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32 <br /> Slide#15 <br /> PI,WAV. , Enhance the Economic Viability <br /> of Agriculture <br /> RECOMMENDATIONS ACTIONS <br /> Educate farmers about the benefits of,and fund,GAP certification. <br /> 3.Support farmers' v Fund and implement a farm-to-school pilot program. <br /> expansion into y Provide opportunities for aggregation,sale,and distribution of farm <br /> wholesale markets. products through a local food hub. <br /> Conduct a feasibility study for o regional market and hub. <br /> 4. Provide citizens and ➢Update the Farmland Stewardship Plan biennially. <br /> decision-makers ag Communicate about agriculture through website,social media. <br /> education and ➢Convene a periodic agricultural festival for the public. <br /> opportunities to Expand the County Farm-to-Table event. <br /> engage with farmers. <br /> Slide#16 <br /> litEnhance the Economic Viability <br /> of Agriculture <br /> RECOMMENDATIONS ACTIONS <br /> 5.Offer financial Y Broaden eligibility criteria for Agricultural Economic <br /> incentives for Development grants to include agricultural support entities and <br /> agriculture and increase flexibility in awarding funds. <br /> agricultural ➢Fund new-farmer-startup grants and develop tax credits to assist <br /> development. new farmers. <br /> Identify and establish property tax incentives to support farm <br /> sustainability. <br /> yConduct a multi-County pilot program to reduce the acreage <br /> requirement of the Present Use Value Program. <br /> Commissioner McKee said these are all very good items but from his perspective, <br /> marketing is not just the best way to increase the profitability of the farm, but it is also the most <br /> difficult. He said that one of the most profitable aspects of his farm was deer corn and all they did <br /> was put it in a fancy bag and wholesale it everywhere they could. He said this enabled his farm <br /> to sell corn between $7-$9 a bushel when the market rate was $4.50. He said it required him to <br /> find stores that would sell his product, and they had to go out and hunt down the buyers. <br /> Jane Saiers said one of the recommendations they have suggested is working with local <br /> food hubs. She said they are aggregating it and distributing it. She said that it takes a tremendous <br /> amount of work from the farmers shoulders. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that is the only way smaller farmers will get through the door. <br /> Jane Saiers said having relationships with the local food hub and the ability to aggregate <br /> diversity also helps demonstrate resilience. <br />