COUNTY OF NEVADA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
255 South Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
M a il: 9 5 0 M AID U AV EN U E NE V AD A C I TY , CA
95959 -8617
( 5 3 0 ) 2 7 3 - 2 6 4 8 F AX ( 5 3 0 ) 2 7 3 - 1 7 1 3 http :// my n ev a da co u nty . co m
Steven L. DeCamp
Community Development Agency Director
Jeffrey Pylman
Agricultural Commissioner
Agricultural Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes, October 15, 2014
Nevada County Department of Agriculture
950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, California, 95959
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Commission Chair Hoek.
Members Present: Brad Fowler, Rich Johansen, Terry Jochim, Cliff Bottenfield and Lynn Wilson
Members absent: Lesa Osterholm and Pam Stone
Staff Present: Jeff Pylman, Agricultural Commissioner and Luci Wilson, Ag Biologist
Public Present: Cindy Fake, U.C. Cooperative Extension; and Roger Ingram, Farm Advisor; Chip Close,
NID
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance was led by Chair Hoek.
3. Approval of Minutes
The August 20, 2014 and September 17, 2014 minutes were distributed in hardcopy and reviewed.
Commission Chair Hoek called for a motion to approve the August 20, 2014, AAC Meeting Minutes.
Minutes were approved.
Commission Chair Hoek called for a motion to approve the September 17, 2014, AAC Meeting
Minutes. Commission Chair Hoek requested correction to add herself to members absent.
Commissioner Johansen requested correction to section 8a,“In the last couple of laws there have
been several news laws….” Should read, “In the last couple of years there have been several new
laws...” No other changes requested. All changes approved.
4. Agency Comment
A. UC Cooperative Extension
Roger Ingram: Several upcoming events.
 Soil Heath Workshop, October 25 at Sue Hoek’s.
 Beef Carcass Dinner Awards, October 22
 Sheep Carcass Dinner Awards, October 29
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A series of shepherding workshops beginning January 10-11. The first workshop will be on
Predator Protection for Small Scale Livestock and presented as part of the Nevada County
Food and Farm Conference.
Grazing for Change, February 27-28 at Chico State, speaker Dr. Christine Jones
Grazing Academy, April 24-25
Chicken producers with dead chickens can go to the UC Davis Diagnostic Lab for an autopsy at
no charge. Webinar at Placer County Drought Monitor, how to interpret weather data,
November 7. Lake Combie has water and they do not have to release the water any further
under post 1914 rules, and are choosing to not release.
Cindy Fake: Cindy handed out some new recipe cards. Reported on the second Nevada
Community Dinner last week, with about 108 people were in attendance. There was a farm tour
at Sweet Roots, beautiful weather, great food. We were also at the Bounty of the County and at
the Nevada City Farmers Market. Raised $630 for the Food Bank, and produce will also be
donated, purchased from local farmers. Winter produce is especially needed, along with recipes
for what to do with it. To date over the last two years, the program has put $16,600 into
farmers’ pockets and $5020 redeemed in vouchers through the programs.
Events
Farm Marketing Field Tour, October 29, visiting Farming Express and Capay Valley.
Beginning Farmer Academy, November 7-8, Auburn, a few spaces left.
Farmer-To-Farmer Breakfast, November 13, Riverhill Farm, with a casual breakfast and small
tour, rain may cancel.
Drought Forum, date in December TBD.
B. Nevada Irrigation District (NID)
Chip Close: In Chip’s absence, the following report was shared by Jeff Pylman.
As many of you may know, the State of California has placed a restriction on the capture of
storm water runoff, otherwise known as a “curtailment order”. Last week the state assured
water purveyors that they would lift this order during “significant” rain events then put it back in
place after the storm passed. Unfortunately, this provides no guarantee that the District will be
able to capture runoff as it has done in the past, and leaves many questions as to what a
“significant” rain event might be.
Due to this uncertainty, along with continued drought conditions, the District does not have
adequate supplies to offer fall water sales this season. Winter water sales will remain in place
for those customers who purchased it last year, however, new or increased sales will not be
available.
Commercial Ag operations that have purchased fall water in the past that are experiencing
extreme hardship are encouraged to call the District to discuss their hardship. This only applies
to Commercial Ag operations that file a Schedule F and have purchased fall water in the past.
5. Nevada County Grown (NCG)
Roger Ingram: Bounty of the County was dampened by the poor air quality that day, however the
event was still profitable. There was a steady stream of people in attendance.
6. Public Comment
No comments
7. Old Business
a. County Ordinance on Direct Marketing in Relation to Current and Proposed State Law Informational
Jeff Pylman: AB1871 has passed and been signed into law. This will have an effect on direct
marketing and will necessitate an analysis of discrepancies between state law and our
current county ordinance. Jeff and Luci will do the analysis and share the results with
planning and the commission. Any other changes to the ordinance must come from the
commission.
b. Water Element – Informational
Sue Hoek: In January-February there will be a committee to begin working on this, but Sue
recommends to keep abreast of developments and be prepared to take an active role in the
development of appropriate language to add a water element to our county general plan.
Discussion occurred over ground water rights and who owns the water underneath one’s
property.
c. Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Create Regulations Allowing Backyard Chickens
in R-1
Sue Hoek: Revisions have been made and submitted to planning for review. Sue Hoek and
Jeff Pylman met with Tyler Barrington and Brian Foss, who came up with the current
language for review by the AAC. The currently proposed language is a simpler view. The
planning department removed the medium animal category.
Summary of revisions :
 Lack of medium animal category, because they do not have the same impact as a cattle
or horses
 No large animals are allowed on RA parcels smaller than 0.5 acres, and limited to 1
animal 0.5-3 acres, unless there is a use permit.
Summary of discussion:
 Introduce an animal equivalent unit (AEU) definition for large animals, so that one large
animals equals 1 cow , 1 horse, 1 mule, 2 donkeys, 2 swine, 2 llamas, 5 goats, 5 sheep or
5 alpacas, and/or similar livestock.
 Remove use permit requirement. What is the cost, requirements, etc., for a use permit?
Need to be more permissive, not more restrictive.
 The downside to a use permit is the reliance on a regulator who may not be familiar
with livestock is making the decisions. More definition is better for the regulator. Can
the RA-0.5 use permit be reviewed by the AAC or other, similar review process? Or a
review process that precludes cost?
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Most residential-ag zoning is RA-3 or -5 or greater, so the number of parcels this was
going to affect were very few, less than a dozen.
Reminder that RA-0.5 or smaller is not a large space by the time you subtract the house,
leach field, well, and setbacks to truly have room for a large animal.
Footnote 2 -- sentence 5 needs to be changed to “for a short period of time”.
Poultry comments and suggestions:
 Table L-II 3.4.A is in conflict with Footnote 4. The table indicates that backyard chickens
are allowed on parcels zoned RA of less than 0.5 acres, but the footnote states, “The
keeping of game fowl, poultry and rabbits is not allowed on parcels of less than 0.5
acres. These animals shall be limited to 50 mature animals over the age of 6 months per
0.5 acre.”
 Recommend to strike the first sentence of Footnote 4, and make it read, “On parcels
larger than 0.5 acre these animals shall be limited to 50 mature animals…”
 The draft table, County R1 and RA less than 0.5 ac recommend 4/6,000 sq ft, 6/10,000
sq or 12/20,000 sq ft, recommend to double the number of chickens to 8/12/24
respectively.
 20,000 sq ft is nearly 0.5 ac, at which point there is a jump to 50 chickens allowed.
8. New Business
None
9. Subcommittee Updates
a. Ag Business and Land Use Subcommittee Updates – No meetings scheduled. Lesa
Osterholm and Jeff Pylman discussed farmlands of local importance, horse boarding, right to
farm ordinance and ground water management. Another subcommittee meeting is needed
with Steve DeCamp regarding ground water management water element. A meeting is
being planned in two weeks with Lesa, Jeff and Brian Foss to review AAC and planning’s
perspective. A separate meeting with Rich, Jeff and Craig is planned to discuss the farm
employee housing matrix.
b. General Plan/Ag Element Subcommittee Update - None
c. Williamson Act Subcommittee - None
d. NID and Water; Drought Contingency Plan Subcommittee - None
e. Ground Water Management Subcommittee - None
10. Member Announcements
Sue Hoek: State Water Resources Control Board announced that curtailed water right holders in the
Sacramento, San Joaquin, Russian and Eel river watersheds will be able to take advantage of
significant early precipitation events on limited basis. Water right holders will be notified in realtime of any temporary relaxations of curtailments. Notifications will only be sent electronically to
subscribers and posted on the State Water Board’s website to facilitate timely notification.
On September 28 Governor Brown signed AB2071 which allows highly treated recycled water to be
used to water livestock. The Governor also signed AB1707, which requires the State Water
Resources Control Board to post external scientific peer reviews for basin plan amendments and
implementing processes on their website. AB2048 was also signed, provides administrative changes
to the highly controversial State Responsibility Area (SRA) fire prevention fee by doing all of the
following: clarify statutory terms, like habitable structure; remove the requirement that
redetermination petitions to the BOE and CalFire; remove the 20% penalty fee; allow the BOE to
consider late petitions for redeterminations after 30 days; and exempt a structure from the fee if it
is deemed uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, such as a catastrophic fire.
Farm Bureau dinner is November 8.
Lynn Wilson: Wineries were notified in the last month that they are not allowed to use volunteers.
Each person must be hired to pick grapes, etc. This is applies to any agricultural operation and is
part of an existing 1980 labor law that requires all commercial operations to pay wages, provide
workers comp, etc. Grapes are doing well, harvest began three weeks early and the last of the
harvests are finishing up now.
RJ: Orland Water District was notified that curtailments of diverting water from the Sacramento
River has been extended to November 30, to allow continued watering of crops.
Terry Jochim: California Cattlemen’s Association Convention, November 20-22, Nugget Casino,
Sparks, Reno.
11. Ag News - none
12. Ag Commissioner’s Report
Jeff Pylman: We filled the vacant Ag Biologist position with Preston Neufeld. He worked five years
with Placer County Ag Department in their noxious weed program. We’ve pulled EGVM, GM, JB
detection traps. The fruit fly traps are still up for another 3-4 weeks. Preston is jumping into the
noxious weed program. The crop report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on October
28, 2014. Luci and Tony have tested the heavy capacity scales and liquid proprane delivery trucks
and stationary dispensers for accuracy. Nevada County remains negative for any signs of WNV. A
new mosquito has been found in California. Aedes Aegyti is a day-biter mosquito and is the vector
for Dengue Fever; the first confirmed cases in LA County occurred today. Public Health does not
believe that this mosquito specie will not be able to survive in Nevada County. Fish and Wildlife
Commission Aquatic Invasive Species, we had a meeting today to discuss future plans. NID is going
to apply for a Boaters and Waterways grant for Western Nevada County; Town of Truckee will apply
for eastern Nevada County. They are looking at establishing centralized decontamination stations
for Quagga mussel, zebra mussel, Eurasion water millefoil, and hydrilla. The interview process for
the new ag commissioner has been completed, and an announcement will be coming soon.
13. Adjournment
With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: ________________________________________
Luci Wilson, Ag Biologist
Approved on: ___________________________
_____________________________________
Chair, Sue Hoek