Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
9 <br /> <br /> <br />Peter Sandbeck thanked the BOCC for its ongoing support, and gave specific praise to <br />Gail Hughes, Resource Conservation Coordinator, for all her efforts with the VAD farmers. <br />Commissioner Rich thanked the APB for working with the Food Council. <br />Commissioner McKee thanked the APB for keeping agriculture front and center, and he <br />said it is the farming community that keeps Orange County both rural and green. <br />Chair Dorosin referred to the concern about the aging of farmers, and said he read that <br />some counties are creating programs to teach farming to younger people. He asked if Orange <br />County could have a similar program. <br />Pete Sandbeck said the Ag Extension runs similar programs to this, and is hoping to <br />increase it. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is actual data about farmers’ ages and other <br />demographics. <br />Howard McAdams said only via census data. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he attended the farm tour last year, and the ages ranged <br />from 25 and 50. <br />Commissioner McKee said most of the farmers in Orange County, who are farming <br />considerable acreage, are older. He said the barrier for the next generation to become farmers <br />is not a lack of interest, but rather finances. <br /> <br />• Animal Services Advisory Board: Molly Mullins, Vice-Chair and Bob Marotto, <br />Department Director <br />Molly Mullins said they provided a work plan for the Commissioners, and she outlined <br />some highlights: <br />Recent Issues: <br />• Suffering Animal Surrenders: A task force of board members and staff has been <br />created to develop a satisfactory approach to animals suffering from neglect that are <br />surrendered to Animal Services. The task force is expected to consider the pros and <br />cons of sanctions up to and including criminal prosecution. The task force is also <br />expected to consider how to address the potential adoption of animals by people who <br />have surrendered a neglected animal and the resources that may be available to <br />support the care and retention of animal companions. <br />• Easement next to AS building- where OWASA is putting in sewer lines to the Rogers <br />Road Community and Duke Power is also planning in more utilities. This area had been <br />an area where the shelter dogs were taken to walk. So it is no longer available <br />anymore. ASAB has been working closely with AS to avoid disruptions around the <br />facility with more open communications with these utilities in advance so AS can be <br />more prepared. <br /> <br />On- going work: <br />Managing Pet Overpopulation: The board will continue to work with staff to implement a plan <br />for managing free roaming cats. In particular, the board will coordinate with staff to coordinate <br />with the Agricultural Preservation Board and other entities to advance the “working farm cat” <br />program. The board will also continue to work with staff to develop community partnerships and <br />resources for addressing the challenges presented by free roaming cats in Orange County. <br /> <br />More generally, the board will work with staff to ensure that organizational forms and practices <br />responsible for the county’s success in managing over population are recognized, supported <br />and extended into the future. This is a critical commitment to ensure that pet overpopulation is <br />managed in the long run in Orange County in a humane as well as cost effective manner.