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2 <br /> 14 <br /> What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments? <br /> • In 2021 reviewed and recommended approval for 5 additional farms as <br /> Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District <br /> farms, adding 337 acres to these programs after being approved by the <br /> BOCC. This increased the total enrollment in both programs to 16,845 <br /> acres on 138 farms throughout the County (14,250 in VAD and 2595 in <br /> EVAD). <br /> • Formed a subcommittee to study the decline of dairying in Orange County <br /> and to explore the feasibility of promoting new, alternative dairying <br /> operations including regional processing and value added potential <br /> • Since 2016, the APB holds a dedicated seat on the Orange County Food <br /> Council, in recognition of the close ties between the two programs <br /> • Promoted participation in the Century Farm Program by assisting farm <br /> owners with the enrollment process <br /> • Assisted Economic Development in reviewing and evaluating new <br /> applications for the Ag Economic Development Grant Program; two <br /> members of the APB serve on the grant review committee <br /> • Continued installing new road signs to identify farms enrolled in the <br /> Voluntary Agricultural District programs, as well as to recognize <br /> participating farmers and increase program visibility <br /> • Continued to revise and update the County's Voluntary Farmland <br /> Protection Program Ordinance to conform to changes to NC General <br /> Statutes <br /> List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored <br /> Annually. <br /> • Reviews and approves applications from farmers seeking to participate in <br /> the VAD/EVAD program, every other month. <br /> • Hosts an annual breakfast for VAD landowners to recognize their efforts to <br /> preserve agriculture and to provide them with current educational <br /> information through presentations and programs (cancelled in 2021 due to <br /> the pandemic). <br /> Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying <br /> out BOCC goal(s)/priorities, if applicable. <br /> • The APB promotes, reviews and recommends new Voluntary Agricultural <br /> Districts and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts that help protect <br /> farmland (Comp Plan, Natural and Cultural Systems Goal 2). <br /> • The Board oversaw the creation of a long-term plan for agricultural <br /> development and farmland protection, and is working to implement the <br /> provisions of that plan. (Goal 2, Goal 5). <br /> • The APB stays abreast of emerging trends in agriculture, and advises the <br /> Board of Commissioners of new issues or concerns (Goal 5) <br /> 2 <br />