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6 <br /> DRAFT/March 28,2025 <br /> GOAL 1: Plan FOR Agriculture: Elevate farmland stewardship to being a central <br /> consideration in land use planning and decisions. Continued farmland loss can be <br /> mitigated through proven land use planning approaches such as compact <br /> development, minimization of sprawl, strengthened development in areas where <br /> development has already occurred, and permanent protection of farmland and open <br /> space. <br /> GOAL 1 RECOMMENDATIONS: <br /> 1) Assess, document, and communicate the status of agriculture in Orange County. <br /> a) Assess farmland conversion trends in the County on a biennial basis through GIS <br /> mapping. <br /> b) Conduct a biennial County-wide agricultural census. <br /> c) Complete an Economic Impact Assessment of agriculture in the County. <br /> d) Complete a new Cost of Community Services study of agriculture in the County. <br /> e) Communicate farmland conversion trends, County agricultural census results, and <br /> economic data in the biennially updated Agricultural Viability and Farmland Stewardship <br /> Plan and on a County agriculture web page/website. <br /> 2) Elevate agriculture to a primary use in land use planning, regulations, and policy. <br /> a) On the Planning Board, include an Agricultural Preservation Board member. On the <br /> Agricultural Preservation Board, include a Planning Board member. <br /> b) Adopt the Agricultural Viability and Farmland Stewardship Plan as a reference in or a <br /> component of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> c) Adopt a Prioritization Method to identify and target farmland for conservation in <br /> coordination with existing Lands Legacy prioritization criteria. <br /> d) Adopt modifications and additions to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and to <br /> County policies to elevate agriculture to a primary use in land use regulations and policy. <br /> GOAL 2: Conserve Farmland Through Direct Measures: Promote the benefits of and <br /> strengthen opportunities for farmers to use direct measures to conserve their farmland. <br /> The most effective means of protecting farmland are direct measures: namely <br /> permanent agricultural conservation easements and transition plans or estate plans <br /> that provide for continuing operation of farms when owners retire or die. <br /> GOAL 2 RECOMMENDATIONS: <br /> 3) Increase the rate at which Lands Legacy Program conservation easements are <br /> granted. <br /> a) Increase the funds available for County purchase of Lands Legacy Program <br /> conservation easements. <br /> b) Identify and implement additional frameworks for County collaboration with non-County <br /> conservation organizations (e.g., Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Foundation) to <br /> secure easements. Explore the possibility of reactivating the Orange County <br /> Conservation Alliance. <br /> 4) Use the VAD/EVAD (Voluntary Agricultural District/Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural <br /> District) program as a steppingstone to permanent Lands Legacy Program <br /> conservation easements. <br /> a) Intensify VAD/EVAD recruiting efforts through direct mail, County website, direct <br /> outreach, and Agricultural Preservation Board member engagement. <br /> 4 <br />