AG 2006 12 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARTICLE VI: ACTION STEPS TO ENSURE A VIABLE AGRICUL TRUAL COMMUNITY IN COUNTy35 A. Strengthen Farm Viability and the Agricultural Economy 1, Create Full Time Agricultural Economic Development Position Establishing a new Agricultural Economic Development position for the county will be necessary for carrying forward the economic initiatives necessary for farm viability. Only a full-time position will be able to dedicate the effort required to coordinating the efforts of the various participants (program staff in county economic, labor, tourism, planning, agricultural, and conservation departments and other interested non-profit staff) to implementing this plan, as well as prioritizing, developing and implementing the various initiatives called for in this plan. Duties of such a position should include: a, Determining priorities, developing strategies, and achieving benchmarks for economic development efforts b. Identifying and seeking additional funds for economic and business development for county initiatives and individual producers through grant writing c. Communicating and meeting on a regular basis with stakeholders in agricultural economic development process d. Developing marketing initiatives for local agriculture 2. Expand Business Development Assistance to Farm Businesses. To meet the challenges outlined above, farmers need more access to business development assistance, particularly as traditional agricultural markets fade and alternative enterprises are needed. This assistance includes business development and planning, market research and communication, and financing opportunity, Efforts to increase assistance include: a. Establishing a business development program specifically targeted at agricultural businesses, consisting of a network of business consultants, small business development counselors, and attorneys familiar with small business and agricultural law who are willing at a lower cost or volunteer basis (depending on how program is set up) to provide assistance. b, Working with North Carolina Cooperative Extension to disseminate published materials on agricultural business issues to area professionals to expand their knowledge of agriculture thus increasing their ability to assist farmers. c. Offer workshops to farmers on business planning and development, research, marketing, financing, conservation funding, and estate planning, d, Provide grant-writing assistance for federal, state and other non-profit funding opportunities to assist with diversification, etc, e. Develop a local directory of the network described in (a) above, 3, Improve Access to Financing and Capital, Such efforts could include: a, Provide assistance in obtaining grants and low interest loans for business start-up, expansion, retention and diversification. 11 ~~3