Kane County Agriculture Committee met July 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Kenyon called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived | Departed |
| Michael Kenyon | Kane County | Chairman | Present | ||
| Deborah Allan | Kane County | Vice Chair | Late | 10:10 AM | |
| David Brown | Kane County | Board Member | Present | ||
| Drew Frasz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | 10:55 AM | |
| Tom Koppie | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | ||
| Bill Lenert | Kane County | Board Member | Present | ||
| Jarett Sanchez | Kane County | Board Member | Present | ||
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Chair | Absent | ||
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair | Remote |
2. Approval of Minutes: June 23, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
MOVER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair AYES: Michael Kenyon, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie, Corinne M. Pierog |
None.
4. Chairman's Comments:
Chairman Kenyon intended to speak about the benefits of clean biodiesel. However, there has been no proof that biodiesel is cleaner than gasoline.
5. Partners
A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates (Steve Arnold, Manager)
Kane County Farm Bureau (KCFB) Manager, Steve Arnold thanked Director VanKerkhoff for sharing information on the proposed tax amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The information will be shared in next month’s Kane County Farmer publication. The KCFB participated in the Kane County Fair last week. Their non-for-profit agency held multiple fundraisers at the fair. The bureau held a scholarship recognition ceremony. There were18 scholarships awarded totaling $27K. On July 15, 2022, the KCFB recognized the scholars and major donors at an event held at the Kane County Cougars Stadium.
Arnold provided an update on the pollinator rain garden. They are now in the design stage. He explained that a few grants need to be spent by the end of July. However, planting vegetation during this time is not ideal. They will be working with donors to push back the planting date to mid September. Arnold announced the bureau was contacted by Open Lands and was awarded a $10K grant from the ComEd Green Region Grant Program. The funds will be utilized to help with installation of the rain garden. The farm bureau will contact those residents by e-mail or phone to see who is still interested in the public planting event. This information will be shared on their website and on their Facebook page. Arnold addressed questions and comments from the Committee.
B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates (Tracy Kelsey, Advocacy Specialist)
Northern Illinois Food Bank Agency Relation Area Lead, Chris Mortenson, notified the Committee he would be the new point of contact while Tracey Kelsey is on leave. Mortenson provided an update on the food bank. In the fiscal year 2022 (FY22), they provided over 70 million meals. Of those meals, 27% consisted of fresh produce. He thanked the local farmers for their donations. In Kane County, 10.2 million meals were distributed. Within the last few months, 400K meals have been provided. This is a huge jump from pre-pandemic days, when they were serving only 285K meals per month. The food banks monthly goal is approximately 78K to 79K meals per month based on their budget for next year. Mortenson explained that the food bank has been serving more neighbors, but just less food. He addressed the multiple reasons as to why more residents are seeking help. He shared his excitement to work with the Agriculture Committee. Kenyon mentioned that Kane County would be hosting a food drive some time is August to help the food bank. Mortenson answered questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
6. Presentations/Announcements
A. Memo: Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Agricultural Businesses (Mark VanKerkhoff, Director) (attached)
Director VanKerkhoff provided a memo detailing proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding local farms and food businesses. The Kane County Development and Community Services Department have been working to advance the County’s "Growing for Kane" program by proposing an update to the text of the amendments to the Kane County Zoning Ordinance. The draft amendments are intended to be responsive to the changing needs of farmers and local food businesses and to streamline administrative approvals for permits. VanKerkhoff spoke on the benefits and goals of the text amendments. He mentioned the abundance of proposed agricultural venues integrated with working farms, in which the present zoning ordinance does not define or include these emerging uses. With the change to the definitions, the amendments would provide farmers and policy makers with clear paths for evaluating and potentially approving these uses where appropriate in the agricultural and other areas. VanKerkhoff noted the department has worked with multiple farmers looking to build farm stands to sell their goods directly to the public, only to find out that their requests were not in compliance with the current zoning language. He addressed a recent appeal that was won by a local farmer. He noted the number of ways the new wording would help lower the barrier for new farmers and those wanting to add another type of home occupation. VanKerkhoff stated these proposed amendments are intended to help the Kane County Board achieve the policy goals proposed in its "Growing for Kane" initiative by supporting small food farms and local farm to table sales. He reviewed the proposed schedule for the adoption of the revised zoning ordinance. Next month, a portion of the draft text will be brought to the Agriculture Committee for review. VanKerkhoff addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
B. Village of Big Rock DCEO Grant
Director Wollnik provided a presentation on the Village of Big Rock's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant for an agricultural drainage project. She shared a map depicting the location of the drainage system. She noted Big Rock’s Drainage District (DD) has served the 1,400-acre drainage area since it was reactivated in 2009. It became inactive in the 1950's because of massive drainage issues. Wollnik spoke on the existing Big Rock DD tiles. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Route 31 storm sewer connects to these tiles. Currently, teams have been working on disconnecting the Route 31 sewer from the DD tiles, in order to lessen the amount of flooding in the area. She shared history of flooding in the area and the number of ways it has been temporarily addressed. She acknowledged the abundance of support that was shown for the grant application by various organizations, noting the Illinois Association of Drainage Districts support letter. On June 7, 2021, Big Rock became one of the 34 communities awarded the full requested amount of $1,966,593, along with $350K of matching funds from the Village, District, and Township. The Energy and Water Resource Department is currently assisting with the procurement documents to hire an engineer. Wollnik addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
C. Grant Announcements (Janice Hill, Executive Planner)
Staff Hill provided a presentation on Kane County Grant Announcements. She explained Kane County’s agricultural land throughout the region is made up of 8,027 acres of Urban Area, 48,386 acres of critical growth area, and 110,104 acres for food farms, and small town areas. Since 1999, there has been much growth in Farmland Protection in Kane County. Today, Farmland Protection includes Land Practices, Training and Technical Resources, and Farmer and Community Engagement. Hill spoke on the grant rewards that would help with Farmland Protection. She noted the Development Department just received a recommendation from the Kane County River Boat Committee for $500K to add to the County’s $23M investment with USDA. Kane County is participating in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Working Land Water and Wildlife Partnership to learn more on land practices. Hill announced the County has been awarded the Donnelley Grant for $100K. Kane County can hand out the funds directly to local farmers and incentivize with education and training. Hill noted the need to hire contractual services in order to oversee the funding and provide support to farmers. She shared the funding timeline, which stretches out to FY 2025. Under the additional funding, 908 total acres would be covered. Hill added the importance of being knowledgeable on state funding in order to meet the goals of the County. Kane County’s goal is to facilitate a robust and diverse ecosystem of local food production that encourages alternative farming models and technologies, and provides resources to growers and sellers that allow them to flourish despite the development pressure faced in the County. The Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) has awarded Kane County with $299,185 for training and technical resources. These new resources will help farmers that have Urban and Local Food Farms for 2022- 2025. Hill acknowledged the funding success in Kane County is due to its government structure, partnerships, and response time to grant announcements. She shared the USDA Rural Development Eligibility Map for Rural Business. The USDA divides the entire nation into two categories, urban and rural. Kane County is approximately 50/50. Hill has been looking into other potential grant opportunities for Rural Development. If Kane County were awarded the grant, the goal would be to increase and improve ability of farmers to develop a market or process for value added agriculture commodities or products. The funds would be utilized for business development, feasibility plans, marketing, financial advisory, etc. to producers of less than $5K each. Hill stated they are still waiting on an announcement date. Director VanKerkhoff provided additional information on the funding and the importance of moving quickly once the date is announced. He highlighted other items the department is looking into to bring more funds to the County. VanKerkhoff and Hill answered questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
D. Home-Based Food Business Training (Matt Tansley, Planner) (attached)
Staff Tansley provided a presentation on Home-Based Food Business Training. He stated establishing a home-based food business takes hard work to stay current. Those looking to establish a home-based food business must have an understanding of the laws, certifications, processes, and practices required to safely and legally run a cottage food operation in Illinois. He noted business owners should learn how the newest laws give businesses room to grow and thrive. Tansley reviewed the at-home course outline of the Cottage Food Training that is being offered by the University of Illinois Extension. For more information on the course, visit go.illinois.edu/CottageFoodTraining. The course fee is $25.00. Tansley addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
Tansley added that Illinois does have a requirement that cottage food operators must complete an accredited Certified Food Protection Managers course. He clarified that the Cottage Food Training would not take the place of that required course. He noted there are additional requirements that are enforced by the health department. Tansley spoke on limitations for home occupations. The Cottage Food Training course will be shared in the Growing for Kane newsletter. Tansley addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.
7. New Business
Member Sanchez asked Director VanKerkhoff about an update of the Kane County Food Hub. An update would be provided at a future meeting.
Member Allan addressed Kane County’s committee structure. She explained the development of the Energy and Environmental, and Agriculture Committees out of necessity to address important issues. She noted the additional committees broke out from the Development Committee in the past and she commended the County for doing so.
8. Reports Placed On File
| RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSENT: Drew Frasz, Tom Koppie, Corinne M. Pierog |
None.
10. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Michael Kenyon, Deborah Allan, David Brown, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSENT: Drew Frasz, Tom Koppie, Corinne M. Pierog |
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=3332&Inline=True
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