Item:
Title
Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC065 Cooperative Extension to Recognize $475,000 in Golden LEAF Foundation funding for Durham County Farm Campus and Creation of One New Farm Manager FTE Position
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: March 9, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC065 Cooperative Extension to Recognize $475,000 in Golden LEAF Foundation funding for Durham County Farm Campus and Creation of One New Farm Manager FTE Position
Durham County Cooperative Extension has been awarded a $475,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation through its Community-Based Grants Initiative to support Phase 1 of the Durham County Farm Campus project. The Farm Campus will serve as a centralized agricultural hub designed to strengthen a resilient local food system by addressing the root causes of food insecurity while fostering entrepreneurship and workforce development. It will provide training, infrastructure, and business support for farmers at all stages, filling a critical gap in agricultural education and resources across Durham County.
The Farm Campus project has been in development for over a decade. In 2016, the Durham County Farmland Protection Board formed the first working group, and in 2022, the County secured USDA funding for a Feasibility Study managed by Cooperative Extension. This study included site analysis, community engagement, design planning, and implementation guidance. Its findings informed Durham County's 2024 purchase of 129 acres on Orange Factory Road for the Farm Campus and other community uses. The study concluded in June 2025 with strong recommendations for launching the project and a 10-year roadmap to implement the campus in three phases.
Golden LEAF funding will support a three-year effort (Feb. 5, 2026 - Feb. 4, 2029) to build foundational infrastructure and launch programming focused on project sustainability and community engagement. ...
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