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Annie W. Peninger <br />Carl D. Pless Sr. <br />George L. Pless <br />Wade H. Ritchie Jr. <br />Edith Walker, Sarah E. Walker <br />Water quality in streams in agricultural areas is much higher than the runoff in streams <br />from residential and industrial areas. Pollutants that find their way into streams in <br />residential and industrial areas include waste from pets and copper (which replaced <br />asbestos) from automotive brake linings. Farms in the countryside contribute to the <br />county's tourist attractions. Farmers and landowners who actively participate at the <br />Cabarrus County Fair add considerably to the educational value of the fair. <br />Each $1.00 collected by the county in property taxes from land enrolled in the deferred <br />tax program costs the county $0.31 in services provided by the county to those living on <br />those properties. Each $1.00 collected by the county in property taxes from residential <br />development costs the county $1.15 in services provided by the county <br />For these reasons, it is in the county's interest to promote the local agricultural industry <br />and protect farmland. Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm to do so is a cost <br />effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Cabarrus County. <br />As demonstrated by data supplied below, North Carolina is losing farmland. Farming <br />faces a unique set of stresses, some of which Cabarrus County with thoughtful action can <br />help to mitigate. To better understand these stresses, and the steps the county can take to <br />reduce them, it is helpful to first understand the history, geography (including the soil <br />resource), economic trends, and regulations governing farming. It is also important to <br />understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves. <br />ARTICLE II: <br />AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY ACTION <br />In 1986, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the North Carolina Agricultural <br />Development and Farmland Preservation Enabling Act . The stated purpose of this Act is <br />"to authorize counties to undertake a series of programs to encourage the preservation of <br />farmland as defined herein. " In addition to enabling counties to create Voluntary <br />Agricultural District ordinances, which Cabarrus County adopted in November 17, 2005, <br />the Act also created the North Carolina Farmland Preservation Fund and enabled counties <br />to develop purchase of agricultural conservation easements (PACE) programs. By later <br />amendment, the General Assembly created a matching mechanism for distribution of <br />Farmland Preservation Trust Fund monies, with preference to counties adopting a <br />countywide farmland protection plan. The Act declares that a countywide farmland <br />protection plan shall: <br />1. Contain a list and description of existing agricultural activity in the county. <br />4 <br />Attachment number 1 <br />G -1 Page 199 <br />