Orange County NC Website
27 <br /> is <br /> NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Agricultural Preservation Board <br /> Report Period: 2016 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS <br /> ANNUAL REPORT/WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> The Board of Commissioners welcomes input from various advisory boards and <br /> commissions in preparation for its annual planning retreat. Please complete the <br /> following information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other <br /> background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not as a <br /> substitute for, this form. <br /> Board/Commission Name: Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) <br /> Person to address the BOCC at work session- if applicable- and contact <br /> information: Renee McPherson, Chair, or Kim Woods, Vice Chair, and Gail <br /> Hughes or Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff support <br /> Primary County Staff Contact: <br /> Gail Hughes or Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR staff support <br /> How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including <br /> any special meetings and sub-committee meetings? <br /> One time per month, on the third Wednesdays of January, March, May, August, <br /> October and December. Meetings in alternate months called as needed. <br /> Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and <br /> Responsibilities. <br /> The Board's mission statement, adopted in 2005, is "to encourage the voluntary <br /> preservation of farmland from non-farm development, recognizing the importance <br /> of agriculture to the economic and cultural life of the county." <br /> The APB serves as the County government advisory board for agricultural issues <br /> and administers the Voluntary Farmland Protection Program Ordinance (Chapter <br /> 48, Orange County Code of Ordinances) as per NCGS 106-735 through 744. <br /> The Board receives and makes recommendations on proposed Voluntary <br /> Agricultural Districts and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts. The Board is <br /> responsible for preparing and updating (in conjunction with other agricultural <br /> agencies) the Countywide Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection <br /> Plan, and the implementation of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, <br /> Natural and Cultural Systems Element (Agricultural section). The Board also <br /> advises the Board of Commissioners on agricultural and farmland preservation, <br /> agricultural issues including sustainable agriculture, emerging trends in <br />