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Dianne Reid said that there is a small entrepreneurial bet in the Economic <br />Development department and there is same earned income, about $2,500, and they <br />would like to apply this to a GIS workstation. Commissioner Foushee asked if there was <br />an integration with Planning and Dianne Reid said yes, that it was originally part of last <br />year's CIP and it was not funded. <br />The County Commissioners were very appreciative of the report. <br />3. W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility <br />Cooperative Extension Director Fletcher Barber said that he is excited about <br />opportunities that Orange County has regarding agriculture. He said that his staff is <br />talking about doing a local foods conference. Also, the community gardening project <br />has been successful. It is called Bountiful Harvest, and the goal is to educate people <br />and reinvigorate the gardening process. He thanked the County Commissioners for <br />allowing the staff to do some innovative things that a lot of counties do not get to do. <br />Fletcher Barber introduced Noah Rannells, Agricultural Economic Development <br />Coordinator, and Annette Dunlap from N.C. State -Business Management Value <br />AddedlAlternative Agriculture and Resource Economics. He summarized the <br />information in the abstract about this property. He said that the Breeze family donated <br />land to the N. C. State Foundation. The Woods family, which had property next to the <br />Breeze family, joined forces with the Breeze property, for a total of 270 acres. Colonel <br />Breeze wanted his land used to explore local options for organic and sustainable <br />farming practices and enterprises. Following a 2006 dedication of the W.C. Breeze <br />Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility by the Dean of the College of <br />Agriculture & Life Science (GALS), a County committee developed a conceptual plan for <br />the property. In October 2006, GALS administrators for extension and research met with <br />County representatives in Hillsborough to review the plan. Based upon that meeting, a <br />joint Orange County-GALS committee was formed to develop the conceptual plan. Early <br />in 2007, two farm walkabout events were scheduled to allow NCSU-GALS Extension <br />Specialists and other interested parties to assess the farm for their program needs in the <br />context of the conceptual plan. A draft Master Plan will be developed in March. <br />Noah Rannells showed the area on a map and reviewed the conceptual plan. <br />CONCEPTUAL PLAN <br />W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility <br />(Modified 4 October 2006) <br />Objectives <br />1. Develop and implement agriculturally innovative, environmentally sound, and <br />economically viable enterprises to invigorate farms, grow local food systems, <br />and strengthen agricultural systems in the Piedmont Region <br />2. Build on the Breeze Family tradition of support for education and training in <br />productive agricultural activities at NC State University <br />3. Provide a venue for NC State University sponsored agricultural research <br />programs as well as local initiatives and activities conducted by county and <br />regional agriculture professionals <br />Develop Local Farm Economy -Program Opportunities <br />