Item:
Title
Receive and Discuss a Report and Brief Presentation on the Community Engagement Phase Results of the USDA-Funded Feasibility Study for the Proposed Farm Campus (30min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: October 7, 2024
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to receive and discuss a report and brief presentation on the community engagement phase results for the proposed Farm Campus. The community engagement study results are part of a comprehensive process funded by the USDA Urban Agriculture Innovative Production (UAIP) Grant awarded to Durham County Cooperative Extension in 2022 to explore the feasibility of a Farm Campus.
The phasing of the grant and the Farm Campus feasibility study require a presentation of the community engagement results of the study to the BOCC followed by the functional aspects of the full feasibility study at a later date. In January 2024 CoSpero, the contracted consultant, began community engagement work through a historical and contextual analysis followed by a countywide survey targeting aspiring, beginning, and established farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community partners to gather feedback on Farm Campus' components and surface common barriers experienced by farmers and food entrepreneurs.
In May 2024 CoSpero conducted in-person focus groups across audiences to better understand the community's priorities for Farm Campus' programming, operations, and leadership. Aspiring and beginning farmers and food entrepreneurs were further represented in focus groups, elevating their experiences and helping to shape the recommendations presented in this report. Participants offered suggestions on how Durham County can prioritize accessibility and inclusivity while involving the community in the ongoing development of Farm Campus.
This report addresses key insights that emerged throughout the process and recommendations pertaining to community governance, the programmatic approach and space utilization of ...
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