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Cabarrus: A Sustainable Community

Agriculture is ranked as Cabarrus County's

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Cabarrus: A Sustainable Community

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    1. Cabarrus: A Sustainable Community

    2. Agriculture is ranked as Cabarrus County’s #2 industry (1) , accounting for $21,700,000 in gross sales annually. Agriculture is much more than farming since a substantial number of non-agricultural businesses supply the needs of farmers. These include processors, vehicle and equipment dealers and other enterprises. Cabarrus County farmers, for example, own and must maintain and replace 600 trucks, 1,850 tractors and numerous other pieces of farm equipment and machinery. They also purchase petroleum products, feed, hire farm labor and other products and services from Cabarrus County and other nearby enterprises, many of which would not be considered farm supply businesses. For these businesses to survive and prosper, a core critical mass of farmers must be preserved and vice-versa. Though difficult to measure, these many businesses supporting agriculture undoubtedly account for a significant portion of Cabarrus County’s employment base. (1) information prepared by Dr. Michael L. Walden, William Neal Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, 2002

    4. North Carolina’s Changing Landscape Polk County was named for Colonel Polk fo the Revoultionary War. What changes would he notice if he could come back and walk about Polk County today.Polk County was named for Colonel Polk fo the Revoultionary War. What changes would he notice if he could come back and walk about Polk County today.

    6. Farms Support the N.C. Economy

    16. Net effect of development on tax receipts. For each $1.00 in property tax collected: Residential development requires: $1.20-1.50 in NC (net loss) Farm and Forest land requires in NC: $0.30-.050 (net gain)

    17. Productivity Has Increased In 1950, each farmer fed 27 people. In 2006, each farmer feeds 130 people.

    18. % of Income Spent on Food 46% In 1935

    19. Working Lands Tools … In all 100 counties today: Present Use Value Taxation Cost Share Programs (profitability) Technical Assistance Agritourism NC is one of “The Agriculture States” (focus, strength and recognition) In some counties today: Voluntary Agriculture District Ordinance (68 VAD’s) County Farm Protection Program (5) Enhanced VAD (6) Easements; purchase, holding & monitoring (30 ???) Locally Grown & Food Security Issues Agricultural Incubators Dairy Advantage (NCDA&CS) North Carolina agriculture: $8.7 Billion at the gate - 37% of Sweet Potatoes - 15% Hogs and Pigs 14% of Turkeys 25% of Christmas Tree Receipts - 445 Meat Handlers registered as Direct Market North Carolina agriculture: $8.7 Billion at the gate - 37% of Sweet Potatoes - 15% Hogs and Pigs 14% of Turkeys 25% of Christmas Tree Receipts - 445 Meat Handlers registered as Direct Market

    20. Voluntary Agriculture Districts VAD’s … … a 1st step toward preserving working lands in NC.

    23. Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm Park

    25. Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm Park 30.6 acres donated by Elma C. Lomax for use as a public park Owned by Cabarrus County Managed by NC Cooperative Extension-Cabarrus Center Startup costs funded by Cabarrus County, and through private grants, specifically the Cannon Foundation Certified Organic Operation

    26. Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm Park Helps gardeners make the leap to market farming Affordable access to land Shared resources and equipment Educational opportunities regarding production, distribution, marketing, business practices and more Transitional Strategies following 3 to 5 year participation

    28. CRUSE CONSTRUCTION

    29. Summary Strategies to Keep Farmers Farming Produce the food our community needs in the quantity needed Focus on High Quality or High Brix foods “Grow” the next generation of farmers Create the market for producer to consumer foods

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