Working Lands Protection Plans A Regional Approach to

Working Lands Protection Plans: A Regional Approach to Agricultural Economic Development Gerry Cohn Organic Valley – SE Region Pools Coordinator Agricultural Planning Consultant

Working Lands Protection Plans � Authorization and Funding � Benefits � VAD – Agricultural Advisory Board

Two Sides of the Same Coin Farmland Preservation � Agricultural Economic Development �

Tale of Three Counties � Lee - 2010 � Richmond - 2010 � Moore – 2012 § Mount Olive College Agribusiness Center § BRAC Regional Task Force – Working Lands Protection Strategy § Local Partners – CES, SWCD, Planning

Lee County Recommendations � Engagement and Awareness � Forestry Management Education � � � Youth and Adult Leadership Development Business Training & Technical Assistance thru multiple delivery channels Enhanced VAD Program

Lee Farmer & Agribusiness Needs � Diversification – specialty & direct market options � Risk management & estate planning info � Tax policy – local, state, federal � � Woodlots, pesticide management, nutrient management, organic farming Agritourism and local product promotion

Richmond Recommendations � � Ag Education Action team Youth and Adult Leadership Development Present Use Value education Integrate Agritourism in county marketing � Business and technical assistance � Estate planning & youth education

Richmond Farmer & Agribusiness Needs � Marketing & Sales Promotion � Farm transfer & estate planning � Tax policy – local, state, federal � � Pesticide, nutrient, & environmental management Conservation best management practices

Moore Econ Development Opportunities � � Local Food System Local Markets for Environmental Horticulture products � Agritourism � Biofuels

Moore Econ Development Recs (1) � � Business Development Partnership with Chamber of Commerce Local sales and cost of production data Study of Equine Industry Forum to develop local food system. Local food council?

Moore Econ Development Recs (2) � � � Create incentives for local landscaping products. Agritourism – expanded education/partnerships Indentify appropriate local crop and timber Use in Biofuels

Common Themes Local Food and Fiber

Western Wake Farmers Market

Common Themes Local Food – Regional Food Council Local Purchasing Farm to School Farmers Markets Institutions – hospitals, clubs, residential Sandhills Farm to Table

Common Themes Local Fiber – Biofuels Forestry Landscaping

Common Themes Business and Financial Services

Common Themes Leadership Development & Generational Transition

Common Themes Agritourism

Gerry Cohn 336 -260 -6553 matzahrising@gmail. com