Working Lands Protection Plans: A Regional Approach to Agricultural

Economic DevelopmentGerry Cohn

Organic Valley – SE Region Pools CoordinatorAgricultural 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