S Grant -Application to NC Agr Dev & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund -Breeze Farm

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X. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Orange County is working with retired colonel William Breeze Sr. to complete the protection of his historic 295 -acre family farm in rural Orange County. ADFP funds are requested to complete Phase II of a planned two- phased project. Phase I was completed in April 2008 when the County purchased a conservation easement on 141 acres with matching funds from the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) with 18% of the easement value donated the landowner. In this Phase II of the project Orange County will purchase a perpetual conservation easement on the 153 -acre eastern half of the farm. The County requests $290,000 in ADFP funds, which will be matched by $189,000 in County funds and a landowner donation of 20% of the easement value ($118,000). This ADFP project would contribute to a larger public - private collaboration involving the Breeze family, NC State University, Orange County and US Department of Agriculture. The result will be 564 contiguous acres of protected prime farmland in an area with good access to markets and with opportunities to further agricultural research and education. XI. PROPERTY BACKGROUND AND HISTORY A. Please describe operations ownership and history of agricultural operations. Colonel William Breeze and his late wife Elizabeth purchased "Blue Bonnet Farm" in 1947. From 1947- 1970 they raised tobacco and row crops. From 1970 -1998 he raised Charolais beef cattle (125 -130 head), along with corn, soybeans and small grain. Since 1998 he has leased the land to two area farmers who raise cattle (40 head), hay, corn, and small grain (wheat). Colonel Breeze retired from farming in 1998, and now lives off -site in nearby Durham. He is sole owner of the farm and continues to make all the decisions regarding its future. Colonel Breeze recently updated his Conservation Plan with the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District. For the past 20 years he has managed the woodlands with a forest management plan and guidance from Bernard & Dryman, Consulting Forestry Inc. The farm is enrolled in the NC Forest Stewardship Program (since 1994). B. What values does this easement hold? The conservation easement will protect highly productive agricultural land, which features prime or statewide important soils (Georgeville B /C), productive timberland, forested stream corridors (Little River public water supply watershed), and scenic views along Schley Road (SR 1548). The farm also has historic /cultural values associated with the early settlement of Orange County, including a late 18th century home site and mid -19th century log cabin. The farmstead is also on the National Register Study List. Finally, this proposed ADFP project is part of a larger public - private collaboration in farmland conservation involving the Breeze family, NC State University, Orange County and US Department of Agriculture. A conservation easement on half of the farm was completed in April 2008 with funding assistance from the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. C. How will it benefit the landowners to place their property in an easement? Colonel Breeze was born on the adjacent farm (1918), which he donated to NC State University for agricultural research and development. He purchased the subject property in 1947, and perserving the entire farm complex (560 acres) will help to further the his family's agricultural legacy. The "bargain sale" of the conservation easement will help to compensate him for this permanent commitment. Colonel Breeze hopes to take advantage of new federal and state tax benefits available for partial donations of farmland conservation easements. Colonel Breeze's daughter (Ann Breeze Sebesan) lives across the road from the easement property, and upon her father's death she will own the farm and remain proud of her parents' role in preserving agriculture as a way of life in Orange County. D. List any major capital investments of $5,000 or more in the agricultural, horticultural, or forestry operation within the last 15 years. (List items in chronological order with the newest being first.) Page 8 of 17 Easement Application