Rachel Elkins, County Director and Pomology Farm Advisor, UCCE Lake County and Kelly Cox, Administrative Officer, County of Lake UCCE and County Government: Collaboration Leads to Agricultural Economic Development Benefits ( ) Topics included: crop diversification organic farming agri-tourism marketing strategies 2004 Update California’s Lake County Farm Trails: Backroads, Shopping & Tours brochure Increasingly difficult for farmers to finance land and operation More competition with imports More wholesale and retail consolidation Rising costs of inputs Increasing regulations Increasing “urban flight” in-migration Escalating land values Increasing conversion of land to non-farm uses Increasing conflict with non-farming neighbors Increasing fragmentation of land Permanent loss of land Role in local economy Orderly development of new economic sectors Community values, unique identity, sense of place, tradition Protects environmental values, provides open space Maintain opportunity for future generations WHY do we care? There is a struggle to maintain viable agricultural lands in Lake County Experiences from other counties: Marin Ag Land Trust, Sonoma County Land Trust, Sonoma Open Space District Local panel: Grower, Appraiser & Lender, County Community Development, Realtor Over 70 attendees Resulted in development of the L ake County Agricultural Easement Program (ACE) managed by West Lake RCD Affirms the value of agricultural activities Primarily an educational tool Helps prevent small complaints from growing into major lawsuits. Useful for county officials dealing with complaints. A 1.5 day conference 2 plenary sessions with 8 speakers and 9 workshops with 34 panelists. Lake County farm and food products Over 125 attendees Inspiration for further collaborative solutions Resources available online Includes: History Map Listings Events Activities Tours Recipes UCCE Responds to the Problem: By Developing Collaborations for Mutually Beneficial Solutions Develop & strengthen partnerships Engage local planning committees Find expert technical assistance Develop funding sources Integrate strategies for solutions Develop and maintain delivery systems Develop and use measurement tools Share successes! STRATEGY 1: Strengthen Lake County Agricultural Land Use Policy 2003/2004 Develop and Present 2004 Solutions for Today’s Farmers Conference Kelly Cox, Lake County Administrative Officer, answers the questions“How Are Agricultural Marketing Issues and Needs Being Addressed?”. STRATEGY 2: Implement an Agricultural Economic Development Program Funding from the Lake County Marketing Program Expand Lake County Ag Tourism Program Funding from Lake County Marketing Program. Widespread expansion of ag-tourism focused on Lake County Farmer’s Finest (farmers and supporters) organization. Determine whether a local marketing cooperative would be feasible or valuable Satisfy the expressed need for alternative and increased marketing avenues by individuals and pre-existing organized groups Assist in developing and enhancing services for agriculture in financing, marketing, and alternative crops Surveying resources developed for the conference. 4-H Youth volunteers performed community service assisting with food service Conduct Pre-Feasibility Study of a Lake County Marketing Cooperative 2005 Available online: Funding from CCP for Intern D’Arcy Dornan. Additional funding from Lake County Board of Supervisors and local grower entities. Funds for mailings and publicity were contributed by UC Agricultural Issues Center & USDA RMA. Funding from UC Center for Cooperatives for Intern Andy Lucas (Collaborator: Shermain Hardesty) 2001 Develop & Present Community Forum on Agricultural Conservation Easements Provided resources and ideas Samples of local products Funding from UC California Communities Program for Intern Matt Wacker. (Collaborator: UC Extension Specialist Al Sokolow) 1999 Strengthen Local “Right-to-Farm” Ordinance Funding from CCP for lntern Nancy-Clair Laird (Collaborator: UC Extension Specialist Al Sokolow) Collaborators: Lake County Board of Supervisors, Lake County Business Outreach & Response Team, Lake County Cattlemen’s Association, Community Development Services, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lake County Farmers and Neighbors Planning Committee, Lake County Farmers’ Finest, Lake County Marketing & Economic Development Program, Lake County Chapter California Women for Agriculture, Lake County Winegrape Commission, UC Agricultural Issues Center, UC California Communities Program, UC Center for Cooperatives, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Risk Management Agency, West Lake Resource Conservation District