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AHC director outlines farmland losses, processing needs and post-Helen recovery
Summary
The new director of AHC briefed council on farmland loss in Henderson County, post-Hurricane Helen recovery needs, processing and labor challenges for local farms, and ongoing AHC projects seeking county or state support.
Brent, the new director of the Agricultural and Horticultural Council (AHC), presented an update on local agriculture, recovery needs after Hurricane Helen, and programs to support producers.
Brent said the county has lost thousands of acres of farmland since recent censuses and that the average farm size has decreased; he highlighted a need for processors and shared infrastructure, such as a co-op-style packing/processing facility and at least one publicly available commercial kitchen. He described recovery costs borne by farmers and challenges accessing reimbursement programs that require farmers to front expenses and submit receipts.
AHC'9s priorities include farmland preservation, educational outreach (including regenerative practices), and helping farmers access federal and state programs. Brent highlighted several local expansion projects that may require state funding or technical assistance, and he encouraged coordination between the town, county and AHC for non-profit funding requests.
Council members and attendees asked about packing-house capacity, commercial kitchen availability, and ways the town can support farmland preservation and disaster recovery. Brent said AHC has been connecting farmers to extension, soil and water, and federal programs and that the organization is exploring options to attract processors and expand market channels.
