HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-14-2000-10ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 14, 2000
Action Agenda
Item No. _[Q_ -~
SUBJECT: "A New Consensus for Farmland Preservation" -Stakeholders Listing
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Conservation
ATTACHMENT(S):
Stakeholders list from ADAB
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Stancil, 245-2590
Tina Moon, 245-2583
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-0501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 335-227-2031
PURPOSE: To review a draft list of stakeholders for participation in the "New Consensus for
Farmland Preservation" initiative (part of the adopted Farmland Preservation BOCC goal).
BACKGROUND: The adopted goal for Farmland Preservation (Rural Character) for FY 1999-
2000 includes an objective entitled "A New Consensus for Farmland." The purpose of this
objective is to develop anew the basis for a County farmland preservation program, with a goal
of having a plan adopted by the end of the year - in order to apply for a N.C. Farmland
Preservation Trust Fund grant on the December 31, 2000 cycle.
One of the initial milestones for this work is the development of a list of stakeholders that should
be involved in the development of the plan. On January 19 and February 16, the Agricultural
Districts Advisory Board (ADAB) held brainstorming sessions to identify these groups. The
stakeholders were developed in detail, and then grouped into eight primary categories of
interest. The ADAB agreed to forward this list (attached) for the Board's consideration.
Once the stakeholders have been identified and agreed to, a plan for a series of meetings will
be developed and presented to the BOCC. These meetings will seek to involve all stakeholders
and discuss the needs of a farmland preservation program, which will then be prepared in the
fall of this year and incorporated into the Lands Legacy initiative and other documents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review the stakeholders
listing forwarded by the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board and delete or add groups of
stakeholders, as needed.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION STAKEHOLDERS
As members of the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board (ADAB) began to prepare a
list of stakeholders, it quickly became apparent that all county residents enjoy some
indirect gain from farmland preservation. Clearly, everyone who eats benefits from the
quality and convenience associated with locally grown fruits and vegetables, dairy
products, and farm_raised beef and poultry. Moreover, everyone who travels along
county roads enjoys the scenic vistas retained through tilled fields, pasture and
forestlands. Who then should have a voice in the development of a program to
preserve agricultural lands? The ADAB feels that it is those who are "directly" affected
by agricultural policies and those who gain their livelihood from the land. The
following list represents the ADAB's assessment of stakeholders who will be directly
affected by policies directed at preserving farmland. The list focuses on those whose
ability to conduct business is linked to agriculture, as well as property owners subject
to the economic impact of changing land values.
Stakeholders
Active Farmers (both traditional and organic/ alternative)
Land Owners (mainly farmland and rural land owners, but also to a lesser degree
property owners in surrounding towns)
Farm Suppliers 8~ Sales Businesses (farmers' markets and other businesses linked
to agriculture)
Rural Industry (large-scale agricultural operations, poultry, hog operations and
processing plants, which can provide part-time employment to rural residents)
Rural Recreation (hikers, runners, cyclists)
Real Estate (including developers and lending institutions)
Utilities (DOT, OWASA, power, phone, etc.)
Aesthetic/ Environmental (including town residents and environmental
organizations)
Civic/ Professional Associations Directed at Farming (Grange, Ruritan, and farm
professional organizations such as Carolina Farm Stewardship Association)