(Must be printed on legal size paper - 81/2 X 14 inches)
1. What is the Voluntary Agricultural District Program (VAD)?
In January 2009, the Craven County Board of Commissioners adopted a Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance. Two of the goals of this ordinance are 1) to recognize the importance of agriculture to the economic and cultural life of the county and 2) to encourage the voluntary preservation and protection of farmland. The action is granted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina provided in Chapter 106, Article 61, of the North Carolina General Statutes authorizing counties to undertake a series of programs to encourage the preservation of farmland.
2. Who governs this program?
The Craven County Agricultural Advisory Board governs the Craven County VAD program. This board is composed of one member from each township and one member appointed by the Craven Soil & Water Conservation District. Representatives from NC Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, Farm Bureau and Craven Soil & Water Conservation offices may serve as advisors to the Board. The Agricultural Board will be responsible for approving applications for membership in agricultural districts.
3. What are the benefits of enrolling lands into this program?
General benefit of the program is that it will foster rural and urban growth while preserving agricultural heritage and the economic benefits of agriculture to rural areas. Specific benefits to the landowner include:
1. An added protection of potential nuisance lawsuits by simple notification to the public of existing agricultural activities within the area. Enrollment of lands into the program will identify existing farmlands and farming activities on the Craven County GIS system (http://gismaps.cravencounty.com/).
2. Certain conservation cost-share programs offer reduced or no matching costs for lands enrolled into this program. The degree of reduced cost share will depend upon the particular program and type of VAD selected.
3. Certain Federal and State conservation programs may entitle farmlands enrolled in this program priority for consideration and reduced cost-share contributions for conservation improvements and/or grants.
5. Does enrollment into this program change my land value or tax rate?
No, enrollment of lands into this program will not alter the land value nor alter the tax rate. Land values are determined by supply and demand. Tax values are set by land use and NC State Statues.
6. What enrollment options are available?
Both offer similar benefits but with slightly different terms.
7. Will I lose control of the use of my land if I enroll?
For lands enrolled into the Voluntary Agricultural District, no. A conservation agreement will be signed and recorded with the Register of Deeds stating you will preserve the land as farmland as well as limit the number of households to three. If at any time you desire to use the land for other uses, a written request to remove the land from the program is the only means necessary to remove the land from the program.
Lands enrolled into the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District program usually outline very specific details regarding land preservation for a term of ten years. During this time, this land can not be developed. After this term expires, a written request for removal will be honored.
8. What are the requirements for enrollment?
To qualify as farmland eligible for this program, the land shall contain a minimum of 10 contiguous acres and be located within one mile of other existing farmlands. Additionally, the following conditions must be met.
9. What is the process for enrollment?
1. Visit the Craven County Soil & Water Conservation District office or the NC Cooperative Extension office in the Craven County Agricultural Building (Industrial Park), New Bern NC or download the application from this web site.
2. Fill out the application and have it notarized. Return the application directly to the Craven County Soil & Water Conservation District office with payment of $50 . If you prefer, it can be mailed to the address below:
Craven County Agricultural Advisory Board
c/o Craven Soil & Water Conservation
302 Industrial Drive, New Bern, NC, 28562
3. Upon receiving the application, the Craven County Agricultural Advisory Board, Craven County Tax Office and Craven County Department of Planning will review the application.
4. The Craven County Agricultural Advisory Board will make final decisions regarding applications. Written notification of their decisions will be mailed to the applicant(s).
5. For lands approved for enrollment, the original application form and a Conservation Agreement will be mailed to the landowner. The Conservation Agreement must be signed, notarized and recorded by the Register of Deeds (http://www.cravencountync.gov/departments/reg.cfm ). Recording fees are the responsibility of the landowner(s).
10. Who do I contact for more information?
Additional information can be obtained by contacting any member of the Craven County Agricultural Advisory Board or the Craven County Soil & Water Conservation office at 637-3567.
Additional Information can be also be found at the NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation web site http://www.ncadfp.org/ADFPTrustFundWebpage.htm
