APB agenda 022002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

06 4/18/00 3 Section V - APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFYING FARMLAND AND VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS (amended 4197100) A. PURPOSE The purpose of voluntary agricultural districts 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. B. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT 1. An agricultural district shall initially consist of: a. At least 80 contiguous acres (rounded to the nearest whole acre) of certified qualifying farmland; or (Amended 9122192 and 5124193) b. At least two or more certified qualifying farms, contiguous to each other, which will create a district of not less than 80 acres (rounded to the nearest whole acre). (Amended 9122192 and 5124193) In addition, small tracts or lots, when surrounded by or adjacent to certified qualifying farms, may be added to and thereby included in an existing or proposed voluntary agricultural district. (Amended 2122193) 2. The owners of the qualifying farmland must execute an agreement with Orange County to sustain agriculture in the District. 3. Qualifying farmland may be added to existing districts upon execution by the owner of an agreement to sustain agriculture. 4. In the event that one or more participants in the District withdraw and the acreage in the District becomes less than the minimum acreage required or results in the remaining land being non - contiguous, a voluntary agricultural district will continue to exist so long as there is one qualifying farm. C. CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFYING FARMLAND 1. To secure certification as qualifying farmland, a farm must: a. Be participating in the farm present use -value taxation program established by the N.C. General Statutes, Sections 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 the N.C. General Statutes, Sections 105 - 277.3. b. Be certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture as being a farm on which at least two - thirds of the land is composed of soils that: (1) Are best suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage, timber, and oil seed crops; (2) Have good soil qualities;