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10 <br /> 1 4. Farmland Preservation and Open Space <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Background: Orange County was among the first counties in the state to adopt the Voluntary <br /> 4 Farmland Preservation Program created by the NC General Assembly in the early 1990's. At <br /> 5 present, the County has enrolled 76 farms and a total of 10,392 acres of farmland in this <br /> 6 voluntary program. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 The County has also worked since 2000 through its Lands Legacy Program with willing farm <br /> 9 owners on the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements, leveraging over$4 million in <br /> 10 state and federal grants to ensure the permanent conservation of 17 farms totaling 2,080 acres <br /> 11 of Orange County prime and threatened farmland, with a focus on farms in water supply <br /> 12 watersheds — recognizing that protection of farms with good conservation practices also helps <br /> 13 protect water quality. <br /> 14 <br /> 15 A total of 13 Voluntary Agricultural District farms and three conservation easement farms are <br /> 16 located in the portion of Back Creek watershed in western drinking water to the cities of Mebane <br /> 17 and Graham. The purpose of the discussion was to explore mutual interests and opportunities in <br /> 18 Farmland Preservation and Open Space initiatives. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> 21 Director) presented this item, with one map shown on a PowerPoint slide. <br /> 22 David Stancil said the voluntary farmland preservation program was started in 1992 to <br /> 23 protect farmlands, and there is around 11,000 acres in this program. <br /> 24 David Stancil said the conservation easements program exists as well, which is a <br /> 25 perpetual program. He said some of the most prime farmlands have been protected with their <br /> 26 easements. <br /> 27 David Stancil said there are many inquiries into both of these programs, and many <br /> 28 easements have been done with several partners, in order to leverage grant funds. <br /> 29 Commissioner Jacobs asked to add this item to the agenda because he remembered <br /> 30 Council Member Tim Bradley had brought farmland preservation up years ago, and Orange <br /> 31 County has the capability to assist Mebane, if so desired. He said they may want to talk about <br /> 32 partnering in the area of recreation, since Orange County just purchased more land near the <br /> 33 soccer complex. <br /> 34 Council Member Everette Greene asked if Orange County has done any research on <br /> 35 this. <br /> 36 David Stancil said Orange County just finished a Master Park Plan, but there was a <br /> 37 discussion two years ago, about trails around Lake Michael, and possibly co-locating facilities at <br /> 38 schools. <br /> 39 Commissioner Price asked if, with Mebane's growth, staff has heard any concerns about <br /> 40 the urbanization coming into rural areas. <br /> 41 David Stancil said he had heard some farmers talk about this years ago in the High Rock <br /> 42 area, and they had some concerns. <br /> 43 Council Member Ed Hooks said developers are required to install water and sewer when <br /> 44 they develop land, and it is very expensive to install water and sewer in the area being <br /> 45 discussed. <br /> 46 Council Member Auditori asked if there is an opportunity for voluntary agricultural <br /> 47 districts in the City Council's jurisdiction. <br /> 48 David Stancil said Alamance County has farmland preservations, and municipalities can <br /> 49 do this too. <br /> 50 Commissioner Jacobs said the way the relationship with Mebane was originally resumed <br /> 51 was over the Hebron community, which was upset by an annexation by Mebane. He said this <br />