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75 <br /> AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE JPA <br /> RURAL BUFFER ZONE <br /> A rather even distribution of farmland parcels occurs <br /> throughout the JPA Rural Buffer designation. These parcels <br /> range in size from 1 .07 acres to 509.40 acres . The greatest <br /> clustering occurs in the outer fringes or perimeter of the <br /> JPA boundaries to the north and west, as one would expect, as <br /> the character of the land takes on a more rural nature. The <br /> clustering aspect of contiguous farmland boundaries reveals a <br /> number of farmland parcels exceeding 1000 accumulative acres <br /> in size. These clusters lie primarily in the north/northwest <br /> rural buffer area, with one contiguous cluster approaching <br /> 1500 acres predominant in the University Lake Watershed, <br /> south of Highway 54. <br /> In determining prime farmland, each soil in the Rural Buffer <br /> was rated on its potential to produce crops. This rating is <br /> based mainly on groupings or combinations of soil quality, <br /> growing seasons, and available moisture needed to produce <br /> sustained high yields when treated and managed according to <br /> modern farming methods. Three major groups were defined for <br /> this study: <br /> 1 . Prime Farmland - Soils best suited for producing <br /> food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. They <br /> have good soil qualities, are favorable for all <br /> major crops common to the County, have a favorable <br /> growing season, and receive needed moisture to <br /> produce high yields on an average of 8 out of every <br /> 10 years. Enon Loam, Georgeville Silt Loam with 2 <br /> to 6% slopes, Helena Sandy Loam and Herndon Silt <br /> Loam with 2 to 6% slopes were predominant in this <br /> grouping. <br /> 2. State and Lpgpllx Important Farmlands - These <br /> soils have either seasonal wetness, erosion or <br /> drought conditions that limit their suitability for <br /> some crops. Crops which are adapted to either wet <br /> or dry conditions, or if erosion is controlled, <br /> produce moderate to high yields if treated and <br /> managed according to modern farming methods . <br /> Georgeville Silt Loam with 6 to 10% slopes and <br /> Chewacla Loam and Congaree Fine Sandy Loam were <br /> most predominant in this grouping. <br /> 3. Other Lands - These soils are generally not suited <br /> to crop production without applying extensive <br />