THE ALAMANCE COUNTY VOLUNTARY FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM
Owners of farms and forests in Alamance County can get protection from nuisance lawsuits with the implementation of the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program which was approved by the Alamance County Board of Commissioners in March of 2001.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM? The purpose of this program is to promote agricultural values and general welfare of Alamance County by increasing identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life; to encourage the economic and financial health of agriculture, and to increase protection from non-farm development and other negative impacts on properly managed farms.
If your farm is enrolled in the preservation program, a metal sign measuring 3' x 2' will be posted to designate your membership in this program.
WHO QUALIFIES? Landowners quality for inclusion as a voluntary Agricultural District if they meet the following conditions:
The farm property must be participating in the Alamance County farm present-use-value taxation program or meets these qualifications:
Minimum amount of land required:
5 acres for horticulture use
10 acres for general agriculture use
20 acres for forestry use
The property must have a conservation plan certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the North Carolina Forest Service
WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS
Prohibits non-farm use or development of land for 10 years
Maximum creation of three lots withon a 10-year period
The property owner may at any time voluntarily revoke agreement by submitting a written notice to the Ag Advisory Board
For additional information and to receive an application, contact any of the following offices: Cooperative Extension Service, Alamance Soil and Water Conservation/NRCS Office and the Alamance County Planning Department. You can also obtain a copy of the Alamance County Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance as approved on March 19, 2001 by the Alamance County Board of Commissioners.
Return to Alamance County Cooperative Extension Homepage.
This page created by Jenny H. Wilson, Adm. Secretary/Webmaster, November 20, 2001.