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7 <br />i.reduce the loss of productive andexisting farmland by <br />promoting agricultural values and general welfare of the County, <br />ii.recognize the existence of important farmlands by seeking to <br />minimize risks of nuisance suits that arise from the onset of <br />other land uses, <br />iii.encourage participation in voluntary programsto preserve and <br />protect farmland from non-farm development, and <br />iv.increase identity and awareness of the agricultural community, <br />and its role in the economic and cultural quality of life for all <br />County residents. <br />B.Objectives <br />1. <br />The Agricultural PreservationBoard shallundertake the following <br />objectives toward these goals: <br />2. <br />Develop recommendations for implementation of the Voluntary <br />Agricultural Districts and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts <br />programs, including making recommendations for approval of farms <br />applying for designation in Agricultural Districts; certify qualifying <br />farmland for such Districts as defined in the Voluntary Farmland <br />Protection Program Ordinance (Code of Ordinances, Section 48-7); <br />review and make recommendations concerning amendments to this <br />ordinance; develop public education programs and materials to <br />promote agriculture and agricultural preservation;review and approve <br />the form of the agreement for Voluntary Agricultural Districts; conduct <br />public hearings andhold joint public hearings with the Board of County <br />Commissioners on public projects likely to have an impact on <br />agricultural operations within Orange County; consider appeals to <br />decisions on Voluntary Agricultural Districts (as provided in COO, <br />Chapter 48-8); hold public hearings if action is taken to condemn any <br />certified farms and qualifying farmland (Chapter48-11); advise the <br />Board of County Commissioners on projects, programs or issues likely <br />to have an impact on the agricultural economy or activities within the <br />County that will affect Agricultural Districts; develop studies, plans and <br />reports as directed by the Board of Commissioners or State of North <br />Carolina; consult with other agencies involved in the preservation or <br />production of agriculture as needed; develop an annual report to the <br />N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture, Board of Commissioners and others <br />on the status of the Voluntary Agricultural District program; perform <br />other related tasks and duties and pursue other research and advise <br />on other topics as directed by the Board of Commissioners; and <br />provide recommendations and input on the Orange County Agricultural <br />Development and Protection Plan and Lands Legacy Program, as per <br />Chapter48, section 48.5(e)(9) of the Code of Ordinances. <br />SECTION III:MEMBERSHIP <br /> <br />