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

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Capital Purchased Year Purchased Metal storage building (36'x 41' $19,000 2000 Mower /tractor John Deere $18,000 2008 XII. FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY A. What, if any, projected changes will the operators establish in the future? (Examples include future products, livestock operation, shifts in markets, new tree plantings, etc.) Colonel Breeze has no immediate plans to change the current operations. He continues to lease the property to two area farmers (Bill Latta and Darnell Hester) who operate the farm in accordance with a recently updated SWCD Conservation Plan. Mr. Hester, however, is 70 years old and is transitioning away from active farming. He currently raises beef cattle (40 head) on the property. So Mr. Latta may assume a larger role or Colonel Breeze might lease to another farmer. [Mr. Latta and his brother operate the nearby Latta Dairy, which is also protected by a conservation easement held by Orange County.] B. Has a formal notarized estate plan been done for this property? (Please describe the measures taken to ensure the successful transition of the property to the next generation of producers.) Colonel Breeze has an formal, notarized estate plan prepared by attorney Doug Hargraves of Hillsborough. Upon his death Colonel Breeze will bequeath the 295 -acre farm to his two adult children. The western half will be deeded to his son Bill Breeze Jr. (Tract 1 in Figure 3) and the other eastern half to his daughter Ann Breeze Sebesan (Tract 2). Mrs. Sebesan and her husband reside on land that they own directly across Schley Road from the easement property. Both children are both supportive of protecting the farm with a conservation easement, and both have been active participants in drafting the terms of the easement agreements. The conservation easement on Tract 1 (141 acres) was completed in April 2008 (Phase 1). If ADFT grant funds are awarded the easement on the eastern 153 acres should close in Fall 2009. When the farm is divided and conveyed to the children, both Mr. Breeze Jr. and Mrs. Sebesan will continue leasing the farm to area farmers. If they decide to sell the farmland (encumbered by the easement) it would likely be to farmers interested in continuing agricultural activities. The proximity to the NC State agricultural research facility makes it a highly attractive and sought -after location. Moreover, the farm is located in an agricultural community with good access to farm markets. C. Has a written business plan been developed? XIII.THREAT OF CONVERSION A. Is there a threat of conversion? 11 • ■ B. If YES, please describe the conditions that threaten project. Is the property subject to potential forced sale or estate settlement sale? Is the property actively marketed for voluntary sale? (Please include neighboring tracts, road frontage, development pressure, sewer, and zoning issues etc.) Colonel Breeze wants to protect the farm he has owned since 1947so there is no immediate threat of conversion. But at age 90, he is no longer farming the property himself; it is leased to two area farmers. Neither Colonel Breeze's son nor daughter are farmers, however both are committed to conserving the farm. But if the land is not protected by a conservation easement, it is highly likely that future owners would divide the farm into smaller parcels and convert portions to non - agricultural uses. Many factors contribute to that threat of conversion. Breeze farm has 4,800 feet of frontage along highly scenic Schley Road. [Tract 2 has 1,500 feet of road frontage.] The farm is situated between NC 86 and NC 57— Page 9 of 17 Easement Application