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Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:00 AM
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By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund on Tuesday announced $7.6 million in grants to help communities protect farmland or promote agricultural enterprises.
The grants were announced by Steve Troxler, agriculture commissioner.
One of the largest of those grants was for $675,000 and goes to Cabarrus County to help develop a slaughter facility, food council and marketing plan for Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties.
Dewitt Hardee, manager of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said the grant will cover just a fraction of the millions it will cost to build the slaughter facility.
He said it's a facility that's badly needed, as a number of beef cattle farmers have for decades had to spend more than half a day transporting their cattle to market.
"It's a big project; there's been a longtime need for this type facility in that area," Hardee said.
He said that as part of the project, a marketing plan has also been devised by which the cattle that are slaughtered will be sold. Hardee said the beef will go to everything from schools to prisons, thereby reducing the price of those items in the local market.
"It's a win-win situation," Hardee said. "It'll be less cost for the community."
The $7.6 million in grants will support 41 projects across the state. Grants awarded in Rowan County include:
- The LandTrust for Central North Carolina was awarded $135,271 to assist in the purchase of a 25-year term agreement on 271 acres of the Rollans Farm, which produces row crops and hay.
- The LandTrust for Central North Carolina also received a grant of $25,000 to assist with the transaction costs associated with the donation of an easement on 195 acres of the Knox Farm, which produces livestock and grain.
- Rowan County Soil and water Conservation District received $367,100 to assist in the purchase of a 50-year term agreement on 149 acres of the Starnes Farm, which produces poultry.
What do you think? Post your comment below.
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Where do I sign up to "volunteer"? : Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:46 PM
It looks like service on a county committee can have its little privileges, indeed. Otherwise, I wonder why the Pattersons, the Corrihers, and other big farmers in this county have to suckle hind "teet" when the money is being handed out. It seems to flow hand-over-fists for those who promote the favored agendas, the favored candidates, belong to the favored political party, etc. Where can I sign up as a volunteer and get this kind of free government money?
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More Pork, Oink, Oink, Oink! : Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:44 PM
Wow, this is an eye-opener. Tomorrow's land use input session should be interesting. More big government spending programs, this time county-funded.
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Tax payer
Fitting : Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:57 AM
It's only fitting to build a slaughter house with this pork barreling!
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ripping off the tax payer : Tuesday, July 08, 2008 8:20 PM
what a waste of money. to give money to people that toot there own horn that are serving on a land committee. Is this not a conflick of interest. Only in ole Rowan.Perhaps ole Tim left this money behind.
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Farmland Preservation Grants : Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:47 PM
Are the Rollans and Knox farms owned by relatives of the two Land Use Plan committee members with the same last names? Their lobbying efforts for farmland preservation are already reaping big rewards for someone. Congratulations! Most folks cannot get this kind of windfall unless they win the lottery, or "volunteer" on the RJI.
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