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"l I <br />-;?77 -'4.t'' <br />y,� <br />�..::,�.y,°ti."4 -?' .g'aP ..a2w g'k «X°"• tt.Y' ,}'r`'}}>^:: _.. =r` i+} "f <br />r- "�':;�t.. �N ;� i;•yW. 4'v'.!. �i'4tJ,.4- s.4�ira 4i�p. -, <br />_ �:l.: .:�"`•�'. :,:A,,;''`c;$O'�"i;.� j- t,...r y�4.�..,:"M.,.:"w �.6,Vy Via.,. s ��"+ <br />Eligibility <br />Farmland, forestland, and horticultural lands must meet the <br />following criteria: <br />• The land must be eligible for the present -use value taxa- <br />tion program; and <br />• The land must be managed in accordance with USDA <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines with <br />respect to highly erodible land. <br />Benefits <br />is Signage to publicize the land's enrollment in the VAD <br />program. <br />• Greater public awareness of the local agricultural com- <br />munity and increased pride in the farming way of life. <br />• Increased protection from nuisance lawsuits if notice is <br />provided through county land records systems. <br />• Public hearings for proposed condemnation of VAD land. <br />• Suspension on waiver of water and sewer assessments <br />if the VAD land is not connected to the utility in question. <br />• Possible flexibility in the Orange County Unified Develop- <br />ment Ordinance (UDO) related to farming operations. <br />Requirements <br />According to NCGS 106 -737, the land must be subject to a <br />conservation agreement between the landowner and the <br />County that prohibits non -farm development for a period of <br />at least 10 years, except for the creation of not more than <br />three lots that meet applicable County subdivision <br />regulations. <br />■ This agreement may be revoked by the landowner at any <br />time. Ending the agreement will result in the property no <br />longer qualifying for the VAD program and its benefits. <br />I Cedar Grove 1 <br />High Rock/Efland <br />Cane Creek/ <br />Buckhom <br />White Cross <br />Caldwell <br />Schley /Eno <br />New Hope/ <br />Hillsborough <br />The County is divided into Seven Districts <br />• Each district has one or more Certified Qualifying Farms <br />enrolled as VADs or EVADs, and <br />• East district has a representative on the Agricultural <br />Preservation Board. <br />Eligibility <br />Same eligibility requirements as VAD. <br />Benefits <br />Same eligibility requirements as VAD, plus: <br />• Landowners are eligible to receive a higher percent of <br />cost -share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share <br />Program —as high as 90% assistance. <br />• State agencies, departments, and institutions that <br />award grants to farmers are encouraged to give priority <br />considerations to landowners participating in Enhanced <br />Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVAD). <br />• All utility assessments may be suspended or waived if the <br />land is in EVAD but not connected to the utility in question. <br />• The farm may receive up to 25% of gross sales from the <br />sale on non -farm products and still maintain its zoning <br />exemption as a bona fide farm. <br />• Landowners may experience fewer unsolicited requests <br />from developers to sell the land, due to the 10 -year <br />irrevocable conservation agreement. <br />• Landowners can stabilize the use of their land while <br />considering longer -term options, such as permanent <br />agricultural conservation easements. <br />Requirements <br />Same conservation agreement required as VAD, except that <br />the agreement may not be revoked during the term of the <br />agreement. <br />At the end of its 10 -year term, the EVAD conservation agree- <br />ment automatically renews for 3 more years, unless the land- <br />owner provides a timely written notice to the County. Should <br />the landowner end the conservation agreement, the property <br />is no longer eligible for the EVAD program benefits. <br />For more information about VADs and EVADs see <br />www.ncadfD.org <br />M <br />