Orange County NC Website
I <br />collected and used to produce compost. Some current practices are hurting the land <br />and may be wasteful, such as dumping of woody material. <br />Tony asked for focus and Betty suggested narrowing to three or four topics. Dave noted <br />that an outline structure is needed for the report and offered to assist in developing an <br />outline. Betty noted that the work group would be offering advice to elected officials and <br />that the Board of County Commissioners may use the document to implement some of <br />the recommendations of this work group. There is a desire to gain momentum to move <br />the county forward towards an ag center. <br />Tony noted that it is difficult to consider what the future of ag will look like in Orange <br />County and preliminary evidence is that ag needs to change in a big way. He suggested <br />that some analysis of the situation is required. Fletcher noted that this group is serving <br />to create a research agenda. <br />Spence asked about the needs and uses of an ag center. How would an ag center <br />support food security? Support farmers? Educate public to have future farmers? He <br />asked `What is agriculture ?' and suggested that is includes composting, butchering, and <br />processing. The ag center is needed to support facilities that enhance transition to the <br />future food systems. Fletcher noted that if we can do what we are saying — we would be <br />out ahead of both land grant institutions. <br />Vickie noted that if certain questions do not currently have answers then ask the <br />questions and the staff can be charged to answer them. Betty suggested revisiting the <br />charge to the work group and that an outline is needed for both subcommittees to move <br />forward and complete their reports. These subcommittee reports can help to focus effort <br />of the work group. In addition, she requested that Fletcher provide a review of the needs <br />outlined in the previous report. <br />Robert asked if the input phase of this work group is done. Betty indicated that there is <br />an outreach plan. The long -term materials submitted by Tony and Spence will be <br />included in the next agenda packet. <br />Outreach <br />Noah provided a draft survey that would be sent as part of a Farm Service Agency <br />newsletter to all farmers. Additional possible distribution points are at Farmers markets. <br />Vickie noted that it is important to get completed surveys from other landowners and the <br />non - farming population. Betty suggested that the Commissioners provide some <br />guidance. <br />Robert asked about the survey methodology and cautioned the challenges to <br />summarizing survey data. Dianne noted that Chapel Hill News recently assisted in a <br />survey and that it might be possible to get media partners. Tony suggested sharing the <br />survey with Weaver Street Market to share through their newsletter. Dave suggested <br />that the advisory boards be mailed the survey. Spence suggested providing the survey <br />at local ag supply centers. It was also noted that the survey needs a return address and <br />F. <br />