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5 <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 ag professionals <br />Develop Local Farm Economy -Program Opportunities <br />Farm Enterprise Incubator /Farmer Apprentice Program <br />a. Business training and enterprise budget development, as well as Agronomic & Horticultural <br />training that includes principles and practice of certified organic and sustainable agriculture <br />b. FarmLink program within county for graduate placement; Collaborative relationship with NC Farm <br />Transition Network; Special focus on immigrant communities and their needs; <br />c. Farm equipment available at an hourly or daily rate to participating farmers; Shared office space <br />and equipment <br />2. Shared-Use, Value-Added Processing for Local Farm Products <br />a. Focus on local farm products for value added opportunities primarily for local consumption <br />b. Location of facility to complement activities at the Breeze Farm, but may be physically located on <br />a site with municipal sewer and water. <br />c. Training program on licensures and certifications for added value processing <br />d. With appropriate training, consumer use of facility to encourage purchase of local products and <br />their preservation by local consumers <br />e. Equipment for value added product development for use by participating farmers <br />Existing and Diversifying Farm Enterprises -Program Opportunities <br />1. 4-H, FFA, & Youth <br />a. Livestock exhibition facility for annual Piedmont Livestock Show, as well as new opportunities for <br />marketing of feeder calves, Iambs, and goats <br />b. Resource for local, county, and regional 4-H & youth events <br />c. Environmental education component & trails <br />2. Forage, Grasslands, & Grains <br />a. Interactive demonstration area for grazing technology including new cultivars, fencing, and <br />waterers used in beef cattle, dairy, sheep, sheep, goat, and pig pasture-based operations <br />b. Collaborative applied research on pasture management, multispecies grazing, forage quality, and <br />grass-fed meat products <br />c. Biofuel crop plot areas <br />d. Demonstration plot areas for various new forage cultivars <br />3. Fruits & Berries <br />a. Demonstration areas for appropriate species &cultivars for the Piedmont <br />b. Focus on heirloom fruits <br />c. Regionally appropriate research on innovative production techniques and cultivar suitability <br />W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility Page 2 of 4 <br />