Orange County NC Website
4 <br /> 4. Establishment of voluntary agricultural districts composed of 640 <br /> contiguous acres of farmland based on a signed agreement to sustain <br /> agricultui e in the district. <br /> ADVANTAGE <br /> . volunt ry participation <br /> . formally established and delineated agricultural area <br /> . increased sense of community and cohesiveness of farm <br /> opera fors within district <br /> DISADVANTAGES: <br /> . administrative difficulties in establishing 640 contiguous <br /> acres of farmland <br /> . greater psychological value than actual retention of farmland <br /> • does not prevent conversion of farmland adjacent to district <br /> ;with.associated development pressure on farming activities <br /> S. Establishment of the Agricultural Advisory Board <br /> ADVANTAGES: <br /> . formal farming body responsible for review and recommendation <br /> of agricultural districts, program recommendation revisions, <br /> eminent domain actions and Major private developments <br /> • formal farming body responsible for holding public hearings <br /> on public projects and the use of eminent domain on agricultural <br /> lands <br /> visible farm. body, representative of participants in program, <br /> acting in advisory capacity to Board on agricultural issues <br /> DISADVAN AGES: <br /> . possible formm for farm factions rather than representative <br /> of entire Orange County farming population <br /> ▪ advisory body only <br /> B. ALLEVIATE BE PROBLEM OF INCREASING TAX BURDENS ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY <br /> 1. Reduction in the use value assessment for taxation of 10% and 20% <br /> respectively in exchange for 10 and 20 year conservation agreements <br /> restricting non-farm development. <br />