HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-20-2002 - 6c 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 20, 2002
Action Agen a
Item No.
SUBJECT: Drought Impacts on Farming
DEPARTMENT: N. C. Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Fletcher Barber, Jr., 245-2050
Orange County Cooperative Extension Randy Yarbrough, 732-4301
Drought Relief Efforts TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To provide an update on the present drought situation in Orange County, the effect
it is having on the farming community, and the response from agriculture related agencies.
BACKGROUND: As of July 23, 2002 Orange County, along with 72 other counties in North
Carolina, were declared agricultural disaster areas.
The N. C. Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with the local Farm Service Agency
and other agricultural related agencies, has been working closely with local farmers to
determine relief efforts and the impact of the drought on these farming enterprises.
Attached is a list of Cooperative Extension activities in response to the drought. The County
Extension Director as well as Local County Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency will
be present at the Board meeting to brief the Commissioners on the educational and federal
assisted programs being offered for drought relief and respond to any questions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no additional County cost in the administration of these drought
relief related efforts.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation
as information.
Orange County Cooperative Extension
Drought-related Efforts
• Articles and one program so far on landscape management under drought
conditions.
• Information on home landscape drought management at Carrboro and
Hillsborough Farmers Markets.
• Dairy and Livestock newsletters dealing specifically with nutritional issues,
forage and feed supply issues related to the drought and drought recovery.
• Web page link to drought related information and mosquito borne illnesses.
• Planning dairy and livestock meetings on feeding with by-product and
commodity feeds and on forage options for the fall and winter.
• Individual consultations with agricultural producers on issues related to
drought.