Working Lands Protection Plans:
A Regional Approach to Agricultural
Economic Development
Gerry Cohn
Organic Valley – SE Region Pools Coordinator
Agricultural 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