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2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <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 />What if farmers in the northwestern part of the County, who have suffered from the decrease in <br />tobacco production, were able to find new crops that would flourish in the clay soil and allow <br />that area to become an active agricultural community, again? What if new energy crops were <br />able to replace tobacco as profitable commodities? The main crossroads at Cedar Grove and <br />Carr could become active again as farmers could sell some produce to the historic general <br />stores and buy practical items such as milk and eggs and farm supplies. The community <br />garden program at the Methodist Church might become one of several community gardens <br />located throughout the county for non-farmers, where non-farm residents could grow fruits and <br />vegetables for their own use. What if the existing commercial node, at the intersection of NC <br />49, Carr Store and Corbin Ridge roads, in Carr was developed into another agricultural <br />processing center and provided off-season employment for farmers. The Carr facility could be <br />designed to accommodate the processing needs of large-scale conventional farmers, and might <br />include alternative energy production such as biofuels to service farm vehicles. <br />What if public schools were equipped with commercial kitchens to prepare food from scratch? <br />The older schools and agricultural facilities such as the granges would have commercial kitchens <br />to encourage training sessions on canning and freezing techniques. Children would learn where <br />their food comes from as part of their regular curriculum. The Future Farmers of America (FFA) <br />program would be available to all high school students. Internships would be a requirement for <br />students interested in pursuing farming as a career. The Durham Technical Institute campus <br />would include programs in agriculture and forestry. The County could set up a mechanism to <br />help link "would be" farmers find land to lease and eventually buy. <br />All of these things are within reach, but success will be dependent on all residents- <br />conventional farmers, small farmers and non-farm consumers. Everyone will need to play a <br />role. <br />The future of Orange County agriculture calls for: <br />~ A Broad, Holistic DeFnition of Farming; <br />~1 Where Agriculture becomes an Integral Part of the Economy; <br />32 ~l Where People Who Want to Farm, Can Farm; <br />33 ~ Where Sufficient Farmland is Conserved and Available for Production; <br />34 ~I Where Mechanisms are in place to Link Would-be Farmers, Consumers and Farmland; <br />35 ~l Where Local Food is available for Local Consumption; and <br />36 ~ Where Children are Taught about the Connection Between Food and Farming. <br />37 <br />38 <br />Draft 6/1/2009 A New Vision for the Future of Agriculture in Orange County 34 <br />