Agenda - 11-17-2009 - 4g - Laserfiche WebLink

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45 1 What if farmers in the northwestern part of the county, who have suffered from the decrease in 2 tobacco production, were able to find new crops that would flourish in the clay soil and allow 3 that area to become an active agricultural community, again? What if new energy crops were 4 able to replace tobacco as profitable commodities? The main crossroads at Cedar Grove and 5 Carr could become active again as farmers could sell some produce to the historic general 6 stores and buy practical items such as milk and eggs and farm supplies. The community 7 garden program at the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church might become one of several 8 community gardens located throughout the county for non-farmers, where non-farm residents 9 could grow fruits and vegetables for their own use. What if the existing commercial node at 10 Carr -- at the intersection of NC 49, Carr Store and Corbin Ridge roads -- was developed into 11 another agricultural processing center and provided ofF-season employment for farmers. The 12 Carr facility could be designed to accommodate the processing needs of large-scale 13 conventional farmers, and might include alternative energy production such as biofuels to 14 service farm vehicles. 15 16 What if public schools were equipped with commercial kitchens to prepare food from scratch? 17 The older schools and agricultural facilities such as the Grange hall would have commercial 18 kitchens to encourage training sessions on canning and freezing techniques. Children would 19 learn where their food comes from as part of their regular curriculum. The Future Farmers of 20 America (FFA) program would be available to all high school students. Internships would be a 21 requirement for students interested in pursuing farming as a career. The Durham Technical 22 Institute campus would include programs in agriculture and forestry. The County could set up a 23 mechanism to help link "would be" farmers find land to lease and eventually buy. 24 25 All of these things are within reach, but success will be dependent on all residents- 26 conventional farmers, small farmers and non-farm consumers. Everyone will need to p{ay a 27 role. 28 29 The future of Orange County agriculture calls for: 30 31 ~I A Broad, Holistic Definition of Farming; 32 ~ Where Agriculture becomes an Integral Part of the Economy; 33 ~l Where People Who Want to Farm, Can Farm; 34 ~I Where Sufficient Farmland is Conserved and Available for Production; 35 ~l Where Mechanisms are in place to Link Would-be Farmers, Consumers and Farmland; 36 ~1 Where Local Food is available for Local Consumption; and 37 ~I Where Children are Taught about the Connection Between Food and Farming. 38 ' 39 Draft 11/09/2009 A New Vision for the Future of Agriculture in Orange County 34