RURAL NELSON MINUTES Wednesday, August 6 - 7:30pm 622 Front Street Mike Tapager opened the meeting by noting that agriculture serves two purposes in the rural community. It keeps land open, or rural, and is part of the economy. Traditional agriculture or commodity farming has increasingly moved to large-scale enterprises, just as the larger economy has done in the past few decades. In a small county, a smallish business can have an impact. When linked with other small businesses it can help to develop a more integrated economy. While commodity farmers are held ransom to national commodity prices, the small-scale farmer is able to charge what her own self-developed market will bear. For example vineyards can lead to wineries and gift shops. Farmer's markets selling cut flowers, honey, herbs, mushrooms, organic produce and meat, berries and fruits of all kind attract tourists and enhance restaurants, lodging and outdoor activities--in short, an integrated market of value-added products. Compare this to one large-scale industry--say a slaughterhouse--controlled by one corporation who may decide to move somewhere else with a better tax break. Or large scale residential projects bringing service-needy new residents. Land use policy affects both large- and small-scale business enterprises. Encouraging (or not discouraging) residential development in ag areas drives the price of land up and out of reach of those wishing a small to mid-sized ag-based business. At present, Nelson is not only home to traditional commodity farming but also to a growing number of small-scale farmers who are making a living or supplementing off-farm income. There is nothing new about supplementing farm income with that from off the farm and doing so does not negate the viability of the ag enterprise. Comprehensive planning to protect and enhance agricultural activities in this county should include planning for smaller, specialty-market businesses as well as the traditional large-farm commodity growers. Mike then introduced Tim Gorman with Cardinal Point Winery who said that his parents had purchased the 90 acres in Afton in 1982 for $1,000 per acre with plans to retire there. In 1988, the family produced their first fruit to sell to wineries on four acres, increasing production to 10 acres in 1994 and 15 acres at present. Tim said that growing grapes is very hands-on in Virginia and that site selection is critical. He noted rising costs to grow grapes and too little profit margin in just growing the grapes but said that he had really wanted to continue growing. The family looked at purchasing additional nearby land, which is now selling for $10,000 per acre in the Afton area. The decision was made to make their own wine and a functional winery building was opened May 1 of this year. In their first wine year, Tim said that the family limited production to 1,000 cases and said that sales had been excellent for their product. He noted a cooperative effort with the other two Afton wineries to increase tourism business and said that all of the Nelson wineries were working together to make Nelson a wine destination. Tim was asked about the availability of training in business skills, growing, etc for those starting new ag businesses in the county. He said that the Extension Service was a good resource for ag information and that his family was fortunate that a family member was able to handle the business side of the operation. He noted that there is no substitute for just actually doing it. Michael McConkey talked about his Edible Landscaping business, which is 90% mail order on 25 acres that he purchased in 1984 for $15,000. The business specializes in ornamental edible plants with a goal of expressing nature with edibles. Michael said he began with a passion for "minor" or little-known fruits. He said that the business is "little known everywhere" and that their website has done very well. Michael said that since the business is small, one of their greatest assets is to be able to talk to customers and answer their questions. Although not a "tourist destination", Michael said that from 1997 to 2002, the business had $70,000 in out-of-state pick-up sales at the site, with many of those visitors staying or shopping in the county. He also noted that 1% of those sales goes to the county in the form of sales tax. He said that those who visit the business really appreciate the rural area and the views. Conny Roussos said that the statement had been made that you cannot make a living farming in Nelson and asked Michael's thoughts on that statement. Michael said that his business had created a niche market and had been successful and growing each year. He noted that you can do a lot on a small space. Michael was also asked whether there were disadvantages to doing business in a rural area. He said that his business is now able to find good employees and currently employs 7 local people, adding additional employees during the busier times. He said that he did not believe the idea of Edible Landscaping would have worked if just marketed locally, but was succeeding in a world market. Jeanne Scott of Twin Springs Farm is Certified Organic and just starting her business. She said that she is certified organic to tap into that niche market and plans to grow blueberries as her primary crop. The blueberries have been planted, a hoop house has been constructed and she is marketing "salad" produce locally at present. She notes her market as local customers and said that she is oriented to subscription growing. Jeanne said that her problem right now is that she cannot grow the produce fast enough to meet demand. She said that for her family, the business would be part-time income, but that it paid as well as any part-time employment in the county. She said that given the $24 billion in cash receipts in agriculture and farming in Virginia in 2001, it is hard to say you cannot make a living on farming-but it is a business and requires marketing. She said that you have to identify your niche market. Jeanne quoted the State President of the Farm Bureau as saying, "The gap between the retail dollars and what the farmer receives has always been wide, but it continues to widen. The way farm products are sold and moved is changing as the farm economy consolidates and traditional bulk commodities and mass-produced livestock become less profitable. So really the best way for our producers to grow is to find a way to get closer to the retail dollars. There are thousands of possibilities." Jeanne said that landuse decisions could have a real impact on her business due to her organic certification. She said that what each of her neighbors do with their land could impact her ability to grow organic produce. Jeanne was asked about subscription growing and said that she hopes to keep as many of the retail sales at home as possible. She said that we should all be making an effort to buy local products whenever possible. She noted plans to fine-tune the business so she is growing what the customer says they want. Susan McSwain said that she would like to see better marketing for local produce without the buyer having to drive to five different places around the county. Conny Roussos noted that the small farmer cannot do everything and asked what the county could do to promote local products. Jeanne said that dealing with zoning so that land stays available would make sense, noting that farmers pay taxes but do not cost the county money in services. She also said that supporting growers through programs like Grown In Nelson would help. Al Weed said that leased land could make sense for smaller farms, noting no capital costs to the farmer and income for the landholder. He suggested that establishing the small business as a proven idea on leased land could then help the grower later with financing a growth of the business. Connie Brennan, Central District Supervisor, said that the county is now reviewing the Rural & Farming District language in the proposed Zoning Ordinance and noted that it is a critical issue in planning for the future. She said that officials appreciate citizens attending the Work Sessions and encouraged all citizens to contact their officials to talk about the issue. She also said that the Supervisors will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Solid Waste Plan and encouraged citizens to attend and provide input. Connie thanked Keep Nelson Beautiful and Susan McSwain and Paulette Albright specifically for all of their hard work in developing the proposal. ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Wednesday, August 13 - Public Hearing on proposed Solid Waste Plan - Board of Supervisors' Meeting 7:30pm Courthouse - Wednesday, August 20 - Zoning Work Session - 7:00pm Courthouse - Wednesday, August 27 - Planning Commission - 7:30pm Courthouse - Sunday, August 31 - Montebello Community Market - sponsored by Montebello Volunteer Fire & Rescue - 10am - 5pm at the Fire Station. Food, crafts, local artists. Call 540.377.5754 to reserve space as a vendor or for additional information. The next Rural Nelson meeting will be Wednesday, September 3 at 7:30pm at the office, 622 Front Street in Lovingston. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kim T. Cash Field Officer Rural Nelson, Inc. P. O. Box 401 (622 Front Street) Lovingston, VA 22949 434.263.5000 Email: info@ruralnelson.org www.ruralnelson.org