Community input shapes Durham County’s Farm Campus vision; advisory governance and mentorship emphasized

Don Rewalt, County Extension Director, presented interim community engagement results from the Farm Campus feasibility study funded through a USDA Urban Agriculture grant. He said outreach prioritized groups historically excluded from such planning, including BIPOC farmers, immigrants and youth.

The report’s central recommendations include forming a community governance framework that shares decision‑making authority with residents, establishing mentorship and cohort models for incubator farms, phasing foundational program elements in 2025 and developing versatile shared spaces (kitchens, storage, pavilions) to support food entrepreneurs. Rewalt said the process included focus groups, translated sessions and incentives for participants so that the engagement centered those the project aims to serve.

Participants flagged transportation access—the site is not on a city bus line—as a concern and urged clarity about how the campus will support business development (processing, marketing and distribution). Rewalt said next steps include completion of the total feasibility study by HR&A, posting an RFQ for design teams, and starting on‑site educational activities and workshops while the county finalizes the capital planning work for the Orange Factory Road property.

Commissioners supported the recommendations for inclusive governance and mentorship. Several asked about funding pathways; staff discussed farm registration options that can unlock certain federal agriculture program funds and noted the county will pursue grants and partnerships for early‑stage equipment and programming.