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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: August 19, 2008 <br />Action Age a <br />Item No. 9° <br />SUBJECT: Ratification of Grant Submittal to Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for the Farm <br />Enterprise Incubator at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research <br />Center <br />DEPARTMENT: Economic Development & PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Cooperative Extension <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Brad Broadwell, 245-2325 <br />Noah Ranells, 245-2330 <br />Fletcher Barber, Jr., 245-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To ratify the August 15, 2008 submission of a grant proposal to Z. Smith Reynolds <br />Foundation for the Farm Enterprise Incubator at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & <br />Research Center. <br />BACKGROUND: The development of new farm enterprises and diversification of existing farm <br />operations can be challenging and pose considerable financial risk. However, there are many <br />opportunities for production and marketing of farm products produced by local farmers. <br />With modest, yet critical, County funding of $10,000 in FY 2007-08, the PLANT @ Breeze Farm <br />Enterprise Incubator was initiated. An additional $10,000 has been allocated for FY2008-09, <br />with plans to leverage these funds to obtain additional grant funds. <br />Through a strong effective interdepartmental collaboration, Cooperative Extension and <br />Economic Development developed and implemented a series of 8 Wednesday evening <br />workshops in January and February of 2008. With strong support from the local community, <br />attendance was 45 to 50 aspiring farmers for each of the workshops of the 8-week training <br />series held this past January and February. Local farmers were involved in presentation and <br />discussion at each workshop, along with a local, regional, or state farm related specialist. <br />Following the workshop series, participants who wanted to farm land at the Breeze Farm were <br />required to complete a business plan. If approved, theses individuals were able to contract for <br />prepared planting beds and grow their own crops. Seven farm enterprises participated in 2008. <br />Given the success this past year, Cooperative Extension and Economic Development have <br />identified the need for additional funds to support this project and expand the program activities. <br />Therefore, staff has submitted a grant proposal to the Z Smith Reynolds Foundation for <br />