Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting | September 15, 2026

Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting Recap: September 15, 2026

The Agricultural Advisory Board convened on September 15, 2026, to discuss ongoing land conservation efforts and consider a proposal for preserving a significant local property. The meeting included updates on existing projects, public input, and crucial decisions impacting agricultural land in our community. This recap summarizes the key outcomes of the meeting for residents interested in learning more about these important initiatives.

A primary focus of the meeting was the transition of four properties from the BAD program to the EVAD program, a move unanimously approved by the board. This change reflects a landowner’s desire to align these properties with the EVAD program, ensuring their continued protection under conservation easements. The board also received a detailed update on the Pylon Preservation Project, which currently encompasses 18-19 active projects. While progress is being made at sites like Rogers Family Farm and Wilson Farm, challenges persist with the Okobochi project due to a neighbor dispute currently undergoing mediation. A significant point of discussion was the ongoing delays with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) review processes for agricultural growth zone projects, a backlog that is impacting project timelines. Staff committed to following up on these delays and providing updates at future meetings.

The meeting also featured a significant presentation from Jane McMahan regarding her 59-acre property in Leicester. Ms. McMahan outlined her vision for preserving the land, highlighting its existing features including three houses to be excluded, a farmstead area, a pond with a cabin, and an RV/camper storage structure. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring the land remains undeveloped for future generations and maintaining access for neighboring residents, a sentiment echoed by fellow landowner Wayne Welch who offered his support. Following the presentation and an overview of the conservation easement process, the board tentatively scheduled a farm visit to Ms. McMahan’s property for a few weeks from now, with a formal vote on the easement proposal expected at next month’s meeting.

Public participation was welcomed, with Martin sharing a vibrant account of his experiences at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. His enthusiastic descriptions, including observations of various animals and interactions with fair attendees, offered a positive snapshot of our local agricultural community. The board will also be preparing to present a request for transaction costs related to Reimer Davis tracks and the Ruby Brown farm tract to the commissioners, with Sluder Branch removed from that request.

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the meeting. Staff will confirm the date for the farm visit to Ms. McMahan’s property and continue efforts to address the NCDA review backlog. They will also provide updates on the Rogers Family Farm and Wilson Farm projects at the next board meeting. Finally, a staff member will offer to present on the bond program to the Land Conservation Advisory Board, further expanding outreach and collaboration within the broader conservation landscape. Residents can expect to hear more about these ongoing efforts at future Agricultural Advisory Board meetings, which are open to the public.