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Date February 12, 2009 <br />Please keep your answers brief and limited to the number of words allowed for the <br />question. <br />1) Please describe your organization and why a local farm and food project fits <br />with your work and mission. (300 words) <br />Catalyzed by the stronger-every-year demand for locally grown farm products <br />and the presence of the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension 8~ Research Center, <br />Orange County Economic Development and Cooperative Extension, along with <br />NC State University College of Agriculture 8~ Life Sciences and the Center for <br />Environmental Farming Systems have a strong long-standing collaboration. The <br />consensus mission of this collaboration is improving the vitality of local farm <br />communities and providing value added farm fresh products for consumers. <br />A 2007 Feasibility Study indicated a strong demand from farmers and food <br />entrepreneurs for a regional value-added, shared-use, food and agricultural <br />processing center. This study was a collaborative effort among Alamance, <br />Chatham, Durham, 8~ Orange Counties, as well as Weaver Street Market and <br />Whole Foods. Within 12 months, grant writing efforts have resulted in $861,000 <br />committed to renovation of a county-owned warehouse in Hillsborough, and <br />facility renovation is about to be initiated. <br /> <br />In addition, exceptionally strong local demand from consumers, chefs, grocers, <br />and institutional buyers such as UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University present a <br />unique environment for growing a strong regional effort for a local farm and <br />food project. Ongoing collaborations include a strong interest from local health <br />academicians and practitioners, with increased awareness of healthy foods and <br />reduced obesity related diseases are two of the major goals. <br />Given the strong foundation, we feel that our networked organizational activities <br />demonstrates the opportunity for developing a local farm and food project that <br />builds on ongoing programs and produces results during the term of this grant <br />program. <br />2) Please describe any past project you have managed (not necessarily a <br />farm/food project but one that emphasizes your experience in managing and <br />implementing a project). (300 words) <br />Staff and institutional resources involved in this project have a strong record of <br />active project management that is accountable and productive in terms of <br />resources that are useful to consumers. Most notable and relevant is 1) the <br />fipr~:~E~s~wP3ir_7t"1 SU51CI1t"i%',r;31v r'l ~;;;"1:;~3fUrE: f'?L.>iE:C:~ it=sSAP1 <br />729 t{<Ayw<)t>t~ (i<i., 3 <br />As~uViile, "~~ 288u <br />