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construction of the Public Market House in Hillsborough with a federal grant and ~0 <br />initial management of the Orange County Farmers and 2) the feasibility study for <br />a regional value-added, shared-use food and agricultural processing center and <br />subsequent implementation. <br />Additionally, development of the conceptual plan for the WC Breeze Family <br />Farm Extension and Research Center and the associated Master Plan for <br />infrastructure development is a noteworthy accomplishment with regard to our <br />project management skills. <br />3) Have you or your organization undertaken afood/farm project? If so, what have <br />been the positive and negative results? (300 words) <br />As noted above, the combined leadership effort of the Orange County <br />Cooperative Extension and Economic Development has resulted in several farm <br />and food projects. <br />The WC Breeze Family Farm Extension 8~ Research Center conceptual <br />programming plan and the associated Master Plan for infrastructure were <br />initiated in 2006. The initial program that was implemented in 2007 was a farm <br />enterprise incubator, involving an 8-week intensive workshop series including <br />production techniques and business planning. Over two years of the workshop <br />series, 121 individuals were trained, with many continuing to explore new <br />entrepreneurial activity on their own land or land at the Breeze Farm. <br />Approximately 5 acres were cultivated by apprentice farmers in 2008 <br />The Piedmont Food 8~ Agricultural Processing Center has its roots in a 2002 <br />discussion with local institutions regarding the purchase of local farm products. <br />This was followed up by a citizen panel to examine the need for a processing <br />center in 2004, a formal 2007 feasibility study funded by four counties and two <br />grocers, and ongoing renovation and program development for establishing the <br />processing center. This center will serve farmers and food entrepreneurs in a 75- <br />mile radius of Hillsborough in a 22-county area. <br />While there are additional examples of farm and food programs that we have <br />been planned and implemented, the two noted represent strong positive results <br />and signal continued cooperative efforts that yield meaningful outcomes that <br />benefit local farmers and consumers. <br />4) Please describe partnerships and other community connections that would play <br />a part in a farm and food project that you would implement. (200 words) <br />P:pralc~ct~ic,ri ~E~s1a'rca~le A~,t,ic::~f~are Frc~jc;ct (AS,~p~ <br />7%~ F~t~~vvac>d Ctid., a 3 <br />