HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachments for January 17, 2025 BOCC Retreat ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Overview of Services — 2025
Housing
2
Affordable Housing Low-income residents pay no more than 30%of income on housing costs(rent/mortgage+ utilities)
AMI—Area Median Income In 2024 in the Durham/Chapel Hill metro area, this is $105,900 for a family of four
Low-income 80%of AMI —$84,700 for a family of four; $59,300 for a single person
Very low income 50%of AMI —$52,950 for a family of four; $37,100 for a single person
Extremely low income 30%of AMI —$31,750 for a family of four; $22,250 for a single person
FMR—Fair Market Rent Calculated annually by HUD, for 2025 Durham/CH it is $1,637 for a 1 BR, $1,872 for 2BR, and $2,334 for 3BR
CoC—Continuum of Care HUD Definition: "A community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of
people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to
end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness."
OCPEH The CoC for Orange County: Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
HOME Committee Collaborative partnership operated by OCPEH in which area service providers meet twice monthly to discuss
clients and refer for services
Transitional Housing Temporary housing with supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, with the goal
of interim stability and support to successfully move to and maintain permanent housing.A client in transitional
housing is still considered homeless and not in a form of permanent housing. An example is IFC's shelter, which
can be from 90 days to 1 year.
PSH - Permanent Supportive Combines rental assistance with voluntary supportive services to address the needs of chronically homeless
Housing people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills, and connect people with
community-based health care, treatment and employment services.
Rapid Rehousing A program offering housing search, move-in and rental assistance along with case management, on a temporary
basis(no longer than 2 years). The goal is to quickly re-house someone who recently became unsheltered and
transition them to more permanent housing.
Housing First A policy that advocates unconditional, permanent housing as quickly as possible to homeless people, and other
supportive services afterward (House first, add supportive services later). Rapid Rehousing is an example of a
Housing First program.
HCV—Housing Choice The modern name for Section 8 rental assistance program serving"very low income" residents
Voucher
OCAHC—Orange County A group of area agencies working on affordable housing from all angles: development, acquisition, rehabilitation,
Affordable Housing Coalition rental assistance, and homelessness
OCHPC—Orange County A group operating out of UNC's Community Practice Lab(CPL)which coordinates repair and rehabilitation
Home Preservation Coalition applications from low-income residents and refers them to participating community partners.
AHAB—Affordable Housing Volunteer advisory board which advises the Board of County Commissioners on affordable housing priorities for
Advisory Board the county.
3
Housing Department has 4 divisions comprised
of 16 programs (number of staff in parentheses)
• PEH/CoC Community Legal Services OCHA
Development SOHRAD Street Outreach,
Harm Reduction and
Deflection
HousingRepair & RRH Rapid Rehousing
HelplinRehab (2.5) EDP (2) HCV (6) SOAR SSI/SSDI Outreach,
(3.5)
� Access and Recovery
LHA Longtime Homeowner
SOHRAD HOME (1) EHA(1) goad Assistance
(3.5)
EDP Eviction Diversion
Program
Housing LHA (0.5) CRP (2) EHA Emergency Housing
Access (1) Assistance
CRP Civil Rights Program
(
RRH (2.5) AHAB Fair Housing)
OCHA Orange County
Housing Authority
Bond/CIP
SOAR (1� (0.5)
ORANGE COUNTY
Cold ► HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Weather
4
Housing Director
6'dake�Rosser - - " - - _ _ _ 6usinessMficerll
OPEN Manager - ' -
Dr�nlelie8utier -,-.- AlexA'rtherrstein
Grants Coordinator
Housing Access Coordinator ` Vcacan t
Chrrstapherlackson 001H Coordinator
Vacant
NCV Manager LS Manager Cp Manager Administrative Assistant II
Housing Helpline& Rapid Rehousing Case Mgr. AlydoOrnrvn Pyanfvans AaronRimmler-Cohen dtarrelysDukes smalro
Outreach Coordinator Vacant
Vacant HCV Specialist EDP Expeditor Rehab Specialist 11 Temporarg4tlice Assistant
Rapid Rehousing Case Mgr, Alicia SidWry Tama Wes AavrdSaconn Stephanie Fgusnick
Co-ordinatedIn"Specialist 0arrefailerroade2
gat¢lrnChristiana HCV Specialist EHA Case Specialist Rehab Specialist I TemporaryOfficeAssistant
Rapid Rehousing Case Mgr, Alems8attde Komala Cooper Tadd H'ildiarm Patricia Wdlkerson
{oordinatedEntrySpecialist Nkerh+lohnsnn
HCY
Anq�'a CIoDA Spe�alist Civil Rights C+vordinatar CpA.nalyst
Peer Support Navigator SOHRAD laindy A.tester iketvyn,81ackwell Wi11 Hilliard
CaardinatedEntry Specialist DuonFverett
GoAriela Pcdroam HCV Inspector Intake Specialist
Pee rSupport Navigator SOH RAD TimStone llschelCollins
Evelyn McBride
Housing Locator,&Inspector
Peer Support NavigatorSOHRAD detrrcioHorri} key
AnthanylH ORaph U
SOAR Caseworker
Chris llowhnson
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Immagh
- . - Civil Rights Program(Fair Housing) (0.5) Depar tment
Eviction Diversion 2
• Emergency Housing Assistance 1 $450000
Civil Rights Program 2 I
Fun&ng
- . - Housing Choice Voucher 6 $7,000,000
' ' • Client Needs
$16,000 •
HOME Investment Partnership 0.5 $350,000 01v"erview
HOME-ARP $400,000
Urgent Repair Program(NCHFA) $120,000
Essential Single Family Rehabilitation (NCHFA) $160,000
• Longtime Homeowner Assistance $250,000
Bond/CIP $1,666,667
• Emergency Repair Fund (Fee-funded)
Urgent Repair Program 2 $40,000
Administration 2
Housing Helpline 2.5
• Rapid Rehousing 1.5 $250,000
Administration 0.2
Cold Weather Cots $30,000 *OCPEH consists of contributions
Bridge Housing $95,000 from four OC municipalities broken
Landlord Incentives $20,000 down in the following proportions:
Permanent Supportive Housing $150,000
• 39.7% - Chapel Hill
OCPEH SSI/SSRI Outreach,Access,and Recovery 1 ' 39.5% - Orange County
• 14.3% - Carrboro
Rapid Rehousing 1 • 6.5% - Hillsborough
Street Outreach,Harm Reduction and Deflection 4
Housing Helpline 0.5
Jol Rapid Rehousing 0.5 **Administrative personnel includes
Housing Access Coordinator 1 Director(partial), Business Officer,
Bridge Housing $148,000 Grants Coordinator, and 2
Administration 1.625 Administrative Assistant equivalents
Administration • Administrative Personnel" <5
n
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Legal Services
Emergency Housing Assistance. Application- and income-
based service to assist with housing costs. Apply online or in-
person . Only assists those earning 30% AMI and below, and
facing eviction or experiencing "Life Changing Events" that
impact ability to pay rent.
Ryan Evans RA
Legal Services Manager ,ni�
wDEPARTMENT
ryevans
• • • - • • •
Legal Services
Eviction Diversion Program. Legal advice about
housing issues. Representation in court if a landlord has
already filed an eviction case in small claims court
Civil Rights Program . Investigation into any civil rights
violations with respect to federal and local Fair Housing,
Public Accommodation and Civil Rights ordinances
Ryan Evans RA
Legal Services Manager ,ni�
wDEPARTMENT
ryevans
• • • - • • •
9
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
Housing For All, Objective 2 : Address need and
any policy barriers to increase access to
emergency shelter beds and other low-barrier
housing including eviction diversion .
Healthy Community, Objective 7 : Invest in
services and programs that improve the health
and quality of life of the community (Civil
Rights Program )
ORANGE COUNTY
Q HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Legal Services — Performance
Measures
ategorij, .
i
Avg. Assistance Amount $4, 179
Avg. Monthly Expense $50, 149
Avg. Time to Process 31 days
Households assisted with Life-Changing 35
Event (LCE)
Households assisted with Court Summons 37
Number of LCE Households assisted prior 12
to eviction
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNT'
Legal Services Manager 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@orangecou ntync.gov
Clients from MM of • ,
Total EDP Clients Served 468
Repeat Court Summons* + No EHA 48 10.3% (10.7%)
Repeat Summons + Received EHA 21 4.5% (6.8%)
Total Repeat Court Summons (With 69 14.7% (17.5%)
and without EHA)
Ryan Evans ORANGE COUNT'
Legal Services Manager 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
ryevans@orangecou ntync.gov
Legal Services — Performance
Measures
• 134 applications received Oct-Dec
• 107 Denials
• Documentation/LCE: 22
• Over-income: 27
• Avg AMI for denied applications was 46%, range was 33% to 64% (13
denials)
• Outside OC: 11
• Property refused: 15
• Court case already decided: 21
• Fraud: 8
• 3 Landlords have accepted partial payments (2 complexes, 1 private). Three have
declined, and most have said they will review but will not accept for now.
Ryan Evans RA
Legal Services Manager n'o�h'
PARTMENT
• • . • • • •
Orange County Housing
Authority (OCHA)
ORANGE CO
OCHA
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). Orange County
Housing Authority (OCHA) operates the federal Section 8
program, serving households at the 50% and below AMI
level . OCHA administers almost 700 vouchers and currently
has over 650 under lease. Program assistance is indefinite
and lasts for as long as the household is income-eligible and
compliant with program rules.
The HCV Waitlist is currently closed to the general public, but
we have tentative plans to open it once more in 2025.
Alycia Brown ORANGE COUNTY
HCV Program Manager
OCHA
OCHA Board. The Orange County Housing Authority
(OCHA) Board oversees the running of all OCHA
programs, chiefly the Housing Choice Voucher
( HCV/Section 8) program, funded by HUD. The
Board monitors all HCV processes and approves
major policy changes and updates. In 2009 the
Board of County Commissioners ( BOCC) appointed a
group of citizens to the OCHA Board . Prior to this
time the BOCC had served in the role of Housing
Authority Board .
16
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
Objective 1 : Allocate predictable funding
sources to contribute or support adding to
affordable housing stock
Objective 6 : Partner with public agencies to
increase opportunities for public employees to
buy and rent homes where they work.
Objective 9 : Increase representation of people
with lived experience on housing related
matters ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
OCHA — Performance Measures
Vouchers Under Lease: 650/687
Subsidy Utilization rate: 100%
2024 HUD Evaluation : "High Performer"
Inspection turnaround : 48 hours
Certification Submission Rate: 98%+
Two program participants on governing board
BrownAlycia ORANGE
18
n
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Community Development
HOME Federal Grant. Approximately $400,000 in
federal funds disbursed annually to our program,
which we then award to applicants for a variety of
activities including:
• New development of affordable housing
• Repair/Acquisition of existing housing
• Homebuyer assistance
• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Affordable Housing Bond. Similar to the above
process but with local funds. .. less strings attached .
Community Development
Urgent Repair and Single Family Rehabilitation. In
collaboration with the Housing Preservation
Coalition, uses state and local funds to preserve
existing affordable housing, allowing residents to
age in place.
Longtime Homeowners Assistance. Another
preservation strategy: reimbursing longtime
homeowners for their increasingly burdensome
property taxes
Community Development
Minimum Housing Code. Our Public Community
Rehabilitation Officer fields and investigates
concerns from citizens about their units'
compliance with local minimum housing code.
Affordable Housing Advisory Board. A citizen
advisory board that recommends policy to the
Board of County Commissioners about how best
to address affordable housing issues in Orange
County.
zz
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced:
Objective 1: Allocate predictable funding sources to contribute
or support adding to affordable housing stock.
Objective 4: Prioritize and select County-owned land and/or
facilities as part of an overall plan of facilities to create crisis,
bridge, low barrier, affordable, and permanent housing
Objective 7: Expand resources and invest in housing designed
for our aging and disabled residents.
Objective 8: Preserve existing housing stock from disrepair and
avoid displacement.
ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Community Development —
Performance Measures
• Number of homes repaired (G3, 08)
• URP: 6
• ESFR: 3
• HOME funds spent (G3, 01): $43,720.45
• Bond/CIP funds spent (G3, 01): $816,814.93
• Trinity Court (Community Housing
Partners)
• LHA applicants assisted (G3, 07): 590
Orange County Partnership to
End Homelessness (OCP H)
ORANGE CO
Intervention : Overview
Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
Coordination
Funding Direct
Service
Danielle Butler
• - 0HOUSING DEPARTMENT
26
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET CH OC CARR. HILLS.
39.70% 39.50% 14.30% 6.50%
Staff/Description Total PORTION PORTION PORTION PORTION
OCPEH Expansion Budget
2.625 FTE: 1 Homeless Programs Manager,
CoC Personnel.625 Homeless Programs Coordinator& 1
Housing Access Coordinator $241,173 $ 95,746 $ 95,263 $ 34,488 $ 15,676
CoC Operations $ 82,460 $ 32,737 $ 32,572 $ 11,792 $ 5,360
SOHRAD Personnel 4.0 FTE: 1 Clinical Coordinator(CJRD), 3 Peer
Street Navigator(OCPEH) $285,516 $ 113,350 $ 112,779 $ 40,829 $ 18,559
SOHRAD Operations $ 37,050 $ 14,709 $ 14,635 $ 5,298 $ 2,408
RRH Personne10.5 FTE $ 33,500 $ 13,300 $ 13,233 $ 4,791 $ 2,178
RRH Operations $ 3,415 $ 1,356 $ 1,349 $ 488 $ 222
2/3 of annual operational costs(OCPEH is
Bridge Housing Operations requesting funding for four of the six beds
available.The two remaining beds will be
funded with support from UNC Health) $ 147,887 $ 58,711 $ 58,415 $ 21,148 $ 9,613
Coordinated Entry Personnel 0.5 FTE $ 34,195 $ 13,575 $ 13,507 $ 4,890 $ 2,223
Coordinated Entry Operations $ 3,415 $ 1,356 $ 1,349 $ 488 $ 222
FY23-24 Fund Balance$70,000 was approved to carry over from
FY22-23 to apply in FY24-25 $(70,000) $ (27,790) $ (27,650) $ (10,010) $ (4,550)
TOTAL EXPANSION BUDGET $798,611 $ 317,048 $ 315,451 $ 114,201 $ 51,910
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET $11893,545.00
Joint Funding ("Expansion Budget") $798,611.00
County Funding ("Local Investments") $309,294.00 ORANGE COUNTYFederal Grants ( OCPEH Grants ) $785,640.00 1
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Local Investments Outside OCPEH 27
Landlord Incentive Program FY 23-24 General Fund Dollars $ 50,000
PSH Funding FY 23-24 General Fund Dollars- Permanent Supportive Housing to IFC $ 150,000
Cold Weather emergency FY 23-24 General Fund Dollars- Part-time as needed for staffing in
overnight shelter accordance with the Community's Inclement Weather Response Plan. $ 14,500
Bridge Housing FY23-24 Social Justice General Fund Dollars $ 94,794
TOTAL LOCAL INVESTMENTS $ 309,294
OCPEH Grants
CoC Grant DV Rapid Re-housing grant transfer(January 0.9 FTE Rapid Re-housing Case Manager
- December 2024) (DV); Rental and utility assistance $ 157,208
CoC Grant Supportive Service Only: Coordinated Entry 2.5 FTE: 2.5 Coordinated Entry (Housing
(October 2023 -September 2024) Helpline) Specialists $ 191,764
CoC Grant Rapid
) Re-housing (November 2023 - October FTE: 2 Rapid Re-housing Case Managers
2024 $ 161,920
Rapid Re-housing (FY 23-24 Year to Date
HOME Grant Rental and utility assistance $ 121 989
spending)
Rapid Re-housing (January 2024 - December 0.5 FTE: 0.5 Rapid Re-housing Case
ESG Annual 2024) Manager $ 43,660
State Fiscal Rapid Re-housing (CPS) (January 2024 -June 0.1 FTE Rapid Re-housing Case Manager;
Recovery Funds 2025) - Rental and utility assistance $ 85,200
CoC Planning (July 2023 -June 2024) .2 FTE: Homeless Programs Coordinator;
Grant (July 2024 -June 2025 - anticipated) Stipends for people with lived experience $ 23,899
TOTAL GRANTS $ 785,640
2024-25 OCPEH BUDGET $1,893,545.00
Joint Funding ("Expansion Budget") $798,611.00
County Funding ("Local Investments") $309,294.00 ORANGE COUNTY
Federal Grants ("OCPEH Grants") $785,640.00 ► HOUSING DEPARTMENT
28
Housing Access Working with landlords to make
• ' •
&A (oordinator units available for people at very
law incomes
• As As -
• 1 1 Short-term rental assistance
Rapid Re-housing Short-term
services
- 1
• Homelessness Supportive service to prevent
Prevention/ homelessness and bring
Housing Stabilization housing stabilization
Street Outreach, Harm Connections to housing and
• • Reduction & Deflection services foreo le living
Partnership with OAC Criminalp p g
unsheltered
Justice Resource Department
Danielle Butler ORANGE COUNTY
OCPEH Manager 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
dabutier@orangecou ntync.gov
OCPEH
Housing Helpline. Front door to all housing services.
Information and referral, application assistance.
Coordinated Entry interviews (homeless system intake) .
919-245.2655 1 nousin help @orangecountync.go,,
In-Person Assistance available:
• Monday (IFC Community Kitchen, 10am-fpm)
• Tuesday/Thursday (Southern Human Services Building, 8:30am-4pm)
Service Providers with any special or urgent requests should directly contact
Housing Helpline Coordinator (currently vacant)
Danielle Butler
• - DEPARTMENT
OCPEH
SOHRAD. The Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and
Deflection program (SOHRAD) connects people experiencing
homelessness in Orange County with housing and services.
Peer support and clinical staff use arelationship-based
model to provide ongoing engagement and case
management for people living unsheltered .
SOHRAD is co-managed by the Orange County Criminal
Justice Resource Department and OCPEH .
OCPEH
SOAR. SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) is a
national program that assists eligible adults who are
experiencing or at risk of homelessness to apply for
SSI/SSDI disability benefits. The program was begun to
help address the low benefit approval rates for people
experiencing homelessness. As of 2017, the approval rate
for applications done through SOAR in North Carolina is
over four times higher than applications completed
outside of SOAR.
OCPEH
Cold Weather Cots. Extra shelter beds provided on
"White Flag" nights (when temperature drops below 32°
Fahrenheit) during the fall and winter.
The shelter runs from 7pm to lam on cold nights, and
serves as overflow for IFC's cold weather beds which are in
operation from November to April .
New location for Winter 2024-25 is at University Baptist
Church, 100 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill
Danielle Butler
• - DEPARTMENT
OCPEH
Landlord Recruitment. A limiting factor is the amount
of landlords with affordable units who are willing to lease
to participants in county programs (such as Rapid
Rehousing or Section 8). We have a dedicated full-time
staff charged with recruiting and retaining landlords, as
well as the following reward programs:
• Landlord Incentive Program : $1,000 signing bonus for new
landlords, and $500 referral bonus to current landlords who
refer associates
• Risk Mitigation Program : Up to $3,000 in compensation for
tenant-caused damages beyond security deposit amount
Christopher
CoordinatorHousing Access DEPARTMENT
OCPEH
OCPEH Leadership Team. The governing body of OCPEH,
which develops and implements policy to prevent and end
homelessness in Orange County.
The vision of OCPEH is that homelessness in Orange
County becomes rare, brief, and one-time . OCPEH was
established by representatives of relevant organizations
within Orange County to carry out the responsibilities set
forth in the HUD CoC Program interim rule (24 CFR Part
include Gaps Analysis 578) .
: w/materials (last
D " 11 But ORANGECOUNiyijwmg� h 03 W I HOUSING DEPARTMENT
0
OCPEH
HOME Committee. Coordinates care and prioritizes housing
resources for households living unsheltered in Orange County.
Ranking on the HOME Committee list is determined using (in
order) : the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision
Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), whether someone is fleeing domestic
violence, length of time homeless, and whether sheltered or
unsheltered . The task force obtains consent forms for each client.
Service providers countywide are involved, from non-profits, DSS
and other county departments, UNC Hospitals, veterans
organizations, law enforcement, private attorneys, and more.
Danielle Butler
• - DEPARTMENT
Intervention : Coordinated Entry
Access
Housing Helpline,
Assessment SOHRAD, SOAR
(VI -SPDAT)
Prioritization
Referral HOME Committee
ORANGE COUNTY
O HOUSING DEPARTMENT
'There Are Different Outcomes Based On Household Heed 37
At risk of
Unstable Housing homelessness
(2+ weeks of secured (Less than 2 weeks of
7�c000l
housing) stable housing OR Jess 4
than 2 weeks experiencing
homelessness) �
Financial Emergency R"ermanent
Assistance Homelessness Response Reusing
Eviction and Diversion Referrals
homelessness
prevention Flexible funding �
via Emergency Housing available
Assistance (EHA) Strucctured
conversation
Legal find other��°
help with HOME
evictions Shelter In-County committee
Shelter
Out of County by name list
Shelter Housing Choice
Fair housing/ o^Om�
Fleeing Vouchers
Discrimination110 Ippo, Domestic Permanent
Violence/ Supportive
ppr Sexual Assault Housing
StableOther Cold' eather Rapid Re-housing
Resources o 1 �Cots �during Veterans programs
winter months Supportive
services
Strategic Plan Objectives advanced: 38
Housing For All (Goal 3)
Objective 2: Address need and any policy barriers to increase access to
emergency shelter beds and other low-barrier housing including eviction
diversion
Objective 3: Invest in permanent supportive housing.
Objective 9: Increase representation of people with lived experience on
housing related matters.
Healthy Community (Goal 2)
Objective 1: Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services
for adults and children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance
use disorder, and intellectual or developmental disability.
Objective 3: Provide social safety net programming and the resources
needed for our most vulnerable community members (e.g., veterans,
unhoused people, foster children, older adults, etc.).
Objective 4: Reduce impacts and barriers for justice-involved children
and adults through deflection, diversion, therapeutic interventions, and
re-entry support, including housing. ORANGE COUNTY
,ni�
0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT
OCPEH — Performance Measures
Number of Households housed: 178 (G3, 02; G2, 03)
Returning to homelessness in 1 year: 7% (1 pt. decrease)
Number of people unhoused: 148 (17% increase)
Nationally: 18%
Chronically Homeless: 26 (8% decrease)
Entering Shelter/Homelessness: 340
First time homeless: 274
(Both Highest Ever)
Median days homeless: 288 (13% decrease)
Median time in shelter: 56 (20% decrease)
INTRAdepartmental
Collaboratl* on
ORANGE CO
HCV serves OCPEH referrals HCV clients receive EDP
from HOME Committee and EHA assistance 41
• • • Legal
HousinRe air &
g p EDP HCV
Helpline HH and Rehab
EDP refer
clients to
each
other EHA -
4SOHRAD HOME CD does repair
work for HCV
homeowners
Housing
Access
HAC recruits landlords
and units for HCV clients
RRH
RRH uses HOME funds
for Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance (TBRA)
ORANGE
C
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
INT Rdepartmental
Collaborati" on
ORANGE CO
43
Planning
OCHPC
HCV/FYI MAP Master Aging
Housing Helpline Plan
HOME Committee
Utility Assistance FYI Foster Youth to
CWC Independence
SOHRAD CWC
CWC Cold Weather
HOUSING
Cots
Emergency L
Services Env. Health LUP Land Use Plan
Minimum Code
LHA Repair/Rehab miiiiiiiiiIiiiii/
SOHRAD
SOAR
pp—
Ir Tax
ORANGE COUNTY
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Orange County Housing Department
300 W. Tryon Street
Hillsborough
and
2501 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill
919-245-2490 1 orangecountync.gov/Housing
RosserBlake ORANGE
45
t
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
FY2025-26 Budget Outlook and
Long- Range Financial Planning
January 17, 2025
Board of Commissioner Retreat
46
Budget Tools and Terminology
— Cost to Continue
• Cost Associated with Continuation of Current Staffing
— Ten (10) Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
• Creates a Ten (10) Year Plan for Capital Expenditures
• Approves Appropriations for Year 1
— Debt Service Model
• Projects Debt Service Requirements and Affordability Measures based on CIP
— Long Range Financial Plan
• Ten (10) Year Operating Budget Projection Model based on Previous Expenditure Trends
• Integrates Debt Service and Operations and Maintenance Costs from CIP
ORANGE COUNTY
r*-;0RT 1[-I CAnOLINA
47
Strategic Plan Alignment
Mission Statement
Orange County is a visionary leader in providing governmental services valued by our community,
beyond those required by law, in an equitable, sustainable, innovative, and efficient way.
Vision Statement
We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together to strengthen our community and
enhance the quality of life for all residents.
ORANGE COUNTY
r*-;ORT H CARf3LINA
48
Strategic Plan Priorities
Environmental Promote sustainability and resiliency across the County and
Protection i and Climate collaborate with our partners to activate our community, protect
Action and preserve our natural resources,
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions_
HealthyCommunity Increase equitable access to care and social safety net
programming to promote the physical, social, and mental well-
being of our community.
Housingfor All Promote equitable and accessible housing and address housing
disparities through policies, partnerships, and collaboration to
create a thriving community-
Multi-modal R Collaborate with our regional partners to expand, integrate/
Transportation connect, and provide accessible public transportation options.
PublicEducation/ Enhance and maintain quality school operations and infrastructure
Learning Community and cultivate lifelong learning.
Diverseand Vibrant Foster an environment that attracts and retains sustainable and
Economy diverse businesses and visitors, employment opportunities,
and diversifies our tax base.
ORANGE COUNTY
4 r*-;C)R-rH CAnOL1114A
49
Countywide Financial Performance
Audited General Fund Revenues and Expenditures
$300.0 $271.5 $ 276.2
$251.2 $269.2
$250.0
$200.0
■ Revenues
$150.0 Expenditures
$100.0
$50.0
$0.0
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Proj
ORANGE COUNTY
5 NORTH CAnOLINA
50
FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Total County Expenditures by Category
Capital Pay-Go
4.7%
Transfers To r I I 1
1.3%
Education CIP and Expiring Grants Personnel Services
36.7 0.2%
Operations
Recurring Capital
■ Education
n Transfer to Debt Service
■Capital Pay-GO
Transfers To
Recurring Capital
0.1% �. CIP and Expiring Grants
ORANGE COUNTY
r*-;0RT 1H CAnOLINA
51
FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
County Expenditures Excluding Education
Operations
. ,
Personnel Services
Y
r*-;ORTH CAnOLI1VA
52
FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Cost to Continue Personnel Assumptions
• Wage Adjustment - $800,000 for each 1%
• Merit Performance Awards — $440,000
• Increase of Employer Health Insurance Contribution - 6.5% $700,000
• Increase of Employer Retirement Contribution Rate - 6% Per LGERS rate stabilization program - $500,000
• Maintain Living Wage
• Right size Overtime - $600,000
• Increase to Retiree Health - 5% at $160,000
• Annualize Library Personnel Costs - $100,000
• Increase Employer Dental Insurance Contribution — 4% at $20,000
ORANGE COUNTY
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FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Potential New Operating Costs
• Support for Existing Operating Costs
- Increased Software as a Service Cost - $500,000 (Financial System Cloud Upgrade + New Programs)
- Bonds and Insurance - $200,000
• Continuation of Enhanced Programming
- Expanded Funding for County Child Care — $750,000
- Expiration of Grant Programs — CARE Team and CJRD Mental Health - $300,000
- Annualized Aging Programming (take out meals and in-home services) - $180,000
- Transfer to Debt Service Fund — pending the size of Spring borrowing
ORANGE COUNTY
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FY 2025-26 Expenditure Budget
Educational Spending Assumptions
• No growth in projected number of students
- November 15th Average Daily Membership was 132 students below budgeted enrollment
• Current Expense - modeling a 3% increase - $3.2 million
- Per pupil expense would grow by $170 per student if enrollment remained at FY2024-25 levels
• Debt service - expected to decrease by $181 ,000 if all planned projects move forward
• Pay-Go for Schools - $10 million (3.15 cents equivalent on tax rate)
• Health and Safety Contracts — modeling a 3% increase - $120,140
ORANGE COUNTY
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Student Enrollment Over Time
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Average Daily Membership
13,000
12,129
121256 12,353 12,203 12017 12,474 12,239 12,355 12,321
12,448,
12,000 1,666 11,740 11,834
11 g
11,343 11,466 11,393
11,219 11,132
(982)
11,000
(87)
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2045-26 Est.
=s-
ORANGE COUNTY
11 r*-;C)RTH CARC}LINA
56
Student Enrollment Over Time
Orange County Schools
Average Daily Membership
8,000
7,698
7,501 7,526 7,551 7,544
7,500 7,420
7,2727 7,299
7,192 7,182 7,122
7,030 7,007 (117) 6,990 6,945
6,954
7,000
(60)
(132) (45)
6,500
6,000
5,500
5,000
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 est
=s-
ORANGE COUNTY
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57
FY2025-26 Education Projections
Expenditure FY2024-25 Modeled 0
Current Expense $108,090,282 $111,332,990 $3,2425,708 Local funding for operating expenses
Capital Pay-Go $3,060,000 $13,121,200 $10,061,200 Recurring Capital + New PayGo
Debt Service $19,182,204 $19,000,277 ($181,927) Principal and interest payments on schooldebt
Health & Safety One School Nurse per Facility
Contracts $4,004,666 $4,124,806 $120,140 One Safety Officer for Middle and High
Schools
TOTAL $134,337,152 $147,579,274 $13,242,122
ORANGE COUNTY
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Per Pupil Allocation
Per Pupil Allocation - Modeled
Total Current Expense Budget $111 ,332,990
Total Countywide Budgeted Students 19,077
Per Pupil Amount $5,836
Each budgeted student funded at the same per pupil amount
IF t MI Budgeted CouV District
ntywide
Distric H,
- . Par Allnrnnfin
CHCCS 11 ,141 mom $5,836 $65,018,653
OCS 7,936 $5,836 $46,314,337
ORANGE COUNTY
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59
Per Pupil Allocation Over Time
County Per Pupil Funding Amount History
$7,000
$6,000 $5,666 $5,836
$5,36
$5,000 $4,808 —
$4,000 S3.698
$3,868 $3,991 $4,165 ,
$2,957 $3,069 $3,200 $3,096 $3,102 $3,167 $3,269
$3,000 —
$2,000 —
$1,000 —
O'b Ooi y0 yy yti y� yA yh y� y1 ti� y0 LO Ly LL Iii R ti� 0a
01 `b O� y0 yv yL y'� yR y� ti0 y� yW y0 LO Ly LL v LDS
,LO ,LOO ,LO .LO .LO ,LO ,LO ,LO ,LO .LO ,LO ,LO ,LO .LO ,LO ,LO O'L ,LO ti��0
F
Change in Per Pupil Allocation
$600.00 $518 46
$500.00
$400.00
$300.00
$200.00 $170.50 174.00 $170.00
$100.00 $65.00
$-
$(100.00) A y ti ti y y y y L L L L Lb o
$(200.00) AM
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O L O
J�
F
60
County Revenue Sources
Total County Revenues by Category
■ Property Tax
F Sales Tax Sales Tax
Intergovernmental
■Charges for Service
________Intergovernmental j
Property Tax 7.5% j
■Other Revenue
Charges for Service ■Transfers In
4.9%
Other Revenue
1.0% m Approp of Fund Balance
®rans
0.2%
Approp of Fund Balance
2.4%
i
ORANGE COUNTY
16 T'.TC)RT I-I CAR0LI14A
61
Property Tax Mechanics
Property Tax Base X Tax Rate = Property Tax Collections
Real and Personal Property $21,713,241,752
Motor Vehicles $1,602,886,809
Total Tax Base FY2024-25 $23,316,128,561
AppliedFY2024-25 Tax Rate
Total Tax Base FY2024-25 $23,316,128,561
Adopted Tax Rate 0.8629
Total Potential Property Tax $201,194,873
Adjustments made for 99.2%collection of real and personal and 99.6%
collection for motor vehicles = $199,640,640
ORANGE COUNTY
17 r*-;C)RT I-I CARC)LINA
62
Impact of the Revaluation
PROPERTY TAX BASE
• New tax base for FY2025-26 based on revaluation and natural growth
• Goal is to value all property in the County to reflect market conditions/market value at the time of
the revaluation
- Completed every 4 years in Orange County
• Preliminary estimated new tax base of approximately $32 billion
- Represents an increase of $8.6 billion or 37% over FY2024-25
ORANGE C(DUNTY
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63
Countywide Revenue Changes
• Budget Assumptions — Tax Base History
Percent Change in Assessed Value
Real, Personal,and Motor Vehicle
$0
7.22%
$o
$0
$0
19.76%
$0
18.60%
$0
12.66%
$o
So o o .91%
u 0.9 o 2.02% 2.46%
.08% 4
$0 1
54% �7 o
FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 2•FY20°20 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026
Est.
Change from Prior Year
ORANGE COUNTY"
19 NORTH CAROLIN.A
64
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
PROPERTY TAX RATE
• County is required to publish but not adopt a "Revenue Neutral Rate"
- The tax rate that would be required to raise the same amount of revenue as the previous year, plus an allowance for
average natural growth rate.
- Current tax rate - 0.8629 cents per $100 of value
• Revenue neutral rate will drop to approximately 0.64 cents
-1Property Tax Base X'Tax Rate = Property Tax Collections
• 2.36% Natural Growth = $4.7 Million
ORANGE COUNTY
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65
Impact of the Revaluation on Individual Property Owners
• Interaction between increased value and tax rate decrease
0 . Est. Rev. Tax Change
Value Neutral Liability from
-
Rate
Pre-Revaluation
Value $ 400,000 0.8629 $ 3,452 Post Revaluation Value $ 450,000 0.64 $ 2,880 $ (572)
Pre-Revaluation $ 400,000 0.8629 $ 3,452 Post Revaluation Value $ 600,000 0.64 $ 3,840 $ 388
Value
ORANGE COUNTY
21 T'.TC)RT 17I CARC}LINA
66
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
PROPERTY TAX REVENUE PROJECTION
• Allowance for average natural growth above revenue neutral collections - 2.36% or $4.7 Million
• No Change in Collections 99.2% for Property, 99.6% for Vehicles
• Total property tax revenue estimated to be $204 Million for FY2025-26 budget model
ORANGE COUNTY
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67
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
SALES TAX TRENDS
® Sales Tax now growing significantly slower than pre-Covid trends.
Annual Growth Rate of OC Sales Tax
18.00%
16.00%
14.00%
12.00%
10.00%
8.00%
6.00%
4.00%
2.00%
0.00%
FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025-YTD
t Per-Capita Sales Tax t Point of Sale Sales Tax — — Per-Capita Pre-Covid Trend — — PoS Pre-Covid Trend
68
FY 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
SALES TAX REVENUE PROJECTION
- Based on a 2% increase from FY 24-25 Budget
- Projecting $917,000 increase from FY2024-25 Budget
- Watch for decreases in Article 44 Hold Harmless Funding
County Medicaid costs could be rising faster than Article 44 sales tax
ORANGE COUNTY
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69
Y 2025-26 Revenue Assumptions
Sales Tax History
$50,000,000 20%
18.4%
$45,000,000 $43,396,780 $42,643,720 $44,139,012 $45,056,012
$40,000,000 14.10 $37,996,379 15%
$35,000,000
$ ,101,943
$30,000,000 $27,844,579 $28,126,263 10%
$25,678,026
$25,000,000 $24,409,044
$20,000,000 5%
$15,000,000
$10,000,000 0%
$5,000,000
$- -5%
FY2016-17 FY2017-18 FY2018-19 FY2019-20 FY2020-21 FY2021-22 FY2022-23 FY2023-24 FY2024-25 Budget FY2025-26 Proj.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
70
FY 2025-26 Budget Guidelines to Departments
• Additional expenditure requests will require reallocation of existing funds or new revenues
• New General Fund positions should come with new revenue or reallocation of existing funds
• Analyze current service levels; review historical spending patterns utilizing Budget versus
Actual reports
• Initiatives will be reviewed with DEI framework and alignment to Strategic Planning Objectives
• Continue to develop interdepartmental and intergovernmental collaboration initiatives
ORANGE COUNTY
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71
LongRange Financial Planning
• New debt service associated with the capital budget and general obligation school bond
• Personnel and Education costs consistently growing at a faster pace than revenues
• New Operating Costs related to upcoming Capital Investments in next 3 years
- $3 million Operating Subsidy for Crisis Diversion Facility
- $800,000 Upgraded Public Safety Software for ES & Sheriff
- $500,000 Staffing new Emergency Services Substation in Chapel Hill
ORANGE COUNTY
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Ten Year Capital Investment Plan
Projected Capital Expenditures
(in millions $)
$120.0
$110.0 $110.0 $110.0
$100.0
$80.0
$70.4
$60.0
$40.0 $37.6
$31.3
For $22.6 $22.9 $23. $23.6 $23.9 $24. $24.5 $24.9
$20.0 $19.6
$16.2 $16.9 $15.616.2
$14.3 $10.0 $12. $13�14 $10. $10.0 $10.0 $9.7 $10.0 $13 8
$9.0 $10.0
$N111$110,0
$ $0 1
FY25-26 FY26-27 FY27-28 FY28-29 FY29-30 FY30-31 FY31-32 FY32-33 FY33-34
■ Base County CIP ■ Major County Projects Base School CIP ■School Bond
73
Projected Future Debt Impact
Debt Model anticipates significant increases over the next 5 years
Size and timing of tax increases are highly variable, based on timing of current projects and
upcoming school projects
Year Debt to AV DS to GF Revenues Tax Rate Equivalent
2026 1.31% 11.80% 0.11
2027 1.57% 14.18% 3.25
2028 1.68% 14.73% 0.68
2029 1.93% 16.60% 2.29
2030 1.73% 17.87% 1.52
2031 1.65% 19.01% 1.44
2032 1.83% 18.27% -
2033 1.70% 18.75% -
2034 1.46% 19.06% -
2035 1.33% 18.19% -
9.29�
Total Impact E COUNTY
NORTH CARC)LINA
74
LongRange Financial Model
GENERAL FUND SUMMARY FORECAST
Actual Original Projected Projected Projected
2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
($ in Thousands)
Property Tax 193,179 201,999 206,746 211,040 215,425
Sales Tax 42,644 44,139 45,057 46,605 48,213
Intergovernmental 20,541 22,018 22,639 23,279 23,938
Charges for Service 13,912 15,104 14,851 15,103 15,361
Other Revenue 6,242 3,044 2,999 3,007 3,015
Transfers In 1,508 1,006 653 116 120
Approp of Fund Balance - 7,100 7,313 7,532 7,758
Total Revenues 278,024 294,410 300,259 306,682 313,830
Personnel Services 94,558 102,975 108,326 112,185 116,279
Operations 35,658 35,858 37,816 38,768 39,716
Recurring Capital 566 194 198 202 206
Education 104,038 113,115 116,507 119,999 123,597
Contribs. to Other Agencies 2,171 2,511 2,535 2,561 2,587
Transfers To (Including Debt) 39,236 39,757 51,332 63,494 67,629
O&M Impact from CIP - 0 652 5,104 5,378
Total Expenditures 276,228 294,410 317,366 342,314 355,394
Net Annual Rev (Exp) 1,796 (0) (17,107) (35,632) (41,564)
Gap to Close 0 17,107 35,632 41,564
ORANGE COUNTY
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75
Federal Funding
• County receives over $20 million in ongoing federal support
• Over $235 million in federal benefits are also provided directly to residents and childcare
centers that benefit the local leepartment Federal Amo
Aging $533,005
Child Support Services $1,480,632
DEAPR $28,651
Emergency Services $3,283
Health $1,014,017
Housing $8,027,923
Social Services $9,334,625
Transportation $212,736
TOTAL $20,634,872 ORANGE COUNTY
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Federal FundingA in- Aging
g
Federal Grantor/Program Title Program Description Federal
Expenditures
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Mobility Grant provides rides for community members and includes a volunteer driver $102,004
Disabilities program. Grant supports staff position as well.
Home and Community Care Block Grant-Access Grant provides in-home services, and other support services to remain independent. $201,280
In Home Support Services Grant also supports county positions.
Special Programs for the Aging -Title III Part C- Congregate meals provided by caterer five days a week. Grant also supports county $142,156
Nutrition positions.
s
ORANGE COUNTY
r*-;0RT 1[-L CAnOLINA
77
Federal Funding — Child Support
Federal Grantor/Program Title Program Description Federal
Expenditures
Child Support Enforcement Funds represent a reimbursement of administrative costs. $1,480,632
s_
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLIP4A
78
Federal FundingHousing-
Federal Grantor/Program Title Program Description
Provides funding for street outreach, emergency shelter,
Emergency Solutions Grant Program homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and data $89,688
collection.
Provides formula grants to fund the building, buying, and rehabilitation
HOME Investment Partnership Program of affordable housing for rent/ownership. Funds can also be used for $429,496
rental assistance to low-income people.
Funds are used to provide permanent housing, transitional housing,
Continuum of Care Program supportive services, data collection, and homelessness prevention. $359,745
Grant also supports county positions that provide these services.
Rent subsidies to low-income families. Most of this funding goes
Housing Choice Vouchers directly to residents. Funds also supports county positions that provide $7,148,994
these services.
ORANGE COUNTY
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79
Federal Funding — Social Services
Federal Grantor/Program Title Program Description Federal
Expenditures
Food and Nutrition Services (or Food Stamps)for low-income residents to
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchase food. Funds represent just the administrative cost to the county to $2,216,817
manage this program.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act(WIOA) WIOA grant provides workforce training, education and support. Grant also $160,989
supports county positions that provide these services.
Medicaid provides low-income individuals and families access to health
Medical Assistance-Administration insurance. Grant Funds represent just the administrative cost to the county to $3,097,462
manage this program.
Grant provides in-home services, case management,family planning counseling
Social Service Block Grant and guardianship. Grant also supports county positions that provide these $395,866
services.
Child Care Development Fund-Administration This grant provides county funding to manage the Child Care Subsidy Program. $276,021
This just represents the administrative costs to the county.
ORANGE COUNTY
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80
Federal Funding — Social Services
Grantor/ProgramFederal . . Description
Expenditures
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF) program is designed to help families
TAN F-Work First Admin and Services with children experiencing low-income achieve economic security and stability. Provides $1,005,157
employment services, child welfare and child-care. Grant also supports county positions.
ME CPS CPS ME provides services to address and identify child maltreatment issues in serious risk $97,386
of foster care placement. Grant also supports county positions.
Provides funding for allowable pre-placement administrative activities for eligible children
ME Foster Care determined to be at imminent risk of removal who, absent effective provision of preventive 1,161,535
services, would be placed in foster care. Grant also supports county positions.
ORANGE COUNTY
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81
Federal Funding — Social Services
Federal Grantor/Program Title Program Description Federal
LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs
associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and
Low Income Home Energy Administration minor energy-related home repairs. This grant represents administrative $104,301
costs of managing the program.
The Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model is a child-centered local
service delivery and state payment model that aims to reduce
Integrated Care for Kids Model expenditures and improve the quality of care for children under 21 years $108,179
of age covered by Medicaid through prevention, early identification, and
treatment of behavioral and physical health needs.
ORANGE COUNTY
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82
Federal Funding — Transportation
Grantor/ProgramFederal
Program Description
The Formula Grants for Rural Areas program provides capital,
Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit planning, and operating assistance to states to support public $198,035
Program(5311 Admin)
transportation in rural areas.
ORANGE COUNTY
r*-;0RT 1[-I CAnOLINA
83
Federal Funding — Social Services
• County residents and childcare centers also receive federal funds/benefits directly
Program
Medicaid Benefits $205,454,830
Food and Nutrition Service Benefits $21,986,484
Crisis Intervention Program —
Assistance with Heating and Cooling costs $230,278
Low Income Energy Assistance Benefits $520,792
Child Care Subsidy $6,821,392
ORANGE COUNTY
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84
FY 2025-26 Budget Calendar of Events
Department Director Guidelines Presentation January 9
Operating Budget Kickoff meetings January 9-10
FY2025-26 Budget Submission Deadline February 21
Meeting w/Outside Agencies and Related Mid to Late-March
Department Directors
County Manager Meeting w/Department Directors Mid-March to
Early April
County Manager Meeting w/Fire Districts 17arly April
BOCC Joint Meeting w/Boards of Education April 29
Presentation of FY2025-26 Recommended Budget May 6 i= _
ORANGE COUNTY
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85
FY 2025-26 Calendar of Events
Budget and Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Public May 13 & May 2
Hearings
Schools and Outside Agencies Work Session May 15
Fire District, Public Safety, and Human Services May 22
Work Session
Support Services, General Government, May 27
Community Services, and Durham Tech Work
Session
Budget Amendments and Resolution of Intent to June 5
Adopt
FY2025-26 Operating and CIP Budget Adoption June 17
ORANGE COUNTY
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86
Orange County Agricultural
Economy Update
January 17, 2025
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Retreat
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
87
Presentation Overview
1. Profile of the Current Agricultural Economy
a. Farms- Small, Medium, Large g.
b. Farm Statistics
C. Farmer Demographics
d. Products & Revenue
2. Community Needs
a. Food Insecurity
b. Ag Preservation Survey Results
C. Ag Summit Survey Results
3. Orange County Programming Overview
4. Regional Collaborations
5. Future Planning and Opportunities ►
Profile of the Current AgricuLturaL
Economy
r�
n
r
ti d
n
w i �
r
RCENSUSOF
AGRICULTURE County Profile
2022 USDA
Ag Census: - A
Orange County
North Carolina
Orange Total and Per Farm Overview,2022 and change since 2017 (Z) Percent of state agriculture
sales
%change
County2022 since 2017 Share of Sales by Type(%)
Number of farms 687 0 Crops 54
Land in farms(acres) 53,068 -24
Livestock,poultry,and products 46
Summary Average size of farm(acres) 77 -24
Total ($) Land in Farms by Use(acres)
Market value of products sold 32,449,000 -14
Government payments 263,000 -39 Cropland 20,783
Pastureland 10,337
Farm-related income 2,713,000 -30 Woodland 16,911
Total farm production expenses 32,914,000 -4 Other 5,037
Net cash farm income 2,511,000 -67
Acres irrigated:769
Per farm average N 1%of land in farms
Market value of products sold 47,233 -14
Government payments a 6,569 +96 Land Use Practices(%of farms)
Farm-related income 3 11,029 -35
Total farm production expenses 47,909 -4 No till 13
Net cash farm income 3,655 -67 Reduced till 6
Intensive till 13
90
Producers d 1,199 Percent of farms that: Top Crops in Acres
Sex Forage(haylhaylage),all 8,330
Male 734 Have Internet Q Q Soybeans for beans 3,266
Female 465 access v v Corn for grain 2,752
2022 U A Wheat for grain,all 560
(f Age Tobacco 184
S <35 117 Farm
35—64 613 organically
65 and older 469
Census : Race Sell directly toO Livestock Inventory(Dec 31,2022)
American Indian/Alaska Native 11 consumers
Asian 8 Broilers and other
Black or African American 47 meat-type chickens 1,082
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander - Hire Cattle and calves 6,271
White 1,110 farm labor 25 Goats 507
More than one race 23 Hogs and pigs 439
Orange Horses and ponies 1,000
Other characteristics Layers 200,291
Are family
Hispanic,Latino,Spanish origin 29 94 Pullets 1,168
t With military service 90 farms Sheep and Iambs 1,217
Coun {.y New and beginning farmers 474 Turkeys 205
a Average per farm receiving.b May not add to 100%due to rounding.C Among counties whose rank can be displayed.d Data collected for a maximum
Summary of four producers per farm.a Crop commodity names may be shortened;see full names at www.nass.usda.govtgolcropnames.pdf.r Position below the
line does not indicate rank.(D)Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.(NA)Not available.(Z)Less than half of the unit shown.(-)
Represents zero.
(cont'd) USDA is an equal opportunity provider,employer,and lender. -A
91
ECONOMIC
• Agriculture and Agribusiness,
includingCONTRIBUTION the farming, processing, wholesaling
NORTH CAROLINA
and retailing of food, natural fiber and forestry ,
products, accounted for$91.8 billion of value
AGRICULTURE
ss , , added to the North Carolina economy.'
AGRIBUSINESS THAT'S 17.1 CELTS
OF EVERY DOLLAR.
1.Value-added is the sum of the returns to factors of production
NC STATE in the state and includes employee compensation,proprietary
UNIVERSITY income,other property-type income,and indirect business taxes.
College of Agriculture Source:Agriculture and Agribusiness in North Carolina,Dr.Michael
and life Sciences L Walden,NC State University,May 2019.Data are for 2017.
2
92
Statewide Dollar
Multiplier(total new Statewide Jobs Farm
Market spending in the state Multiplier(total new DollarSector Multiplier Multiplier
Value of per$1 of employment in state Beef cattle 2.24 11.2
Orange additional product per$1 million
County output using North additional product Cotton 2.02 12.0
Products Carolina inputs output using North Dairy 2.32 8.3
Sold (value-added)) Carolina inputs) Fruit 2.40 ;
Beef Cattle $2,362,000 2.24 Grains 19.12 11.8
Cotton $0 2.02 12.00 Greenhouses
Dairy D 2.32 8.30 and
nurseries
Fruit $1,064,000 2.40 24.80 Oilseeds 2.05
Grains $3,452,000 19.12 11.80 Poultry and eggs
Greenhouses& Nurseries $7,026,000 1.95 15.20 Timber 1.7 20.8
Oilseeds $1,600,000 2.05 7.70 ••, • 2.22 ,
Poultry& Eggs $11,132,000 2.65 5.70 Tree nuts 2.44 17.5
Timber $3,379,857 1.70 20.80 Vegetables 2.07 13.5
Tobacco $811,000 2.22 14.10 and _ •
ns
Tree Nuts D 2.44 17.50 • _
Vegetables& Melon $2,110,000 2.07 13.50 production
animal
Other Animal $1,407,000 1.71 14.50 Other crops 2.46 24.7
Other Crops $3,085,000 2.46 24.70
13
$37,428,857
North Carolina statewide data from Agriculture and Agribusiness in North
Calculations for Orange County based on 2022 USDA Ag Census market value data Carolina,Dr.Michael L.Walden,NC State University,May 2019.Data are for 2017.
and:Agriculture and Agribusiness in North Carolina,Dr.Michael L.Walden,NC
State University,May 2019.Data are for 2017.
93
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
2022 Forestry Contributions
Orange County, NC
+ Orange County has about 116,121 acres of privately owned
3 timberland.
0 Landowners in this county received an estimated stumpage harvest
value of $1.7 million.
The forest sector in this county had a total economic contribution of
approximately $189 million in industry output to the county's
economy.
The forest sector in this county supported 652 total jobs with a
sMih payroll of about $48 million.
94
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Timberland-a Reserved Timber
Forestland by Ownership9 Harvest
•
Ownership NC Orange
Acres (Acres) Volume Estimate NG Orange
Public 2,601,709 12,4014
Timberland (Million Green Tons)
Private 15,367,452 116,121
Timberland Growth 58.1 0.63
Reserve 648,263 -
Forestland Harvest 32.4 0.13
Total
Timberland& 18,617,424 128,525 Growth:Harvest Ratio 1,79 3.50
Forestland
All Land 31,531,452 256,603
%Timberland 57% 50%
%Reserved 2% 0%
95
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Economic oof
Direct Impactz
Employment Labor Income Value Industry Output
gobs)- (mill iron$)= Added (million$}_
(million$)
Forestry is 1.48 1.74 212
Logging 87 5.04 6,09 9.64
Primary Solid Wood
Products - - - -
Secondary Solid Wood
Products 270 19.63 27.45 73.80
Primary paper&
paperboard products - - -
Secondary paper&
paperboard products
102 1(}M 15.92 67.94
Total 475 36 51 154
96
Profile of the Agriculture Economy: Forestry
Total �Impactz
Employment Labor Value Industry Output
ijobs)3 Income Added (million )d
(million$)4 (million S)i
orestry "7 1.59 1.96 2.49
ging 110 6.71 9.53 13.32
rimary Solid Wood
rad ucts
Secondary Solid Wood
Products 362 25.63 37.56
rimary paper&
aperboard products - - -
Secondary paper&
perboard products
13.92 22_58 sa:;
oral 652 48 711 189
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
98
Food Insecurity
Jonathon Smith, County Extension Director, will begin food security Extension program work on February 3.
Outside Agencies involved in food security are now working directly with Cooperative Extension through that
process.
Will begin meeting with outside agencies including nonprofits, churches, food banks, and other organizations to
map current work and identify gaps.
Attending trainings to find ways to link Cooperative Extension resources from NC State University and NC A&T
State University to extend education and address gaps.
Once we have a baseline, will move forward to work on a food security plan for the county with metrics,
funding goals, and anticipated outcomes.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
99
Food
Production
•i Resource & ,- Distribution &
Waste Recovery 4 4 Aggregation
Food System
Elements
Preparation 8 � Food
Consumption ✓ Processing
Purchasing Marketing
Adapted by Christy Shi,from Cornell University,Discovering the Food System; �
A Primer on Community Food Systems:Linking Fond,Nutrition and Agriculture.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
100
U.S. households with children by food security status of adults and
children, 2023
Food-insecure households: 17.9%
Food-insecure adults only: 9.0%
Food-in-
Low food security secure
among children: 7.9% children
and
Food-secure • • • Very low food security adults:
•• among children: 1.0% 8.9%
6hhb.— _..aMA —
Note: In most instances,when children are food insecure,the adults in the household
are also food insecure.
Source: USDA, Economic Research Service using U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census,2023 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement data. ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
101
Orange County Food Insecurity
According to the 2022 Feeding America Map the Meal Gap estimates...
• 17,980 people in Orange County are food insecure
o That is a 12.3% food insecurity rate.
• 45% of this population are above the SNAP eligibility threshold, 55% are below the SNAP
eligibility threshold.
o What percentage of this population are not enrolled in SNAP? How can we increase enrollment?
Is there a correlation between food insecurity rates and Medicaid enrollment?
• Average meal cost is $4.90. This is above the state average cost of $3.91.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Recent Orange County Farm
Survey Results
103
ORANGE COUNTY FARMER/LANDOWNER
SURVEY: conducted by Ag Preservation Board: ag preservation subcommittee
• Emailed to 366 CALLING ORANGE COUNTY FARMERS AND
County FOREST PRODUCERS!
farmer/landowners
in Oct 2023 FARMER/LANDOW'NER SURVEY
• Survey closed on Your Agricultural Preservation Board requests your help in updating the County's Agricultural Preservation and
Nov 17, 2023 with Farmland Protection Plan,which describes the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and forestry in the
County,outlines a vision for the future, and defines action steps to achieve that vision. Please complete this
92 respondents survey to provide vital information that will shape the Plan,
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
The most common descriptors of respondents are 104
farmer/producer, agricultural landowner, forest landowner.
Which of these categories describes you?
92 responses
Farmer/producer 61 {66.3 0)
Agricultural landowner —47 (51.1%)
Forest landowner 44 (47.8%)
Producer: livestock —31 (33.7%)
Producer: produce/row crops 21 (22.8%)
Producer: eggs 16 (17.4%)
Producer: dairy 4 (4.3%°)
Producer: greenhouse —9 (9.8%)
Producer: agritourism 11 (12%)
Producer: ornamental trees... 1 (1.1%)
Honeybees and honey 1 (1.1%)
beekeeper 1 (1.1%)
Horse farm 2 (2.2%)
Nursery owner 1 (1.1%)
Producer: honey bees 1 (1.1%)
Producer honey and honeyb... 1 (1.1%°)
0 20 umber (%) 40 60 80
of
respondents
Most respondents ( 73%) are as years or older. 105
What is your age?
90 responses
35 33
30
N
a--+
m
v
20
13 12
10 10
5
0 � 0 No 0
[0, 121 (12,241 (24,361 (36,481 (48,601 (60,721 (72,841 (84,961
Age (range)
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Farming/forestry is not the main source of income 106
for most respondents (70%).
Is farming/forestry your (or your family's) main source of income?
91 responses
Yes
No
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Agritourism does not contribute to farm income 107
for most respondents (68%).
Does agritourism (visitors to the farm for recreation, education, or purchasing farm products)
contribute to your farm income?
91 responses
-_ 9 Yes
No
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
108
• The most frequently cited challenges to making a living by farming in
the County are small profit margins and high cost of land.
• The most common plan for the future of farmland/forestland is
transfer to family member(s) for farm use.
• The topics of most interest for an info session or training are
preserving my land through a conservation easement, ways to
diversify my operation, and transition planning.
• The most common measure respondents would consider for
enhancing their agricultural business is agritourism.
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Respondents overwhelmingly consider the most important thr*bt to
farming in Orange County to be development.
What do you perceive as the most important threats to agriculture/forestry in Orange County? List up to
three threats.
85 responses
lDevelODment 60 ~ ` - ` ifl4 WiOw%
Cost of land (13)
Cost of infrastructure (12)
Taxes (12)
Inflexible regulations (9) �i�
Climate change (9) '
New generations not taking up farming
(5)
All other threats were listed by fewer than 5 GRANGE COUNTY
respondents. NORTH CAROLINA
110
"As farmers age out and are dying, "Housing development.
their heirs are selling land to cash "Encroaching urban areas, This...leads to increased cost of
out on its purchase value to farmland/forest land being sold to land and decreased value of
develolIers. morehousing developers for multi-family homes land for agricultural purposes.
complexes are being built on and multi-family developments There's a lot more money in
farmland while we are losing our instead of being kept in selling the land for 5-10 acre lots
resources for soil, foodshed, and than keeping it as an intact farm.
farms.This will create a crisis for farm/forest
None of the land I see for sale
both our environment and local around me is selling as
ecosystem as well as for food farmland. It's simply not worth it.
production and water retention and "[D]evelopment,particularly It's subdivided into lots and
filtering. We d to stop sprawling development that P
g neeP encourages large(10 acre)lots. houses are built. This leads to
developing every square inch of the The county development ecosystem deterioration which
county! It took me 20 years of policies should encourage decreases the quality of
workingtwo obs d investing to clusters of homes leaving a q Y
l ang large percent of open space farmland as well. I'm in the far
scrape together a down payment for rather than making it easy to northern reaches of the county. .
my small little farm. It should not be develop 10 acre lots,5 acre lots. This is not isolated towards
like this.There needs to be more The problems of sprawl in our
county are COMPLETELY the southern more urban parts of
done to save our farmland and predictable based on the the county."
counteract incentives to sell to policies in place currently."
developers."
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
7 of i o respondents lack a documented farm transition"'
or estate plan.
Do you currently have a documented farm transition plan and/or a documented estate plan?
92 responses
Yes
No
.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Do you know what a conservation easement is? 112
91 responses
• Yes
Most respondents (sada) • No
know what a
conservation easement
is, but few of them ( 16%)
have farmland or
forestland in a Do you have farmland or forestland enrolled in a conservation easement?
92 responses
conservation easement. Yes
• No
don't know
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Respondents consider the most important opportunity1for
farming in Orange County to be cooperative arrangements.
What do you perceive as the most important opportunities for growing and/or diversifying agriculture in Orange
County? List up to three opportunities.
53 responses
11 respondents listed cooperative arrangements. All other opportunities were listed by <5 respondents.
"Opportunity for shared professional "Distr[i]bution networks that "Creating another facility for
kitchen spaces affordable for small purchase directly from small producing value-added farm
batch production so we can get farmers" products, because the existing
started producing and selling
one i,. 1—ked 24/7/361 "
without significant startup costs"
"Decentralized private "I'm in the non-commodity livestock
food hubs/farmer owned business. I sell my meat direct to
"Investment in infrastructure and cooperatives" consumers and to other businesses which
projects that support small sell my meat direct to their customers. I
farmers and local food systems -- think for too long farmers in my sector
food hubs, processing centers, food cooperative have been focusing on what they, as
farmer cooperatives" individuals, can produce and sell. I think
we need to start thinking more
collectively and pool our resources."
114
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
What do farmers see as the critical challenges for their operations?
• Input Costs
• Development
• Affordable Farm Labor/Labor Costs
• Land Prices
• Managing pasture grasses and cover crops
• New FSMA Produce Safety Rule Pre-Harvest Water requirement updates coming in 2025
• Keeping machinery in good repair and finding local mechanics to assist when things break
down.
• Marketing
• Attaining information on Extension and Soil Conservation
• Climate Change uIFIL cur Tr.
rORANQE COUMIY
7?0Rr/
•2025-
115
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
What do farmers see as the critical challenges for their operations?
• Sustainability
• Succession Planning
• Time Management
• Livestock Challenges (disposal of deceased livestock, predators, high cost of veterinary care, profit
margins)
• Technology (what's out there, what's affordable, what's useful)
• Assuring equitable distribution of resources across racial groups
• Changing rules and processes to increase organizational sustainability for for-profits and nonprofits
supporting the ag sector
curs&
• Access to land and credit for farms and food businesses
• Increasing the number of local and regional government personnel who support the local food system =rte`
rORA0NGE"' IY
COUM -
•2025-
116
2025 Ag Summit Needs Survey
Topics Identified as Greatest Needs for Education
• Agriculture Technology (exposure, adoption, training, capital access)
• Farmland Protection (policies, procedures, process)
• Regenerative Agriculture and Alternative Production Methods
• Taxes/Present Use Value/Bona Fide Farm Status policies and processes
• Forest Management
• Climate Change (preparing for and adapting to)
• Access to start-up capital �ULrU
• Highway Safety
• Fire Ants Pests ,VRANGE COUNTY,
•2025-
117
2025 Ag Summit Education Opportunities
25 Agriculture Industry Partners and Resources will be present to share information with an
estimated 120-150 farmers and agribusiness leaders.
Introductions during opening session from elected officials and agricultural service partners.
Panel Discussion on Farm Emergency Preparedness
Workshops Plan,Prepare.,
Prosper
• 1 ,2025
New Farmer Networking 8:00 a ,;
pm
• Alternative Grazing Management 17,2025
• Agriculture Technology and Tools Demonstrations
• Ginger Production (Speciality Crop Discussion) "T
• Creating an Emergency Plan for Your Farm
zo�S'
Ways County Government is Currently
Working To Support the Industry
119
Visitors Bureau
1. Maintains an Agritourism webpage on its website: https://www.visitchapelhill.org/agritourism/
2. Maintains a Made in Orange County webpage that includes products made by farmers or made at the
Piedmont Food Processing Center: https://www.visitchapelhill.org/restaurants/made-in-orange-county-
nc/
3. Features farm events on its website event calendar: https://www.visitchapelhill.org/event/8th-annual-
holiday-at-the-farm/31035/
4. Administers the Orange County portion of the Visit NC Farms app by adding new farms and events and
scheduling push notifications to app users:
https://visitncfarmstoday.com/who-is-in-it
5. Tables at various markets and events to promote the Visit NC Farms app.
6. Promotes local farms and markets in its Sneak Piques mini online film fest:
https://www.visitchapelhilI.org/sneak-piques/agritourism/
7. Maintains a photo library and video library for farmers. 43 R IM
8. Works to recruit travel press to write about local farms.
9. Sponsorship of Hog Day 2024: Sponsorship of Lloyd's Dairy farm agricultural tourism events $3,500
10. Spotlights local farms in the annual newsletter, Orange Slices, which reaches 3,000 readers weekly.
120
Recent Articles from Orange Slices Newsletter
• Local Nut Butter Producers, Big Spoon: Orange Slices - November 12, 2024: Big Spoon Roasters
• Botanist & Barrel: Orange Slices - September 3, 2024: Cedar Grove cidermaker named one of Wine
Enthusiast's 'Future 40 Tastemakers' in U.S
• Hog Day's commitment to promoting local agriculture: Orange Slices - August 13, 2024: Craig Lloyd and
Hog Day Hillsborough
• The Farm's of Orange County: Orange Slices - March 26, 2024: Embracing Agricultural Serenity: Enjoy
Farms around Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, NC
• Protecting farm lands: Orange Slices - July 18, 2023: "We only have one earth. Let's take care of it." -
Deb Haaland
• History of Blackwood Farm: Orange Slices - June 20, 2023: After Renovations, Blackwood Farm Park
Reopens
• Union Grove Farm's Future: Orange Slices - June 6, 2023: Union Grove Farm & Vineyard
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
121
Stories About Orange County Agritourism from the past year
• This story from June 2, 2024 mentions three area farms to visit as part of best
things to do in Chapel Hill: https://vacationidea.com/destinations/best-things-to-
do-in-chapel-hill-nc.html •
• There is a Visit Farms near Chapel Hill section of this story on nctripping.com which �► ,,,,-�- .
includes Hillsborough and Chapel Hill farms. Scroll to find. :
https://www.nctripping.com/things-to-do-in-chapel-hill-nc-weekend/ +► � ' '�
• Blackwood Farm was featured on North Carolina Weekend on PBS on May 9, 2024: -
https://video.pbsnc.org/video/blackwood-farm-park-lflgmt/ Pick or Cut Your Own Fruit and
• The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail in Hillsborough (History+ How to Visit Flowers at these Orange
Today!) on August 1, 2024 on the NCTripping.com website: Caunty,pNCFarms
https://www.nctripping.com/historic-occoneechee-speedway-trail/
• Hope Blooms at Blawesome Family Farm in Chapel Hill in Our State on March 25, T `;�a- � ��- • �� �
2024: https://www.ourstate.com/blawesome-flower-farm/ aMn= ° � W � " '
• Indy Week story on Union Grove Farm on November 15, 2023:
https://indyweek.com/news/orange/a-chapel-hill-venture-capitalist-is-betting-the-
farm-on-muscadine-grapes-katandin-sheep-and-100000-red-wiggler-worms/
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
122
Stories About Orange County Agritourism from the past
year
Recent Blogs that include farms,farm events, etc.
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/festive-holiday-events-in-chapel-hill-orange-county-nc/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/visit-chapel-hill-orange-county-this-halloween-for-ghosts-
witches-haunted-barns-goats/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/made-in-orange-county-north-carolina/
• https://www.visitchapelhiII.org/blog/post/top-summer-festivals-and-events-in-chapel-hill-and-orange-
county-nc/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/pick-or-cut-your-own-fruit-and-flowers-at-these-orange-
county-nc-farms/
• https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/top-10-spring-events-to-attend-in-chapel-hill-orange-county/
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
123
Economic Development
Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program
The Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program assists local farmers to develop new
sources of agricultural income through the provision of cost-share grants. Individual grant limit
is $10,000. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their operation is a verifiable farm
business. The farm tract and farming operation on which the funds are to be used must be in
Orange County.
• Total agriculture grants awarded from 2015-2024:
0 129 awards totaling $1 ,035,735.61
• 2024 annual grant activity:
0 17 awards totaling $135,173
• FY 24/25 fiscal grant activity (only 3Q 2024):
0 11 awards totaling $91 ,312.00
• Remaining funds available to grant for 4Q 2024, & 1Q and 2Q 2025:
o $78 028 GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
124
Agriculture grants awarded to women & minority-owned farms in 2023
. o.
Applications Awards Applications Awards Applications Awards
4 4 6 6 18 15
100% 100% 83%
125
Agriculture grants awarded to women & minority-owned farms in 2024
k1i I 1ILGINDIALVATA 1k;ISM Mr.III IP 0 1 - I afkail-'rg 0 i",I
Applications Awards Applications Awards Applications Awards
3Q 24 4 2 11 7 18 13
50% 64% 72%
*4Q 24 GRANTS NOT AWARDED AS OF 1/10/25*
126
Agriculture grant awards by community, total since 2015:
Carrboro 1 $10,000
Cedar Grove 30 $250,353
Chapel Hill 17 $128,374
Efland 10 $82,515
Hillsborough 29 $227,666
Hurdle Mills 18 $128,665
Rougemont 6 $59,910
Mebane 16 $131,363
Durham 2 $17,140
TOTAL 116 $1,035,986
127
Agriculture Gram
12.9 Awards (90 unique farms)
22 Farms that have received 2 awards
7 Farms that have received 3 awards
1 Farm has received 4 awards
$20,000 or More 14
($30,000 current high)
$15,000 - $197999.99 6
$10,000 - $14,999,99 5
Less than $10,000 5
128
Cooperative Extension
• AgVentures Grant Program
o NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program is one of three programs to offer cost-share grants to NC
family farms to diversify, expand or enhance their agricultural operations. Together these
programs provide a grant opportunity to all 100 counties in the state.
o $27,106 was awarded to Orange County farms in 2023-2024.
o Funds supported:
■ Expansion of cut flower production from 3 to 5 acres for U-pick flower agritourism
operation.
■ Transition of 5 acres of row crop land into high density peach orchard with irrigation and
fencing.
■ Purchasing grain bins to help farmer better time sales in accordance with better market
conditions
■ Increasing pasture poultry operation to process more poultry at once.
�y
y�y N.C.A&T
129
Cooperative Extension
• On-Farm and Virtual Support For Farmers
• Mart Bumgarner, Extension Agent for Crops & Horticulture
• Alex Kissinger, Area Extension Agent for Livestock, Forage, and General Agriculture
(including pond management)
• Mike Ortosky, Extension Agent for Community & Rural Development (agriculture economic
development programs and Breeze Farm programs)
• Manages Breeze Farm in Hurdle Mills
• Provides new farm incubation support and facilities.
• Licenses to other farmers needing additional land for added farming capacity.
• With funding from the W.C. Breeze Endowment housed in the NC Agricultural Foundation,
will begin withdrawing $25000+ interest annually to add new features and programs.
• Provides a soil test drop off location and technical assistance to landowners for testi n aud
_
interpretation/application of results.
NGABT
130
Cooperative Extension
• Contract Administrator for Piedmont Food Processing Center Agreement
o Renewed in 2024 for 5 years.
o New in 2025
■ Open House for public (including elected officials) will be held in mid-to-late
October.
■ Partnering with Extension Farm School to present to new and established
farmers.
■ Adding a minimum of two value-added workshops for farmers to help them
better navigate the process of value-added production and using PFPC.
■ New Marketing Materials are being developed to help Extension and other
partners promote PFPC as a resource to farmers.
■ More youth engagement opportunities (4-H, etc.)
N.GABT
5
F
,.
s--
- r
x
132
DEAPR - Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
• NC Agriculture Cost-Share Program - Address nonpoint source pollution by providing technical and financial
resources through a voluntary, incentive-based program designed to improve water quality through the installation
of various best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands.
o Examples: Grassed Waterways, Livestock Exclusion Systems, etc.
o FY24 Funding:
■ $40,224 encumbered and reimbursed to the producer for water quality improvement BMPs.
■ $19,508 encumbered and planned to reimburse the producer for future water quality improvement
BMPs.
• NC Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program - Increase water storage and availability for agricultural
purposes by providing technical and financial resources through a voluntary, incentive-based program through the
installation of various best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands.
o Examples:Water Supply Well, New Pond or Pond Repair, etc.
o FY24 Funding:
■ 1 Water Supply Well Completed with $8,175 in cost-share reimbursed to the producer.
■ 1 Water Supply Well Planned with $14,994 in cost-share encumbered. orangeC—ty ORANGE COUNTY
■ 1 New Pond Planned with $36,000 in cost-share encumbered. SOIL & WATER
133
DEAPR - Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
• Swine and Dairy Assistance Program - A one-time assistance program for swine and dairy
producers who suffered a loss due to the shutdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible for 90% cost share (up to $100,000 per applicant) for closing their structure.
o Examples: Waste Holding Pond and Lagoon Closure Projects
o FY23 and FY24:
■ $167,092 reimbursed to two producers for two closure projects.
■ In Process - Planning for $100,000 to be encumbered for additional closure project.
• Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Help reduce flooding by protecting and restoring
the drainage infrastructure of North Carolina's waterways. Funding covers 100% of the costs for
approved projects.
o Example: Stream Debris Removal on farms to mitigate crop field flooding and timber damage.
o FY22 Application: Completed projects totaled $55,593.56 of services.
o FY24 Application: Approved for $59,295.50 of funds for future projects.
orange County ORANGE COUNTY
SOIL & WATER
Department of Env'emnment,
134
DEAPR - Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
• Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District
Program - Enhances the identity of the agricultural community by encouraging the
voluntary preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development.
0 155 farms Enrolled
0 14,864 acres in the VAD
0 2,714 acres in the EVAD
o Total of 17,578 acres in the program
Orange County ORANGE COUNTY
SOIL & WATER
Department 4 Environment,
Agriculture,Parks&Recreation •
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Tri-COG FEEDS Goals:
• Identify the infrastructure needed to shorten food supply chains,
• Drive economic development,
• Enhance resilient practices,
• Foster equity, and
• Increase rural-urban connectivity in the region
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Tri-COG
Spring 2024
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138
Cooperative Extension Local Foods Program Team
• Economic Impacts Working Group - Connects county and campus Extension
personnel, provides education and training, answers questions around local food
and economic development, and develops resources to share statewide
Multiple Collaborations with NC State, NC A&T, and Extension Offices
Statewide
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
139
Future Planning and Opportunities
The Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) Subcommittee is finalizing the draft
update to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan for initial
presentation to Board of County Commissioners in Late Winter/Early Spring.
January 15: APB meeting - gather APB member feedback on the current draft of the plan
(circulated to members on Dec 15 for review).
By January 30: Revised draft (incorporating APB feedback at 1/15 meeting) circulated to
APB members and Staff for final comments or approval by Feb 7 - prepare and submit
abstract and schedule presentation to BOCC.
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA