Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration And Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves agenda and minutes; staff reports MDARD award and upcoming outreach; members discuss resignation and signage
Summary
At its May 6 meeting the Kent County Agriculture Preservation Board unanimously approved the agenda and prior minutes, learned that MDARD awarded $157,250 to complete a 109-acre easement, and discussed a member resignation, foundation outreach for PDR funding, and a PDR sign inventory to be revisited in June.
The Kent County Agriculture Preservation Board met on May 6, 2026, at 775 Ball Ave and took several administrative and outreach actions.
Vice Chair Suzie Reinbold moved to approve the May 6 agenda as amended to add foundation updates and a PDR sign discussion; Secretary Jessica Marks supported the motion and it passed unanimously. Reinbold later moved to approve the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes; Marks supported that motion and it also passed unanimously.
In staff updates, Haley Stichman reported that the February NRCS ACEP ALE application has received NRCS preapproval and is in NRCS’s internal control review. She also said the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded $157,250 from the Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund to complete preservation of 109 acres in Tyrone Township, providing the final funding needed to close the Kruithoff easement following County Board approval. Stichman announced the 2026 Kent County Agribusiness Tour (Monday, May 18, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and the annual Culver’s Share Night fundraiser (Tuesday, June 23, 5–8 p.m.) with volunteer signup details forthcoming.
Under new business the Board reviewed a resignation submitted by Kylee Rasch (Conservation Interest). Staff outlined options: the Board may leave the conservation seat vacant until the regular appointment process at year-end or recommend an interim candidate to the County Board. Stichman offered to reach out to community partners and bring potential interim candidates to the June meeting.
Chair Dennis Heffron updated the Board on ongoing outreach to local foundations to pursue potential matching funds for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program and discussed partnership opportunities with the Land Conservancy. The Board also asked staff to compile an inventory of existing and past PDR signs; Stichman will bring that information to the June meeting so members can review whether older signs, including Parnell Corridor signage, should be replaced for consistency across Kent County.
Rob Steffens (Township Representative) reported he is interested in enrolling his property in the PDR program but cannot pursue enrollment while serving on the Board. He said he will consider whether to donate development rights or step down. Board members noted a broader lack of landowner understanding about the financial and long-term benefits of donating development rights and expressed interest in inviting a representative from BDO or Plante Moran to present an educational session on agricultural accounting.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:55 p.m. The Board’s next meeting is Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at 775 Ball Ave, Grand Rapids.
