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2 <br /> 30 <br /> • Formed a subcommittee to assess the ongoing loss of productive <br /> farmland across Orange County as documented in USDA and GIS data, <br /> and to identify best practices and policies to support farmland preservation <br /> in the County. Findings will be presented to the BOCC in 2023. <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 /> • Promoted participation in the Century Farm Program by assisting farm <br /> owners with the enrollment process <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/update the County's Voluntary Farmland Protection <br /> Program Ordinance to conform to changes to NC General 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. <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 oversees the creation implementation of a long-term plan for <br /> agricultural development and farmland protection; an update of this plan is <br /> now underway. (Goal 2, Goal 5). <br /> • The APB makes recommendations on goals and objectives for the <br /> triennial Lands Legacy Action Plan (Goal 8). <br /> Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2023 <br /> as they relate to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is <br /> there a fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff time, other resources) associated <br /> with these proposed activities (please list). <br /> • Undertake the update of the County's Agricultural Development and <br /> Farmland Protection Plan, last produced in 2009, using new findings from <br /> our Farmland Preservation Subcommittee; the APB will seek a state grant <br /> to help fund this, requiring County matching funds of $8,000. <br /> • Initiate new efforts to communicate more effectively with the Planning <br /> 2 <br />