Durham County Cooperative Extension awarded $475,000 Golden LEAF grant to launch Farm Campus; new Farm Manager FTE proposed

Durham County Cooperative Extension asked the Board to recognize a $475,000 Golden LEAF Foundation grant to support launch activities for Phase 1 of the Durham County Farm Campus and to create a new Farm Manager 1.0 FTE position.

Resource persons listed in the materials include Donna Rewalt, County Extension Director; Raina Goldstein Bunnag, County Food Security Coordinator; and Ashley Troth, Horticulture Extension Agent. Agenda text describes the Farm Campus as a centralized agricultural hub on 129 acres purchased in 2024 to strengthen local food systems, support farmers and provide workforce development. The Golden LEAF award would fund a three-year effort (Feb. 5, 2026–Feb. 4, 2029) for personnel, construction, equipment and supplies. The materials state Golden LEAF will provide $150,000 toward the Farm Manager’s salary and benefits and that Durham County will provide $65,350 in year three to supplement the position; additional county funding will be needed to sustain the position beyond the grant term.

Why it matters: The Farm Campus is presented as a decade-long planning outcome intended to increase agricultural training, infrastructure and entrepreneurship supports in Durham County and to address food insecurity and workforce needs.

Context and next steps: The County Manager recommended approval of the budget ordinance amendment recognizing the grant and the creation of the FTE; the item was placed on the consent agenda for Board approval.