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• <br /> 6 <br /> i•J 021. • <br /> owner may apply to the chairman for such inclusion at the same time he <br /> applies for qualifying farmland certification, or at any time subsequent <br /> to receiving qualifying farmland certification. <br /> • a. The purpose of voluntary agricultural districts formed by landowners <br /> shall be to encourage the economic and financial health of farming <br /> areas, to increase protection from nuisance suits, undesired non- <br /> farm development and other negative impacts on participating farms <br /> and to increase the identity and pride in the agricultural community <br /> and its way of life. <br /> b. Requirements to participate: <br /> 1. An agricultural district shall consist of: <br /> * at least 350 contiguous acres or more of qualifying farmland, <br /> OR <br /> • * at least 2 or more qualifying farms, which will create a <br /> :f district o'finoCless:.:than:7250z.adres...,-and:_Faid itrME7_17ing-.7kith- <br /> in one mile or less of one another <br /> OR <br /> * a single property owner of 50 acres or more of contiguous <br /> farmland with $7500 farm annual income or 100 or more acres <br /> of contiguous forestland with an approved and implemented <br /> forest management plan (no income requirement). <br /> ii. To the extent possible, non-farm development should by excluded <br /> • from the districts unless necessary to connect non-contiguous <br /> farmland oa. tract is large enough to have significance in the <br /> district as determined by the Agriclutlral Districts Advisory <br /> Board, but in no case may exceed 10% of thetoral district <br /> • acreage. Non-farm development is required to remain in the <br /> district for .at least one year, but will not receive the <br /> economic incentives that farmland receives. <br /> • <br />