Agricultural Advisory Board Meeting | September 15, 2026

The Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board met on September 15, 2026, to discuss various agricultural preservation projects and updates on farmland conservation efforts. Key procurement-related topics included a presentation on the Slitter Branch farm conservation easement project, with details on the property, the easement process, and associated transaction costs. The board discussed the timeline for easement completion, which typically spans two to four years, and the need for county funding to cover due diligence activities such as surveys and environmental assessments. The board also planned to request transaction cost funding from the county commissioners for specific farm tracts, including the Rhymer Davis and Ruby Brown farms. Additionally, the board addressed staffing updates related to stewardship and baseline documentation reporting, noting an upcoming hire to support these functions. No contract awards or vendor selections were explicitly mentioned, but the discussion highlighted ongoing coordination with contractors and consultants for environmental assessments and surveys. The meeting concluded with plans for future presentations and a farm visit before voting on the conservation project.