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MOTION: <br />VOTE: <br />4 <br />Collins noted that those farms which did not qualify due <br />to the threshold of 155 acres were a mix, one of which was <br />a sheep farm. Discussion seemed to indicate that 80 acres <br />was considered to be more realistic for a County such as <br />Orange. There are many farms in the County which are <br />listed as farm use or forestry-but, yet, cannot qualify <br />for agricultural district designation. <br />Hunter asked how the program would be monitored. Walker <br />responded that spot - checking had been considered. He <br />continued that if application is made by a farm that is <br />under the FSA (Food Securities Act) in Soil Conservation <br />Service, it is already on a spot -check list with SCS. A <br />separate listing can be kept of farms that are not <br />already in the SCS program,and spot - checks can be set <br />up for those farms. <br />Strayhorn moved approval of the Planning Staff <br />recommendation to reduce the minimum required acreage from <br />155 to 80 acres. Seconded by Hunter. <br />Collins noted that any application that is received, <br />regardless of acreage, must be reviewed to determine <br />certification as qualifying farmland. This would then <br />enable the applicant to pursue combinations with adjacent <br />properties to meet the threshold. <br />Unanimous. <br />d. Identification Sign - Voluntary Agricultural District <br />Presentation by Collins. <br />This item is to consider the design of a proposed <br />identification sign announcing the location of a voluntary <br />agricultural district. <br />The goal of the voluntary agricultural districts program <br />is to increase identity and pride in the agricultural <br />community and its way of life and to increase protection <br />from nuisance suits and other negative impacts on properly <br />managed farms. One means of accomplishing this, other <br />than through specific ordinance provisions, is through the <br />erection of signs which identify the location of voluntary <br />districts to the passing motorist and neighboring property <br />owners. <br />A sketch of the proposed sign to be used as part of Orange <br />County's program is included as an attachment to these <br />minutes on page It contains the logo of the <br />Agricultural Districts Advisory Board and the wording, <br />"You are entering an Orange County voluntary District." <br />The sign would have a white (or Carolina blue) background <br />with green lettering and logo. The size of the sign would <br />r <br />