AG 2006 12 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

b, Have the county Economic Development agency take the lead role in providing financing and other support for the local agricultural industry. 4, Expand Efforts to Promote County Farm Businesses and Farm Products, The development pressures on agriculture outlined in Article IV above also provide opportunities for county farmers and agribusinesses in the form of new consumers. Every effort should be made to educate them on the association between a healthy local agricultural economy and the life-style many have sought to achieve by locating to our county. These efforts could include: a. Creation of a website and other print publications to identify locally grown products,36 This website can also be used by farmers to identify purchasing opportunities and the business development assistance outlined above; b. Work with the organizers of the local farmers markets (if applicable) and assist with their marketing effort where possible; c, Work with local retail stores and restaurants to purchase and promote products grown locally in the county; d, Work with local institutions such as schools and state offices to purchase food grown locally; e. Expand cooperative efforts with neighboring counties to create a regional identity that includes promotion of agriculture; and f. Sponsorship of festivals, farm tours and other public recognition 5, Improve the Marketing Capacity of Farmers: Traditionally, farmers have relied on off-farm distributors to handle marketing and price negotiation for their products. Increasingly, farmers will recognize the value of direct marketing their products to county residents as they diversity and specialize their production. In addition to the steps outlined above, this item could include a. Formation of new generation farm cooperatives for marketing purposes, financing of new ventures and purchasing of raw materials, such as fuel and electricity, or formation of less formal bargaining groups to jointly purchase farm supplies, cooperatively advertise farm products, provide better outlets for cull-dairy cows and facilitate use of custom service.3? b. Develop marketing workshops with input from farmers from other counties who have successfully diversified and direct-marketed their production, B. Support Farm Operations and the Right-to-Farm 1. Encourage the County and Towns to Meet the Infrastructure Needs of the Farm Sector a. Adopt Sensible Zoning and Subdivision regulations. Zoning regulations must be written to allow farm businesses the flexibility to adapt their operations to new markets or otherwise expand existing operations. For example, some zoning laws may restrict "farm stands," road-side on-farm retail establishments, Careful consideration should be taken in drafting restrictions on farm stands to allow farmers to better market their on-farm products.38 b. Streamline Building Permit process for farmers. Undue regulations or delays in obtaining a building permit can cause unnecessary hardships for farmers 12 \-\- )