Agenda - 10-14-1993 - D 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3.4.5 Farmlands The United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service has classified the soils within Orange County that have potential for food and fiber production. There are three categories of farmland soils: prime farmland, state and locally important farmlands, and other lands. Within the county, there are 140,630 acres of prime farmland, 58,650 acres of state and locally important farmland and 54,460 acres of other lands, Prime farmland includes soils which are best suited for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. They have good soil qualities, are favorable for all major crops common to the county, have a favorable growing season, and receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields on an average of 8 out of every 10 years. State and locally important farmlands have either seasonal wetness, erosion, or drought that limits their suitability for some crops. These are crops that are adapted to wet or droughty conditions, or if erosion is controlled, produce moderate to high yields if treated and managed according to modern farming methods. The important farmlands are not necessarily confined to acreage presently in crops. Table 3,4 lists the soils that are found in the vicinity of the project area. Refer to Figure 3.6 for locations. There are currently no farmlands in production on the quarry property. As stated earlier in Section 2.0 soils in the expansion area consist of Georgeville and Herndon silt loam and Tatum silt loam. 3-10