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3 <br />_, <br />=~~,~~. <br />,wrr <br />TRSi Fiw <br />vp <br />~~ <br />NCDA~CS <br />ADFP Trust Fund <br />Grant Application Guidelines <br />^ Overview <br />Mission <br />To preserve North Carolina's working family farms. <br />History <br />Between the years of 2003 and 2006, North Carolina lost 5,500 farms and 300,000 acres of <br />farmland; this is equivalent to the average size of one of our counties (USDA-200?). In <br />addition, thousands of acres of forestlands have been converted to development. This has <br />put a strain on our county budgets, our local and state economy, and our natural resources, <br />and is a loss to our agricultural heritage. The foundation of North Carolinas #1 industry <br />needs to be protected from unwise and unplanned conversions to other uses. <br />Today, approximately 90 percent of all North Carolina lands are privately owned. The U.S. <br />Census Bureau predicts that our state's population will expand by 4 million people by 2030, <br />and this growth threatens our farm and forestland. Preserving farmland also protects our <br />natural resources, wildlife habitat, and water resources. <br />Eligible Applicants <br />All applicants must be non-profit conservation organizations or county agencies. <br />(G.S.106-744) <br />Farmers, landowners, and others interested in applying must partner with anon-profit <br />conservation organization or county agency in order to participate in an ADFP Trust Fund <br />grant proposal. <br />Only North Carolina counties with a Voluntary Agricultural District or Enhanced Voluntary <br />Agricultural District program are eligible for an Agricultural Development grant. <br />Funding Purposes <br />To secure agricultural conservation easements on agricultural, horticultural, and forestlands <br />for active production of food, fiber, and other agricultural products. Easements include the <br />following options: <br />^ Perpetual <br />^ 50 year term <br />^ 40 year term <br />^ 30 year term <br />^ 20 year term <br />^ 10 year term <br />To support public and private enterprise programs that will promote profitable and <br />sustainable agricultural, horticultural, and forestlands through assistance to farmers in <br />developing plans for: <br />^ production of food, fiber, and value-added products <br />^ agritourism activities <br />