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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 4, 2011 <br />Action Agenda, <br />Item No. Jam' " I <br />cl IRJFCT~ Grant Submittal to the Golden Leaf Foundation on Behalf of Piedmont Grown <br />DEPARTMENT: Economic Development, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N~ No <br />Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br />and Recreation (DEAPR) & <br />Cooperative Extension <br />ATTACH~VIENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Draft Budget Noah Ranells, Economic Development, <br />245-2330 <br />Steve Brantley, Economic Development, <br />245-2325 <br />Dave Stancil, DEAPR, 245-2510 <br />Carl Matyac, Cooperative Extension, <br />245-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To authorize staff to submit a $148,500 grant proposal to the Golden Leaf <br />Foundation on behalf of Piedmont Grown. <br />BACKGROUND: The successful launch of the Piedmont Grown regional branding and <br />marketing program this past June was a result of collaborative efforts between Orange <br />County Economic Development and Cooperative Extension. With regional participation <br />from the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte areas, the goal of Piedmont Grown is to increase <br />awareness of locally grown, raised, and made farm products as well as ag tourism <br />opportunities for the general public. <br />Piedmont Grown has made significant progress during its establishment phase and has <br />submitted a `letter of inquiry' to the Golden Leaf Foundation for an `agriculture-market <br />expansion' grant proposal. The letter is the first stage in applying for a grant and it was <br />received favorably by Golden Leaf staff. However, anon-profit or government entity is <br />required for this grant proposal to proceed to the next level of consideration. While the <br />Piedmont Grown bylaws filed with the NC Secretary of State's Office include the mandate <br />to function as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit entity, Piedmont Grown has not yet obtained an IRS <br />determination on its non profit status. Upon consultation with Golden Leaf staff, it was <br />suggested that Piedmont Grown request that Orange County be the grant applicant, and <br />thereby fulfill the requirement that all applicants be a non profit or governmental entity. <br />The 'agriculture-market expansion' project proposal expands the Piedmont Grown brand <br />via recruitment of farms, farmers' markets, & local food system businesses. Funding <br />allows branding cost share for licensees, including farmers, farmers' markets, retail <br />grocers,. & food wholesalers. By enhancing market access and branding of farm products, <br />