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

Browse Search

49 1 The Environment and Resource Conservation Department, Soil and Water Conservation 2 District stafF, Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator, Agricultural Preservation 3 Board and other agricultural boards, should continue and expand educational programs for 4 county farmland owners with regard to land conservation options. The programs, in 5 cooperation with local NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation District, Cooperative Extension 6 and FSA staffs, as well as area conservation groups such as land trusts, watershed 7 protection groups, and wildlife organizations, should make farmers aware of the various 8 conservation funds available for easement purchases, the tax benefits of donated 9 easements, and basic principles of estate planning with conservation options. Farmers 10 should be encouraged to continue to be model environmental stewards and promote good 11 forest stewardship management practices using .state and federal programs that provide 12 financial assistance. It is particularly important for the County to maintain its experienced 13 agricultural and forestry support staff for these agricultural agencies. The staff provides the 14 education and outreach that enables farmers to participate in these programs as well as 15. general land use planning for agriculture and land conservation. 16 17 10. Develop and Promote a Land Link System, 18 "Land-link" programs are another recent initiative in North Carolina and throughout the 19 country that can help preserve family farms. Land Link programs take the mentoring idea a 20 step further. Similar to an apprenticeship, the idea is to partner young prospective farmers 21 with older farmers, who will provide "hands on" training. These programs have been 22 successful in other urbanizing areas of the country and may provide a way to keep some 23 local farms in operation for another generation. North Carolina Farm Transition Network 24 (NCFTN), located in Hillsborough, provides services to farmers wishing to plan for the future 25 such as estate planning and developing a "land link." As farmers continue to age, land links 26 may become an invaluable way to keep active farms going. The County must take on a 27 more pro-active approach to producing the next generation of farmers and providing them 28 with the resources-land, equipment, and business sense to get established. 29 30 11. Educate the non-farming public on the environmental protection benefits of farmland 31 protection and the detriments of its conversion. 32 Develop a public education campaign to tie consumer support of local agriculture with open- 33 space, clean water and air benefits, and enhanced wildlife habitat working farm and 34 forestland provides. Note the benefits of keeping land in agriculture, horticulture, and 35 forestry to protecting critical drinking water sources, and fresh food. 36 37 38 Strengthen Farm Viability and the Agricultural Economy by Making Agriculture 39 More Profitable 40 1. Create an Agricultural Economic Development Position. 41 In 2005 Orange County hired an Agricultural Economic Development position for the County 42 to carry forward the economic initiatives necessary for farm viability. Duties of this position 43 include: 44 a. Determining priorities, developing strategies, and achieving benchmarks for economic 45 development efforts. 46 b. Identifying and seeking additional funds for economic and business development for 47 County initiatives and individual producers through grant writing. Draft 91/09/2009 Action Steps to Ensure a Viable Agricultural Community 38