With the addition of 77.59 acres this month, voluntary agriculture districts (VAD) now cover almost one-fifth of Moore County's eligible farmland.

Glenn Bradley, chairman of the Moore County Voluntary Agriculture District Advisory Board, said the county has the potential to designate about 105,000 acres as VADs. The February addition of two new farms brings the total acreage so far to 22,422.52 acres.

Owners of farmland are eligible to participate in the voluntary program if they meet several standards, including minimum acreage in use. VADs provide certain protections against unwanted development in rural farming areas.

About 100 Moore County farms are now enrolled in the program. They include horticultural and forestry operations as well as poultry, livestock and standard cropland.

DEMOCRATS -- The Moore County Democratic Party will hold an executive committee meeting Monday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. at county party headquarters, 104 N. McNeill St., Carthage.

Party Chairman Brian Deaton said the meeting will focus on organization of precinct meetings to be held in late February and early March. He said "all precinct officers are strongly encouraged to attend" but added that all registered Democrats and other interested people are also invited to attend.

Inquiries can be directed to Deaton at 295-9111.

GOP PRECINCTS -- Moore County Republicans are already deep in the planning stages for their precinct meetings, where delegates and alternates to the county convention will be chosen.

The county convention will be held March 14 in Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College.

East Knollwood and West Knollwood precincts, which were recently formed from the old Knollwood Precinct, will meet jointly at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Room 204 of Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College. Joe Nelson, founder of the Moore County Republican Men's Club and former Knollwood Precinct chairman, will preside. His telephone number is 695-1456.

Taylortown Precinct Chairman Clarence Levine (603-2613) has announced that his precinct will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Taylortown Town Hall.

Previously announced precinct meetings include: Bensalem, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at Virginia's Beauty Shop, 1224 Gurney W Road, Robbins, Evelyn Hill, chairwoman (673-6061); Eastwood, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Eastwood Fire Station, Joe Garrison, chairman (690-4511); Seven Lakes, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at the Seven Lakes Fire Station, Bill Judge, chairman (673-1434). Elected county officials will be present at the Seven Lakes Precinct meeting.

COUNTY "FAIR" -- Moore County employees will learn about other departments at the Moore County Services Fair scheduled March 27 at the Agricultural Center in Carthage.

The event is not open to the public, but all employees will be encouraged to attend to meet each other and to learn the purposes and operations of other departments.

Exhibits and features will cover everything from public safety and finance to public health and the wastewater treatment plant.

DSS BOARD -- The Moore County Board of Social Services will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m. this Friday to review the 2009-2010 budget for the Department of Social Services and to discuss administrative expenses.

The meeting will be held at the DSS Carriage Oaks facility in Carthage.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.