Powell Farm manager presents draft master plan highlighting orchards, irrigation and education

Noah Petronic, manager of Powell Farm, presented a draft Master Plan drawing to the Butler County Agricultural Land Preservation Board outlining planned plantings, infrastructure and educational uses. "Mr. Petronic presented the draft Master Plan drawing for the Powell Farm to the Board members," the minutes record. He described plans for apple and peach orchards, strawberry fields and produce crops, plus a new greenhouse and poly tunnel, retrofitted washing and preparation areas and a drive-in cooler to support on-farm production.

Petronic told the board NRCS has not yet started an update to the Conservation Plan and that one or two sheds will likely be demolished because hillside runoff has damaged foundations and flooring; the current pond will be dredged and two small retention ponds are planned to capture runoff for irrigation, along with riparian restoration of the creek. Board members noted that a walking trail shown on the plan would not be allowed under the recorded Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement and discussed that certain limited, supplemental rural enterprises could be permitted only if approved by the board and if they do not reduce agricultural production. The plan also contemplates occasional, single-class educational uses in the farmhouse but does not plan for animals at this time.