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41 <br />1 conservation non-profit groups finance projects to protect and restore surface water <br />2 quality. Farm and forest land owners are eligible to receive trust fund monies for sale of <br />3 the development rights to their land under certain guidelines and qualifications. These <br />4 funds can be combined with certain federal conservation funds listed below.20 As of <br />5 December 2008, Orange County has applied for and received $520,000 in grant funds <br />6 from the CWMTF for its Lands Legacy Program. <br />7 <br />8 3. Division of Soil and Water Conservation Agricultural Cost-Share. This program is <br />9 administered by the Division of Soil and Water Conservation in the Department of <br />10 Environment and Natural Resources. It is delivered at the local level by 492 elected and <br />11 appointed volunteer District Supervisors who are assisted by a cadre of experts. <br />12 Participating farmers receive 75% of predetermined average costs of installed best <br />13 management practices (BMPs) with the remaining 25% paid by .farmers directly or <br />14 through in-kind contributions. Some applicants may be eligible to receive as much as <br />15 $75,000 per year. Also the program provides local Districts with matching funds (50:50) <br />16 to hire personnel to plan and install the needed BMPs, including riparian buffers, Strip <br />17 cropping, and Grassed Waterways.Zl In the last four years, funding assistance in the <br />18 amount of $450,000 has been provided through this program to Orange County farmers. <br />19 <br />20 4. Natural Heritage Trust Fund. Like the FPTF and CWMTF, this fund may be available to <br />21 purchase development rights on properties with outstanding natural or cultural values.zz <br />22 <br />23 5. North Carolina Conservation Tax Credit. North Carolina law allows a credit against <br />24 individual and corporate income taxes when real property is donated for conservation <br />25 purposes. Interests in property that promote specific public benefits may be donated to <br />26 a qualified recipient. Such conservation donations qualify for a substantial tax credit.zs <br />27 <br />28 Federal Conservation Funding Tools <br />29 The adoption of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), marks a shift <br />30 in agricultural policy. The new Farm Bill outlines provisions for more effective and efficient <br />31 programs for land conservation and commodity support as well as a new focus toward food <br />32 security and nutrition needs, renewable energy. As part of its detailed analysis, the American <br />33 Farmland Trust (AFT) identified five key components in the new Farm Bill: <br />34 Strengthened conservation and farmland protection programs. <br />35 An improved government safety net that is better for farmers and less costly for <br />36 taxpayers. <br />37 Support for local foods, farmers markets and healthy diets. <br />38 Funding for renewable energy to advance environmentally responsible energy <br />39 production. <br />40 Dramatic increases in food assistance for families struggling with rising food costs. <br />41 <br />20 GS § 113-145.1 et seq. More information on the fund is available at www.cwmtf.net . <br />ii Other program summaries that assist farmers in controlling non-point source runoff are available at <br />www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC . <br />~ NCGS §113-77.7. <br />~ Consult NCGS §§105-130.34 and 105-151.12 for the specific requirements of the CTC Program. For <br />more information see www.enr.state.nc.us/conservationtaxcredit . <br />Draft t 1!09/2009 Opportunities for Enhancing Agriculture in Orange County 30 <br />