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and equity capital infusions targeting disaster impacted businesses; business incubators linked to higher education institutions; and the fonnalion of a minority capital program to assist minority business owners and operators' The vulnerabilities of Agri-Business should be factored into a long-tenn strategy to reduce business risk in North Carolina. The post-Hurricane Floyd recovery period presents an opportunity to consolidate and enhance pre-disaster programs and strategies that are available to assist the agricultural business sector in North Carolina, Slrategies to minimize agricuIlure business risk to future disasters may include the follo"ing: Protection of farm facilities aod equipment. Future agri-business losses can be reduced by incorporat- ing the basic principles of flood hazard mitigation into agricuIlure management practices, For example, if an agricultuf'.ll structure or facility, like an animal waste s'ystem, must be rebuiIl, then that facility should not be rebuilt in the floodplain. Steps can also be taken to minimize future damages of existing vulnerable buildings through relocation outside the floodplain, or possibly through elevation, Proven flood-hazard reduction techniques are well-known and available; the challenge is to work through existing channels (e,g" Coopera- tive E.xtension Senice) and articulate the "economics of mitigation" message. More specifically, it is important to be able to demonstrate to the agricuIlure community the potential losses avoided from flooding and other natural hazards through the adoption of mitigation tools and techniques, Purchase of iosurance to eover potential losses. Many of the agricultuf'.ll losses from Hurricane Floyd can be covered by insurance. Flood losses of agricultural equipment and livestock can be covered by most farm property insurance policies.' Crop losses for major crops are covered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency's Crop Insumnce Program, While insurance is available to cover most flood losses to agriculture, many farmers do not purchase policies, One of the stmtegies to decrease the economic risk posed by natural disasters is to encourage fanners to purchase available insurance. Consideration of alternative agriculture maoagement practices tbat are more flood-resistant. Agriculture production will continue to occur in or near floodplains in North Carolina, therefore it is important to integmte agricuIlure management and flood hazard management practices. For example, some livestock losses were caused by starvation when electrically powered animal feeding equipmenl could nol function, due to flooding or lack of power, If livestock opemtions continue in or near floodplains, producers should consider locating equipment above flood elevations, or the use of genemtors or other temporary sources of electrical power, Crop production pmctices can be altered to reflect the flood hazard. Assuming crop losses "ill continue to occur during major floods in fields located in floodplains, one consideration is to plant more flood-resistant crops, gro"ing crops that are harvested early in the hurricane season, or removing land from production that faces the flood hazard risk. Multi-objective approach to maoaging ao agri-business operation. Managing a sustainable agricul- tural business operation means that o"nership must be in compliance "ith a variety of water quality, health and environmental regulations. Flood loss reduction and compliance \\ilh should be NFIP regulations should be factored into a multi-objective approach to managing an agri-business operation, Business risk reduction should address the indirect economic impacts as well as direct economic impacts of major disasters. One of the most significant findings of the post-Hurricane Floyd survey of economic impacts is the extent of business disruptions due to indirect economic impacts, such as danlage to infrastructure, More than tv,ice as many businesses reported disruptions due to indirect impacts as opposed to direct damages to their facilities, The indirect economic impacts include road closures, loss of water and electric power, and loss of function of wastewater and sewer systems. When infrastructure is damaged, customers, employees and 41