Agenda - 06-16-2009 - Infor Item 3

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The enduring vitality of Orange County's agriculture has been, and will continue to be, tested by competing uses for the land. Once farmland is covered with roads, subdivisions and shopping centers, it is probably lost to productive agriculture forever. With a growing population to feed in the coming years, productive farmland should be viewed as an important resource, worthy of protection, for use in the production of food and fiber. 10 Agricultural Surveys 11 In January 1998, the Orange County Agricultural District Advisory Board (later renamed the 12 Agricultural Preservation Board) and the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored 13 a countywide agricultural survey.- Information from the survey was intended for inclusion in the 14 county's Economic Development Plan as part of a new agricultural component of the strategic 15 plan. 535 copies of the survey were mailed local farmers using the Cooperative Extension 16 Office mailing list. 165 responses were received (31% response). Key findings were as follows: 17 50% cited having problems hiring outside the family for labor, mainly because of the 18 inability to offer a competitive wage. 19 72% noted an increase of environmental regulations that impacted their operation, 20 particularly related to watershed protection. 21 67% noted changes in land use and impact of residential development bordering their 22 property as a challenge, including 25% citing neighbor complaints, mainly, due to odors. 23 60% plan to continue farming, but 70% noted more restrictive planning and zoning 24 regulations as the deciding factor to discontinuing the operation. 25 20% cited failure to make a profit; chemical and fertilizer costs were the attributed as 26 the largest costs limiting profit. 27 38% of farmers reported a making a profit; 35% broke even. 28 • 79% listed participating in the Present-Use Valuation Program. 29 70% stated that taxes are a strong factor in profitability. 30 More than 75% would like to see a reduction in taxes on farm machinery, buildings and 31 residences. 32 40% listed interest in Land or Farm Link or Farm Finder program to help young persons 33 interested in entering farming as a livelihood. 34 • 70% were interested in the creation of a farm advocate to represent agricultural 35 interests in local government. 36 37 In February of that same year (1998) Orange County began holding an annual Agricultural 38 Summit. The "Ag Summit" has become very popular over the years with presentations from 39 state and regional experts on new programs and changing regulations, farmers sharing success 40 stories and more recently buyers seeking locally grown products for their businesses. Surveys 41 are also conducted at the end of each agricultural summit to evaluate the year's program and to 42 identify current strengths and challenges within the local agricultural community. 43 44 The most common problems identified in the 2008 Agricultural Summit Survey include: 45 • Falling Prices and Low Profitability 46 Regulations 47 Start-up Costs/Lack of Sufficient Money Dratt 6/1/2009 Challenges to Agriculture 15