Agenda - 11-17-2009 - 4h - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Definitions Agricultural Conservation Easement - a negative easement in gross restricting residential, commercial, and industrial development of land for the purpose of maintaining its agricultural production capability (G.S. 106-744(b)). Beginning Farmer - A farmer who has not operated a farm or who has operated a farm for not more than 10 years and who will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm (G.S. 143-215.74(b)(9)(a)). Limited Resource Farmer - A farmer with direct and indirect annual gross farm sales that do not exceed one hundred fifty five thousand two hundred dollars ($155,200) in each of the previous two years and with an adjusted household income in each of the previous two years that is at or below the greater of the county median household income, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or two times the national poverty level based on the federal poverty guidelines established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and revised each April 1 (G.S. 143-215.74(b)(9)(b)). = Countywide Farmland Protection Plan - A plan that satisfies all of the following requirements: (1) The countywide farmland protection plan shall contain a list and description of existing agricultural activity in the county. (2) The countywide farmland protection plan shall contain a list of existing challenges to continued family farming in the county. (3) The countywide farmland protection plan shall contain a list of opportunities for maintaining or enhancing small, family-owned farms and the local agricultural economy. (4) The countywide farmland protection plan shall describe how the county plans to maintain a viable agricultural community and shall address farmland preservation tools, such as agricultural economic development, including farm diversification and marketing assistance; other kinds of agricultural technical assistance, such as farm infrastructure financing, farmland purchasing, linking with younger farmers, and estate planning; the desirability and feasibility of donating agricultural conservation easements, and entering into voluntary agricultural districts. (5) The countywide farmland protection plan shall contain a schedule for implementing the plan and an identification of possible funding sources for the long-term support of the plan. (G.S. 106-744(e)) Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) - In order for farmland to qualify for inclusion in a voluntary agricultural district or an enhanced voluntary agricultural district under Article 61 of Chapter 106 of the North Carolina General Statutes, it must be real property that: (1) Is participating in the farm present-use-value taxation program established by G.S. 105-277.2 through 105-277.7 or is otherwise determined by the county to meet all the qualifications of this program set forth in G.S. 105-277.3; (2) Repealed by Session Laws 2005-390, s. 11 effective September 13, 2005. (3) Is managed in accordance with the Soil Conservation Service defined erosion control practices that are addressed to highly erodible land; and (4) Is the subject of a conservation agreement, as defined in G.S. 121-35, between the county and the owner of such land that prohibits nonfarm use or development of such land for a period of at least 10 years, except for the creation of not more than three lots that meet applicable county zoning and subdivision regulations. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1025, s. 1; 2005-390, ss. 3, 11.) (G.S. 106-737) ^ Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) - A district established by a county or a city by ordinance under Part 3 of Article 61 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes (G.S. 143-215.74(b)(9)(a1)). For additional resources, go to http://www.ncadfp.org.