Agricultural Advisory Committee

Town of Mills River Minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Friday, May 21, 2021 The Mills River Agricultural Advisory Committee held its regular meeting on Friday, March 21, 2021, at 9:00 AM at the Mills River Town Hall. Committee members present were Bert Lemkes, Kirby Johnson, Bradley Johnston, and Dave Shaffer. Jason Davis, James Cantrell, and Mike Corn were absent. Town Manager Daniel Cobb and Tax Collector/Deputy Town Clerk Aurelie Taylor were also present. There are no seats open on the Committee. Chairman Bert Lemkes called the meeting to order. Bradley Johnston made a motion to approve the minutes from March 19, 2021. Dave Shaffer seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous verbal assent. Old Business: No Old Business New Business: A. Mills River Farm Market Joe and Linda Brittain passed out a packet of information, including a brief history of the Market, a two-year basic budget, and a job description for a Mills River Farm Market Manager. They went over these documents and gave the Committee some facts about child poverty and homelessness in Henderson County; the Mills River Farm Market was the first market in the area to accept SNAP/EBT funding and for some years has run a matching dollar for dollar program. This program is now in financial jeopardy. The Market not only gives small, local, seasonal producers an outlet for their produce and crafts, but partners with other organizations to promote healthy eating habits and educate children about healthy diets and farming in general. The Brittains have been the central and driving force for the Market for a decade and need assistance in looking towards the future of the market. They are appearing before the Committee in order to get advice/ideas/support from the members. There was much discussion on staffing, funding, and facilities as well as long term security for the operation of the Market and the role the Town of Mills River had presently. There was general support expressed by the Committee and a desire to see Mills River Town Council increase its involvement with the Market. Kirby Johnson made a motion that the Committee draft a letter of support for the Farm Market to Mills River Town Council expressing how important the Market is to the Mills River Community and that the Committee feels Town Council needs to 1 increase its support for the Market. Bradley Johnston seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous verbal assent. As there was no further business discussed, Bert Lemkes made a motion to adjourn. Dave Shaffer seconded the motion and the motion passed by unanimous verbal assent. Respectfully submitted, Aurelie Taylor, CTC Tax Collector Deputy Town Clerk 2