HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1754farmland from non-farm development, recognizing the importance of agriculture to the economic
andcultural life of rhe county.
The Enhanced Farmland Preservation Ordinance creates a district that will provide greater benefits to
farmers than the current Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance. Participating farms will be
allowed to receive up to 25% of their gross sales from the sale of certain types of Non-farm products, as
defined herein, and still qualify for agricultural zoning exemptions. In addition, participating farms will
be eligible for a higher percentage of cost -share funds under the Agricultural Cost share Program and
have priority for other state and local grant programs.
Article II. Enactment
Pursuant to authority conferred by North Carolina General Statute 106-735 through 106-744 and
Chapter 153A, and for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of Iredell
County, the Board of Commissioners of Iredell County, North Carolina does enact the following sections,
which shall be known as the ENHANCED FARMLAND PRESERVATION ORDINANCE of Iredell
County, North Carolina.
Article lit. Definitions
The following terms are defined for purposes of this ordinance:
Board - Iredell County Farmland Preservation Board
Board of Commissioners - Iredell County Board of Commissioners
Farm Use - The cultivation of soil for production and harvesting of crops; the planting and production of
trees and timber; dairying and the raising, management, care and training of livestock; aquaculture; the
operation, management, conservation, improvement, and maintenance of a farm and the structures and
buildings on the farm; the marketing and selling of crops, timber and livestock produced on the farm;
agritourism; storage and use of materials for the farm uses outlined herein; packing, treating, processing,
sorting, storage, and other activities customarily performed to add value to crops, livestock, and
agricultural items produced on the farm, and similar activities incident to the operation of a farm and not
inconsistent with the purpose of The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Enabling Act.
For purposes of G.S. 153A -340(b), the production of any Nonfarm product, that the Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services specifically recognizes as a "Goodness Grows in North Carolina"
product, that is produced on a farm subject to a conservation agreement pursuant to this Ordinance, is a
Farm Use.
Chairman - Chairman of the Farmland Preservation Board
District - Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District
Nonfarm Products - Any product that is not produced pursuant to a Farm Use and is recognized by the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a "Goodness Grows in North Carolina" product.
For the purposes of this ordinance, the term "non-farm products " shall not include any use that is not
directly associated with the operations of the subject farm.
Article IV. Farmland Preservation Board
Section 401. Creation
The Enhanced Farmland Preservation Ordinance will be implemented by the existing Voluntary
Farmland Preservation Board as appointed by the Board of Commissioners. This Advisory Board
will oversee both county ordinances.
Section 402. Membership
(402.1) Each board member shall be a resident of Iredell County.
(402.2) Five (5) of the seven (7) members shall be actively engaged in farming and they
may be selected for appointment by the Board of Commissioners from a list of
possible candidates submitted to the Board of Commissioners by: the Iredell County Cooperative
Extension Service, the Iredell County Soil and Water Conservation District and the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture Farm Service Agency.
Appointments should be made with an effort to have the broadest geographical
representation possible.
(402.3) All members are to serve for terms of jour (4) years, except the initial Board is
to consist of two (2) appointees for a term of two (2) years; three (3) appointees
for terms of three (3) years, and two (2) appointees for terms offour (4) years.
thereafter, all appointments are to be for terms of four (4) years, with
reappointments permitted.
(402.4) Any vacancy on the Farmland Preservation Board is to be filled by the Board of
Commissioners for the remainder of the unexpired term.