- Agricultural Land Use recommendations include the following:
1. Coordinate farmland protection education and policy development to help with implementation and oversight of the plan.
2. Strengthen the Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District program by adding additional options for landowners. The district is a valuable tool for educating the public and Realtors about the benefits and needs of agriculture throughout areas of the county.
3. Develop a strategic farmland map to identify priority protection areas and actions needed.
4. Build support for a Working Lands Protection Program, which would help the county compete for state conservation funding and meet the needs of farmers.
5. Integrate the Farmland Preservation Plan into the county's Land Conservation & Development Plan.
6. Update county zoning and subdivision regulations to meet agricultural production needs.
7. Explore options to ensure long-term agricultural access to water supplies.
8. Advocate for state policies that are supportive of agriculture and forestry.
9. Explore ways to integrate farmland protection into the Jordan Lake rule-making process.
10. Work with surrounding jurisdictions to integrate regional agricultural and land development policies. For example, Orange and Alamance counties already have farmland preservation plans and policies in place.
- The Agricultural Economic Development Plan includes these recommendations:
1. Develop a Forestry and Agribusiness Retention, Expansion, and Attraction Plan that would provide a coordinated effort to position the county as a regional leader in agriculture.
2. Explore the feasibility of a dedicated agribusiness park in cooperation with Siler City, with the possibility federal funding assistance.
3. Enhance opportunities for agricultural and forestry producers and entrepreneurs to enhance their business and marketing skills as well as networking opportunities.
4. Develop an integrated marketing system that expands opportunities for direct marketing and wholesale trade.
5. Create a program to explore agricultural production of alternative energy crops, such as bio-energy.
6. Support public-private efforts to boost agritourism and food retail options, including a potential culinary arts center.
7. Enhance public understanding of agriculture and forestry and improve relationships between residential and agricultural neighbors.
8. Expand agriculture education and training programs, such as flexible training modules for farm and forestry operations.
9. Develop a farmer retention and recruitment program to provide additional support, training and resources for new farmers.
10. Support efforts to develop agricultural leadership in the region.
11. Enhance agricultural work force conditions to prevent a future shortage of labor, including training programs for both skilled and unskilled workers.
