Fwd: next DNAGE meeting

[Rochelle Sparko]

Good morning, everyone. 

The County Commissioners will vote on the text amendment to the UDO allowing for commercial crop production THIS EVENING  at their regular bi-monthly meeting. The meeting will take place at the County Commissioner's Chambers at 200 E. Main St. at 7 p.m. The text amendment is 13th on the agenda, so if you are able to attend, I advise you to arrive by 7:30. 

Should the County Commissioners vote in favor of the text amendment (which is expected), the text amendment will become part of the UDO. 

A link to the meeting agenda is below: 

http://durhamcounty.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=6 

Thanks so much, 

Rochelle

[Kevin Hamak]

I would also like to encourage anybody who is able to attend to please come and show your support. We need to get this new ordinance approved through both the City Council (which approved it last month) and the County Commissioners. I then hope we can improve it by removing some of the restrictions it places on aquaponics, compost sales, and farm stands.

Thanks,

Kevin

[k...@prodigalfarm.com]

I'll add my voice to those of Rochelle and Kevin.  Attending is important beyond the need to ensure that the UDO amendments get passed.  Your presence tonight will help send a signal to the County Commissioners as they contemplate the budget for this year.  We have learned that funding for farmland preservation and open space acquisitions is in danger.  The farming community is too frequently out of sight & out of mind.  Strong attendance tonight shows a strong farming constituency, and the Board will remember.  While this isn't a big part of the budget ($500,000/year), the Farmland Board has been very effective in leveraging state and federal funding on farmland preservation projects.  NC leads the nation in loss of farmland, and urban/urbanizing areas like ours are most at risk.  Please help spread the word!

Many thanks,

Kathryn Spann

Chair

Durham County Farmland Protection Advisory Board

On Monday, April 22, 2013 9:46:00 AM UTC-4, Rochelle wrote: