2019 Purchase of Development Rights, Alamance County Farmland Preservation Program Application Sign up
The Alamance County Voluntary Agricultural District Board (AVAD) will be accepting applications for the Purchase of Development Rights, Alamance County Farmland Preservation Program Sept. 3rd – Sept. 30, 2019. The applications can be picked up or emailed from the Alamance Soil and Water Office starting September 3rd, 2019.
Applications must be returned to the Alamance SWCD Office at 209 N Graham Hopedale Road, Burlington, NC 27217, beginning Sept. 3rd with a deadline of Sept. 30, 2019 @ 5:00PM.
The NC Dept. of Agriculture and Community Services Farmland Preservation Trust Fund anticipates having funding statewide to fund applications in the 2019-2020 cycle. The Alamance County VAD Board will select the top applicants from the applications received based on the ranking system. North Carolina leads the Southeast in lost farmland and Family farms. This funding is made available to encourage Farmland Preservation and protection.
If you have any questions about the program or to request an application, please contact the Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation District Office @ 336-290-0380.
Brad Moore, Alamance Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator
336-290-0380
brad.moore@alamance-nc.com
Farmland Preservation
Purchase of Development Rights
Applications Now Being Accepted
Sept. 3rd thru Sept. 30th
Entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2019
Alamance County WIC Program Introduces Lactation Stations at Community Events
BURLINGTON – Moms have an opportunity to breastfeed their infant while still being able to enjoy outdoor community events. The Alamance County WIC program has recently introduced a new community initiative, the Lactation Station, to create an environment where breastfeeding moms feel safe and welcomed to breastfeed while attending community events. The Lactation Station is a private, comfortable space that moms can go to breastfeed, pump, or change their infants while out at community events. Amenities provided at the station include chairs, fans, during warmer weather, a changing table, and electric outlets for those who need to express milk.
The space has already been a success at six events since its debut in March 2019, including the St. Patty’s Day Bash in Burlington and Slice of Summer in Graham. In the short time the Lactation Station has been available, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response. Moms with older children have expressed their gratitude and sentiment wishing there had been something available years ago when they were breastfeeding. Dads were also thankful for the space for the support it offers. With scorching temperatures at the last two events, breastfeeding moms have expressed such gratitude that they did not have to go to their car, or sit somewhere with a blanket in the heat. All the organizers of these events have been encouraging of this innovative idea and the service it is providing for the community.
In addition to supporting moms, the Lactation Station is meant to spark conversation about the benefits of breastfeeding in efforts to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates within the County. “We are hoping that by providing a mobile lactation station that we can rally and inform the community around the benefits of breastfeeding and support our moms who are breastfeeding,” stated Sarah Austin, Alamance County WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator
Check out the Lactation Station for yourself, while learning more about the many benefits of breastfeeding, at the World Breastfeeding Week event on August 7 at Burlington Community Health Center and at “Boo in the Park” on October 27 at City Park in Burlington.
WIC, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is a service for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. The WIC Program promotes healthy habits for families through nutrition education and counseling services, breastfeeding promotion and support, referrals to other health and community resources, and healthy foods.
To be eligible for WIC services, mom or child must:
- Live in North Carolina.
- Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. For a household of two, that would be anything less than an annual income of $31,285. A person receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
- Be at nutritional risk. This will be assessed by a nutritionist or other health professional at no cost to the participant at the WIC office.
For more information about WIC or to make an appointment, visit the Alamance County WIC office, located at the county Health Department, at 319 N. Graham-Hopedale Road, Burlington, or call 336-570- 6745. You may also visit the website at https://www.nutritionnc.com/wic/.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Champion Tree of Alamance County is Back!
Champion Tree of Alamance County is back! Alamance County is home to giant trees that have, against all odds, survived centuries of storms, pests, and development. These living monuments have cleaned our air, filtered our water and provided habitat for Piedmont wildlife over hundreds of years. From school grounds and city centers to backwoods and backyards, help us find, measure and celebrate the largest trees in Alamance County!
The deadline to enter a tree into the competition is September 30, 2019. Measuring will take place in October and winners will be announced in November via email. Official certificates will be sent to the champion tree nominators.
For more information and to nominate a tree, visit: www.championtreeac.com. For questions, contact recinfo@alamance-nc.com or call 336-229-2410.
County Government Academy Fall Kick-Off 2019
Now Accepting Applications
Alamance County Government will kick-off the 2019 Fall County Government Academy on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019. The County Government Academy gives participants a behind the scenes look at the county’s responsibilities and the vital role that county government plays in the community. Join us in learning how your tax dollars are spent!
The academy will run for 10 consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00-8:30pm (the County Landfill session will start at 3:00pm-5:00pm) at various county departments starting on September 10th and concluding on November 12th.
- September 10th – Orientation, Clerk to the Board, County Manager, & Group Exercise
- September 17th – Agricultural & Horticulture Services: Cooperative Extension, Food Sciences Cooking Demonstration & Soil & Water Conservation
- September 24th – Public Safety: Sheriff’s Office
- October 1st – Developmental & Technical Services: GIS, Inspections, IT and Recreation & Parks
- October 8th – Human Services: Environmental Health, Public Health, and Social Services
- October 15th – Register of Deeds, Planning, & Tax Administration
- October 22nd – Emergency Services (Part 1): Fire Marshal & Central Communications
- October 29th – Emergency Services (Part 2): Emergency Management & Emergency Medical Services
- November 5th – Solid Waste Management (3:00-5:00pm)*
- November 12th – Burlington-Alamance Airport Tour
- November 18th – Meet & Greet w/ County Commissioners followed by Graduation/Recognition
Class size is limited and academy slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants are asked to commit to attending every session. Application forms are available online at: http://www.alamance-nc.com/countygovacademy. For more information, please call 336-570-4042 or email: tory.frink@alamance-nc.com.
The Duke Endowment Awards $430,000 School-Based Oral Health Expansion Program Grant to the Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center
BURLINGTON – The Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center received a $430,000 School-Based Oral Health Expansion grant from The Duke Endowment to provide on-site dental health services in the elementary schools of Alamance-Burlington School System. These services will include classroom education, examinations, x-rays, prophys, fluoride, sealants, amalgam fillings, and case management. For more advanced cases, children will be referred to the Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center office located at 1914 McKinney Street in Burlington or to a pediatric dental health specialist.
“School-based programs are designed to remove barriers by meeting children where they spend much of their days and to help ensure they are healthy, pain-free, and ready to learn,” said Stacy Warren, program officer for health care at The Duke Endowment. “We are proud to support Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center in expanding dental care for children living in rural and underserved areas with few or no treatment options.”
The grants are part of a multi-year initiative to address oral health in the state, with an early focus on school-aged children. To learn more about the School-based Oral Health Expansion Program, please visit https://dukeendowment.org/our-work/supporting-oral-health. The Duke Endowment is working with partners throughout North Carolina and South Carolina to develop an initiative to improve oral health in the Carolinas. This multi-year initiative will help health departments, safety-net providers and non-profit organizations expand dental services into rural and underserved schools to ensure that all children receive dental care.
The goals of this initiative are to:
- improve access to preventative and restorative dental care for school-aged children
- improve meaningful oral health outcomes for school-aged children
- proliferate school-based programs that have viable business plans that lead to sustainability
The Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center offers a variety of oral health treatments including cleanings, fluoride treatment, infant oral care, nutrition counseling, extractions and emergency treatment up to the age of 21 years old. They currently serve 3,500 to 4,000 children annually.
The grants are part of a multi-year initiative to address oral health in the state, with an early focus on school-aged children. To learn more about the School-based Oral Health Expansion Program, please visit https://dukeendowment.org/our-work/supporting-oral-health. The Duke Endowment is working with partners throughout North Carolina and South Carolina to develop an initiative to improve oral health in the Carolinas. This multi-year initiative will help health departments, safety-net providers and non-profit organizations expand dental services into rural and underserved schools to ensure that all children receive dental care.
The goals of this initiative are to:
- improve access to preventative and restorative dental care for school-aged children
- improve meaningful oral health outcomes for school-aged children
- proliferate school-based programs that have viable business plans that lead to sustainability
The Alamance County Children’s Dental Health Center offers a variety of oral health treatments including cleanings, fluoride treatment, infant oral care, nutrition counseling, extractions and emergency treatment up to the age of 21 years old. They currently serve 3,500 to 4,000 children annually.
New Hours for May Memorial Library
Alamance County Public Libraries announces new library hours for May Memorial Library. Beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2019, the May Memorial Library branch will be open from 9am – 8pm.
This change is the outcome of a detailed analysis of patron activity over the past two years and is consistent with the closing times of other Alamance County Library Branches. Director of Alamance Libraries Susana Goldman states, “Providing our patrons with staff and library resources continues to be our number one priority. This change allows us to reallocate staff for increased availability to patrons during peak library hours.”
May Memorial’s new operating hours as of September 3, 2019 will be the following:
- Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Susana Goldman at 336-513-4753 or email at sgoldman@alamancelibraries.org.
Emergency Management Weather Update and Impact
The combination of high temperatures and humidity will result in heat index values reaching 109°F in some areas Thursday afternoon and evening. Prolonged high temperatures and humidity are expected to remain through the weekend.
- A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 7PM this evening for many areas within the Piedmont including Alamance County.
- An Excessive Heat Watch will go into effect Saturday and Sunday for the county.
- Consecutive days of high heat and minimal cooling at night will result in dangerous conditions
- Heat index values may reach 112°F during the afternoon/evening over the weekend and only drop into the 80s and 90s at night
- Low temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to lower 80s for the county over the weekend
- Prolonged exposure to heat could lead to dehydration, overheating, or heat illness
- Take extra precautions and limit any outside work or activities
- Drink plenty of water
- Wear light weight, light colored, and loose fitting clothing
- Take numerous breaks in the shade if possible while outdoors
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the region Thursday afternoon with most storms diminishing this evening
- The primary threats with any storm that develops:
- Damaging wind gusts
- Brief, heavy rainfall
- Dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning
- A weather pattern change is expected next week as cooler air will move in Monday increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms
If you should need to take shelter due to the high heat index please go to:
ACAC – Allied Churches of Alamance County
206 N. Fisher Street
Burlington, NC 27217
They also severe hot meals Monday – Friday for families in need.
For further questions, please contact the Alamance County Emergency Management Department at 336-227-1365.
2018 Community Health Assessment Presented at Board of County Commissioners Meeting
2018 Community Health Assessment Presented at Board of County Commissioners Meeting
Health Department and Community Partners Present Findings
BURLINGTON- The 2018 Community Health Assessment (CHA) has been completed and was approved by the North Carolina Division of Public Health on May 1, 2019. Representatives from the Health Department and Healthy Alamance presented the findings of the report at the July 15, 2019 meeting of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners.
Health priorities highlighted in the report are access to care, education, and economy. The 2018 CHA details county demographics, health statistics, and the results of a telephone survey, focus groups, and a community forum. Additionally, the 2018 CHA highlights how social drivers affect the overall health of the community.
The 2018 CHA is a collaborative effort between the Alamance County Health Department, Alamance Regional Medical Center, Elon University, Healthy Alamance, Impact Alamance, United Way and other community partners. The CHA is a report required every three to four years by the North Carolina Division of Public Health from all local health departments in North Carolina. To view the 2018 CHA, please visit http://www.alamance-nc.com/health/ then choose Health Reports and Statistics.
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Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Outreach
Alamance, Durham, Orange, and Person Counties are working together to update the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and your participation and input is valuable! This plan update is required to maintain eligibility for future pre- and post-disaster funding from FEMA. This effort will also help the counties and incorporated municipalities to identify hazard risks, understand vulnerability, and develop ways to proactively mitigate these risks. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, July 11th at 5:30 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Building at 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 to provide information on the planning process, the identified hazards, and additional opportunities for public involvement, as well as to gather feedback from the public. For more information on the plan update, please visitwww.enohawhmp.com.