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4 <br /> 4. Farmland Preservation and Open Space <br /> Orange County was among the first counties in the state to adopt the Voluntary Farmland <br /> Preservation Program created by the NC General Assembly in the early 1990's. At present, the <br /> County has enrolled 76 farms and a total of 10,392 acres of farmland in this voluntary program. <br /> The County has also worked since 2000 through its Lands Legacy Program with willing farm <br /> owners on the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements, leveraging over $4 million in <br /> state and federal grants to ensure the permanent conservation of 17 farms totaling 2,080 acres <br /> of Orange County prime and threatened farmland, with a focus on farms in water supply <br /> watersheds — recognizing that protection of farms with good conservation practices also helps <br /> protect water quality. <br /> A total of 13 Voluntary Agricultural District farms and three conservation easement farms are <br /> located in the portion of Back Creek watershed in western Orange County, which provides <br /> drinking water to the cities of Mebane and Graham. <br /> The purpose of the discussion will be to explore mutual interests and opportunities in Farmland <br /> Preservation and Open Space initiatives. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br /> to this agenda item: <br /> • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes <br /> and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of <br /> environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no <br /> group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental <br /> consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or <br /> policies. <br /> • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION <br /> Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and <br /> volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with discussion of these <br /> topics. There are no action items requiring formal decisions. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Managers recommend the governing boards discuss the topics <br /> listed and provide appropriate direction to the respective staffs. <br />