Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
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<strong>Genesee</strong> <strong>County</strong>: <strong>Agricultural</strong> Development <strong>Plan</strong><br />
RECOMMENDATIONS<br />
The following recommendations should be considered a menu of options for agricultural<br />
development opportunities. The study team realizes that the <strong>County</strong> will not be able to<br />
implement all aspects of the recommendations, but expects that this list should spark a<br />
debate that helps to further classify, refine, <strong>and</strong> prioritize agricultural development<br />
initiatives. As priorities are developed, key agencies should adopt them as part of their<br />
individual work plans, <strong>and</strong> the <strong>County</strong> should integrate them into its Master <strong>Plan</strong>. It is<br />
also noted that the commitment <strong>and</strong> support of the <strong>County</strong> along with the towns <strong>and</strong><br />
industry is critical to the success of this plan as well as the l<strong>and</strong>-use recommendations<br />
included in the “<strong>Agricultural</strong> <strong>and</strong> Farml<strong>and</strong> <strong>Protection</strong> <strong>Plan</strong>”.<br />
Note: Each recommendation includes a priority ranking which is based on the frequency<br />
<strong>and</strong> urgency of issues identified during the study; cost considerations address funding<br />
issues, exclusive of personnel requirements, based on the study team’s experience; <strong>and</strong><br />
responsibility which is based on the logical agency(s) to oversee implementation.<br />
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<br />
Ten-Year Objective<br />
Create an economic environment where traditional <strong>and</strong> non-traditional agricultural<br />
operations thrive using a full complement of economic <strong>and</strong> business development tools.<br />
Economic Development initiatives will focus on developing value-added agricultural<br />
production, strengthening industry profitability, integrating farming <strong>and</strong> non-farming<br />
communities, encouraging agricultural operations with high returns to the community,<br />
increasing wages <strong>and</strong> proprietor’s income, supporting supplier/vendor networks, <strong>and</strong><br />
enhancing the quality of life.<br />
Five-Year Action <strong>Plan</strong><br />
Recommendation 1: Promote Innovative Financing Options<br />
<strong>Genesee</strong>’s agricultural industry shows signs of outgrowing the region’s existing capital<br />
resources, which consist mostly of community banks <strong>and</strong> the Farm Credit System. This<br />
is due largely to the concentration of large, diversified farming operations as well as the<br />
presence of numerous entrepreneurial agricultural <strong>and</strong> agriculturally related business. As<br />
farm size <strong>and</strong> agricultural innovation continue, the region’s lack of equity <strong>and</strong> equity/debt<br />
hybrid financing may become a limiting growth factor.<br />
In an effort to support these businesses, the <strong>County</strong>, lead by the Industrial Development<br />
Authority, should examine methods to enhance private investment as follows:<br />
1. Support the development of a regional capital network focused on linking<br />
regional investors with agricultural entrepreneurs <strong>and</strong> providing alternative<br />
financing for agricultural <strong>and</strong> agriculturally related businesses. Specific functions<br />
of the network should include “deal making” as well as:<br />
a. Angel investor training.<br />
Copyright©, 2001: <strong>Agricultural</strong> & Community Development Services, Inc, Columbia, MD 12