Funds for tomorrow
Published: Wed, Mar. 14, 2007 12:00AM
Modified Wed, Mar. 14, 2007 03:02AM
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closeYour Feb. 26 editorial "Down on the farm" rightly lamented that North Carolina lost more farms in 2005 than any other state. Fortunately, state leaders have taken some important steps recently to stem the loss of our farms.
Gov. Mike Easley, with encouragement from Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, has included $6 million for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in his budget. Reps. Pricey Harrison, Phil Haire, Dewey Hill and Bill Faison have introduced legislation to provide $10 million.
If funded, the program will provide incentives to farmers to continue farming, maintain ownership and improve the profitability of their farms, and protect their farms from development. The result would be a stronger agricultural industry and a continued safe and local supply of fresh food.
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Legislation will soon be introduced to significantly increase the trust fund's budget as part of a $200 million per year conservation plan, originally proposed by Land for Tomorrow, to protect farms, forests and streams. Those lands protect drinking water, clean air and other resources that are critical to our quality of life and economy.
What's at stake is a way of life for farmers, and North Carolina's future health and well-being.
Kate Dixon
Director, Land for Tomorrow
Durham
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