 18, 2021

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez ABSENT: Drew Frasz

3. Public Comment

4. Partners

A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates (Steve Arnold, Manager)

KCFB Manager Arnold made several handouts available to the Committee. He provided a weekly update on legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that would be of interest to farmers. He showed support to the Drainage District Resolution that was passed. Arnold spoke on bill positions and the importance of building relationships between farmers and those who represent Kane County in ILGA. He discussed different publications and newsletters available through the Farm Bureau. He stated the Farm Bureau is offering a complimentary $37/year membership for any Agriculture Committee member who is interested. Arnold stated the benefit of keeping the Agriculture Committee informed on a local and statewide perspective. He provided a timeline on events that had taken place in the month of April, including the Touch-A-Tractor event. Arnold reported that the Touch-A-Tractor fundraiser was held outdoors this year due to Covid, and stated that 1,200 people attended. Member Lenert offered to donate the $37 needed for the publications. Arnold talked about the non-profit organization and will discuss the topic with the Ethics Officer for approval.

He stated FY21 scholarships have been approved for 15 students working toward agricultural careers. Madam Chair Pierog requested the application be extended to all Kane County Board Members. Chairman Kenyon announced that it was Earth Day.

B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates (Julia Lemp, Marketing Communications Specialist)

Lemp of the NIFB provided an update on the response to Covid. She reported over 100M meals have been distributed between March 2020-March 2021. She discussed outreach such as delivery of meals, SNAP applications, and pop-up markets. Lemp noted a substantial increase in volunteer hours due to the needs of the community. She mentioned that the food insecurity rates are projected to decrease in FY21. Lemp explained that the Farmers to Families food boxes have been discontinued. She discussed upcoming summer programs. She announced National Volunteers Week and thanked those who have volunteered. She provided information on how to volunteer in the future.

5. Presentations/Announcements

A. Growing for Kane Program Updates (Matt Tansley, Planner)

Staff Tansley provided an update on the Growing for Kane mini-grant and survey program. He stated $25K had been approved for farmers which was distributed over 3 rounds of mini-grants. He noted that $14K has been paid out which covers most of the first and second round of grant awards. Tansley explained the data that has been received from the farmers on food safety plans and good agricultural practice certification. Tansley stated that 6 farms already have or are pursuing organic certification. He detailed farm food safety planning and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. The Farm Food Safety plan, helps farmers prioritize food safety, which is encouraged. Tansley discussed Gap certification and requirements. He provided an update on the JJC Farm-to-School program. He spoke on the funding and expenses. Tansley spoke on a revised budget proposal and items purchased. He shared photographs of the newly planted orchard trees that were planted outside of the fence at the JJC. He discussed the time it will take for the fruit trees to begin to produce. Tansley answered questions from the committee.

6. New Business

A. Resolution: Requesting Modification to SB1692 Drainage District Commissioner Election

Environmental/Water Resources Dir. Wollnik explained SB1692. She stated the elected drainage districts have been polled and have shown support of the modification in the legislation to continue to have one vote per parcel. Wollnik reported that Union Drainage District of Kane and DeKalb requested to be excluded from the change. She distributed a modified resolution to the Committee to include the Union District.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/5/2021 9:00 AM TO: Executive Committee MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez ABSENT: Drew Frasz

7. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez ABSENT: Drew Frasz

8. Executive Session (If Needed)

None.

9. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez

This meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

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