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Betty shared that this group was not specifically addressing the food problems of <br />Orange County, but rather what needs could be addressed by an Orange County Ag <br />Center. Tony added that short term needs have been identified by current agencies and <br />that the long -term needs are currently being studied. <br />Sally suggested that it would be beneficial to use the community food security issue to <br />help justify an ag center. She added that an ag center could help develop education <br />programs, help farmers with resources, and perform community outreach. Linking with <br />other groups such as SEEDS in Durham as well as local Orange County organizations <br />could include large numbers of citizens that might be interested in using the facility. <br />Short Term Needs Report <br />There was no Short Term needs report. <br />Long Term Needs Report <br />There was no subcommittee meeting. An email was sent out to the members of the <br />subcommittee that notes 6 areas where additional study may be needed. Spence <br />provided additional comments to Tony's original outline and provided copies to all at the <br />meeting. Staff indicated that it could help facilitate a meeting of the long term needs <br />group. Tony inquired if the subcommittee is asking the questions or providing answers. <br />It was noted that the charge indicated that these questions needed to be answered. <br />Betty noted that based on general consensus, a report would be developed from the <br />short term and long -term committees. She advised a narrow focus that addressed <br />issues noted in the charge to the work group and suggested that general committee <br />questions without answers, questions with answers, and questions with possible <br />solutions could be contained in the final report. She requested that the long -term <br />subcommittee narrow the focus. When the subcommittee report is offered to the full <br />work group, it can be debated and accepted by the full work group. <br />Robert asked if this would go to the Board of County Commissioners. Staff indicated <br />that the report by the Ag Center Work Group would be an independent report and that <br />the Ag Preservation Board of County Commissioners requested that this work group be <br />initiated. <br />Vickie noted that the report must include overarching goals and comments related to <br />sustaining agricultural activities, maintaining rural character, and preserving and <br />protecting farming communities. She added that support is needed from vested <br />constituencies and that related values that are very important to residents of Orange <br />County. A result of broad support may be sufficient to support tax dollars for an ag <br />center, that directly and indirectly affects all citizens of the county. <br />Spence noted that soil issues needed additional protection and that there is a lot of <br />dumping of food waste in to the landfill. As an alternative, certain wastes can be <br />3 <br />