Food Policy Council (FPC) Meeting on Mon, August 17, 2015 - 7:00 PM

1. Administrative items – 7:00 PM

   1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval

   2. Approval of July meeting minutes

   3. FPC Retreat Recap

      1. Subcommittee workplans due for September 21 meeting

   4. Remaining FPC budget

      1. Conferences

      2. Food System Assessment Update (to be proposed)

   5. Member openings:

      1. Food Security, City Appointment (for Emily Hampton)

      2. Ag Producer, County Appointment (for Teresa Flory)

      3. Discussion/nomination of Vice Chair to replace E. Hampton

          

2. Urban Agriculture Policy Process Update & Proposed Timeline – (7:30 PM)

    

3. FPC Process for Food Plan (Eileen & Helen; 7:45 PM)

   1. Review of 2014 FPC recommendations to Horizon 2020 Update Steering Committee

   2. Brainstorming about process and timeline, staff direction

   3. Consider Food Plan as ongoing full Council work, and a standing agenda item

   4. Consider contracting with research assistant for Food System Assessment Update

       

4. Final Farmers Market Homework Presentations (8:15 PM)

Louisville, KY

Brenna Wulfkuhle

Madison, WI

T.K. Peterson

1. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps – 8:25PM(Marlin Bates)

    

2. Subcommittee progress reports – 8:30 PM

   • City

     1. Urban Ag, above

   • County

     1. Branding for incubator kitchen

     2. The Burning Barrel

   • Community

     1. Farm Fresh Challenge Update

     2. Communications Plan

         

3. Public comments – 8:40 PM

4. FPC member updates – 8:50 PM

5. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PMBottom of Form

Present: Emily Hampton, Jill Elmers, Carol Gilmore, Brady Pollington, Dennis "Boog" Highberger, Pattie Johnston, Tyra Kalman-Crouch, Brenna Wulfkuhle, Jen Humphrey, Jennifer Kongs, Russell Mullin, Crystal Hammerschmidt

Absent: Pep Selvan, T.K. Peterson, Jan Hornberger, Ashley Jones-Wisner, Sandra Lawson, Kim Criner, Marlin Bates, Chris Tilden, Daniel Poull, Elizabeth Stewart

Staff: Helen Schnoes, Eileen Horn, Amy Miller

1. Administrative items – 7:00 PM

   1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval

   2. Approval of July meeting minutes (Hampton, Pollington, passed)

      1. Future meeting location ideas:

         1. September meeting at Natural History Museum / Commons (Helen will follow up)

         2. Library, touch base with Elizabeth on Land Institute property

         3. Send along other ideas for future locations to Helen!

   3. FPC Retreat Recap

      1. Subcommittee workplans due for September 21 meeting

   4. Remaining FPC budget ($3136.91)

      1. Conferences—no new interest voiced from other members interested in attending.

         1. Need to articulate the public benefit to justify use of funds.

         2. Discussion of use of funds for community members to attend conferences. Form exists for FPC report back after a conference—sharing of takeaways is important.

            1. Helen and Eileen will discuss creation of a community application to procure FPC funds for conference travel with County Administration.

         3. Send other conference ideas to Helen to keep on list for potential consideration in the future.

      2. Food System Assessment Update

         1. Eileen proposed an update to the food system assessment (originally based on 2008 Census of Ag data, prepared by Eileen and Jennifer 6 years ago), as preparation for the new food plan. This updated would not be as in-depth as before; rather, the idea is to create an at-a-glance overview of key statistics about county agriculture and food environment.

         2. Proposal to hire a graduate student/freelance researcher for $1000 and then pay $250 for graphic design work to create an infogrpahic or one-pager for FPC communications and food plan meetings that summarizes key takeaways. Would want to mobilize quickly to get started soon.

         3. The group discussed that this could also show the work of the FPC over the past 5 years.

         4. < > moved to authorize $1500 to food assessment update; seconded by Pollington. All approved.

            Jennifer suggested the FPC sponsor the Kansas Rural Center conference and host a booth to share what we’re doing. Cost for sponsorship begins as low as $200. Eileen reminded the group that this question came up last year—but the group decided not to pursue as an issue of fairness: where would the FPC draw the line? Reminder, the question is how can taxpayer dollars be best used?

            1. Jill summarized that FPC shouldn’t sponsor conferences.

      3. Member openings:

         1. Jill initiated a process to fill two current openings: The FPC will suggest names of potential new members, Jill/staff will contact nominees and invite them to submit their name for official consideration, at September meeting the Council will vote and make recommendations to city/county Commissions. Submit names for both openings to Helen and Eileen by early September to follow up on in advance of next meeting.

         2. Food Security, City Appointment (for Emily Hampton)

            1. Aundrea Shafer, Just Food

            2. Emily asked the Sunrise Project board

         3. Ag Producer, City Appointment (for Teresa Flory); Eileen mentioned importance of keeping a meat producer I this position. Boog reminded we need to keep the focus on small-scale, sustainable, and conventional agricultural producers; Helen will follow-up with Marlin for ideas through Extension.

            1. Lile and Quill Merrill – Trails West Farms, Eudora. Fruit and Meat. LFM, sells to schools

            2. Michael Beard

            3. Brian Strecker, The Burning Barrel(group discussed his operation is not running yet, but he would be good to keep in mind)

            4. Connor Brown

            5. Mellowfields Farm – Jessie (not meat a producer, but have been key growers using Common Ground)

         4. Discussion/nomination of Vice Chair to replace E. Hampton

            1. Jill proposed a process of identifying and electing someone at the September meeting for 4 months to complete Emily’s term. Then, in January the FPC would reassess both Chair and Vice Chair roles. Jill mentioned she will likely need to step down at this time, and the new Vice Chair could become Chair at that time, though not necessarily.

            2. Email Helen/Jill/Eileen if you’re interested in serving as Vice Chair for the remainder of 2015. The full FPC will vote next month.

                

   5. Urban Agriculture Policy Process Update & Proposed Timeline – (7:30 PM)

      Amy Miller, Assistant Director of Planning, reported that Mary Miller was assigned to the task of working on a revision of urban ag policy in the City of Lawrence. Mary met with the City Subcommittee on August 5 and is just now delving into research. Mary will bring a draft of the policy proposal to the Planning Commission in October. This timeline was delayed a month after Helen and Eileen met with Mary and Amy, to allow for more public feedback with help from the FPC. The Planning Department is happy with the bee information gathered by the FPC—going forward, they want the process to be a dialogue with the FPC, and use the FPC as a vehicle for public input and comment.

       

      Amy updated the group that they are considering a new use category in the zoning code for urban agriculture—but this is not definite yet. There are a couple different ways that the Planning Dept. could go in shaping the new policy, with potentially some subuses and standards (such as limits on machinery, hours of operation, etc., in certain areas).

       

      The policy will likely pay a significant amount of attention to how much of your land can you use for growing in a residential area. A primary question involves use of the right of way between the sidewalk and street. Certain codes also dictate maintenance of the site triangle on corners for vehicle visibility. The weed ordinance limits what structures can be over 12” (including fences, tomato cages).

       

      Helen shared that to more systematically gather public input on the policy process, a short survey has been created and is in the process of being circulated throughout the community. It has already garnered over 30 responses. Submissions are allowed until August 26th. Help spread the word about the survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lawrenceurbanag

       

      The City Subcommittee will meet with Mary Miller again on September 2. Mary will aim for a draft for end of September.

       

      The FPC will host a public meeting to review the draft policy on Monday, September 28th from 6pm to 8pm at the Union Pacific Depot, Community Room, at 402 North 2nd St. in North Lawrence. The structure and format of the meeting is not yet set, so FPC input is welcomed.

       

      Amy clarified that agriculture is allowed in city limits today. Chickens are an exemption to prohibited livestock. Planning hopes to move chicken keeping (and bees) into an urban ag use category. She mentioned that the city has seen no formal request to include goats, but has heard informal interest.

       

      The City Commission voted unanimously to task Planning with the review and revision of urban agriculture policies.

       

   6. FPC Process for Food Plan (Eileen & Helen; 7:45 PM)

      1. Review of 2014 FPC recommendations to comprehensive plan update Steering Committee

         1. Eileen reviewed that the county subcommittee worked on recommendations in 2014. The Steering Committee was impressed with their submission and tasked the FPC with creating a standalone Food Plan to incorporate by reference in the recent Issue Action Report draft.

         2. Amy noted that on August 31 the Steering Committee will vote for final approval of the Issue Action Report, which will then be brought to the Planning Commission for approval in September.

      2. Consider Food Plan as ongoing full Council work, and a standing agenda item

         1. Group agreed to make the Food Plan a standing agenda item

      3. Brainstorming about process and timeline, staff direction

         1. The group considered what works in public engagement processes?

            1. Brainstorming and dot voting process

            2. Information in advance with a specific question to consider

         2. Eileen mentioned that we will likely have the various sectors represented on the FPC by members work more closely on particular parts of the Plan

         3. Staff will create a common resource bank of information throughout the process, in part because “food planning” is a very new, emerging field. Eileen mentioned this offers FPC a chance to be innovators.

         4. Loose timeline for hosting community meetings will be December 2015 – February 2016

      4. Consider contracting with research assistant for Food System Assessment Update

         1. Send ideas of potential researchers to contract to Helen and Eileen

            1. Paul Stock may have ideas – KU professor of geography, doing food work (Jen)

         2. We want to complete the Food System Assessment update in advance of the public meetings

             

   7. “Final” Farmers Market Homework Presentations (8:15 PM)

   Ann Arbor, MI

   Jennifer Kongs

   • Big market has been around for 96 years, 7am to 3pm, Saturday and Wednesday. Open are and year-round. Some type of permanent structure. 160 vendors each week, no dogs. $140 vendor fee, local only, want a balance of goods offered.
   • Separate artisan market that rents out space from FM.
   • Parks & Rec, governed by vendors and at large city folks, customers.
   • Allow food trucks to float in, but they have to use market food. Birthday celebration for the market each year.
   • Smaller neighborhood and suburb market, run differently. Friends of the market donations, some affiliated with churches, environmental groups. These are volunteer based. These other markets market themselves as opposed
   • Work with Double Up Food Bucks.
   • Part of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan—working on winter market. Want to keep making it a central gathering spot.
   • County-wide FPC. Do not seem to have link to FM, looking at food hub, food waste, purchasing.

   
   
   Eileen and Helen reminded the group that the Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant we submitted to the USDA is for $53,650. Grant would cover one year of market research (consumer and vendor) about FM in Douglas County led by a hired consultant and one year of technical assistance to implement the recommendations generated after year one, for  both FPC and the individual FM.

    

   Brady reminded that the Small Business Development Center could be a resource for FM development, technical assistance 

    

   1. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps – 8:25PM(Jill Elmers)

      Group now has four farmers leading the effort. Jill reminded them that the FPC is here to help. A job description has been distributed (continue circulating, encouraging qualified individuals to apply). Applications due August 25 to work for LLC Food Hub. Employee will be operating through a virtual office.

       

      First half of KHF $40,000 will be used for bring employee on board and for other start-up expenses. For marketing, the group hired Terry Maines with Ideal Strategies, and her team of subconsultants. The marketers attended the most recent meeting, where the group decided upon the name, bought the domain, etc. Marketers will attend meetings monthly—will have logos at next meeting. Next meeting will focus on legal support (Joe Jarvis, Tallgrass Legal) and creating the operating agreement, plus insurance. Operating agreement will address membership—who can have shares. LLC will be owned by original four farmers with shares available to other farmers.

       

      The group is looking to end of September, October to begin talking with farmers, buyers and have meetings throughout the region. Want to sign-up by December. Jill reminded that they will sell both conventional and organic products through a corporate CSA and wholesale accounts that do not require GAP certification.

       

      The group has spoken with some logistics folks from the KC study team, who are very experienced in tucking and logistics to support this element of the business development.

       

      The group is looking for places with extra food grade cold/freezer storage—happy to rent rather than build/own.  This is the next big step.

       

      Extension partners are working on workshops for farmers on scaling up, food safety, cold chain, post-harvest handling, etc., as second track of TA support concurrent with the business development.

       

   2. Subcommittee progress reports – 8:30 PM

      • City

        1. Urban Ag, above

        2. Eileen and Crystal went to a meeting tonight about the Oak St. Common Ground plot. Habitat for Humanity owns the property and will build a shed and fence. Potential exists for row crops in back on a half acre. Home owner is identified. Habitat and Common Ground are looking for an organization or community member to be the leasee of the property or coordinator for this garden.

      • County

        1. Branding for incubator kitchen

           1. The group recently reviewed logos and will have the final one by the next meeting. Aundrea Shafer will take photos of it in use to use in marketing materials.

        2. The Burning Barrel

           1. The group briefly discussed the recent County Commission decision to allow a small-scale meat smoker Conditional Use Permit outside of Lecompton. Amy Miller noted there is still potential for a legal challenge but the project will continue for now.

      • Community

        1. Farm Fresh Challenge Update

           1. The group wants to use updates of the directory to expand engagement, return to the focus on expanding local purchasing with chefs, incorporate more farmers.

           2. Continue spreading the word an encouraging engagement! Photo and recipe contests launched. T-shirts available at County Courthouse.

   Website: farmfreshchallenge.org

   Facebook: facebook.com/farmfreshchallenge

   Twitter: twitter.com/farmfreshdgco

   1. Communications Plan

      1. Elizabeth has history of what had been done before, but she couldn’t attend recent meeting

      2. The group looked at the idea of the FPC serving as a clearing house for all information on local foods, bringing a lot of information to people about what’s happening in the area. The concurred that the FPC shouldn’t do a monthly newsletter, but should be a part of the LiveWell Lawrence newsletter. They discussed potential for hiring a KU intern to assist with social media.

         1. The Lawrence & Douglas County Sustainability Facebook Page was relaunched recently—Eileen can give oversightand minimize the need to duplicate social media presence

   2. FPC and education

      1. Kim has some ideas on higher education engagement

      2. USD497—group discussed who to best engage with. Crystal will talk with her colleagues and think about who is a good initial partner.

   3. Eileen reminded the need to remain focused on the jurisdiction of the FPC and policy development. This round of outreach is to focus on where to begin conversation, build partnerships, for future policy work.

   4. Eileen noted that she is work on a climate change adaptation grant—results to be released next month. She will do a presentation.

       

   5. Public comments – 8:40 PM

   6. FPC member updates – 8:50 PM

      1. Jen will attend a meeting tomorrow regarding a preposed re-do of County Road 458 that will straighten it to be safer, but eliminate some farmland in the process.

   7. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PMBottom of Form (Pollington, Hampton)