Source: NCDA&CS, 4/20/15

The N.C. Board of Agriculture will hold its quarterly meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Martin Building at the State Fairgrounds. The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda includes the following items:
• A request from the Tobacco Research Commission to hold a grower referendum on continuing the assessment that provides funds for tobacco research in North Carolina. The assessment is 10 cents per 100 pounds of tobacco sold. Growers have approved the assessment every six years since 1991. 
• Proposed changes to admission fees for the N.C. State Fair and N.C. Mountain State Fair. Changes to state tax law mean that admission tickets to the fairs are now subject to sales tax. 
• Proposed increases in rental fees at the four farmers markets and three agricultural centers operated by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 
• Review of the NCDA&CS’ analysis of a portion of its rules. In 2013, the General Assembly passed a bill that requires agencies to analyze their rules to determine whether they are necessary. After the board’s review, the rules and determinations will be posted on the department’s website for public comment for at least 60 days. 

The Board of Agriculture is a policymaking body that adopts regulations for many of the programs administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Members are appointed by the governor. The commissioner of agriculture serves as chairman of the board.