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2 <br /> program at its regular meeting in March 2021. All farm applications were reviewed and verified to <br /> have met or exceeded the minimum criteria for certification into the program. <br /> The Agricultural Preservation Board voted to recommend approval of the certification for these <br /> five (5) farms, and their inclusion in the Voluntary and/or the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural <br /> District programs. The certification documentation is on file in the DEAPR/Soil and Water <br /> Conservation District office. The farms are described briefly below: <br /> Brief Farm Descriptions: <br /> 1) Owners Annie and Dale Baggett have submitted an application to enroll two (2) parcels of land <br /> totaling 21.95 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District program <br /> (VAD) in the Caldwell Agricultural District. The Sunshine Lavender Farm produces lavender, <br /> blueberries, Christmas trees, pine straw and cherries. <br /> 2) Owners Martin and Rebekah Bohlen have submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of <br /> land totaling 24.89 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) <br /> program in the White Cross Agricultural District. The farm operation includes managed <br /> woodland. <br /> 3) Owners Matt and Suzanne Case have submitted an application to enroll two (2) parcels of <br /> land totaling 204.2 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) <br /> program in the Cane Creek/Buckhorn and White Cross Agricultural Districts. Clearwind Farm <br /> includes pasture, hay production, an equine-assisted learning center and managed forestry. <br /> 4) Owners Zachary and Ernest Dodson have submitted an application to enroll three (3) parcels <br /> of land totaling 22.5 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) <br /> program in the New Hope Agricultural District. The farm operation includes managed forestry <br /> and woodland. <br /> 5) Owners Francine and Aaron Kelly have submitted an application to enroll one (1) parcel of <br /> land totaling 63.47 acres as qualifying farmland for the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) <br /> program in the Caldwell Agricultural District. The farm operation includes tobacco, soybeans <br /> and managed forestry and woodland. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Voluntary Agricultural <br /> Districts are non-monetary and non-binding conservation agreements. Enhanced Voluntary <br /> Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and are binding 10-year conservation agreements. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this item: <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br /> for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br /> dependents. <br /> The Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District Program ordinance conserves, protects and <br /> encourages the preservation and improvement of agricultural land within the County boundaries <br /> as a critical component of the County's cultural and rural character and its economy by virtue of <br /> the production of food, fiber and other products. The purpose of this Ordinance is to reduce the <br />