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Agricultural Advisory Committee narrows annual priorities and forms three subcommittees on permitting, county policy input and engagement
Summary
The committee prioritized three goals for its one-year work plan—permitting/policy simplification, input on county policies as they arise, and community engagement/market development—then formed three subcommittees and asked each to draft short work-plan boxes for review at the July 13 meeting.
At its June meeting the San Mateo County Agricultural Advisory Committee used a facilitator-led process to narrow a long list of proposed goals into three priorities and to form ad hoc subcommittees to draft a one-year work plan.
Facilitator Debbie Sheer summarized five categories developed in prior sessions and asked members to prioritize. County planning staff (Sophie Mir) said the committee’s central role is to review permits and provide topic expertise on policies that affect agriculture, and she suggested the AAC focus on projects where county staff have work underway.
Through a dot-vote the AAC ranked simplification and review of permitting and regulation, providing input to county policies as they emerge, and community engagement/market development among the top priorities. Members noted persistent issues with perceived overregulation and recommended the committee examine specific regulations (for example greenhouse and hoop-house rules) and identify opportunities to reduce unintended burdens on growers.
Committee members expressed frustration that some prior AAC recommendations (for example agritourism changes) had not progressed; county staff acknowledged limited staff time but said including items in the work plan will raise priority and allow staff to provide estimated timelines. The group agreed that some items are longer-term and others are actionable in months; the facilitator asked subcommittees to identify timelines and resource needs.
Volunteers formed three subcommittees aligned to the chosen priorities; the group agreed to meet briefly before the July 13 full meeting (members asked to arrive 30 minutes early) so each subcommittee could present a short draft (goal, activities, responsible parties, resources and an approximate timeline) for full-committee review and possible adoption.
What’s next: Subcommittees are expected to meet once before July 13, fill out the work-plan template boxes and return a draft for the full committee to review. County staff and RCD representatives signaled willingness to help provide technical input and follow-up on items prioritized by the AAC.
