POLK COUNTY FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM

1
Polk County Agricultural Economic Development
Farmland Preservation
2
Polk County Farmland

• Current Census Lists the primary crop as
  hay and some orchards. It attributes about 2.2
  million to horses and that viticulture (grapes)
  are expanding. Total agriculture 7.2
  million. WRONG!

3
Agriculture is the biggest economic engine in
Polk County

• Agriculture has been driven by state and federal
  agencies and their statistics and programs do no
  reflect local agriculture.

• Agriculture may be a 25-30 million dollar
  business (POLK)
• Ag is a part of the real estate tourism business

4

• Polk County has been working for over 8 years
  to develop a strategy for agriculture.
• Voluntary Ag District
• Enhanced Ag District
• Viticulture Application
• Coordinated Equestrian
• Farmland Protection Plan

5
A position was developed.

• A position of an Agricultural Economic
  Development Director was proposed as part of the
  farmland protection plan and it was supported by
  the citizens and county commission.
• This was a bold step!

6
The Position Puts The Focus On Polk County

• Assess what you have.
• Define Local Agriculture
• Start Doing Things for Your County
• If a state or local program doesnt fit, dont
  get angry, dont get even just do what needs doing

7
Be Clear With Your Objectives

• Reconnect the Community With Agriculture
• Enhance existing operations
• Start new ag operations and value added products
• Have Fun!!

8
Results

• Agriculture is part of the EDC base activities
• Agriculture is participating in new Economic
  Resources
• The Community is Engaged
• Friends of Ag ICC Short Courses
• Farm Festival Community Gardens
• Keep the Farm Workshop
• 100 CSA Customers, new farmers, over twenty new
  acres of vegetables, 50 acres of higher quality
  production, saved 30 acres of apple orchards, 4
  farmers markets, over 150,000 in grants, new
  connection to existing resources

• FOCUS POINT

We now have a voice that is heard loud and clear
throughout the county.
9
What Next

• Americorps Outreach
• Enhanced Farmers Markets
• Box Truck/Trailer
• Portable Market
• Collaboration

• Agri-tourism
• More Community Gardens
• New Markets
• Training and Hands-on Assistance
• Forestry