Orange County NC Website
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-_ - - '.'fi;'! -�,'1 4-•.. - �„f� y"si4i..'+�.,�:ti�:"h.�S:�f�r_=;-.�"_'_i-:-+ _ _ .? -F . <br /> 4. Establishment of voluntary agricultural districts composed of 640 <br /> contiguous acres of farmland based on a signed agreement to sustain <br /> agriculture in the district. <br /> ADVANTAGES: <br /> voluntary participation <br /> formally established and delineated agricultural area <br /> increased sense of community and cohesiveness of farm <br /> operators within district <br /> DISADVANTAGES: <br /> administrative difficulties in establishing 640 contiguous <br /> acres of farmland <br /> greater psychological value than actual retention of farmland <br /> does not prevent conversion of farmland adjacent to district <br /> with associated development pressure on farming activities <br /> 5. Establishment of the Agricultural Advisory Board <br /> ADVANTAGES: <br /> formal farming body responsible for review and recoumieudation <br /> of agricultural districts, program recommendation revisions, <br /> eminent domain actions and major private developments <br /> formal farming body responsible for holding public hearings <br /> on public projects and the use of eminent domain on agricultural <br /> lands <br /> visible farm body, representative of participants in program, <br /> acting in advisory capacity to Board on agricultural issues <br /> DISADVANTAGES: <br /> possible forum for farm factions rather than representative <br /> of entire Orange County farming population <br /> advisory body only <br /> B. ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.OF INCREASING TAX BURDENS ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY <br /> 1. Reduction in the use value assessment for taxation of 10% and 20% <br /> respectively in exchange for 10 and 20 year conservation agreements <br /> restricting non--farm development, <br />