Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
7 <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County VAD/EVAD Program Benefits of Agricultural Districts <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, when <br />applicable. <br /> <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 ½ 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 /> <br />Richard Samulski (owner) for Scuppernong Estates, LLC <br />Keegan Czesak (farm manger) for Eno River Farm <br />• VAD – 178.18 acres – Schley/Eno Agricultural District – 1 parcel of land <br />• Ownership change on 150 acres existing in VAD program, additional 28.18 acres <br />• Strawberries, blueberries, horticultural crops, greenhouse, hay land, and managed <br />woodland. <br /> <br />Manley and Kathy Palmer (Palmer Family Show Pigs) <br />• VAD – 3.39 acres- Caldwell Agricultural District – 1 parcel of land <br />• Sheep, pastures, and show pigs (competition swine shows along the east coast) <br />• One of the smallest farms in the program, but very actively farming <br /> <br />William and Amanda Berry <br />• VAD – 236.15 acres – Caldwell Agricultural District- 7 parcels of land <br />• Beef cattle, pasture, hay crops, and managed woodland <br /> <br />Portia McKnight and Florence Hawley (Chapel Hill Creamery) <br />• VAD – 12.17 acres – White Cross Agricultural District – 1 parcel of land <br />• Dairy cattle, pasture and hay crops <br />• Additional acres will be added to existing acreage of farm, 37.07 acres. <br /> <br />James and Elizabeth Hooten (Glen Oaks Farm) <br />• VAD – 38.09 acres – Cane Creek/Buckhorn Agriculture District <br />• 4 parcels of and <br />• Beef cattle, pasture, and hay crops