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29 <br /> NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Agricultural Preservation Board <br /> Report Period: 2015 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br /> ANNUAL REPORT/WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> The Board of Commissioners welcomes input from various advisory boards and <br /> commissions in preparation for its annual planning retreat. Please complete the <br /> following information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other <br /> background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not as a <br /> substitute for, this form. <br /> Board/Commission Name: Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) <br /> Person to address the BOCC at work session- if applicable- and contact <br /> information: Renee McPherson, Chair, or Kim Woods, Vice Chair, and Peter <br /> Sandbeck or Gail Hughes, DEAPR staff support <br /> Primary County Staff Contact: <br /> Gail Hughes or Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff support <br /> How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any <br /> special meetings and sub-committee meetings? Third Wednesdays of January, <br /> March, May, August, October and December. Meetings in alternate months <br /> called as needed. <br /> Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities. <br /> The Board's mission statement, adopted in 2005, is "to encourage the <br /> voluntary preservation of farmland from non-farm development, <br /> recognizing the importance of agriculture to the economic and cultural life <br /> of the county." <br /> The APB serves as the County government advisory board for agricultural <br /> issues and administers the Voluntary Farmland Protection Program <br /> Ordinance (Chapter 48, Orange County Code of Ordinances) as per NCGS <br /> 106-735 through 744. The Board receives and makes recommendations on <br /> proposed Voluntary Agricultural Districts and Enhanced Voluntary <br /> Agricultural Districts. The Board is responsible for preparing and updating <br /> (in conjunction with other agricultural agencies) the Countywide <br /> Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan, and the <br /> implementation of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, Natural and <br /> Cultural Systems Element (Agricultural section). The Board also advises <br /> the Board of Commissioners on agricultural and farmland preservation, <br /> agricultural issues including sustainable agriculture, emerging trends in <br /> agriculture, and other ventures, initiatives and projects. The Board assists <br /> in other programs such as the annual Agricultural Summit. <br />