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52 <br />1 farmers pursue farm - related businesses since EVAD program provides an expanded <br />2 definition of commercial -type businesses that can be exempted from zoning as part of <br />3 farm operation. <br />4 b. Consider ways to Streamline Building Permit process for farmers. The development of <br />5 the Agricultural Support Enterprises program and manual should facilitate the process <br />6 for farmers obtaining building permits for farm buildings and for farm enterprise <br />7 buildings. Delays can cause unnecessary hardships for farmers dependent on the <br />8 seasonal growing cycle. Sometimes buildings or greenhouses have to be built quickly <br />9 to allow a farmer to fully perform on contract. Also, delays in permitting can push the <br />10 timing of a necessary improvement into the seasons where farmers are most busy. <br />11 <br />12 8. Promote Existing Tax Relief Incentives. <br />13 The County should ensure that county tax assessors have knowledge of the state's Present - <br />14 Use Value statute with continuous training as necessary, and should undertake to educate <br />15 farmland owners on the program, how to apply and comply with present use valuation of <br />16 farmland, including the new conservation category. All county staff involved with <br />17 agriculture should follow new developments in alternative energy, and alert farmers and <br />18 elected officials when new programs come on line that have the potential to benefit Orange <br />19 County and the greater Triangle Region. <br />20 <br />21 In the meantime, Orange County may wish to pursue additional tax assistance at the <br />22 County and State level to help keep farming viable. Some of these benefits may require <br />23 pursuing special legislation, or new statewide legislation. <br />24 a. The County may wish to explore special legislation to further reduce the Present -Use <br />25 Value Taxation rates for all the three agricultural categories to further compensate for <br />26 the higher property values in Orange County compared to more rural counties. <br />27 b. The County should reexamine the way it evaluates property taxes for farm buildings <br />28 and machinery, and consider developing a farm rate for farm buildings and equipment, <br />29 similar to the present use value system for the land. <br />30 c. The County should pursue property tax deductions on land in donated easements and <br />31 on land enrolled in voluntary agricultural districts. <br />32 d. Farmers should also be encouraged to seek out special programs that provide <br />33 innovative financial and technical assistance for farm buildings such as the Orange <br />34 County Local Landmark Program (which provides a property tax deferral for historic <br />35 farm structures such as the house and outbuildings) or the National Trust's Barn <br />36 Again! Program. The County may also wish to follow New York or Vermont's example <br />37 and pursue a state rehabilitation tax benefit for barns. <br />38 <br />39 9. Provide Technical Assistance on other Farmland Protection Initiatives and Conservation <br />40 Options. <br />41 The Environment and Resource Conservation Department, Soil and Water Conservation <br />42 District staff, Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator, Agricultural Preservation <br />43 Board and other agricultural boards, should continue and expand educational programs for <br />44 county farmland owners with regard to land conservation options. The programs, in <br />45 cooperation with local NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation District, Cooperative Extension <br />46 and FSA staffs, as well as area conservation groups such as land trusts, watershed <br />47 protection groups, and wildlife organizations, should make farmers aware of the various <br />48 conservation funds available for easement purchases, the tax benefits of donated <br />Draft 1012812009 Action Steps to Ensure a Viable Agricultural Community 37 <br />