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34 <br /> DRAFT/March 28,2025 <br /> • Priority Action 9b: Fund and implement a farm-to-school pilot program to get <br /> food from Orange County farmers into Orange County Public Schools. <br /> BENCHMARK/PROGRESS INDICATORS FUNDING/RESOURCES <br /> • Partners identified and recruited 0 County staff including new <br /> • Pilot funding secured proposed Ag Viability and <br /> • Pounds of County-sourced fresh Farmland Stewardship position <br /> food going to the program 0 County Extension agent <br /> • $paid to Orange County farmers 0 US Department of Agriculture <br /> through pilot program <br /> • School and student survey ratings <br /> of pilot program <br /> • Priority Action 9c: Provide opportunities for aggregation, sale, and distribution <br /> of Orange County farm products to County and NC-wide markets through <br /> collaboration with a local food aggregator/distributor. <br /> BENCHMARK/PROGRESS INDICATORS FUNDING/RESOURCES <br /> • Parameters of program agreed County staff including new <br /> with local food proposed Ag Viability and <br /> aggregator/distributor Farmland Stewardship position <br /> • Number of Orange County farmer County Extension agent <br /> participants <br /> • Pounds of County-sourced food <br /> sold through program <br /> • $paid to Orange County farmers <br /> through program <br /> • Priority Action 9d: In collaboration with the NC Department of Agriculture <br /> and in consultation with Tri-COG FEEDS (Food Ecosystem Economic <br /> Development Strategy), conduct a feasibility study for a regional market and <br /> aggregation/distribution center in the vicinity of 1-40/1-85. <br /> BENCHMARK/PROGRESS INDICATORS FUNDING/RESOURCES <br /> • Collaborators identified and 0 County staff including new <br /> recruited proposed Ag Viability and <br /> • Funding secured Farmland Stewardship position <br /> • Study completed 0 County extension agent <br /> • Results summarized and 0 NC Department of Agriculture,Tri- <br /> communicated COG FEEDS <br /> Recommendation 10: Provide citizens and decision-makers with information and <br /> education on agriculture in Orange County and with opportunities to engage <br /> with the farming community. While a segment of Orange County community <br /> members and decision-makers advocate and support local farms and food, <br /> Orange County is not exempt from the larger societal trends of disconnection of <br /> citizens from the sources of their food and a decline in understanding of farming <br /> and food production. Community members and decision-makers who are <br /> knowledgeable about the need for and benefits of farmland and local food <br /> 32 <br />