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Natural and Cultural Systems 23 <br /> Agriculture (AG) <br /> Objective AGA: <br /> Recognize and support the right to farm. Protect farm operations from incompatible <br /> adjacent land uses or activities that will adversely affect the long-term agricultural <br /> investment in land and improvements. (See also Land Use Objective LU-3.4.) <br /> Status/Action: Ongoing <br /> Draft Farmland Protection Plan completed, BOCC to consider in fall 2009. <br /> Obiective AG-2: <br /> Pursue new measures (some of which may require special legislation) to make <br /> farming more profitable, such as additional programs for tax assistance. (See also <br /> Economic Development Objective ED-4.4.) <br /> Status/Action: Initiated <br /> Farmland Protection Plan speaks to economic development issues for farmers, <br /> including potential options for property taxes. <br /> Objective AG-3: <br /> Develop programs and associated infrastructure facilities to make local farms more <br /> economically viable, including local farm product processing, development of a <br /> distribution center, and marketing initiatives. (See also Land Use Element Objective LU-3.4 <br /> and Economic Development Objective ED-4.4.) <br /> Status/Action: Ongoing <br /> Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center underway. PLANT @ Breeze <br /> Farm Enterprise Incubator program completed second season in spring of 2009. <br /> Objective AG-4: <br /> Minimize the negative impacts of future public projects (such as roads, utility lines, <br /> etc) on farming operations and productive farmland. Conduct public review of <br /> projects proposed by entities that have the power of eminent domain, and consider <br /> the impact of such actions on agricultural activity. <br /> Status/Action: No Action <br /> Objective AG-5: <br /> Teach the next generation about farming, support apprentice options, and promote <br /> the pursuit of farming as an occupation. Develop community awareness of farming. <br /> Status/Action: Ongoing <br /> PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise incubator program completed second season in <br /> spring of 2009. <br /> Objective AG-6: <br /> Develop a single clearing-house information source for current agricultural topics, <br /> agricultural programs, and events sponsored by Orange County and/or for local <br /> farmers in conjunction with the Orange County Farms website. (See also Economic <br /> Development Element Objective ED-1.1.) <br /> Status/Action: Ongoing <br /> The Economic Development Department's website includes several informational <br /> links for Orange County farmers including www.Oran.geCountvFarms.org . <br /> Reorganization and affiliation of Soil and Water Conservation District with ERCD <br /> providing for more-coordinated response to agricultural issues. <br /> 21 <br />