HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-16-2008 - 6bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 16, 2008
Action Agen a
Item No.
SUBJECT: WC Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Center
Memorandum of Agreement
DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Economic Development
ATTACHMENT(S):
Memorandum of Agreement
Concept Plan & Timeline
Master Plan
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Fletcher Barber, Jr., 245-2050
Brad Broadwell, 245-2325
Noah Ranells, 245-2330
PURPOSE: To consider a Memorandum of Agreement between Orange County and NC State
University College of Agriculture and Life Science for program development and associated
activities at the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension and Research Center in Hurdle Mills,
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: A longtime farm family patriarch, Colonel William Breeze, and his family
donated land to NC State University with a desire to see the land used to explore local options
for organic and sustainable farming practices and enterprises. 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 concept 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 the program
needs in the context of the conceptual plan. Based on the input from local farmers,
governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and the extension specialists, a draft Master
Plan was developed in September 2007.
Orange County Cooperative Extension and Economic Development have been collaborating to
initiate programming and activities at the Breeze Farm. Most notably are the PLANT @ Breeze
farm enterprise incubator that began in early 2008 and the related off-site development of the
Piedmont Value Added Shared Use Food & Agricultural Processing Center in Hillsborough.
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On April 10, 2008, Orange County Cooperative Extension and Economic Development staff met
with Dean Johnny Wynne, Acting Assistant Dean Sylvia Blankenship, and Assistant Dean John
Ort as well as senior administrative staff of NC State University College of Agriculture & Life
Sciences in Raleigh. At this meeting, there was support to continue work towards implementing
the 2006 concept plan and consider the relationship between the Breeze Farm and the Center
for Environmental Farming Systems.
Two Center for Environmental Farming System workshops will be held at the Breeze Farm this
fall; How to Build Permanent Fencing on September 25, 2008 and Season Extension & High
Tunnel Production on October 9, 2008. The programs at the Breeze farm are all targeted to
enhancing existing and new farm enterprises in Orange County, neighboring counties, and the
Piedmont Region.
A draft Memorandum of Agreement has been prepared for BOCC consideration.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The current fiscal year General Fund approved budget allocates
$10,000 to the W.C. Breeze Family Farm. The level of funding in future years' budgets will
depend on the Board's desired level of participation in the project. Staff resources in
Cooperative Extension and Economic Development will continue to be dedicated to guiding
activities at the Breeze Farm that are mutually beneficial to Orange County and NC State
University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board consider the Memorandum of
Agreement and, if approved, authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement, with staff to forward the
signed Agreement to the N.C. State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for its
consideration and approval.
Memorandum of Agreement
Between
The Orange County Board of Commissioners
and
The North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
3
Whereas, the WC Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension and Research Center (Breeze Farm) is
located in Hurdle Mills, Orange County and was bequeathed to NC State University College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences by Orange County farm family patriarch, Colonel William Breeze, with a
desire to see the land used to explore local options for organic and sustainable farming practices and
enterprises, and
Whereas, the Orange County Cooperative Extension and Economic Development departments have
taken a leadership role in developing the Breeze Farm in close collaboration with NC State University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and consistent with the wishes of Colonel WC Breeze, and
Whereas, the Breeze Planning Committee includes representatives from Orange County Cooperative
Extension and Economic Development, NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, and
Whereas, a concept plan and master plan to guide development of the Breeze Farm have been
developed by the Breeze Planning Committee,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the NC
State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences agree to authorize their respective staffs to
work closely to develop the Breeze Farm in a manner that serves applied research, demonstration,
and educational activities to support innovative and relevant sustainable farming practices for farmers
and the general public in the Piedmont Region and all of North Carolina.
Signature Date:
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Signature,
Signature,
Date:
Dr. Jon Ort
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Dean & Director
N.C. Cooperative Extension
N.C. State University
Dr. Johnny C. Wynn, Dean
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
N.C. State University
Date:
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W.C. Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center
CONCEPT PLAN
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 agricultural education at NCSU
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
Program Opportunities
A. Develop Local Farm Economy
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. Land leased to
apprentice farmers and equipment available to participating farmers;
b. FarmLink program within county for graduate placement; Collaborative relationship with NC Farm
Transition Network; Special focus on immigrant communities and their needs;
2. Shared-Use, Value-Added Processing for Local Farm Products (off-site)
a. Focus on local farm products for added value opportunities primarily for local consumption
b. Training program on licensures and certifications for added value processing
c. Equipment for value added product development for use by participating farmers; With appropriate
training, consumer use of facility to encourage purchase of local products and their preservation by
local consumers
B. Diversifying Farm Enterprises
1. 4-H, FFA, & Youth
a. Livestock exhibition facility for annual Piedmont Livestock and Dairy Shows, 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, including 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, new forage cultivars,
forage quality, and grass-fed meat products
c. Biofuel crop plot areas
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
Timeline
WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center
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 270 acres
2006 April 7 NCSU CALS Dean Johnny Wynne dedicates the Center and
requests that Orange County develop a conceptual 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 CALS and Orange County administrators &
staff to discuss conceptual plan; Consensus to pursue
conceptual plan with a small planning committee with 2
additional CALS appointed staff
2006 November Breeze Farm Committee begins planning process
2007 January 18 Farm walkabouts with CALS Extension Specialists for input
February 8 to Master Plan
2007 September Draft Master Plan completed
2008 January & PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator Workshop
February Series
2008 April to PLANT 2008 Apprentices grow on ~4 acres
December
2008 September 25 CEFS workshop: How to Build Permanent Fences
2008 October 9 CEFS workshop: Season Extension & Hoophouse
Production
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