Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting: August 18, 2026

The Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board met on August 18, 2026, to review and approve applications related to agricultural land easements and conservation projects. The board approved several renewal and new applications for agricultural easements, including properties in the Newfound Valley area. Detailed presentations were given on specific farms, such as the Ruby Brown Farm and the Davis Rhyr Farm, highlighting their conservation status, farmstead areas, and plans for future agricultural use. The board discussed the inclusion of residences in easements to support farm succession and maintain working lands. They also reviewed proximity maps of protected lands and ongoing projects. The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the Davis Rhyr Farm and Ruby Brown Farm easement projects, with plans to submit grant applications for funding and proceed with due diligence in the coming months. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned, but the discussion focused on grant funding and conservation easement approvals.