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was developed with NC A & T State University for submission to the US Department of <br />Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program for $262,309. Funds may be <br />used to provide for a mentor farmer, operating funds, and enhanced outreach to <br />underrepresented groups. Additionally, new initiatives in permaculture as well as fruit and berry <br />production may be facilitated with these funds. <br />The PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator is part of the concept plan for the WC Breeze <br />Family Farm Extension and Research Center agreed to during a joint meeting of Orange County <br />and NCSU CALS administrators in Fall 2006. Implementing the concept plan for the WC Breeze <br />Family Farm Extension & Research Center is guided by the Breeze Planning Committee, <br />composed of Cooperative Extension and Economic Development staff as well as three <br />representatives from NC State University. There was a consensus from this committee to submit <br />a grant proposal to further develop the Incubator Component of the Breeze Concept Plan. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact for submitting this grant proposal. Existing <br />staff resources in Cooperative Extension and Economic Development will continue to be <br />dedicated to guide activities at the Breeze Farm. The grant agency allows for indirect costs up <br />to 22% of the total request. Because Orange County does not customarily charge for indirect <br />costs, this amount may be designated `forfeited indirect cost' and allowed to be considered as <br />part of the 25% matching funds required by the granting agency. There will be no `new' Orange <br />County funds obligated by submission of this grant proposal. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends ratification of the grant submission. <br />