Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-15-1998 - 9eORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 15, 1998 Action Agenda Item No. q _ e SUBJECT: Proposed Orange County Agricultural Summit DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: Commissioner Barry Jacobs, 732-4941 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To authorize a work group to develop a format for an Orange County Agricultural Summit. BACKGROUND: Agriculture is a key component of Orange County's economy and character. Approximately one-third of the county's land is used for farming. The county extension service estimates between 750 and 1,000 people are engaged in agriculture and related businesses in Orange County. Livestock and livestock products in Orange County yielded $17.8 million in income in 1996. Crop income in 1996 was $17.6 million. Of the monies derived from crops, 43.4 percent ($7.65 million) came from flue-cured tobacco. Thus, more than 21 percent of farm income in the county is directly related to a crop that faces the most significant mandated production cutbacks in history. Meanwhile, development pressures increasingly cause farmers to look upon their land as a marketable commodity rather than as a source of annual income. Loss of agricultural lands, which require little in the way of county services, has a number of deleterious effects, from promoting sprawl to destroying open space. Less tangible, but no less important, with Orange County's transformation from agrarian to suburban land use, we lose the sense of rootedness and community that helped shape our common heritage. County government long has played a key role in addressing the needs of the agricultural sector. Given heightened concerns about the future of tobacco, as well as the advance of several important issues that likewise affect the farm community and the county at-large, this appears a propitious moment to bring together farmers, resource persons, county officials, and other interested parties to explore alternative practices and creative solutions to problems related to maintaining a viable agricultural industry in Orange County. Areas of discussion at the Farm Summit might be broken down as follows: 2 Presentations on alternative income sources in agriculture. Guidance is available from state and local ag officials, and from individual farmers in Orange and neighboring counties, on successful alternative business ventures in agriculture. Last spring's farm tour, sponsored by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, included farms in Orange County that produce organic vegetables, prepared natural foods, mushrooms, goat milk, soap, dairy products, and cut flowers. Such pursuits are attracting growing attention within the mainstream agricultural community. The November issue of Cooperative Farmer has a cover story on "Good Alternatives" that highlights wine grapes, aquaculture, rabbits, cut flowers and market vegetables. The Farm Bureau News for September has a feature on the North Carolina Herb Association and successful herb production. 2. Update on prospects for tobacco farmers. State and or/local officials can speak to the immediate future of allotments and production; the status of negotiations with tobacco companies on a settlement to help producers; and possible formats for astate-administered program to assist tobacco farmers in turning to other crops. 3. County outreach. Orange County recently developed detailed information on the extent to which the benefits of use-value taxation are realized. While sharing this information, farmers can be apprised a tax office review is underway to assure qualifying practices remain in effect. The possibility that tobacco allotments may be taxed by the county could be mentioned as well. The gathering would provide a good opportunity to advance the outreach goals articulated in recent discussions involving creation of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department. A presentation can be made on how conservation easements work, along with testimonials from Jean Earnhardt and Bob Nutter, who are enjoying the benefits of Farmers with concerns about county tax practices also can avail themselves of the presence of John Smith to have their questions answered individually. 4. Rural Education Center. More than a decade has passed since the county livestock market closed and a task force chaired by Steve Halkiotis met to discuss establishment of a Rural Education Center. As originally envisioned, this facility was to include livestock scales still owned by the county, a farmer's market, meeting space, and offices for all agriculture-related departments and services. Creation of the ERC Department intensifies space demands on the building currently shared by Planning, Ag Extension, Soil and Water Conservation, and Environmental Health. Rather than simply resurrect an old idea, the county can ascertain if there is interest within the agricultural community in re-examining the usefulness of a Rural Ed Center, and what services and functions might be included. The Board of County Commissioners will not meet again for a month. Organizing a farm summit will take time, as will publicizing the event. Farmers will increasingly be in the fields as spring approaches, making it difficult to find a convenient date for a meeting. Therefore, with the consent of the Board of Commissioners, staff could be directed to establish a work group to bring back to our meeting on January 19 a proposal for an Orange County Agricultural Summit along lines such as those outlined above. Proposed membership in the work group would include a representative each from the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board, the county extension service, the Economic Development Commission, the Soil and Water Conservation board, and the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chambers of Commerce. Representatives of several of those groups already have been approached regarding this proposal, and reacted favorably. RECOMMENDATION(S): That the Board support the concept of an Orange County Agricultural Summit and instruct the Manager to meet with key agriculture-related department heads and staff to develop a proposed charge, a proposed list of groups to be represented, and a list of potential topics for discussion at a Summit.