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Williams/Wilson, and Walker <br /> The Board considered applications from multiple landowners/farms to certify qualifying <br /> farmland within the Cedar Grove, Caldwell, Schley/Eno, Cane Creek/Buckhorn, and White <br /> Cross Voluntary Agricultural Districts; and enroll the lands in the Orange County Voluntary <br /> Agricultural District (VAD) and the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) programs. <br /> Gail Hughes presented the following PowerPoint slides: <br /> Orange County <br /> Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary <br /> Agricultural Program <br /> • June 3, 2014 <br /> Orange County VAD/EVAD Program <br /> Benefits of Agricultural Districts <br /> ➢ Voluntary Agricultural District is a 10 year commitment but the landowner can be <br /> withdrawn from the VAD at any time, for any reason, with a 30 day notification. <br /> ➢ Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District is an irrevocable 10 year commitment, <br /> therefore the "enhanced" qualifies farm for 90% cost share rates and a priority for <br /> grants funds. <br /> Benefits include: <br /> ➢ Makes public more aware of the local agricultural and its vital role in the economics of <br /> the county; <br /> ➢ Recorded notice of agricultural district is recorded at County Land Records office; <br /> ➢ Land search on all properties within a '/2 mile radius is notified of the agricultural status; <br /> therefore, the landowner has increased protection from nuisance lawsuits. <br /> ➢ Public hearings for proposed condemnation of VAD land and utility assessments may <br /> be suspended or waived on EVAD land if not connected to the utility. <br /> ➢ Farm may receive up to 25% of gross sales from the sale of non-farm products and still <br /> maintain its zoning exemption as a bona fide farm. (EVAD only) <br /> Dwight Poole <br /> Cedar Grove Agricultural District <br /> Farm includes pasture, vegetable crops, livestock and managed woodland/forestry. <br /> EVAD = 19.87 acres <br /> VAD = 18.33 acres <br /> Cecelia Redding <br /> Caldwell Agricultural District <br /> Farm includes vegetable, fruit, small grain, and hay crops; shiitake mushrooms, and <br /> managed forestry/woodland. <br /> EVAD =151.06 acres <br /> Parker Farm <br /> T. Watson, Penny, Thomas Parker <br /> Cedar Grove Agricultural District <br /> Farm includes a poultry operation, beef cattle, hay crops, and managed <br /> forestry/woodland. <br /> VAD = 82.22 acres <br />