Agenda - 12-15-1998 - 9e - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Presentations on alternative income sources in agriculture. Guidance is available from state and local ag officials, and from individual farmers in Orange and neighboring counties, on successful alternative business ventures in agriculture. Last spring's farm tour, sponsored by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, included farms in Orange County that produce organic vegetables, prepared natural foods, mushrooms, goat milk, soap, dairy products, and cut flowers. Such pursuits are attracting growing attention within the mainstream agricultural community. The November issue of Cooperative Farmer has a cover story on "Good Alternatives" that highlights wine grapes, aquaculture, rabbits, cut flowers and market vegetables. The Farm Bureau News for September has a feature on the North Carolina Herb Association and successful herb production. 2. Update on prospects for tobacco farmers. State and or/local officials can speak to the immediate future of allotments and production; the status of negotiations with tobacco companies on a settlement to help producers; and possible formats for astate-administered program to assist tobacco farmers in turning to other crops. 3. County outreach. Orange County recently developed detailed information on the extent to which the benefits of use-value taxation are realized. While sharing this information, farmers can be apprised a tax office review is underway to assure qualifying practices remain in effect. The possibility that tobacco allotments may be taxed by the county could be mentioned as well. The gathering would provide a good opportunity to advance the outreach goals articulated in recent discussions involving creation of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department. A presentation can be made on how conservation easements work, along with testimonials from Jean Earnhardt and Bob Nutter, who are enjoying the benefits of Farmers with concerns about county tax practices also can avail themselves of the presence of John Smith to have their questions answered individually. 4. Rural Education Center. More than a decade has passed since the county livestock market closed and a task force chaired by Steve Halkiotis met to discuss establishment of a Rural Education Center. As originally envisioned, this facility was to include livestock scales still owned by the county, a farmer's market, meeting space, and offices for all agriculture-related departments and services. Creation of the ERC Department intensifies space demands on the building currently shared by Planning, Ag Extension, Soil and Water Conservation, and Environmental Health. Rather than simply resurrect an old idea, the county can ascertain if there is interest within the agricultural community in re-examining the usefulness of a Rural Ed Center, and what services and functions might be included. The Board of County Commissioners will not meet again for a month. Organizing a farm summit will take time, as will publicizing the event. Farmers will increasingly be in the fields as spring approaches, making it difficult to find a convenient date for a meeting. Therefore, with the consent of the Board of Commissioners, staff could be directed to establish a work group to bring back to our meeting on January 19 a proposal for an Orange County Agricultural Summit along lines such as those outlined above. Proposed membership in the work group would include a representative each from the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board, the county extension service, the Economic Development Commission, the Soil and Water Conservation board, and the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chambers of Commerce. Representatives of several of those groups already have been approached regarding this proposal, and reacted favorably. RECOMMENDATION(S): That the Board support the concept of an Orange County Agricultural Summit and instruct the Manager to meet with key agriculture-related department heads and staff to develop a proposed charge, a proposed list of groups to be represented, and a list of potential topics for discussion at a Summit.