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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-10-2024; 8-g - Enhanced Voluntary and Voluntary Agricultural District Designation – Multiple Farms 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 10, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Enhanced Voluntary and Voluntary Agricultural District Designation — Multiple Farms DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation (DEAPR) — Soil and Water Conservation ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Applications and Maps Jessica Perrin, (919) 245-2753 Peter Sandbeck, (919) 245-2517 PURPOSE: To consider applications from two (2) landowners/farms to certify qualifying farmland within the Cedar Grove and Caldwell Agricultural District Regions; and enroll the lands in the Orange County Farmland Preservation Program's Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District or Voluntary Agricultural District program. BACKGROUND: Orange County's Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program was started in 1992. To date there are 153 farms in both the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) program — totaling 17,500 acres. The County's Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance (VFPO) outlines a procedure for the Agricultural Preservation Board to review and approve applications for qualifying farmland, and to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts. Section VII of the VFPO contains the requirements for inclusion in a voluntary agricultural district. To be certified as qualifying farmland, a farm must: (1) Be located in the unincorporated area of Orange County; (2) Be used for bona fide farm purposes, as that term is defined in G.S. 106-743.4(a)and G.S. 160D-903; (3) Be in accordance with the minimum size requirements, which are as follows: (a) Consist of at least(i)one contiguous acre of land in production for horticultural or agricultural purposes; or(ii) at least twenty total acres of land under management for forestry; (b) In the event that a landowner has multiple tracts of qualifying farmland that are eligible, and those tracts are located within one mile or less of each other, then they may comprise a Voluntary Agricultural District. (4) Be managed in accordance with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation defined erosion-control practices and have a current conservation farm plan and/or forestry management plan associated with the current usages and owner; and (5) Be the subject of a conservation agreement, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-35, between the County and the owner of such land that prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for a period of at least 2 ten years, except for the creation of not more than three lots that meet applicable County zoning and subdivision regulations. The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board reviewed the findings of the staff assessments for the attached applications for the Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District program at its regular meeting in November 2024. All farm applications were reviewed and verified to have met or exceeded the minimum criteria for certification into the program. The Agricultural Preservation Board voted to recommend approval of the certification for these two (2) farms, and their inclusion in the Voluntary and/or the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District programs. The certification documentation is on file in the DEAPR/Soil and Water Conservation District office. The farms are described briefly below: Brief Farm Descriptions: 1) Owners Judy and James Evans submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of land totaling 33 acres as qualifying farmland for a Voluntary Agricultural District in the Cedar Grove Agricultural District Region. The farm operation includes the production of hay and managed forest land. 2) Owner James Gray submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of land totaling 45.17 acres as qualifying farmland for a Voluntary Agricultural District in the Caldwell Agricultural District Region. The farm operation includes pasture for cattle, hay production, and woodlands. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. Voluntary Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and require a non-binding 10-year conservation agreement. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and require a binding 10-year conservation agreement. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION OBJECTIVE 4. Incentivize and promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems development through supportive policy, funding, farmland protection and educational outreach. OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) certify the two (2) farm properties noted above totaling 78.17 acres; 2) designate the Evans and Gray farms as Voluntary Agricultural District farms within the Cedar Grove and Caldwell Agricultural District Regions; and 3) enroll the lands in the Orange County Farmland Preservation Program's Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program as designated. With approval of these farms, the Orange County Farmland Preservation program will have enrolled 155 farms, totaling 14,864 acres in the VAD and 2,714 acres in the EVAD for a total of 17,578 acres in the program. J F J CtZ ` 1 1 ' , 1 i Y �. lClllj-�a�" �I• I Ir •�'�li�er.l \00\ygw►' voZ��) Mai 4 Application for Orange County Farmland Preservation Program Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program INSTRUCTIONS: Before completing the application, please review the VAD/EVAD brochure provided; Complete the form as completely as possible; sign and date the form, and return to: Orange County Dept. of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Soil and Water Conservation Division P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road) Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919-245-2750 APPLICANT: Name: .lap f 16LEY W01 I SAM99 ALLEX EVANS Address: Irjj` TROLLIN4 WOOD . RD. City: AA1 RIVER State: NC Zip Code: VZ55 Phone Number (Day): 3% AIX*041 (Evening): 33b A 1,0941 E-Mail: i imu.y n i kdy eVat►S Qj a w,ai�• Coyn PROPERTY INFORMATION: Property Location/Address(s): LONESOHE FSO. CEDAR GROVE NC m3! Agriculture District/Township: CE,DAI< GRoyE Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Q33'1510111- Acres 31 _ Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Total Number of Acres on all tracts of land: 33 Does this land have a plan on file with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service or the NC Forest Service? Yes:. No: J If"No", please complete last page of form Is the land enrolled in Present Use Value taxation program with Orange County Tax Office? Yes: 4 No: If"No", please complete last page of form Revised 1/28/2020 5 CONSERVATION AGREEMENT DETAIL of VAD and EVAD: Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years. The landowner may revoke the agreement through a written request to the Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board. A Conservation Agreement for land within a Voluntary Agricultural District shall be automatically renewed for an additional term of ten years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the end of each ten-year term, the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an additional ten-year term unless notice of termination is given. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years, but cannot be revoked during the term of the agreement. EVAD enrollment, however, offers landowners additional benefits such as a higher percentage of cost-share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share Program. A Conservation Agreement for an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District shall be deemed automatically renewed for an additional term of three years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the end of each three-year term the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an additional three-year term unless notice of termination is given. I [We] have read the Conservation Agreement details above and I [we] understand the benefits of the VAD and/or EVAD program. Please mark which designation you are requesting enrollment and sign below. V 1 [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT I [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT SIGNATURE DATE 3'J9.7►�' OWNER[S] CERTIFICATION: I [We], the applicant[s] and landowner(s), hereby certify that, to the best of my [our] knowledge, the foregoing application is complete and accurate. (All landowners or a designated representative of the family may sign this application.) Signature: jw cold Date: 3- /9• ;�v2Y Signature: l '74 Wl fA" Date: 3-m•z4 Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Revised 1/28/2020 6 Please complete this section for general information about your farm and to help staff Update or develop a conservation plan for the farm. 1. How long have you owned and your farm? 8 years 2. How long have you lived on your farm? 0 years 3. How many acres on your farm are under cultivation? 11. acres (estimate) 4. What are the major crops you plant each year? HAY 6. How many acres on your farm are used for pasture? o acres (estimate) 7. How many acres on your farm are used for woodland/forestry? 7-1 acres (estimate) 8. If your family has owned and operated the farm over 100 years, would you be interested in the Century Farm Program? This is an Orange County and NC Dept. of Agriculture recognition program for family farms that have continued to farm for over 100 years. yes no AIReAq jN PR64RAK Volunteer opportunity: The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is made up of volunteers, who are interested in the counties' agricultural concerns: protection, preservation, economic sustainability, and the future of farming and agricultural in Orange County. If you are interested in being a potential member of the Agricultural Preservation Board, please indicate and signing below. Yes, please inform me when a position on the APB is available. No, thank you- not at this time. Signature: luw � w For questions or more information, please contact: Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Soil and Water Conservation Division P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road) Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919)245-2750 (Office) (919)644-3351 (fax) For more detailed information about the Voluntary Farmland Program: Please refer to the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, which can be found in Chapter 48 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, at the following link http://Iibrary.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14983 or staff can provide a copy for you. Revised 1/28/2020 7 �a LONESOME RD 9837590722 i 3 0 2 G n S GAILS TRL a James Evans and Judy Evans Voluntary Agriculture District PIN 9837590722 (33 acres) Aerial Map N James Evans and Judy Evans (33 acres) WE s 2021 Aerial DEAPR Date: 9/5/2024 Orange County GIS/Addressing/Land Records 1 inch =410 feet "S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAgDistricts\VAD ArcPro\ProVol u nta ryAg Districts.a prx" 8 D cn O o z PE RD THREE pON� pF/oT ECOST RD o' Of COUNTRY OP WALKER �O TWINS LN r c a 0 T LONESOME RD �� 3 Z Z 3 O GAILS TRL n G OBIA S' TAY-OBD 0 r MELODY D pOTEAT CIR a DR � R DEAD E/v tiOP AS TRL JA w R James Evans and Judy Evans Voluntary Agriculture District PIN 9837590722 (33 acres) Exhibit A Vicinity Map 2 N James Evans and Judy Evans (33 acres) WE s DEAPR Date: 9/5/2024 Orange County GIS/Addressing/Land Records 1 inch = 1,750 feet "S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAgDistricts\VAD ArcPro\ProVol u nta ryAg Districts.a prx" 9 Application for Orange County Farmland Preservation Program Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program INSTRUCTIONS: Before completing the application, please review the VAD/EVAD brochure provided; Complete the form as completely as possible; sign and date the form, and return to: Orange County Dept. of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Soil and Water Conservation Division P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road) Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919-245-2750 APPLICANT: Name: J 4 r_ i s W Cl)r, a Address: 1 '7 17 C+�,-� 9 City: State: Zip Code: ,'�x Phone Number Da 33 to°S b' 66)1 (Evening): cl 3 E-Mail: e.a tj )lc--e-, PROPERTY INFORMATION: Property Location/Address(s): S') G, o l /` j, A/, C , )J ,�e-P Agriculture District/Township: Parcel Identification Number (PIN): s' Acres Parcel Identification Number(PIN): `�� `� gL N 5 Acres y5• I l UPd�+�d Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres Total Number of Acres on all tracts of land: 45- 11 Does this land have a plan on file with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service or the NC Forest Service? Yes:. No: If"No", please complete last page of form Is the land enrolled in Present Use Value taxation program with Orange County Tax Office? Yes:_V/ No: If"No", please complete last page of form Revised 1/28/2020 10 CONSERVATION AGREEMENT DETAIL of VAD and EVAD: Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years. The landowner may revoke the agreement through a written request to the Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board. A Conservation Agreement for land within a Voluntary Agricultural District shall be automatically renewed for an additional term of ten ears unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the end of each ten-year term, the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an additional ten-year term unless notice of termination is given. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years, but cannot be revoked during the term of the agreement. EVAD enrollment, however, offers landowners additional benefits such as a higher percentage of cost-share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share Program. A Conservation Agreement for an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District shall be deemed automatically renewed for an additional term of three years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the end of each three-year term the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an additional three-year term unless notice of termination is given. I [We] have read the Conservation Agreement details above and I [we] understand the benefits of the VAD and/or EVAD program. Please mark which designation you are requesting enrollment and sign below. I [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT 1 [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT SIGNATURE DATE tl- 1r,,-,� 6 ) OWNER[S] CERTIFICATION: I [We], the applicant[s] and landowner(s), hereby certify that, to the best of my [our] knowledge, the foregoing application is complete and accurate. (All landowners or a designated representative of the family may sign this application.) Signature: I uw ,A,� r'), ��� - Date: Signature: hA,fDate: `�� Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Revised 1/28/2020 11 Please complete this section for general information about your farm and to help staff Update or develop a conservation plan for the farm. c. 1. How long have you owned and your farm? years 2. How long have you lived on your farm? l� years 3. How many acres on your farm are under cultivation? acres (estimate) 4. What are the major crops you plant each year? 6. How many acres on your farm are used for pasture? sd, acres (estimate) 7. How many acres on your farm are used for woodland/forestry? 10 acres (estimate) 8. If your family has owned and operated the farm over 100 years, would you be interested in the Century Farm Program? This is an Orange County and NC Dept. of Agriculture recognition program for family farms that have continued to farm for over 100 years, yes no Volunteer opportunity: The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is made up of volunteers, who are interested in the counties' agricultural concerns: protection, preservation, economic sustainability, and the future of farming and agricultural in Orange County. If you are interested in being a potential member of the Agricultural Preservation Board, please indicate and signing below. Yes, please inform me when a position on the APB is available. 4— No, thank you- not at this time. Signature, Y/ QqK(,4-j For questions or more information, please contact: Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Soil and Water Conservation Division P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road) Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919)245-2750 (Office) (919) 644-3351 (fax) For more detailed information about the Voluntary Farmland Program: Please refer to the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, which can be found in Chapter 48 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, at the following link: http://library municode com/index,aspx?clientId=14983 or staff can provide a copy for you. Revised 1/28/2020 12 REq�Fhq`<RD O\ 0 Ll a 9990948645 of James Gray and Mary Gray o� Voluntary Agriculture District r� PIN 9990948645 (45.17 acres) Aerial Map N James Gray and Mary Gray (45.17 acres) WE, s 2021 Aerial DEAPR Date: 9/4/2024 Orange County GIS/Addressing/Land Records 1 inch =417 feet "S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAgDistricts\VAD ArcPro\ProVol u nta ryAg Districts.a prx" 13 0 Q Person County Q Hof Orange County Co,��, \N 4 0 9990948618 45 0 Tw7/y CROSSING RD a CAm SHEALTIO.WAY �S S9 4�2N RD ti m til QIO q�➢ COUNTRY 0 James Gray and Mary Gray Voluntary Agriculture District PIN 9990948645 (45.17 acres) Exhibit A Vicinity Map James Gray and Mary Gray (45.17 acres) S DEAPR Date: 9/4/2024 Orange County GIS/Addressing/Land Records 1 inch = 1,431 feet "S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAgDistricts\VAD ArcPro\ProVoluntaryAgDistricts.aprx"