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roars of big combines would fall on deaf ears under a proposal that would establish lialf -mile agricul- ture zones around farms to shield them from nuisance complaints by their urban neighbors, some of whom might be annoyed by the smells, sights and sound of farming. As Chatham has grown more ur- ban, the county has been fielding more calls from new residents com- plaining about flies and smells that often accompany tasks such as cleaning out chicken coops. Under the proposed agriculture' zones, farmers who opt tn,be includ- ed in these districts would have their land identified as such at the Register of Deeds office, ,rhat way, potential homebuyers or develop- ers would be warned in advance that the area they are eyeing is a SEE ZONING, PACE 413 ' Tommy Emerson, a lifelong Chatham County resident and former, is helping to draft a proposed ordinance to create agricultural districts to protect forms from homeowners and developers. ZONING CONII^JIJED FP.Cai PAGE 1 B farming enclave. Many farmers, including Tommy Emerson, a beef cattle owner and Siler City resident, think the zones would encourage good relations between farmers and their future neighbors while protecting farming interests in the face of steadv ur- banization. Emerson also is chair- man of the county's agricultural advisor.v committee, which is devel- oping the zone rules. "As the county receives pnpula- tion pressure from urban counties adjacent to us, we can see the po- tential for more and more disputes arising from people not familiar with agriculture," Emerson said. "liopefuily, this will curtail some of the probleills." Supporters CA th(I 'LoneS also hope. they will give farming — still an integral part of the county's ec-on- orny anti culture -- a sense of iden- tity and will encourage its growth. Not all farms would be eligible for STAFF PHOTO BY HARRY LYNCH inclusion in the proposed agricul- ture zones. The rules are designed to protect larger, working farms. For instance, farms that sell orna- mental plants would have to oper- ate on at least five acres that pro - duce at least $1,004 a year in income, Farmers with traditional crops or animals would have to have at least 10 acres, and timber farms would have to be at least 20 acres. While other Triangle counties have seen steep declines in farm- land, Chatham — largely because of the popularity of alternative fam) ing — has had a .t percent increase in farms between 1493 and 1007, according; to the i'.S. Census. The county's estimated 1150 farms account for 40 percent of Chatham's net income. But the county also has had tremendous population growth - 27 percent during the past decade. Land that used to he open space is now horne to new residential devel- opments. Nearly t,000 housing per- mits have been issued in Chatham since August. 2000, and some newcomers are hound to be from larger cities and unaccuslor'ied to rural environments, Chatham's proposed agriculture zones are not unique. r't least 40 other counties in Nort.h;,arolina have (hem, including Durham and Orange, In Wake County, 1,500 sur- veys have been sent to farmers to gauge their interest in such dis- tricts, said Rick Bailey, a soil and water conservation district achnin- istrator. Bailey thinks Wake farm- ers will endorse the idea. "Farming communities likr to establish an identity that, they may not have right now," he said. Chatham Countycommissiuners are set to vote on the proposal to establish the zones nest month. Many in the farming community are urging approval. "People that want to st; yengaged in farming will hopefully have this prolective barrier here," said Paul McCoy, director of the Chatham County Farm Bureau. "I think it's worthwhile." Staff writer Slephoon Harris can be reached at 432 -2015 or sharris imewsobserveccom 39