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19 <br /> DRAFT/March 28,2025 <br /> Orange County is also home to an increasing number of new and beginning <br /> farmers. Of the 1 199 producers in Orange County in the 2022 Agricultural Census <br /> (data collected for up to four producers per farm), 474 (about 40%) were new <br /> and beginning farmers, an increase from 353 in 2017. <br /> The growing community of small, diversified farms <br /> practicing sustainable agriculture in Orange <br /> County is critical for supporting the County's <br /> 2025-2029 Strategic Priorities of Environmental <br /> Protection and Climate Action and for developing <br /> local foodshed resilience. <br /> Established Orange County farmers are passionate about their work and want to <br /> keep their land in farming. <br /> Established Orange County farmers across the spectrum of farm sizes and types <br /> of crops produced are passionate about their roles as stewards of the land and <br /> providers of essential goods and services. Many wish to keep their land in farm <br /> use after they retire. The most common plan for the future of <br /> farmland/forestland in the 2023 Orange County Farmer and Landowner Survey <br /> was transfer to family member(s) for farm use. <br /> Orange County citizens value agriculture and recognize its benefits to the <br /> County, and community members seek food grown sustainably and locally. <br /> Three of four (75%) of Orange County citizens surveyed for input to the County's <br /> 2050 Land Use Plan indicated that local farms and agritourism should be the <br /> foundation of the County's regional identity in 2050 (Land Use Plan Feedback, <br /> 2024). They also identified farmland stewardship as a core need for the future. <br /> Protecting agricultural/working lands and healthy soils was identified as a most <br /> important environmental need, second only to ensure water sources are clean. <br /> Asked about the type of development/growth desired in the County, 47% cited <br /> family farms. Orange County local farm customer Amy Thomas' views on the <br /> importance of local agriculture and farmland (Box 2) typify those of many of her <br /> fellow citizens. <br /> 17 <br />