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Agricultural Economic Development Director Noah Rannells said that earlier this spring <br /> there was an effort by many departments that worked with Chapel Hill Magazine to put a <br /> section about Ag Tourism and agricultural opportunities in the March/April issue. Three of the <br /> five farms were part of the Piedmont Farm Tour. He introduced representatives from three <br /> farms: Captain John Pope Farm, McAdams Farm, and Parker Farm and Vineyard. Unable to <br /> attend were Walters Unlimited and Chapel Hill Creamery. <br /> Dan Shannon from Chapel Hill Magazine said that it was a great pleasure to work with <br /> the County Manager and Tourism and Agriculture Departments. He hopes to continue to be a <br /> partner with Orange County. <br /> Noah Rannells and Chair Pelissier made the presentation to the three farms: Captain <br /> John Pope Farm, McAdams Farm, and Parker Farm and Vineyard <br /> b. Resolution — North Carolina 10% Campaiqn/Local Food Economy <br /> The Board considered a resolution supporting the Center for Environmental Farming <br /> Systems "10% Campaign" to support local and regional food economies, and considered <br /> asking County staff to explore ways to augment or incorporate these principles and goals into <br /> the County's organizational culture and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation Director Dave Stancil <br /> introduced Dr. Nancy Creamer from N.C. State. He said that the Board of County <br /> Commissioners received a presentation earlier this year on this issue of the 10% campaign. <br /> Dr. Nancy Creamer thanked Orange County for their leadership in agriculture and local <br /> farming. This is about getting people to put in 10% of their food dollars to local food. She <br /> read the resolution. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE "10% CAMPAIGN" AND THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has a long history and tradition of agriculture and a local <br /> food economy, and has supported local agriculture - as a critical component of the local <br /> economy; of protecting farmland for future production as part of agricultural heritage, economy <br /> and open space; and of promoting local food consumption as exemplary of a commitment to <br /> sustainable agriculture and linkages between `farm and fork;' and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County partnered with several other counties and State agencies <br /> to plan, identify, construct and fund the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center, <br /> located in Hillsborough and opened in 2011, which provides a means to producing value- <br /> added products from local agricultural products, was built with over $1.4 million in grant funds <br /> from a variety of State and federal sources, and now has 21 clients selling locally and as far <br /> away as China; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County is fortunate to be home to many agricultural entrepreneurs <br /> and consumers who have been statewide leaders in transitioning into new and innovative <br /> agriculture, as well as vibrant farmers markets that make local foods available to individual and <br /> institutional consumers in the area who benefit from fresh or value-added local foods; and <br /> WHEREAS, the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension and Research <br /> Center's "PLANT" program has now graduated 230 student-farmers since 2008, with four start- <br /> up farms and seven individuals leasing land at Breeze farm in 2012; and <br />