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D. Definition of Agricultural Uses <br />For purposes of this program, agricultural uses are defined as: <br />"Agricultural uses include, but are not limited to, the production of crops, forestry <br />products, horticultural specialties, livestock, and livestock products. Associated <br />uses allowable are sales and processing necessary and customarily incidental to the <br />agricultural activities on -site which are in keeping with the purpose of the <br />program." <br />E. Definition of Open Snare <br />For purposes of this program, open space is defined as: <br />"Open space is land used for recreation, natural resource protection, amenities, <br />and/or buffer- yards. Open space may include, but is not limited to lawns, <br />walkways, active recreation areas, playgrounds, wooded areas, greenways, and <br />water courses." <br />II, Agricultural Preservation Area (APA) <br />Agricultural Preservation Areas shall be defined as lands currently enrolled in the existing <br />Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program of Buncombe County. <br />III. Purchase of Conservation Easements <br />A. ner <br />Buncombe County may purchase conservation easements in agricultural and/or <br />open space lands. All applications for the-purchase �ofnconservation yghriori yl <br />be evaluated based upon the attached Farmland g <br />will be given to farms located within the APA. There may be instances when <br />purchasing agricultural conservation easements on farms outside of the APA may <br />serve Buncombe citizens well. Applications will be ranked based upon various site <br />factors, such as the level of development pressure and agricultural production <br />capability. Conservation easements may be purchased in accordance with the <br />ranking of farm properties and the availability of allocated funds. Compensation <br />for conservation easements will be' based on the Board's determination of the <br />difference between fair market value and agricultural or open space value <br />appraisals. The purchase price will be subject to negotiation. <br />B. Desoription <br />The purchase of conservation ural an /or open space a use of the land. restricting Tl�e over <br />and future owners to agncu <br />