What is the Voluntary Agricultural District Program?

The Voluntary Agricultural District Program encourages the preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development. Recognizing the importance of agriculture to the state's economic and cultural life, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized counties to establish programs encouraging farmland preservation. This statutory authority is found in Chapter 106, Article 61 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Brunswick County Voluntary Agricultural Districts Ordinance

The Brunswick County Voluntary Agricultural District is governed by an Agricultural Board composed of five members approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The County Extension Director and the District Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service serve as ex officio members of the Agricultural Board. The Board is responsible for approving membership applications in the agricultural district.

2005–2006 Goals & Objectives

To encourage the preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development.

• Hold a community outreach meeting in the fall.
• Target hunting preserves, beekeepers association, commercial horticulture, and row crop producers for membership.
• Promote the agricultural district program during National Agriculture Week, Farm-City Week, and other farm-related organizational meetings.
• Present annual report to the Board of Commissioners and Planning Board.
• Inform/educate attorneys and real estate agents about the Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance.
• Continue to enhance the Web site.
• Create a membership newsletter (spring and fall editions).
• Develop a Power Point presentation for public presentations.
• Create a membership informational handbook.
• Collaborate with municipalities that have farms within their ETJ’s.
• Participate in the Brunswick County Board of Realtors Membership meeting (April) and Share Fair (June).
• Attend educational meetings and updates as appropriate and needed.

  Agricultural Board Members
  

  • Sam Bellamy, Chair
  • Pearly Vereen, Vice-Chair
  • Mary Earp
  • Whitney King
  • Donald Ray Long
  • Kirstie Dixon, Ex Officio
  • Don Riley, Ex Officio
  • Al Hight, Ex Officio

What Are the Requirements?

To be classified as farmland under this program, the farm must contain a minimum of ten contiguous acres.

Other requirements include:

• Participation in the "Farm Present-Use-Value Taxation" Program.
• Certification by Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service that two-thirds of the land area contains soils actively used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, livestock, or wildlife production or that two-thirds of the soils are favorable for major crops common to Brunswick County.
• Participation in a Conservation Agreement that prohibits non-farm use or development.

Why Should I Be a Part of the Voluntary Agricultural District?

The Voluntary Agricultural District Program increases awareness of and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life. It provides:

• Protection from nuisance lawsuits.
• Protection from infrastructure development. Participants will not be required to connect to the county water or sewer system or be assessed charges until the farm is connected to water and sewer services.

What if, after joining the Voluntary Agricultural District Program, I decide I don't want to participate anymore?

This is a voluntary program. The normal term for the agreement is ten years; however, participants can revoke the agreement at any time by notifying the Agricultural Board in writing.

What is the Cost of the Program?

A one-time fee of $25 to join the Voluntary Agricultural District Program covers two items:

• Partial cost of a sign designating a farm's membership
• The cost of filing a required document with the Brunswick County Register of Deeds Office.

Additional expenses for participating the program are covered by Brunswick County Government.

Brunswick County Voluntary Agricultural District Program Membership Certification Application

Brunswick County Voluntary Agricultural District Participant Mapping (click on Layers, Agricultural District, & Check Display Choices)

For more information, contact:


• Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422; (910) 253-2610
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), P. O. Box 26, Bolivia, NC 28422; (910) 253-4448 Ext. 3
• Brunswick County Soil and Water Conservation District, P. O. Box 26, Bolivia, NC 28422; (910) 253-2830