Orange County NC Website
~~ ~~~r~(ay - ~~°~ <br />~~s-o2o~'- O7p <br />RESOLUTION <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />TO ADOPT AN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND <br />FARMLAND PROTECTION PLAN <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has demonstrated a longtime commitment to farmland preservation; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, The Board adopted a Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance in 1992 which <br />established the Voluntary Agricultural District Program and created the Agricultural <br />Districts Advisory Board (now the Agricultural Preservation Board); and <br />WHEREAS, The Board adopted a Lands Legacy Program in April, 2000 which has led to the <br />permanent protection of more than 2,500 acres of land, including a significant <br />amount of farmland obtained through agricultural conservation easements; and <br />WHEREAS, The Board recognized the significance of agriculture in Orange County by <br />authorizing the creation of a new Agricultural Chapter in the Natural and Cultural <br />Systems Element of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan; and <br />WHEREAS, The County has sponsored an annual Agricultural Summit for more than ten years; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, The County has recognized and supported the business needs of local farmers <br />through innovative partnership ventures such as the upcoming Piedmont Food and <br />Agricultural Processing Center and the Breeze Farm Incubator Program; and <br />WHEREAS, This new Farmland Protection Plan, endorsed by the Agricultural Preservation <br />Board, Soil and Water District Commission Board of Supervisors, Farm Services <br />Agency Committee for Durham and Orange counties, and Cooperative Extension <br />Advisory Council, will serve as the strategic plan for local agricultural needs in <br />Orange County. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: <br />That the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby adopt a countywide Agricultural <br />Development and Farmland Protection Plan, and commends the Plan to the N.C. Department of <br />Agriculture.. <br />This the 17th day of November 2009. <br />Attest <br />Donna Baker, Cler to the Board <br />~~ <br />Valerie Foushee, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />