Agenda - 12-07-2020; 8-n - Voluntary Agricultural District Designation - Multiple Farms

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3 8) Owners Isaac and Sharon Lau have submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of land totaling 37.8 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program in the Cedar Grove Agricultural District. The farm operation includes pasture and hayland for livestock and managed woodland. 9) Owner Peggy Fuller has submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of land totaling 116.16 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District program (VAD) in the Cedar Grove Agricultural District. The farm operation includes hayland and managed woodland. 10) Owner Watt Parker has submitted an application to enroll two (2) parcels of land totaling 172.91 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District program (VAD) in the Cedar Grove Agricultural District. The farm operation includes hayland, pastures for livestock and managed woodland. 11) Owner Greg Bohlen (Bohlen Farms/Bandit Farms LLC/Bandit Farms II/Union Grove Farm) has submitted an application to enroll seventeen (17) parcel of land totaling 512 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District program (VAD) in the New Hope and White Cross Agricultural Districts. The farm operation includes vineyards, grasses and managed woodland. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Voluntary Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and non-binding conservation agreements. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and are binding 10-year conservation agreements. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. The Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District Program ordinance conserves, protects and encourages the preservation and improvement of agricultural land within the County boundaries as a critical component of the County's cultural and rural character and its economy by virtue of the production of food, fiber and other products. The purpose of this Ordinance is to reduce the loss of productive and existing farmland by promoting agricultural values and the general welfare of the County, recognize the existence of important farmlands by seeking to minimize risks of nuisance suits that arise from the onset of other land uses, encourage participation in voluntary programs to preserve and protect farmland from non-farm development and increase identity and awareness of the agricultural community, and its role in the economic and cultural quality of life for all County residents. (from the Orange Co. Farmland Preservation/ VAD program ordinance) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases.