Orange County NC Website
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2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />'S <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />Current Trends--Drought (climate changel and Increasing Energy Costs <br />Like much of North Carolina, Orange County <br />has experience repeated drought conditions <br />over the last few years. Extreme weather <br />can have devastating results for farmers. <br />Many farmers have had to install new, <br />deeper wells, and consider new ways to <br />raise products using less water. Farmers, <br />who raise dairy cows, beef cattle and other <br />grazing animals, have had to import feed to <br />replace lost hay crops. Some farmers have <br />also had to sell cattle ahead of schedule in <br />order to limit their losses, which can have <br />tax implications. The growing horse <br />industry has likewise had to purchase feed from out of state sources. <br />associated with transporting this feed has also dipped into profits. <br />Increasing petroleum demands worldwide have created a challenging environment for farmers <br />who depend on this fuel source, particularly diesel, to operate farm equipment. Farmers may <br />wish to consider the use and production of natural fuels and hybrid fuel alternatives to <br />petroleum-based products as well as the use of other new types of energy. But, like any form <br />of diversification, farmers need to consider their potential niche before investing too quickly in a <br />single new crop. The recent production of corn for ethanol, for example, has had a substantial <br />impact on the larger market since it consumes a valuable food and agricultural product. <br />Conservation and green energy programs may offer some new opportunities for farmers to gain <br />revenue from their land with the additional benefit of offsetting some of the carbon dioxide <br />emissions that contribute to the greenhouse efFect. To ensure the success of some ~of these <br />programs, such as forestry operations, forestry and agricultural support staff will need to <br />develop educational programs for the public. Too often neighbors complain when farmers cut <br />down trees even if part of a forest management plan. It will be critical to get the word out, <br />early and often, that tree cutting is part of forest management. <br />Lack of interest from young people ~a ing farm oper tors <br />In 2002, the average age of a North Carolina farmer was 55.11 In Orange County, the average <br />age is 57. 50% of Orange County's farmers are 65 or older compared to just 6% who are <br />younger than 35. This trend, occurring nationwide, indicates that a large transition will take <br />place over the next 20 years. With fewer younger farmers available to take over production as <br />older farmers retire, many local farms may fall out of operation and be divided up and sold <br />through estate settlement processes. In addition to the loss of active farmland, generations of <br />farming expertise may be lost, an invaluable asset to the local agricultural economy. <br />11 Census of Agriculture, North Carolina Table 40, °Tenure and Characteristics of Operator and Type of <br />Organization: 2002." <br />Draft 6/1/2009 Challenges to Agriculture 20 <br />The time and fuel costs <br />