Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
4 <br />W.C. Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center <br />CONCEPT PLAN <br />Objectives <br />1. Develop and implement agriculturally innovative, environmentally sound, and <br />economically viable enterprises to invigorate farms, grow local food systems, and <br />strengthen agricultural systems in the Piedmont Region <br />2. Build on the Breeze Family tradition of support for agricultural education at NCSU <br />3. Provide a venue for NC State University sponsored agricultural research programs as <br />well as local initiatives and activities conducted by county and regional ag professionals <br />Program Opportunities <br />A. Develop Local Farm Economy <br />Farm Enterprise Incubator /Farmer Apprentice Program <br />a. Business training and enterprise budget development, as well as Agronomic & Horticultural training <br />that includes principles and practice of certified organic and sustainable agriculture. Land leased to <br />apprentice farmers and equipment available to participating farmers; <br />b. FarmLink program within county for graduate placement; Collaborative relationship with NC Farm <br />Transition Network; Special focus on immigrant communities and their needs; <br />2. Shared-Use, Value-Added Processing for Local Farm Products (off-site) <br />a. Focus on local farm products for added value opportunities primarily for local consumption <br />b. Training program on licensures and certifications for added value processing <br />c. Equipment for value added product development for use by participating farmers; With appropriate <br />training, consumer use of facility to encourage purchase of local products and their preservation by <br />local consumers <br />B. Diversifying Farm Enterprises <br />1. 4-H, FFA, & Youth <br />a. Livestock exhibition facility for annual Piedmont Livestock and Dairy Shows, as well as new <br />opportunities for marketing of feeder calves, Iambs, and goats <br />b. Resource for local, county, and regional 4-H & youth events <br />c. Environmental education component, including trails <br />2. Forage, Grasslands, & Grains <br />a. Interactive demonstration area for grazing technology including new cultivars, fencing, and waterers <br />used in beef cattle, dairy, sheep, sheep, goat, and pig pasture-based operations <br />b. Collaborative applied research on pasture management, multispecies grazing, new forage cultivars, <br />forage quality, and grass-fed meat products <br />c. Biofuel crop plot areas <br />3. Fruits & Berries <br />a. Demonstration areas for appropriate species &cultivars for the Piedmont <br />b. Focus on heirloom fruits <br />c. Regionally appropriate research on innovative production techniques and cultivar suitability <br />