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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-12-2007-3ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 12, 2007 Action Agend~~ Item No. SUBJECT: W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility DEPARTMENT: Gooperative Extension Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): June 29, 2006 Letter to NCSU Breeze Farm Timeline /Conceptual Plan Orange County Incubator Project Timeline /Project Description INFORMATION CONTACT: Fletcher Barber, 245-2050 Dianne Reid, 245-2326 Noah Ranells, 245-2330 PURPOSE: To share information and project status for two programs related to farming and the agricultural community. BACKGROUND: A longtime farm family patriarch, Colonel William Breeze, and his family donated land to NC State University (NCSU) with a desire to see the land used to explore local options for organic and sustainable farming practices and enterprises. A second property donated by the Woods family was joined with the Breeze property to form a contiguous 270 acre farm. Following a 2006 dedication of the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility by the Dean of the College of Agriculture & Life Science (GALS), a County committee developed a conceptual plan for the property. In October 2006, GALS administrators for extension and research met with County representatives in Hillsborough to review the plan. Based upon that meeting, a joint Orange County-GALS committee was formed to develop the conceptual plan. Early in 2007, two farm walkabout events were scheduled to allow NCSU- CALS Extension Specialists and other interested parties to assess the farm for their program needs in the context of the conceptual plan. A draft Master Plan will be developed in March. During the same timeframe, a Farm Enterprise Incubator program and a Farm Linkage effort have explored opportunities for revitalizing agricultural activity in Orange County through training and affordable land and equipment to ag entrepreneurs. The Farm Linkage program focuses on attracting new farmers and enterprises from folks not raised in a farming community or currently not farming, with emphasis on underrepresented groups. Initial efforts indicate interest from the Hispanic and Chinese communities. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. Future activities related to this project may require financial resources. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the programs and provide guidance. 29 June 2006 Memorandum To: Johnny C. Wynne, Dean, College of Agriculture & Life Science (GALS), NC State Univ. Roger Crickenberger, Associate Director of Research, GALS, NC State Univ Jon Ort, Associate Dean & Director, GALS, NC State Univ From: Barry Jacobs Fletcher Barber Dianne Reid Brent Bogue Dave Stancil Phyllis Ruth Chair, Orange County Board of County Commissioners Orange County Cooperative Extension Orange County Economic Development Commission Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District / NRCS Orange County Environment & Resource Conservation Department Orange County Farm Service Agency The Piedmont Region is fortunate to have the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility in centrally located Orange County. Orange County government and citizens welcome the opportunity to host the facility and express enthusiastic support for strong partnerships with NC State University to develop programs that benefit longtime farm families, beginning & limited resource farmers, as well as all citizens in Orange and neighboring counties in the Piedmont Region. Upon your request, Orange County staff developed an outline of program opportunities that appear suitable to the site. With 269 acres, some of the acreage may be considered for certified organic production, while other areas can be managed to meet sustainability goals. In general, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (GEES) appears to be a suitable `host' within the NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for most if not all components of the program opportunities listed below. Furthermore, the CEFS mission to enhance sustainable and organic agriculture seems to be consistent with the Breeze family motivation for transferring the farm to NC State with the stated purpose to address needs for sustainable and organic farming. As a group of public servants, we remain enthusiastically committed to maintaining and growing local agricultural enterprise development through partnership with NC State University. We look forward to the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss opportunities for how the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility can provide creative and innovative approaches to invigorate agriculture and farming in the Piedmont Region. Cc Donald Cobb Timeline WC Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility 2004 Colonel Breeze donates 169 acres and a $860,000 charitable remainder trust to NC Ag Foundation 2005 Breeze Farm and Woods Farm recombined to a total of 270 acres 2006 April 7 NC State University -College of Agriculture & Life Science (GALS) Dean Johnny Wynne dedicated the facility and requests that Orange County~develop concept plan 2006 April to October Interagency effort led by Orange County Cooperative Extension develops conceptual plan for Breeze Farm 2006 October 5 Joint meeting of GALS administrators and Orange County staff and commissioner held in Orange County to discuss conceptual plan; Consensus to pursue conceptual plan with a small planning committee with GALS appointed staff 2006 November Breeze Farm Committee begins planning process 2007 January 18 Farm walkabouts with GALS Extension Specialists for input February 8 to Master Plan _ 2007 February 12 BOCC worksession 2007 March Draft Master Plan Outline W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility Page 1 of 4 5 CONCEPTUAL PLAN W C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility (Modified 4 October 2006) Objectives 1. Develop and implement agriculturally innovative, environmentally sound, and economically viable enterprises to invigorate farms, grow local food systems, and strengthen agricultural systems in the Piedmont Region 2. Build on the Breeze Family tradition of support for education and training in productive agricultural activities at NC State University 3. Provide a venue for NC State University sponsored agricultural research programs as well as local initiatives and activities conducted by county and regional ag professionals Develop Local Farm Economy -Program Opportunities Farm Enterprise Incubator /Farmer Apprentice Program a. Business training and enterprise budget development, as well as Agronomic & Horticultural training that includes principles and practice of certified organic and sustainable agriculture b. FarmLink program within county for graduate placement; Collaborative relationship with NC Farm Transition Network; Special focus on immigrant communities and their needs; c. Farm equipment available at an hourly or daily rate to participating farmers; Shared office space and equipment 2. Shared-Use, Value-Added Processing for Local Farm Products a. Focus on local farm products for value added opportunities primarily for local consumption b. Location of facility to complement activities at the Breeze Farm, but may be physically located on a site with municipal sewer and water. c. Training program on licensures and certifications for added value processing d. With appropriate training, consumer use of facility to encourage purchase of local products and their preservation by local consumers e. Equipment for value added product development for use by participating farmers Existing and Diversifying Farm Enterprises -Program Opportunities 1. 4-H, FFA, & Youth a. Livestock exhibition facility for annual Piedmont Livestock Show, as well as new opportunities for marketing of feeder calves, Iambs, and goats b. Resource for local, county, and regional 4-H & youth events c. Environmental education component & trails 2. Forage, Grasslands, & Grains a. Interactive demonstration area for grazing technology including new cultivars, fencing, and waterers used in beef cattle, dairy, sheep, sheep, goat, and pig pasture-based operations b. Collaborative applied research on pasture management, multispecies grazing, forage quality, and grass-fed meat products c. Biofuel crop plot areas d. Demonstration plot areas for various new forage cultivars 3. Fruits & Berries a. Demonstration areas for appropriate species &cultivars for the Piedmont b. Focus on heirloom fruits c. Regionally appropriate research on innovative production techniques and cultivar suitability W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility Page 2 of 4 Co Facility Considerations Overview a. Multipurpose facilities to maximize use b. Integrated energy efficient technology in all aspects of facility including buildings that utilize passive solar construction methods as well as wind and photovoltaic technology c. Potential partnership between Orange County and NCSU College of Agriculture & Life Science to develop collaborative activities at other County owned properties 2. Possible Buildings a. Research & Extension support facility i) 5 staff & 2 labs ii) small conference room b. County Ag Center i) 40 staff ii) Large meeting room (300 to 750 person capacity) c. Regional agricultural exhibition facility (500 person capacity) 3. Funding a. NC legislative appropriations b. US federal appropriations c. NRCS / FSA d. County /Regional Clientele Served 1. Traditional multi-generational Piedmont farm families 2. Metropolitan and suburban consumers 3. Mid-career new farmers 4. Immigrants with agricultural skills 5. Multicultural consumers 6. Beginning and limited resource farmers 7. Farmers' Markets 8. Restaurants & Caterers 9. Local retail grocers W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility Page 3 of 4 Staff 1. Existing staff to partially support new initiatives a. Cooperative Extension Service b. Economic Development Commission c. Environment & Resource Conservation d. Farm Services Agency e. Forest Resources f. Rural Development g. Soil & Water Conservation District /Natural Resources Conservation Service 2. Possible new staff to be assigned to new initiatives a. Orange County i) Extension agent position for transitioning, beginning, & limited resource farmer outreach; including immigrant farmers b. NC State University CALS i) Site administration ii) Ag Technicians /Assistants c. NC A & T State University i) Extension small farms technician position 3. Collaborating Agencies a. Carolina Farm Stewardship Association b. Fish & Wildlife Service c. NCSU Value Added & Alternative Agriculture Center d. NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services e. NC Wildlife Resources Commission f. Piedmont Conservation Council (RC & D) g. Various agricultural & natural resources NGO's Moving Forward Short Term (0 to 1 year) a. Active land leases? Termination date(s) of lease(s)? b. Available utilities? c. Site Development i) Master Plan Committee ii) Initiate possible components of farm enterprise incubator program iii) Temporary /Initial infrastructure (1) Irrigation (2) Equipment (3) Secure equipment shed iv) Planting of fruit trees and brambles v) Use of site for environmental education programs vi) Civic and community group work-days 2. Medium Term (1 to 3 years) a. Refine site plans b. Obtain necessary funding 3. Long Term (3 to 8 years) a. Construction of facilities W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility Page 4 of 4 Timeline Orange County Farm Enterprise Incubator /Farm Linkage Projects 2005 November Intervale ~www.intervale.org/), a farm Incubator from Vermont, presents information at Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Durham to standing room only crowd 2006 May 15 Farm Linkage Program meeting; Dilys Bowman / EI Centro Latino report shared with committee 2006 July 20 EI Centro Latino Focus group to gauge ag interest 2006 October 5 Farm enterprise incubator discussed in context of the Breeze Farm at joint meeting of CALS administrators and. Orange County staff and commissioner held in Orange County to discuss conceptual plan; Consensus to pursue . conceptual plan with a small planning committee with CALS appointed staff 2007 January 16 Farm Linkage Program meeting in Hillsborough 2007 January 30 Farm Enterprise Incubator meeting in Hillsborough 2007 February 12 BOCC worksession 2007 April . Farmers' Market tours with Hispanic community members and Chinese community members 2007 April Piedmont Farm Tour vanpool with Hispanic community members and Chinese community members Farm Linkage Program group members include Orange County Staff and community members Farm Enterprise Incubator group members represent Cooperative Extension, Economic Development Commission, and NC State University Farm Incubator/Farm Linkage Page 1 of 3 Orange County Farm Enterprise Incubator Draft Project Description Modified 6 February 2007 A farm enterprise incubator program is envisioned for Orange County and may be located at the WC Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Facility, an NC State University owned property at the intersection of Walnut Grove Church Road and Schley Road, ~5 miles north of Hillsborough. The goal of the incubator program is provide a forum for individuals to critically evaluate their desire to farm, with a strong emphasis on economic viability. Assistance will be provided through a formalized training program that provides land, equipment, and production knowledge, and offers guidance in the development of a farm management plan. We also envision the program as a tool to reinvigorate farming in Orange County. Rationale The great diversity of agricultural operations in Orange County provides all residents with a. rural character and quality of life that is unique. However, external forces are changing the economic viability of traditional Orange County agricultural enterprises. One critical force that is challenging these enterprises is development pressure in'the county. Those pressures have increased the value of all land, including farm acreage. As a result, future decisions to farm will be as much a business decision as a lifestyle one. To minimize the possible loss of capital investment, especially when the financial repercussions also .include the loss of precious agricultural land, the incubator project will offer focused training programs through the local Cooperative Extension Service, with assistance from area community colleges and agencies. A second critical force is the increasing age of current farmers. The average age of landholders in North Carolina is 56, and many farmers in this age group are retiring from active production. Unlike previous generations, when children assumed farm operation responsibilities once they became adults,. many of the children of today's farmers have chosen not to return to agriculture. However, available data indicates that young adults in the 20 to 35 age group (many of which do not have farming background) have an interest in agriculture, particularly as it relates to organically- and locally-grown crops. In addition, there are a growing number of mid-career individuals who are seeking to begin farm related enterprises. Since many of these new, potential farmers have little or no agricultural experience, the incubator project will include afarmer/mentor as part of the training and. assistance program. Farm Incubator/Farm Linkage Page 2 of 3 ~~ Basic Components Provided by the Incubator Program 1. Educational Training (a) business skills (b) agricultural techniques, including land preparation, crop planning, seed selection, pest control, as well as equipment use and maintenance (c) instruction in horticulture, agronomy, and livestock (d) hands-on experiences to reinforce classroom instruction (e) instruction in developing a business plan Experience with incubator programs in other states demonstrates that these requirements improve the chances for participants' overall success. The mentor's assistance includes both technical and business guidance, and will be available to the participants throughout the duration of their involvement in the project. 2. Land Parcels of production land in half-acre increments will be provided at reasonable rates to apprentice farmers. 3. Equipment Basic equipment will be provided at reasonable rental cost to program participants. Equipment will include mechanized basic irrigation and land preparation equipment, as well as a variety of hand tools. A walk in cooler may also be available. All equipment options will be evaluated for energy efficiency and performance prior to purchase or rental. Participant Responsibilities 1. Training Apprentices must complete the training in a satisfactory manner. Completion of a business plan is required before participants can obtain parcels of land and use equipment unsupervised. 2. Equipment All equipment and shared materials are to be responsibly used. All inoperable equipment is to be reported immediately. Equipment rental fees will be part of the business plan. 3. Land Participants can request land in half-acre increments. hand lease fees will be part of the business plan. Next steps 1. Develop application materials 2. Develop course outlines with specific course coordinating teams. 3. Get formal land commitment from NC CAL.S (Mac McNeill) 4. Outline equipment needs /services and costs 5. Obtain Equipment /Services 6. Develop financing options for participants /loan pool 7. Develop project budget and target number of participants. Farm Incubator /Farm Linkage Page 3 of 3