Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 20, 2009 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~-- - K <br />SUBJECT: Grant Submittal to the Rural Advancement Fund International USA Tobacco <br />Communities Reinvestment Fund for the PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise <br />Incubator at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center <br />DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Cooperative Extension <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Noah Ranells 245-2330 <br />Brad Broadwell 245-2325 <br />Joey Knight 245-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To authorize staff to submit a $30,000 grant proposal to the Rural Advancement <br />Fund International USA Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund for the PLANT @ Breeze <br />Farm Enterprise Incubator at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center. <br />BACKGROUND: The development of new farm enterprises and diversification of existing farm <br />operations can be challenging and pose considerable financial risk. However, there are many <br />opportunities for production and marketing of farm products produced by local farmers. With <br />modest yet critical annual County funding of $10,000, the PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise <br />Incubator was initiated in 2007 and continues to serve residents of Orange County and its <br />neighboring counties. <br />Through a strong effective interdepartmental collaboration, Cooperative Extension and <br />Economic Development developed and implemented a series of eight Wednesday evening <br />workshops held every January and February. With strong support from the local community, <br />attendance included 45 to 50 aspiring farmers for each of the workshops of the 8-week training <br />series held this past January and February. Local farmers were involved in presentation and <br />discussion at each workshop along with a local, regional, or state farm related specialist. <br />Following the workshop series, participants who wanted to farm land at the Breeze Farm were <br />required to complete a business plan. If approved, these individuals were able to contract for <br />prepared planting beds and grow their own crops. A total of eleven farm enterprises <br />participated in 2009, and others have initiated or expanded their farm operations on land they <br />currently own. <br />Given the success this past year, Cooperative Extension and Economic Development have <br />identified the need for additional funds to support this project and expand the program activities. <br />Therefore, staff requests authorization to submit a grant proposal to the Tobacco Communities <br />Reinvestment Fund for $30,000. The application deadline is November 11, 2009. Funds from <br />this grant will be used to provide for expansion plans that may include a mentor farmer, new <br />