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C. Opportunities for Enhancing Local Agricultural Economy <br />1. Strengthen farm viability and the agricultural economy by promoting the <br />economic development of the agricultural sector. <br />a. Maintain and enhance local agricultural infrastructure and support <br />services. <br />b. Target agriculture with economic development and marketing initiatives, <br />including agritourism development. <br />c. Facilitate private investment of capital in the local agriculture industry. <br />d. Provide farmers and agribusiness investors with business planning and <br />development assistance. <br />e. Diversify the agricultural production base. <br />2. Support farm operations and the right to farm by ensuring farmers have a <br />supportive business environment. <br />a. Develop policies and ordinances that encourage agriculture and do not <br />inhibit or discourage farming operations. <br />b. Increase non - farmer neighbor awareness of farm practices and issues. <br />c. Work with existing statewide farm transition network (if applicable) or <br />develop local program to develop farm management capacity of young <br />farmers. <br />d. Continue support of existing programs that reward farm practices that <br />maintain and improve water, air and wildlife habitat quality. <br />Protect farmland as a valuable natural resource by developing sound land use <br />policies and conservation measures that encourage agricultural production. <br />a. Identify productive areas of agricultural land, and direct residential and <br />industrial growth away from productive agricultural areas to avoid <br />disruptions to agricultural operations. <br />b. Educate local government and landowners on planning techniques and <br />tools that reduce pressures on farming operations. <br />c. Encourage protection of farmland located in public water source areas, <br />including reservoirs, streams, and water recharge areas. <br />4. Foster greater recognition and public support for agriculture by educating the <br />public on agriculture's economic, community and environmental benefits. <br />a. Demonstrate the value of agriculture to the public <br />b. Foster dialogue between nonfarmers, government officials and the <br />agricultural community. <br />c. Build a coalition of organizations and citizens to promote awareness of <br />local, state and national issues affecting Cabarrus County agriculture. <br />Cabarrus Agribusiness Council <br />ARTICLE VI: <br />ACTION STEPS TO ENSURE A <br />VIABLE AGRICULTRUAL COMMUNITY <br />IN CABARRUS COUNTY 35 <br />A. Strengthen Farm Viability and the Agricultural Economy <br />1. Create Full Time Agricultural Economic Development Position <br />12 <br />Attachment number 1 <br />G -1 Page 209 <br />