Agenda - 09-15-2009 - 4j - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 15, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. ~- - j SUBJECT: Contract Between the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and Orange County Cooperative Extension DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Cooperative Extension ATTACHMENT(S): Contract Grant Proposal INFORMATION CONTACT: Fletcher Barber 245-2050 Noah Ranells 245-2330 Brad Broadwell 245-2325 PURPOSE: To approve a contract with and accept a $50,000 Strong Roots grant from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project to plan and execute a local food project to be determined by team of local farm and food system professionals. BACKGROUND: A proposal was submitted to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project on February 12, 2009 by Orange County Cooperative Extension & Economic Development. Orange County and its partners in the local food system were one of two communities awarded a $50,000 grant. This new grant enables a new food system project that complements the continued effort to build a strong farm to fork food system in the Piedmont. Catalyzed by the stronger-every-year demand for locally grown farm products and the presence of the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center, Orange County Economic Development and Cooperative Extension have developed a strong collaboration with the NCSU College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, and the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. The consensus mission of this collaboration is improving the vitality of local farm communities and providing value-added farm fresh products for consumers and institutions. Exceptionally strong local demand from consumers, chefs, grocers, and institutional buyers such as UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University present a unique environment for growing a strong regional effort for a local farm and food project. The Strong Roots grant will provide training, guidance, education, and implementation funds to plan and execute a local food project and to build the capacity of Orange County and its partners. A minimum of 70% of the funds will be used for implementation of local food initiatives. Not more than 30% of funds will be used for planning activities, inclusive of travel to workshops and meetings in Asheville, and facilitation of planning activities at the local level. Program leaders will provide periodic reports to the BOCC on how these funds are used and presentations will be made at local farm-related events including the Annual Agricultural Summit held each year in February.