Agenda - 05-30-2024; 5 - Agricultural Preservation Board – Appointments Discussion

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15 Page 1 of 2 Mary Beth Miller Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mary Beth Miller Name Called: Home Address: 1938 Carr Store Rd. Cedar Grove NC 27231 Phone: 919-219-5055 Email: miller.maryeliz@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2007 Township of Residence: Cedar Grove Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: m a member of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, where I also work. Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None. Boards/Commissions applied for: Agricultural Preservation Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board As a North Carolina native, I have seen firsthand how local decision-making and land use policies have impacted this region over the past four decades. I began farming in Orange County in 2010 upon graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, and I have continued to grow food, raise livestock, and steward land in Orange County over the past 14 years. My professional work is focused on agroecological systems that work to improve the land and provide dignified employment to farmers and farmworkers while building more sustainable regional food systems. I have built a strong network of farmers, service providers, educators, investors, and landowners in the county and greater region. Preserving agricultural land over the next decade will require creative thinking around land use policies and conservation of working lands, as well as public education and outreach, to which my background and experience will greatly contribute. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board The 2022 Census of Agriculture data indicated an increase in new and beginning farmers since 2017, but the number of farms continues to decrease nationwide. The census ranked North Carolina 15th in the nation in the loss of farmland, and a more detailed report from the American Farmland Trust ranks NC second in the country for projected farmland loss by 2040. With the average age of the American farmer at 58, the next decade is crucial for farm transition, especially in creating pathways for new growers to sustain our vibrant agricultural economy. Orange County has a rich agricultural history, and it is one of the reasons people are drawn to the area. As development answers the call of increased growth, we need ways to preserve farmland so new farmers can continue to provide fresh, local food to the community. We can preserve farmland, provide affordable land access to a new generation of growers, and continue to feed the county s growing population with sensible, creative, and community-driven solutions.