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9Nl <br />More recently, the use of the "median" (half above /half below) as <br />opposed to the "average" has been recommended by a citizen. Based <br />on 1987 Census of Agriculture data, this would place the median <br />farm size, in terms of number of farms, at approximately 80 acres. <br />If this standard were adopted, this would mean that half of all <br />farms (eight of 13 applications - 62 %) would qualify for district <br />designation. Based on the current threshold of 155 acres, only 30 <br />percent of all farms (four of 13 applications - 31 %) would qualify <br />for designation. <br />One concern related to the threshold issue is the number of <br />potential applications which might be received and the staff time <br />required to process them. The charts accompanying this abstract <br />indicate that the applications received to date have generally <br />followed the same distribution of farms in the county. The 13 <br />applications received, however, only represent two percent of all <br />farms. Even if participation was 30 percent, this would mean that <br />the potential number of applications (with an 80 -acre threshold) <br />would range from 80 to 100. If spread out over several months, that <br />number of applications would seem manageable. <br />12+4 (4 4 4 � lexf 113 4 ,1 try � 144 DO 4�1•I +Fc -fire F-r, <br />Section V - APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFYING <br />FARMLAND AND VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS <br />B. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL <br />DISTRICT <br />1. An agricultural district shall initially consist of: <br />a. At least 155 contiguous acres of certified <br />qualifying farmland; or <br />b. At least two or more certified qualifying farms, <br />contiguous to each other, which will create a <br />district of not less than 155 acres. <br />PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROVISIONS: <br />Section V - APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFYING <br />FARMLAND AND VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS <br />B. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL <br />DISTRICT <br />I. An agricultural district shall initially consist of: <br />a. At least 80 contiguous acres of certified <br />qualifying farmland; or <br />b. At least two or more certified qualifying farms, <br />contiguous to each other, which will create a <br />district of not less than 80 acres. <br />