Kane County Reporter

Kane County Agriculture Committee met June 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chairman Kenyon called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Michael Kenyon	Kane County	Chairman	Present
Deborah Allan	Kane County	Vice Chair	Absent
David Brown	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Drew Frasz	Kane County	Board Member	Present	10:05 AM
Tom Koppie	Kane County	Board Member	Remote
Bill Lenert	Kane County	Board Member	Present	10:05 AM
Jarett Sanchez	Kane County	Board Member	Remote
Corinne M. Pierog	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Chair	Present	10:05 AM
Kenneth C. Shepro	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair	Present	10:05 AM

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Bates*, Gumz*, Kious* Molina*; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Hill, Tansley; Supv. of Assessments Armstrong; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public including Steve Arnold with the Kane County Farm Bureau and Tracy Kelsey of NIFB.

2. Approval of Minutes: May 19, 2022

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT MOVER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSENT: Deborah Allan

3. Public Comment

None.

4. Partners

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

Kane County Farm Bureau (KCFB) Manager Steve Arnold provided an update. He complimented the new Kane County Connects web format. He noted that the City of Aurora would be hosting a pollinator event this Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Phillips Park Zoo. Over 2600 people have responded to the Facebook event. Arnold explained that the State of Illinois would be making a $550k appropriation to pay all Future Farmers of America (FFA) dues for all agriculture education students in the state. The KCFB is currently working on the Kane County Fair prep, which will be held on July 13- 17. They are working on installations for a lending library for agriculture literacy resources at the KCFB’s office. He spoke on other events and news, that the bureau has been working on this past month. Arnold addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates (Tracy Kelsey, Advocacy Specialist)

Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) Advocacy Specialist Tracy Kelsey provided an update. She stated the NIFB has been preparing for the White House Conference for Hunger being held in September. They have also been focusing their efforts on the 2023 Farm Bill. Kelsey discussed the increase in numbers of those seeking help. In the last few month, there has been a 51% increase in SNAP assistance requests, with only about half of the applications being accepted. She stated there has been an approximate 40% increase in the number of people the food bank is serving, in comparison to last summer. Kelsey spoke on the importance of the 2023 Farm Bill and the amount of funds that is needed. She indicated that the food bank will not be able to sustain itself, if funding is not granted. Kelsey addressed questions and comments from the Committee regarding advocacy for the Farm Bill. Discussion ensued.

5. Presentations/Announcements

A. Illinois Farmers Market Association Mini-Grant Program: Approved Recipients (Matt Tansley, Planner)

Referencing a presentation, Staff Tansley spoke on the Illinois Farmers Market Association Mini-Grant Program and the recipients of those awards. He stated there were 20 applications; 12 of which met the eligibility criteria. Tansley discussed the two categories the applications fell into, which were farm businesses and community non-profits/urban growing operations. He explained the Illinois Famers Market Association would disburse half of the funding. Each Mini Grant would award each of the 12 applicants with $1,500 for a total of $18K. He explained a proposed resolution would be written to have the Kane County Economic Development funds match the awards. Tansley provided a brief description of each approved applicant and provided information on how each would allocate the funds.

6. New Business

A. Resolution: Approving the Matching Grant Amount and Recipients of the Illinois Farmers Market Association Mini-Grant Program in Kane County

Staff Tansley provided additional information about the resolution. Tansley answered questions from the Committee regarding the applicants and funding. Director VanKerkhoff spoke on the proposed funding match. He thanked staff Tansley, Hill, and Janie Maxwell with the Illinois Farmers Market Association for the expedience on the grant program. He noted they are continuing to seek funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Staff Hill spoke on the opportunity and requirements of the mini-grants. She noted all of the farms that were approved have been notified. She explained that upcoming grant opportunities would be available shortly.

Glory Gardens founder, Michelle DeRaedt, spoke on the Just Food Initiative Farmers Market in Aurora. She explained that the vendors have been asked to provide educational materials at their booths in order to educate Aurora’s population on how to grow food no matter their living situation. She spoke on her own farming business and gardening knowledge that she hopes to share with families. DeRaedt discussed the need to educate at local farmer’s markets and the opportunity everyone gain from growing their own food.

Madam Chairman Pierog and Committee Chair Kenyon discussed soybean diesel fuel. Discussion ensued.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/29/2022 9:00 AM TO: Finance and Budget Committee MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSENT: Deborah Allan

7. Reports Placed On File

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

8. Executive Session (If Needed)

None.

9. Adjournment

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

This meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

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