Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
100 <br /> trends and conditions that have Agriculture, Working Lands, <br /> evolved since the last plan was <br /> adopted.This document served as and Open Spaces <br /> the foundation for policy discussions <br /> with County Staff,the Staff Working Trends and Conditions <br /> Group,the Planning Board,and the <br /> Board of County Commissioners. Agriculture,working lands,and open <br /> • Phase 1 Stakeholder Interviews spaces are vital assets to the residents of <br /> Summary Report:This document Orange County.The county's landscape <br /> summarizes input collected from mainly consists of deciduous forests <br /> stakeholders interviewed during and agricultural lands, including both <br /> Phase 1.The purpose of this summary pastureland and cropland. From 2008 <br /> is to share the key takeaways from to 2017,tree cover across the county <br /> these inputs.These inputs were used increased by approximately 3%, largely <br /> as a starting point for discussions within the Rural Buffer area. However,from <br /> with the public as part of Community 1997 to 2017,the county saw a 4%decrease <br /> Engagement Window#1 (CEW#1)and in agricultural land. <br /> aided in development of activities Over 10,000 acres of land in Orange <br /> and polling questions. <br /> County are designated as"state-identified <br /> • Community Engagement Window natural areas,"which are recognized for <br /> #1 Summary: This document their special biodiversity significance. <br /> provides a summary report of the Some of these areas are ranked among <br /> activities, objectives,and outcomes of the highest conservation priorities in <br /> Community Engagement Window#1, the state.The majority of these lands <br /> held during fall 2023 through winter are located within the Rural Buffer.A key <br /> 2024. mechanism in safeguarding these areas is <br /> • Community Engagement Window Orange County's Lands Legacy Program, <br /> #2 Summary: This document a conservation easement initiative that <br /> provides a summary report of the allows landowners to voluntarily protect <br /> activities, objectives,and outcomes of their properties from development. <br /> Community Engagement Window#2, In terms of working land used for farming <br /> held during the fall of 2024. or forestry,approximately three-fourths <br /> The following are narratives that discuss of the County consists of prime farmland <br /> the information and analyses drawn soil (140,630 acres). Overall,27.4%of <br /> from the existing Orange County studies, land is actively used for agricultural <br /> purposes, including crop production, <br /> reports,and recommendations. timber harvesting,and pasture (69,908 <br /> acres).Although the number of farms <br /> has increased from 1997 to 2017,the total <br /> area designated as a farm operation has <br /> decreased by 4%. Notably,the number <br /> of farms owned by Black and African <br /> American farmers has grown. In addition, <br /> there has been a significant rise in <br /> pastureland,alongside a marked decline in <br /> cropland. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY LAND USE PLAN 2050 97 <br />