Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
7 <br /> 10) Owners Michael and Sherry Miller Scully have submitted an application to update ownership <br /> for one (1) parcel of land totaling 44.2 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural <br /> District (VAD) program in the Caldwell Agricultural District. The parcel is part of the original <br /> Miller Family enrolled in the VAD program in 2002; therefore, these acres will not increase the <br /> overall acres in the program. <br /> Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist, made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br /> Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program <br /> Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary <br /> Agricultural District Program <br /> Orange County Board of Commissions Meeting <br /> June 6, 2017 <br /> ➢ Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) is a 10 year commitment for farm to be in active <br /> farm production, but the landowner can withdraw from the VAD at any time, for any <br /> reason, with a 30 day notification to the Agri. Preservation Board. <br /> ➢ Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) is an irrevocable 10 year <br /> commitment to be in active farm production, therefore the "enhanced" qualifies farm for <br /> up to 90% cost share rates and a priority for state and federal grants funds. <br /> Benefits include: (listing a few) <br /> ➢ Makes public more aware of the local agricultural and its vital role in the economics of <br /> the county; <br /> ➢ Recorded notice of agricultural district property is recorded at County Land Records <br /> office; <br /> ➢ Land search on all properties within a 1/2 mile radius has notification of the agricultural <br /> status, therefore, the agricultural landowner has increased protection from nuisance <br /> lawsuits. <br /> ➢ Agricultural Preservation Board can request public hearings for proposed condemnation <br /> of VAD land and utility assessments may be suspended or waived on EVAD land if not <br /> connected to the utility. <br /> ➢ Farm may receive up to 25% of gross sales from the sale of non-farm products and still <br /> maintain its zoning exemption as a bona fide farm. (EVAD only) <br /> ➢ VAD District signs are placed on farms, for public to know location of VAD/EVAD farms <br /> Allan and Christine Green (Woodcrest Farm) <br /> • VAD— 18.5 acres— Cane Creek/ Buckhorn Agricultural District <br /> • Organic vegetables/crops, pastureland, cattle, managed woodland <br /> • Currently enrolled in the EVAD program with other parcel of land in the community <br /> Vann Bennett and Bernadette Pelissier <br /> • EVAD—90.47 acres- Cedar Grove Agricultural District—3 parcels of land <br /> • Blue berries, black berries, fruit and vegetable crops, managed woodland. <br /> • Conservation Easement on farm held by Orange County. <br /> Charles (Gene) and Ruth Williams <br /> • VAD— 72 acres—White Cross Agricultural District- 2 parcels of land <br /> • Pastures, hay crops for beef cattle, managed woodland <br />