By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
More than 100 farmers, county officials and community members gathered on Tuesday to discuss the drought and the changing face of agriculture at the 10th annual Orange County Agricultural Summit.
Rep. David Price expressed his concerns regarding the drought to the crowd at the Orange Enterprises Building in Hillsborough, which is being considered as a possible site for a shared-use value-added food-processing center.
“I am very concerned, as I know you are, about the news that the prospects for a turnaround [in the weather] are receding,†Price said. “I of course firmly hope that that isn’t the case.â€
Price said Congress is considering increasing emergency disaster assistance for crop and livestock producers, which could provide relief during the drought.
“It really is going to be necessary for us to prepare for an adverse situation,†he said. “I know that the people most affected are our farmers.
“We have a lot of work to do in this region, short-term and long-term, in preparing for our water’s future,†Price continued. “This is not a water-rich state. This is a state where we have to shepherd our resources very carefully.â€
Tom Konsler, environmental health director for Orange County, said that while well replacements have increased slightly recently, the increase is small compared to the spike in well replacements in 2002.
“Now we’re seeing a pretty big spike in irrigation wells being drilled,†Konsler said.
Board of County Commissioners Chair Barry Jacobs said the county is in the process of hiring a water resources coordinator who will focus on water conservation and public health efforts. Jacobs added that the coordinator will provide the county with scientific information about the county and its water “before we do things that will lead us in an irreparable direction.â€
The summit also featured presentations from Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods representatives, who provided information regarding obtaining products from local farmers and the increasing demand for local foods.
“There is a lot more demand for product than there is local product,†said Paul Griswold, a buyer for Weaver Street Market. “The news is good and the outlook is really bright. I just see an ever-expanding market on the East Coast.â€
Local growers provided information about their operations, also emphasizing the growing demand for local foods.
To meet the increasing demand for locally grown products, the county is working with Alamance, Chatham and Durham counties to establish a shared-use value-added food-processing center, where farmers and others could make value-added products such as jams, pickles or tamales.
Consultant Smithson Mills provided an update regarding plans for the facility. According to Jacobs, the county has applied for grants to fund the facility, which could be housed at the county-owned Orange Enterprises Building.