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Farmland board highlights school partnerships, signage and agritourism opportunities
Summary
The board described partnerships with Southern High School carpentry, tower-garden projects in schools and potential agritourism ties to the Veil Trail; staff said they are balancing visibility with some landowners' desire for privacy.
Members of the Farmland Protection Advisory Board and county Open Space staff described how school partnerships and outreach programs are used to connect youth with agriculture and to raise farmer visibility.
Nicole Connolly said the board partners with schools to support raised-bed gardens, greenhouses, and the production of agricultural district signs. "We are partnered with Southern High School in building those signs and they have, their carpentry class is building all of those signs for us right now," Connolly said. She added that the signs, and farmer appreciation events, help make farms more visible in the county.
Commissioners asked about Future Farmers of America and other in‑school programs; staff said Soil & Water often serves as the conduit to high-school programs and that students appear at farmers appreciation events. The board also described partnerships with North Carolina Central University: Commissioner Valentine noted a partnership with NCCU Law and a campus garden available to students.
Commissioners and board members discussed opportunities presented by the Veil Trail for agritourism and direct‑to‑consumer access while emphasizing the need to respect landowners who prefer privacy. The board said it is monitoring the Veil Trail project through its representative from Open Space and Trails and is considering how to support landowners who may want to engage with trail users.
