Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting: August 18, 2026

Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting Recap Date: August 18, 2026

The Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board convened on August 18, 2026, to review conservation easement applications for two local farming operations: the Reimer Davis Dairy Tract and Ruby Brown Farm. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the July 21, 2026, meeting, which passed by unanimous vote. Following this procedural step, the board entered closed session to discuss specific details regarding the two proposed projects before returning to open session for final deliberations.

Key discussions centered on the specific characteristics and management plans for both properties. Staff presented maps and data highlighting that both sites are "century farms" featuring high-quality prime soils and diverse topography, including forested and rolling land. A significant portion of the debate focused on the inclusion or exclusion of house sites within the easements. For the Reimer Davis Dairy Tract, the board discussed including a house site to allow the current owner’s son, Jeremy, to reside on and manage the property. Conversely, for Ruby Brown Farm, staff explained that excluding up to three house sites was necessary to comply with state grant program requirements regarding generational flexibility. Board members Terry Wells, Juan Piaz, and William Welch expressed appreciation for the landowners' participation, with Member Wells noting the properties are beautiful and vital to the Newtown Valley.

Public input was provided directly by the landowners, who shared their family histories and commitment to agricultural preservation. Rick and Cynthia Reinhart of Ruby Brown Farm, along with Steve and Kathy Reimer of Reimer Davis, detailed their farming practices, which include grass-fed beef sales and goat projects. Rick Reinhart emphasized the family’s goal to preserve the land exactly as their ancestors built it, stating, "We want to see it left right there. And keeping it from ever being developed. That's our goal." The landowners expressed gratitude for the board’s support in preventing development, while Board Member William Welch acknowledged the departure of a long-serving board member, Steve, noting he had been "a very valuable board member over the years."

The board made a unanimous decision to approve the conservation easement applications for both the Reimer Davis Dairy Tract and Ruby Brown Farm. Susie made the motion to approve both projects, which was seconded and passed with all members voting in favor. This approval allows the county to proceed with the next phases of the conservation process, securing these lands as contiguous protected agricultural areas that connect with existing protected lands, such as Spru Branch.

Following the vote, staff outlined specific follow-up actions. Staff members Peggy Ullman and Martha agreed to call the landowners immediately after the meeting to inform them of the approval. Additionally, staff will submit individual grant applications to the state to access previously reserved funds and have already submitted an intent to apply for a larger $2 million Agricultural Growth Zone renewal grant, with the official application window expected around September 16. Staff also plans to prepare a presentation for the Board of Commissioners, targeting September or October, contingent on the status of the Sluder Branch project.