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DRAFT/March 27,2026 <br /> farm use. However, 7 of 10 respondents lacked a documented transition plan or <br /> estate plan. <br /> These findings and considerations highlight the needs to strengthen and expand <br /> County conservation programs and to assist farmers with transition planning. <br /> Accordingly, Goal #2 of this Plan is to Conserve Farmland Through Direct <br /> Measures: Promote the benefits of and strengthen opportunities for farmers to <br /> use direct measures to conserve their farmland. <br /> Goal 3: Enhance the Economic Viability of Agriculture <br /> Viable farm businesses are the foundation of a resilient local food system. Data <br /> from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture and the 2023 Orange County Farmer <br /> and Landowner Survey (Appendix 1 for summary) show that farming is not <br /> profitable for the majority of farmers in the County, a finding mirrored in counties <br /> across the state and nationally. Increasing agricultural revenue can set the <br /> stage for continuing to attract new farmers and new capital. New capital in turn <br /> can increase the value of agriculture and contribute to increasing agricultural <br /> revenue (Triangle Farms for Food, 2016). <br /> Enhancing the economic viability of agriculture in the County entails agricultural <br /> development that increases agricultural productivity as well as market <br /> development that increases demand for local agricultural products. Given <br /> these considerations, Goal #3 of this Plan is to Enhance the Economic Viability of <br /> Agriculture through both farmer- and citizen-targeted approaches: <br /> • Provide new business opportunities for farmers through market <br /> development, education, diversification, and cooperation; and <br /> • Increase local demand for Orange County farm products by increasing <br /> awareness of their value and benefits. <br /> 21 <br />