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w Voluntary Agricultural Districts What are Voluntary Agricultural Districts? Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) are special areas where agriculture is encouraged, promoted, and protected. Voluntary Agricultural Districts can serve to increase awareness of the cultural, economic, and environmental importance of North Carolina's farmland resources. (North Carolina is one of 21 states nationwide with an agricultural districts program.) A voluntary agricultural district may consist of a portion of a single farm, an entire farm, or two or more adjoining farms. The purpose of Voluntary Agricultural Districts, as described in the FPEA, is to "increase identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life, and to increase protection from nuisance suits and other negative impacts on properly managed farms" (NCGS, Sec. 106 -738). How does a County establish Voluntary Agricultural Districts? A Voluntary Agricultural District is established by the adoption of an ordinance by the county Board of Commissioners. The Farmland Preservation Enabling Act allows counties to adopt ordinances to establish Agricultural Advisory Boards and to create Voluntary Agricultural Districts. The county ordinance will also set forth rules and procedures for the Agricultural Advisory Board to conduct business, including the application procedures for establishing a VAD. The Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program ordinances adopted by Durham County and Orange County can provide a model for starting an agricultural districts program. Eligibility Requirements. To be considered for a voluntary agricultural district, farmland must meet several eligibility criteria. First, it must be certified as `qualifying farmland'. In order for farmland to 'qualify', it must be: • Participating in the farm present -use value taxation program; • Certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as being a farm on which at least two - thirds of the land: - contains high quality soils that are favorable for all the major crops common to the county where the land is located; - has been actively used in agricultural, horticultural, or forestry operations (as defined by Chapter 105, NCGS) during each of the last five years; • Managed in accordance with accepted NRCS erosion control practices; • Subject to a voluntary conservation agreement between the County and the landowner that prohibits non -farm use for at least 10 years, except for the creation of three lots that meet county subdivision regulations Once farmland is certified as'qualifying farmland', it must meet an acreage requirement. The FPEA allows each County to set the minimum acreage for establishing a voluntary agricultural district. For example, Orange County requires a minimum of 80 acres to form a VAD; Durham County requires 20 acres. Application and Adoption Procedures. As its name implies, the Voluntary Agricultural District is a proposition by the landowner. A farmland owner must apply to the County's Agricultural Advisory Board to establish a VAD. The Board will process the application