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Educate the non farming public on the environmental protection benefits of <br />farmland protection and the detriments of its conversion. <br />Develop a public education campaign to tie consumer support of local agriculture <br />with open- space, clean water and air benefits, and enhanced wildlife habitat <br />working farm and forestland provides. Include input from the local Soil & Water <br />Conservation District, Resource Conservation and Development district, and area <br />land trust on specific farm - related conservation projects they have worked on. <br />Tie the education campaign to specific initiatives under this plan to build public <br />political support for protection tools such as funding for a PACE program. <br />D. Foster Greater Recognition and Public Support for Agriculture <br />1. Foster Greater Appreciation for Agriculture Among Government Officials and <br />Non farm Residents through Education and Outreach Efforts <br />a. Continuing education of county and municipal officials and planning board <br />members on farming issues and basics of agricultural law, as well as "smart <br />growth" education on planning options that concentrate growth near existing <br />centers and infrastructure. County officials should place a regular briefing by <br />members of the Agricultural Advisory Board (or similar body) and /or the <br />AED specialist on their meeting agendas. <br />b. Continuing efforts to keep members of the agricultural community involved in <br />local government and planning. <br />c. Plan a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study to demonstrate the public <br />fiscal advantages of land use planning for agricultural viability. In numerous <br />COCS studies around the country, including two conducted by North Carolina <br />State University for Chatham County (1998) and Wake County (2001), <br />farmland has been shown to require significantly less in public service (fire <br />protection, water and sewer, police, schools, etc) expenditures that it <br />contributes in tax revenue, even at the lower differential assessment rate <br />afforded under the present use value system. The results of this study should <br />be publicized to further generate protection of the agricultural economy as <br />sound county fiscal policy. <br />d. The AED should cultivate local and state media coverage of the benefits of <br />agriculture to the well -being of the county, and should regularly communicate <br />with media about achievements reached under this plan. <br />2. Improve Communication and Networking within the Farm Community. The <br />county Agricultural Advisory Board should continue to represent the farming <br />community in matters before the county government and should foster <br />communication among farmers and agribusinesses to help foster a sense of <br />community in the agricultural sector. Actions could include: <br />a. Hold a farmer symposium and /or appreciation dinner at which farmers <br />have the opportunity to network with farmers from other commodity <br />sectors and different areas of the county. <br />b. Encourage farmers to use the website established by the AED (see above) <br />to participate in a bulletin board discussion or listery for posing and <br />answering questions, and for discussions about joint marketing <br />opportunities. <br />17 <br />Attachment number 1 <br />G -1 Page 214 <br />