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57 <br />1 Attract and Train New Farmers and New Farming Ouerations <br />2 1. Orange County must adopt a more pro - active approach toward attracting new farmers and <br />3 new farm operations to this region, by advertising for complementary operations, and even <br />4 offering incentives. <br />5 a. Develop an economic development model to attract complementary agricultural <br />6 operations or support operations to the region. <br />7 <br />8 2. Farmers and farm support staff must work together to teach the next generation about <br />9 farming, support apprentice options, and promote the pursuit of farming as an occupation. <br />10 a. The County should expand existing training programs in high schools and work in <br />11 partnership with local community colleges and the state university system to <br />12 encourage agricultural students to stay in North Carolina and work on local farms. <br />13 b. The County should partner with the local school system's community service program <br />14 to provide non -farm students with an entree into the farming community, to provide <br />15 them with the land and business skills to consider farming as a career. <br />16 c. Develop apprenticeship programs, and or mentor programs to partner potential <br />17 farmers with successful farmers. <br />18 d. Continue existing programs for young people such as the Junior Livestock Show, <br />19 Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4 -H. <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 Foster Greater Recognition and Public Support for Agriculture <br />23 1. Foster Greater Appreciation for Agriculture Among Government Officials and Non -farm <br />24 Residents through Education and Outreach Efforts. <br />25 a. Continue educating county and municipal officials and planning board members on <br />26 farming issues and basics of agricultural law, as well as "smart growth" strategies that <br />27 concentrate growth near existing centers and infrastructure. <br />28 b. Continue efforts to keep members of the agricultural community involved in local <br />29 government and planning. <br />30 c. Plan a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study to demonstrate the public fiscal <br />31 advantages of land use planning for agricultural viability. ACCOMPLISHEDH In 2006, <br />32 the AFT conducted a COCS for Orange County, and determined that on average, for <br />33 every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, the County must spend $1.24 <br />34 on services. For each dollar of revenue raised by farm, forest, or open space, Orange <br />35 County only spends $0.72 cents on services. Based on this study, which is consistent <br />36 with nationwide trends, most residential development does not pay for itself; the <br />37 exception is typically very high -end housing or housing served by public water and <br />38 sewer systems. Likewise, in other COCS studies, including two conducted by North <br />39 Carolina State University for Chatham County (1998) and Wake County (2001), <br />40 farmland has been shown to require significantly less in public service (fire protection, <br />41 water and sewer, police, schools, etc) expenditures than it contributes in tax revenue, <br />42 even at the lower differential assessment rate afforded under the present -use value <br />43 taxation system. The results of this study should be publicized to further generate <br />44 protection of the agricultural economy as sound county fiscal policy. <br />45 d. The Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator should cultivate local and state <br />46 media coverage of the benefits of agriculture to the well -being of the county, and <br />47 should regularly communicate with media about achievements reached under this <br />48 plan. <br />Draft 1012812009 Action Steps to Ensure a Viable Agricultural Community 42 <br />