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Agricultural Advisory Board

Agricultural Advisory Board

For decades North Carolina has led the nation in farm loss. To combat the loss of our farmland to development, the Farmland Preservation Program was developed by County Ordinance Chapter 58 Article III. The ordinance provided for the establishment of the Agriculture Advisory Board and created the pathway for developing Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD) and for the Buncombe County SWCD to hold conservation easements. Since its inception, the program has grown to holding conservation easements on farmland and forestland, managing Voluntary Agricultural Districts/Enhanced Voluntary Ag Districts and promoting agriculture throughout Buncombe County. This three-legged approach helps to protect valuable agricultural lands from development, protects farmers from nuisance suits, and promotes economic vitality in the agricultural sector.   

 

Buncombe County is seen as a trailblazer in land conservation across the state, being the first to take many steps in conservation:  

  • First to adopt Farmland Preservation Ordinance 
  • First to adopt a Farmland Protection Plan 
  • First to have a Farmland Preservation Program to hold easements 
  • First to provide financial support to easements to county and land trust entities  

The Buncombe County Ag Advisory Board: 

  • Reviews and makes recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts 
  • Reviews and makes recommendations concerning any ordinance or amendment adopted or proposed for adoption 
  • Holds public hearings on public projects likely to have an impact on agricultural operations, particularly if such projects involve condemnation of all or part of any qualifying farm 
  • Advises the governing body of the county or city on projects, programs, or issues affecting the agricultural economy or way of life within the county 
  • Performs other related tasks or duties assigned by the governing board of the county or city 

To learn more about Ag Advisory Board visit the  board website or the GIS Story Map. 

 

Agricultural Advisory Board Meetings

  Watch meetings online, participate in virtual public comment, register to attend a live meeting, or view past meeting videos and archives by clicking the meeting dates below. To learn more...

Participate

Thank You! Celebrating Landowners Who Have Preserved Working Farms and Open Land in Buncombe County

Click the image below to read the article . Land Conservation Hall of Fame Article

Open Space Bonds

Click the image below to visit the Open Space Bond Page to learn more about additional farmland conservation projects.