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2) We must recognize and address the challenges of large-acreage framers, the stewards <br /> of our"rural experience" <br /> 3) We must adopt a more proactive approach toward attracting new farmers and new farm <br /> operations <br /> 4) We must continue to educate residents on the indirect benefits of agriculture to the <br /> community <br /> 5) We must begin a dialogue with the municipalities in and adjacent to Orange County <br /> regarding agricultural issues <br /> Dave Stancil said that the next round of grants for this comes up in December. <br /> The recommendation is for the Board to adopt the plan in accordance with the <br /> resolution, and authorize staff to submit the adopted FPP to the North Carolina Department of <br /> Agriculture and Consumer Services. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made reference to the resolution, and the third "Whereas" where <br /> it says, "permanent protection of more than 2,500 acres of farmland." She noted that 2500 <br /> acres was the total amount of land protected and not just farmland. She suggested saying <br /> "2,500 acres of land," and then finding out how much farmland this was specifically protected. <br /> If the specific amount is not known, then she suggested the following language: "more than <br /> 2,500 acres of land, including significant amounts of farmland obtained through agricultural <br /> conservation easements." <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she likes the way this involves different stakeholders. <br /> She said that a farm survey is going to be distributed in January. She said that this is about <br /> farming and not just about farmland preservation. She asked how much money was in the <br /> Agricultural Development Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and how much has been used. <br /> Dave Stancil said that for this cycle there is approximately $3 million. Orange County <br /> was one of the first entities to receive money from this, but there has not been much money to <br /> give in recent years. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked if the Economic Development Commission would also be <br /> involved, and to what extent. <br /> Dave Stancil said that there has been discussion of a joint meeting with the EDC early <br /> next year. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made several grammatical corrections to the document and staff <br /> indicated that they would make the suggested changes. <br /> On page 43, under Piedmont Value-Added Shared-Use Food &Agricultural Processing <br /> Center, he thinks that this should be very up front and have that it was Orange County and its <br /> public/private partners. He does not want to portray that Orange County did this alone. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Agricultural Support Enterprises program (pp. <br /> 48 and 51) and said that it was supposed to come back to the Board a long time ago. <br /> Planning Director Craig Benedict said that originally this was an exercise of ERCD and <br /> EDC. As it moved through the process, there was a delay and now the Planning Department <br /> is working with EDC to work this into the Unified Development Ordinance program. Staff can <br /> give a status report. <br /> On page 48, regarding the Value-Added Processing Center, instead of "the County <br /> hired a broker," it should say, "the four-county entity hired a broker," to reiterate the <br /> partnership. <br />