Orange County NC Website
0/0 <br />or clearing,. In addition, alternative agricultural activities might be feasible on some <br />portions of the land-banked future park sites. <br />Leasing of Land for Grass (Hay) Production <br />One of the most common and simple agricultural lease arrangements for fields not <br />otherwise in cultivation is grass (or hay) production. Hay is currently grown at the <br />Blackwood Farm and Millhouse Road sites through arrangements with local farmers that <br />pre-date the County's ownership. These arrangements have been continued for upkeep, <br />mowing and to keep the land in production, but do not provide the County with additional <br />income. To achieve revenues to help fund management and upkeep of the sites, the <br />County might lease these fields to a farmer in exchange for the ability to raise, harvest <br />and sell hay. <br />Based on comparable leases and information from agricultural agencies, it is estimated <br />that a projected lease rate to a farmer for hay production should range from $18-25 per <br />acre per year 2. In this case, the lessee (farmer) would be responsible for the field <br />preparation, seeding and harvesting of the hay. If there are additional stipulations on how <br />the harvesting is to occur, or special events to be worked around, this may lessen the <br />lease rate. Conversely, if the County as lessor assumes some responsibilities for field <br />preparation and costs associated with same (liming and fertilizing the fields, for <br />example), a higher rate of lease per acre may be possible. (Note: some farmers may be <br />unwilling to relinquish this responsibility or portion of the process). <br />In our climate, given a good growing season, a farmer may be able to generate two <br />spring/summer harvests and one fall harvest, for a total of three per year. A general rule <br />of thumb, given good conditions, is that an acre of land will yield four tons of hay per <br />year (subject to change), <br />As an informational note, most farmers in hay production in this area have gone to <br />"square-baling" of hay. A square bale of hay brings $2.50 to $5.00 per bale3 in revenue <br />for the average farmer, depending on quality and fluctuating market prices. <br />However, it is important to note that there are costs involved in leasing land for any <br />agricultural activity, including uncertainty of having a farmer interested in the lease, <br />administration costs of the contract, and other factors. <br />Forestry <br />Another way to obtain revenue from future park lands would involve placing them in <br />forestry. It is unlikely that a lessee would choose to participate in forestry activity, so this <br />would be a choice made by the County as property owner, This might involve a forest <br />management plan (one exists for the New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm property), <br />' Based on current prices, subject to change <br />The price of hay fluctuates due to market, demand, weather and other factors, This is a concur estimate <br />8